Title: Batman: Arkham Knight
Available on: PlayStation 4 (version tested), Xbox One, PC
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Release date: Out now
Arkham Knight closes the book Rocksteady’s series of Batman games and it is fair to say they are bowing out on a high.
This stunning game sees Batman do battle with the Scarecrow, and the mysterious title character as they wage war on Gotham City.
The intense, atmospheric foundation of Arkham Asylum, which escalated in the devastating conspiracy against the inmates in Arkham City, culminates in the ultimate showdown in Arkham Knight.
“This is how it happened, this is how the Batman died.”
Those chilling words are what greets you after beginning the story mode and right from that moment I was hooked on this game.
Players can explore a completely open and free-roaming game world as Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment really bring Gotham to life.
For the first time in the series, players are given the ultimate and complete Batman experience with the newly introduced Batmobile to blast through the city streets.
Capable of transformation from high speed Pursuit Mode to military grade Battle Mode, the Batmobile is a welcome addition but I must admit I prefer to take to the skies.
The fate of Gotham hangs in the balance as Scarecrow is joined by the Arkham Knight, a completely new and original character in the Batman universe, as well as a roster of Super-Villains including Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Two-Face, Firefly and the Riddler.
Joining the world’s greatest detective are his closest allies, Commissioner Gordon, Oracle, Alfred, Lucius Fox, Catwoman, Robin and Nightwing.
Throughout the game, players will be introduced to enhancements to the signature features of the Arkham series, such as stealth, forensics, navigation, and FreeFlow Combat.
In addition, the new Dual Play feature is available in specific areas of the game and allows players to seamlessly switch between The Dark Knight and his fellow heroes including Robin, Nightwing, and Catwoman.
This is a game that grows on the player. After the blistering start, I began to get a tad weary of the Batmobile but the narrative is so gripping that you soon learn to overlook this.
Gotham has been wonderfully created, not to mention the character models themselves, while the voice acting is top notch too.
In terms of superhero games available today, you won’t find any better than this. Arkham Knight is right up there with the best titles I’ve played this year and you’ll soon find it becomes truly addictive.
Rocksteady have really found a winner with the Arkham series and so my delight in the success here comes tinged with a bit of disappointment in knowing I can’t do it all again next year.
