Unleashing the Dark Knight: Reinventing Gotham City in Batman Games

Highlights

Gotham City is an iconic character in Batman's world, representing the dark and crime-ridden nature of the city.

Consider creating a fresh rendition of Gotham City for Batman's upcoming video game, taking inspiration from captivating comic storylines such as "Zero Year" and "No Man's Land." The revamped city should showcase towering Gothic structures against a somber night sky, adorned in shades of dark brown or gray.

When it comes to comic book characters, few have a cast as iconic as Batman. The Caped Crusader himself has been one of the most popular heroes in fiction since his debut in 1939. Alongside him are his heroic allies, such as Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and loyal right-hand man Alfred Pennyworth. In addition, Batman's rogue's gallery includes some of the best villains in the biz like Mr. Freeze, Harley Quinn, Bane, Scarecrow, and of course, The Joker. However, the most influential figure in the Batman universe isn't even human.

Gotham City is often regarded as a character in its own right. With just one glimpse of Gotham City, fans can understand everything about this version of the Great Detective, from its crime-ridden streets to its towering skyscrapers. Over the years, there have been numerous fantastic interpretations of Gotham City, including several in the world of gaming. Nevertheless, for Batman's next major video game appearance, it may be time to give Gotham City a refreshing update.

The Next Batman Game Should Be Set in a New Type of Gotham City

Gotham City, alongside Superman's Metropolis, is one of the most iconic original locations in comic book history. However, unlike Metropolis, which has remained largely unchanged in design, Gotham has undergone various iterations throughout the years. Nonetheless, one particular look has consistently dominated the city's imagery. This popular portrayal, heavily influenced by the Batman: Animated Series and Tim Burton's Batman Returns, features a skyline adorned with tall Gothic buildings against a backdrop of dark brown or gray night sky.

This darker and more Gothic representation of Gotham City has become the prevailing depiction across all Batman media, spanning TV shows, movies, comic books, and video games. While there have been slight variations in design, the vast majority of Batman video games since the 1980s have drawn inspiration from Burton's darker and more fantastical vision, presenting their own renditions of Gotham City. This is particularly evident throughout the entirety of the Batman: Arkham series.

In Batman: Arkham Asylum, players only catch glimpses of Rocksteady's Gotham City in the background. However, it is evident that the city draws heavy inspiration from previous popular iterations. The city boasts numerous skyscrapers with towering spires, showcasing a Gothic architecture and art style. This unique aesthetic continues into Batman: Arkham City. Although Arkham Knight presents a more futuristic and modern look for Gotham City, it still retains a familiarity that resonates with long-time fans of the franchise. More recently, Gotham Knights introduced another rendition of Gotham City, leaning even further into the Gothic style. However, some fans felt that they had already encountered this version of Gotham one too many times.

For Batman's upcoming major video game appearance, a revamp for Gotham City is necessary. Luckily, developers have numerous comic arcs to draw inspiration from in order to create a fresh and unique representation of Gotham City in the gaming world. The Batman: Zero Year comic arc, for instance, provides an excellent starting point. It envisions a post-apocalyptic Gotham City resembling the aftermath of a severe flood, reminiscent of the setting in The Last of Us. Additionally, Batman: No Man's Land is another compelling source that features a Gotham City devastated by a massive earthquake.