Highlights
Batman's future in gaming is uncertain. The Arkham universe Batman will appear in Suicide Squad, while the Gotham Knights Batman may be deceased.
The upcoming Batman game should showcase Terry McGinnis as the new Batman Beyond, providing fans with a thrilling and innovative option that introduces captivating storylines. Bringing Batman Beyond to the gaming realm would seamlessly merge the character's unique qualities with a rejuvenating twist, revolutionizing the gaming industry.
Batman's future in gaming is currently uncertain. While the Batman of the Arkham universe will be seen in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, it is unclear if the Batman of the Gotham Knights universe is dead or alive. However, there is a clear path for the next Batman-focused game: Batman Beyond.
The most popular and modern version of Batman in video games is found in the Batman Arkham series. This trilogy, along with the prequel Origins, explores many of Batman's iconic conflicts and stories. The League of Shadows plays a significant role, the complicated relationship between Batman and Catwoman is thoroughly examined, and the Joker's story concludes in Arkham Knight. Other well-known villains like Hush and the Riddler have also been featured. Moving forward, there may not be much new territory to explore, at least not with Bruce Wayne leading the way.
The Next Batman Game Should Adapt Batman Beyond
While Bruce Wayne's retirement is not explicitly shown in Arkham Knight, there is an exciting opportunity to introduce a different hero that fans have been eagerly anticipating in a video game for years. A fresh and thrilling Batman game could be created by featuring Terry McGinnis wearing the cowl, following the successful blueprint of the Batman Beyond television series.
Adapting Batman Beyond would not only please countless fans but would also be a seamless fit within Rocksteady's Arkham universe, assuming the next Batman game is set in this same world. With Rocksteady's portrayal of Gotham City and Arkham City already extensively explored, there are limited traditional Batman stories remaining to be adapted. Therefore, it would be logical for a future game to be set further ahead in time, with Bruce Wayne retiring due to his advanced age or some other uncontrollable circumstance. This would provide an opportunity to present a fresh interpretation of the hero, and Terry McGinnis seems like the perfect choice for this role.
While a new Batman game could introduce other members of the Bat Family like Nightwing, players have already experienced playing as these characters in Rocksteady's Arkham games and the recent Gotham Knights. Batman Beyond, on the other hand, has received less attention in media beyond the original TV show and comics, making it a fresh and exciting choice. With its iconic look, compelling backstory, and significance as Batman's successor, Batman Beyond is the ideal option to carry on the character's gaming legacy.
When it comes to adapting the plot of Batman Beyond, the developers would need to decide how faithful they want to be in a hypothetical game. Adapting a Batman Beyond Arkham game allows for elements that work, such as the shared absence of the Joker in both universes. However, there are peculiar aspects that may require editing. For instance, the revelation that McGinnis is genetically engineered from Bruce Wayne's DNA might be unexpected and may need to be reworked. Additionally, Terry's young age when he took on the role of Batman in the original series could be a point of debate. It could provide a fresh perspective on the character, but it could also feel implausible. Regardless, there is significant potential for the character in a Batman game.