One Game-Changing Condition that Could've Revolutionized Gotham Knights
Gotham Knights' reception could have vastly improved had it adopted Arkham's iconic combat system This article explores the game's flaws and how this particular mechanic impacted its overall appeal
The Batman: Arkham series by Rocksteady completely transformed the superhero video game genre, proving that comic book games can be more than just lackluster movie adaptations. However, since the conclusion of the Arkham series with Batman: Arkham Knight in 2015, DC has struggled to deliver a game of similar caliber. Last year's Gotham Knights serves as a prominent example of this failure.
Released in October, Gotham Knights had a promising concept but fell short in its execution. As a co-op action game that allowed players to assume the roles of the Bat-Family following Batman's untimely demise, Gotham Knights was disappointing for various reasons. However, one major aspect that, if improved, could have rescued the entire game is the combat system.
Gotham Knights Would Have Been Received Better if it Had Arkham's Combat
Gotham Knights faced numerous issues, including a poorly constructed plot, awkward dialogue, a lack of iconic comic book villains, and flawed characterization of the Bat-Family. Notably, the gameplay itself was also problematic. Fans quickly noticed the unusual traversal options for each playable character in the game's initial trailers, such as Red Hood's use of magical portals and Nightwing's comically oversized glider. Unfortunately, these features proved to be underwhelming in the final product. Additionally, Gotham Knights overly relied on RPG loot-grinding systems, causing further controversy among players. However, the most contentious aspect of the game was its combat. In an action-adventure game centered around superheroes, combat is crucial, and if executed well, it can compensate for other shortcomings. Unfortunately, Gotham Knights' combat failed to deliver the satisfying experience that the game desperately required.
Gotham Knights' combat suffers from a lack of impact, a common problem seen in MMOs and RPGs that focus heavily on grinding for loot. While the combat in Gotham Knights can appear flashy, with characters effortlessly performing flips and somersaults over their opponents, it lacks a satisfying sense of control. The majority of enemies in Gotham Knights have an excessive amount of health, requiring numerous strikes to defeat. This often results in gameplay that involves repeatedly pressing the same button to attack, with numerical damage indicators being the only visual feedback.
In stark contrast, Batman: Arkham's combat system offers a more immersive experience that many fans had hoped to see in Gotham Knights. The Freeflow combat in Batman: Arkham allows players to effortlessly maneuver between opponents, delivering impactful strikes that feel appropriately devastating. When a player lands a knockout blow in Batman: Arkham, it is immediately evident, with the camera slowing down and the enemy's animations demonstrating the force of the strike, often sending them flying across the arena. Each punch in Batman: Arkham is satisfying, even against tougher Titan enemies that still react realistically to every hit. By incorporating Arkham's Freeflow combat, Gotham Knights could have easily resolved one of its major issues and potentially masked other problems within the game.
Gotham Knights is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
