The Upcoming Batman Game Faces an Immense Open-World Challenge

Article Key Points

DC is facing challenges with its video game releases, with Rocksteady's delayed Suicide Squad game and the need for a new Batman game.

The Batman: Arkham series established a strong benchmark for DC games, yet Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has exceeded expectations with its impressive traversal mechanics.

In order to achieve a comparable level of traversal, a forthcoming Batman game could emphasize the utilization of vehicles such as the Batmobile and Batwing, while also introducing innovative grappling hook techniques.

DC currently finds itself in a peculiar situation with its video games. Presently, the only notable DC video game release planned is Rocksteady's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. However, this game has already faced significant setbacks, as Rocksteady had to delay its release and reschedule it for 2024. Additionally, there is James Gunn's new DC universe, which aims to establish a form of synergy between various forms of media, including video games. Despite these developments, what fans truly desire is much simpler – a new Batman game.

Yet, creating a new Batman game proves to be a daunting task. The Batman: Arkham series not only raised the bar for DC games, but for the superhero video game genre as a whole. Very few games have managed to reach the same level of excellence since then. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has been one of the rare exceptions that surpassed this bar and has subsequently elevated it for future superhero games. Consequently, the upcoming Batman game will face significant challenges in terms of gameplay, as it strives to meet this new benchmark.

The Next Batman Game Really Needs to Nail Traversal

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Sets a New Bar for Superhero Traversal

Spider-Man games have consistently featured impressive web-swinging mechanics, with the standout being the debut of 2004's Spider-Man 2. This game introduced an open-world setting and a physics-based system for web-swinging that still holds up even after twenty years. While the quality of web-swinging dipped in subsequent Spider-Man games, 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man restored the standards by offering a cinematic, accessible, and satisfying web-swinging experience.

Building upon the strong foundations of its predecessor, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 surpasses expectations by raising the bar even higher. The game features an open world that is twice the size of the first game, offering players even more space to explore. Spider-Man 2 introduces significant upgrades to traversal mechanics, such as the addition of Web Wings that allow players to glide through the city. There are also speed upgrades for web-swinging and a new ability that enables players to slingshot themselves off buildings. Furthermore, Spider-Man 2 includes an array of impressive animations, including new air tricks and a variety of swing-out animations, enhancing the overall visual experience.

How a Batman Game Can Match Spider-Man 2's Traversal

The traversal system in the Batman: Arkham series underwent continuous improvements with each new installment, culminating in Batman: Arkham Knight. This game pushed the boundaries of the Caped Crusader's abilities by introducing a variety of gliding mechanics, allowing players to swiftly navigate the expansive Gotham City. However, unlike Spider-Man, Batman's character design doesn't lend itself to an extensive range of traversal mechanics. As a result, a future Batman game might face challenges in matching the impressive traversal mechanics showcased in the recently released superhero sequel. Nevertheless, there are a few alternative approaches that could be explored.

While the appearance of the Batmobile in Arkham Knight still remains a topic of debate, vehicles play a crucial role in defining the essence of Batman. To enhance the experience in a future Batman game, players could be granted access not only to the Batmobile but also to other iconic vehicles like the Batwing, the Batcycle, and even the Batboat. Moreover, Batman could be equipped with new grappling hook techniques, allowing him to seamlessly transition from swinging on the grapple to gliding, eliminating the need to zip up to the top of buildings or structures first. These additions could greatly enhance the game's traversal mechanics, making it feel more fluid and immersive.

Batman

Batman, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939, is a beloved and influential superhero. After witnessing the murder of his parents as a child, Bruce Wayne dedicates his life to fighting crime in Gotham City. Adopting the persona of Batman, he confronts formidable adversaries such as the Joker, Two-Face, Bane, and the Penguin. Batman has become a cultural icon and has appeared in various films, TV shows, and comics throughout the years.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming Batman game. I've been a fan of the Batman: Arkham series for years, and I can't wait to see what Rocksteady does next. However, I'm also a little bit worried that the game won't be able to live up to the high standards set by Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

Spider-Man 2 has raised the bar for superhero games, and it's going to be tough for any other game to match its level of quality. The web-swinging mechanics in particular are incredibly impressive, and I'm not sure how Batman will be able to compete.

That said, I'm still hopeful that Rocksteady can pull it off. They're a talented studio, and I'm sure they have some great ideas for how to make Batman's traversal mechanics unique and exciting. I'm also excited to see how they use the Batmobile and other vehicles in the game.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic about the upcoming Batman game. I think it has the potential to be a great game, but it's going to have to work hard to stand out from the crowd. I'm confident that Rocksteady is up to the challenge, and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.