Fixing a Key Gotham Knights Feature: What the Next Bat Family Game Should Address

Highlights

Critics of Gotham Knights were concerned about the portrayal of the iconic characters, as the game introduced elements that weren't well-received by DC Comics fans.

Criticism was directed towards the traversal abilities of the Bat Family in Gotham Knights, specifically regarding Nightwing's glider design and Red Hood's mystical leap, as these elements were viewed as arbitrary and deviating from the established lore. The game's depiction of Robin's teleportation ability was perceived as excessive and controversial, whereas the decision to restrict Tim Drake's iconic Bo Staff solely to combat limited the potential for future games to employ more imaginative applications.

Gotham Knights celebrated its first anniversary on October 21, 2023. However, the initial release of the game faced controversy for various reasons. DC Comics fans were particularly concerned about WB Games Montreal's portrayal of the iconic characters. Although some recognizable attributes were present in each member of the Bat Family, there were also new and unpopular elements added.

While there is no official confirmation yet, it is highly likely that we will see Batman's apprentices in another game. The sequel could be developed by WB Games Montreal, Rocksteady Studios, or a different studio altogether. Whichever studio takes on the project, they have the opportunity to improve upon the foundation set by Gotham Knights and create more faithful depictions of the beloved comic book heroes.

The Bat Family's Traversal System Should Be Stylized And True to Characters' Lore

The traversal abilities in Gotham Knights faced criticism, but not for the expected reasons. Most players were fine with completing Knighthood Challenges to unlock the ability. Instead, the focus was on how the four characters traveled.

Nightwing's glider stirred controversy as some were unhappy with its design. Some even compared it to a Fortnite glider. The question gained enough attention that the creative director for Gotham Knights addressed it, explaining that the glider was inspired by a few ideas and perfectly aligned with Nightwing's overall approach.

Nightwing's 1997 animated series suit, reminiscent of his acrobatic past, received mixed reviews. The opportunity to showcase it may have been overshadowed by Batgirl's Cape Glide. Nonetheless, there remains a chance for Nightwing to don the iconic suit in a sequel or a fresh installment.

In Gotham Knights, Red Hood's unique travel style captured considerable attention. Some appreciated his newfound ability to leap great distances, while others questioned its logical basis. The developers explained that the Mystical Leap manifested following Jason's resurrection in the Lazarus Pit. While it is canonically accurate that the anti-hero possesses Lazarus-enhanced capabilities, some felt that the inclusion of massive jumps was somewhat arbitrary. Therefore, future iterations of Red Hood may need to reconsider this aspect.

The Bat Family is renowned for their exceptional abilities without relying on superpowers, except for a few members like Duke Thomas and Jason Todd. Therefore, Robin's teleportation ability in Gotham Knights sparked controversy as it seemed unnatural for the character, despite being justified as technology. It is interesting to note that Tim Drake wields his iconic Bo Staff in the game but only utilizes it for combat. It would be intriguing to see him use it more creatively, such as vaulting around Gotham's rooftops in a future game.

The immense popularity of these DC Comics characters is evident through the commercial success of Gotham Knights and the Batman: Arkham series. Whether there will be a sequel to WB Games Montreal's 2022 game or not, it is crucial for potential developers to accurately capture the Bat Family's personalities and skill sets. It is possible that a new game centered around the Gotham City vigilantes is already in the works with these concepts in mind.

Gotham Knights is available now for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.