Exploring the Dark Knight's Legacy: A Batman Game without Bruce Wayne

Highlights

Batman video games have a vast amount of story potential, and new games could feature a different character taking on the role of the Caped Crusader.

Bruce Wayne's fame extends beyond his own gaming series as he holds a significant presence in the gaming world and even in games unrelated to his own storyline, making him a prominent figure in the DC universe.

Introducing a Batman Beyond game featuring Terry McGinnis as the main character, with Bruce Wayne in the role of his mentor, could offer a captivating and heartfelt approach to the Batman narrative.

There is a wealth of untold stories within the Batman video game realm, and it is not necessary for Bruce Wayne to always be the protagonist. With the extensive source material from the Batman comics and TV shows, the possibilities for storylines in these games are virtually limitless. Additionally, exclusive narratives like those found in Arkham Asylum and Gotham Knights offer even more content. As one of DC's most iconic superheroes, Batman is unlikely to fade into obscurity. However, future games have the potential to breathe new life into the franchise by introducing a fresh face behind the iconic mask.

Bruce Wayne's presence in the gaming world rivals his fame in other mediums, as evidenced by the numerous Batman-themed video games spanning from classic side-scrollers on the NES to the more recent Gotham Knights. His gaming career surpasses that of many other well-known gaming icons. Even in games not solely focused on him, Batman is often prominently featured within the DC universe. Despite his popularity, it is crucial for these games to innovate in order to maintain their appeal. Thankfully, the Batman series has a few surprises up its sleeve to captivate players.

Batman Beyond's Version of Bruce Wayne Would be Excellent in a Video Game

A prime candidate for playable inclusion in the Batfamily is Terry McGinnis, the heroic protagonist of Batman Beyond. Set in the future of Gotham City after Bruce Wayne's retirement from crime-fighting due to his age and physical ailments, the series follows Terry as he assumes the role of Bruce's new apprentice. One of the main attractions of the show is Terry himself, a relatively inexperienced crime-fighter who possesses innate intelligence and resilience that make him exceptionally well-suited for the role. Guided by Bruce, Terry evolves into a skilled and morally upright hero who dutifully protects the people of Gotham.

Drawing upon the narrative of Batman Beyond would be a fantastic source for the next Batman game's storyline, as it not only incorporates the passage of time but also introduces fresh developments to Gotham. With many of Batman's past adversaries retired by the time of Batman Beyond, a new wave of threats emerges to fill the void in Gotham City's criminal underworld. Ranging from the nuclear-powered CEO Derek Powers, the shapeshifting mercenary Inque, to the Jokerz gang, Terry faces a multitude of formidable foes. Despite Bruce's inactivity as Batman, he assumes the role of Terry's mentor and mission control, providing guidance as Terry learns the ropes and becomes acquainted with his cutting-edge bat suit.

In the game Batman Beyond, Bruce Wayne has the opportunity to take on the role of Alfred, similar to what we saw in Gotham Knights. Even though Alfred did not actively participate in the field in Gotham Knights, he provided support to the team and acted as a father figure to Bruce in his absence. Bruce himself is in the perfect position to fulfill the same role for Terry. Throughout the animated series, Bruce dedicated himself to mentoring Terry, especially after Terry's father was killed in the first episode. However, this aspect of Bruce's character has been somewhat overlooked in recent years. A Batman Beyond game could bring this aspect to the forefront and showcase Bruce in his mentor role.

Bruce Wayne acting as a mentor is just one reason why a Batman Beyond game would be worthwhile, but it is undeniably one of the most compelling. Bruce shines when he is portrayed as an emotional and relatable character, rather than just a rigid crime-fighting machine. Batman Beyond, much like its predecessor animated series, effectively highlighted this side of Bruce. In a Batman Beyond video game, there is no doubt that Bruce's ability to mentor Terry would truly shine.