The Timeless Appeal of Batman: Arkham Origins - A Forgotten Gem Among Superhero Games
Despite often being overlooked, Batman: Arkham Origins remains a highly underrated superhero game even a decade after its release
Highlights
Batman: Arkham Origins may not reach the heights of other games in the series, but it's far from a bad game, with solid gameplay and decent reviews.
The game chose to play it safe by closely adhering to Arkham City's formula, which ultimately led to a enjoyable yet repetitive gameplay. Nonetheless, the standout features of the game were the compelling dynamic between Joker and Batman, and the distinct boss fights.
The Rocksteady Batman: Arkham trilogy continues to be a topic of discussion even today, and rightfully so. Batman: Arkham Asylum shattered the notion that superhero games had to be lousy tie-ins or cash grabs, instead offering fully-realized, high-budget experiences that not only stayed true to the source material but also innovatively intertwined it with the medium of video games. Arkham City built upon the success of its predecessor, while Arkham Knight, although not as well-received, still holds a special place in fans' hearts. However, Batman: Arkham Origins often doesn't receive the same recognition.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary today, Batman: Arkham Origins, released on October 25, 2013, hasn't received the same favor as its counterparts. While initially deemed somewhat disappointing, Arkham Origins shouldn't be dismissed entirely. In fact, it is considered by some fans to be underrated and definitely warrants a second chance.
Batman: Arkham Origins Is Still Criminally Underrated 10 Years Later
Continuing the legacy of Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham City proved to be a daunting task, especially with a different development team at the helm. Consequently, the release of Batman: Arkham Origins by WB Games Montreal in 2013 received a mixed reception from fans and critics alike. While some were elated to have another installment in the Arkham series, a significant portion of the fan base felt disappointed, viewing Arkham Origins as a mere deviation rather than a significant progression for the franchise.
Unlike Arkham City, which expanded upon the groundwork laid by Arkham Asylum and introduced new content and distinctiveness, Arkham Origins played it safe by closely adhering to City's formula, resulting in a repetitive experience. What made matters worse was the confused storytelling in Batman: Arkham Origins. The initial premise of assassins hunting down the Caped Crusader was swiftly overshadowed by yet another Joker origin story, leaving fans questioning the game's direction.
But at its core, Batman: Arkham Origins was a strong game, receiving decent scores even from its most critical reviews. However, this mixed reception has left Arkham Origins in a state of uncertainty for the past ten years, with Warner Bros. and Rocksteady doing little to remind players of its existence. Both the Return to Arkham remasters and the upcoming Arkham Trilogy have excluded Batman: Arkham Origins. Nonetheless, after a decade since its release, there is definitely a desire for its return in some form.
As previously mentioned, Batman: Arkham Origins was far from being a poor game, and some of its greatest moments rival those of Rocksteady's best. One of the game's major highlights was the dynamic relationship between the Joker and Batman, along with its engaging Batman Year One-like storyline. While such concepts have become more common over the past decade, back in 2013, Arkham Origins presented a fairly unique approach to a Batman game, effectively setting the stage for the Dark Knight's career.
The boss fights in Batman: Arkham Origins were a major highlight, featuring a surprising lineup of villains. Alongside returning favorites like the Joker, Penguin, Bane, and Riddler, lesser-known foes such as Anarky, Firefly, Copperhead, Lady Shiva, and Black Mask took center stage. Each villain offered a unique and memorable boss fight that has remained memorable even after a decade. While it may not reach the same heights as Rocksteady's entries, Batman: Arkham Origins should not be overlooked. This game is available on PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360.
