Unleash the Ultimate Gaming Experience with This Epic Modern Batman Saga

Highlights

A new Batman game should explore a lesser-known story like "The War of Jokes and Riddles" to stand out from previous games.

The early timeline and city-wide war in the story present an exciting opportunity to reimagine beloved characters and create thrilling boss battles. The multiplayer mode, drawing inspiration from the story, could introduce a hero shooter similar to Overwatch, enabling players to take on the roles of Gotham's notorious villains while also having the chance to play as Batman.

Few comic book characters have a legacy as profound as Batman. He has thrived in animation, live action, video games, and, of course, comic books. When thinking of Batman's greatest moments, notable stories such as The Dark Knight Returns, The Long Halloween, The Killing Joke, and Hush immediately come to mind. However, for the next Batman game to truly stand out, it should offer a fresh perspective by adapting a lesser-known storyline.

Rocksteady's exceptional Batman: Arkham games have set a remarkably high standard for the character. As a result, the next game must bring something new and exciting to the table. Fans have provided suggestions, including a Batman Beyond game that allows players to navigate Neo-Gotham or a game featuring a different character taking on the mantle of the Caped Crusader, such as Dick Grayson. Nevertheless, the most captivating option might be to explore The War of Jokes and Riddles, written by Tom King. This storyline has the potential to deliver an exceptional multiplayer and single-player experience.

Why The War of Jokes and Riddles Would Work as a Batman Game

The Arkham franchise drew inspiration from classic storylines like A Death in the Family and Under the Red Hood, but recent Batman games have also embraced modern classics. For instance, Gotham Knights prominently featured the Court of Owls, which was introduced in Scott Snyder's run in 2012. Given this, it is not improbable to draw from Tom King's run in 2016. Among the many great elements to borrow from it, the relationship between Batman and Catwoman and The War of Jokes and Riddles would naturally fit into a video game.

On the singleplayer front, The War of Jokes and Riddles would be an ideal starting point for a new Batman video game franchise. It takes place early in Bruce Wayne's vigilante career, allowing players to skip through his earliest fights and assume the role of a slightly experienced Dark Knight. By beginning the game here, newcomers could become invested in fresh iterations of classic characters, which the story offers with its deadly Riddler and a Joker devoid of laughter.

The story revolves around a massive city-wide war between two factions, the Ridder and the Joker, with all the supervillains choosing sides. Gotham becomes a warzone for several months, providing a unique backdrop for boss battles. Batman is tasked with stopping threats on both sides, and the game could fully explore the impact of the conflict on the city, addressing a criticism of the comic arc. In addition to a singleplayer mode where Batman fights to protect Gotham from the Riddler and Joker, the game could also include a multiplayer mode to set it apart. While previous attempts at multiplayer in the Arkham franchise were not successful, there is potential for a new approach given the popularity of multiplayer titles in today's gaming landscape.

Instead of looking at the ill-fated Gotham City Imposters as an inspiration, a more intriguing opportunity could be explored for a game based on this specific Batman story. It could adopt the format of a hero shooter, similar to Overwatch, where players take control of the villains of Gotham City. They would have the ability to wield Poison Ivy's plants or transform, much like Clayface. Additionally, Batman himself could temporarily align with one side and be playable in multiplayer. With the potential to be adapted for both multiplayer and singleplayer, a Batman game influenced by The War of Jokes and Riddles could become a reality in the future.