Read update
- Gamers and DC fans will be able to dive into a new DC gaming universe with the anticipated release of Gotham Knights on October 21st, 2022. The game will feature Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Red Hood as its four main protagonists in a world where Batman is dead. To soothe the anticipation for the game, now is the perfect time to go back to the Batman: Arkham games that allowed the entire Bat-Family and even more to be playable.
When it comes to the Arkhamverse, every game is from Batman's perspective during the story. So obviously, he is always the main star of every Batman: Arkham title, but he is not the only playable character. Each Arkham game provides alternate characters to play as extra fun content and different challenges.
From Arkham Asylum to Arkham Knight, there have been nine alternate characters to choose from. Sadly, none of them got the same amount of story as Batman, but were available in other modes. Some of these characters had enough gameplay depth to rival the big bad Bat, while others lacked.
Updated on September 23rd, 2022 by Melody MacReady:
Gamers and DC fans will be able to dive into a new DC gaming universe with the anticipated release of Gotham Knights on October 21st, 2022. The game will feature Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Red Hood as its four main protagonists in a world where Batman is dead. To soothe the anticipation for the game, now is the perfect time to go back to the Batman: Arkham games that allowed the entire Bat-Family and even more to be playable.
On top of that, the Arkhamverse is far from dead with Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League set to release in 2023 after being delayed yet again. That game will feature Harley Quinn as a main character, but it won't be the first time she's been playable in this franchise. Replaying the Arkham games is probably the best option to substitute and see how she played before since that game is not to be released anytime soon, and she will likely play very differently.
Coming Soon: Task Force X To Save The Day
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League (2023)
Rocksteady will be returning to the Arkhamverse in the future with their newest project titled Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. Harley Quinn will be returning, and joining her are Deadshot, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang, but it will not be the same type of game as the Batman: Arkham series.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League will be taking on a more third-person shooter style, with each character having different forms of firearms and melee weapons. Sadly, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League has been delayed to an unknown date of 2023.
Red Hood
Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
After the unsurprising twist that the titular Arkham Knight was actually Jason Todd, everyone was anticipating the Red Hood DLC. Lo and behold, Red Hood dropped along with a new story pack and was voiced by none other than Troy Baker.
Unfortunately, Red Hood was a disappointment and is by far the worst character to play in the Arkham franchise. Not only was his story far shorter than expected, but his combat was awkward. His movements were so floaty yet bulky that they made timing combo strings confusing.
Joker
Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)
Yes, Mark Hamill's iconic Joker was once a playable character. In the original Batman: Arkham Asylum, Joker was originally a PS3 exclusive character via challenge maps. With the Return To Arkham remasters, Joker became playable for everyone. However, it's clear why Joker never was playable in future Batman: Arkham titles.
Joker's stealth is non-existent and with every takedown, he always exposes himself. This results in a lot of running and hoping the police don't find the player. The gadgets were lacking and really the only reason to check out Joker is for more of Mark Hamill's quips.
Azrael
Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
The best way to describe Azrael is a watered-down Batman. This, in a way, matches the character in the Arkhamverse since he's trying to take Batman's place. However, other than some new animations, Azrael is almost a clone of Batman in both combat and predator missions.
This is especially disappointing when he never uses his sword in combat. Despite the character always showing up with a sword, he never uses it. This just makes Azrael feel tacked on, especially since there was plenty of opportunity for a DLC story fighting the Order Of St. Dumas with the way his side mission left off in the Arkham Knight story.
Nightwing
Batman: Arkham City (2011) & Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
Dick Grayson first debuted as DLC for Arkham City as the weakest character of that game. However, he would improve upon returning in Batman: Arkham Knight. Nightwing cannot glide, which makes predator missions a bit more challenging while remaining fun to play.
For combat missions, his melee combat was vastly improved in Arkham Knight. Everything flowed better and his gadgets were given more polished mechanics. Still, compared to other characters there is something lacking. The best thing to come out of Dick Grayson's inclusion is his banter and character arc with Batman in Arkham Knight.
Harley Quinn
Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
Everyone's favorite jester became playable as DLC for Arkham Knight. Harley Quinn is a better version of Joker in nearly every way. Her attacks expose her, but she is able to get away or take out those that spot her with ease. Harley's combat fits her wild and crazy personality, and her bat and gadgets are satisfying to use.
Harley also features more unique aspects, such as hearing Harleen Quinzel's voice when she's in her Psycho vision. On top of that, Tara Strong provides a great performance as she always does with both personalities.
Robin
Batman: Arkham City (2011) & Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
With unique gadgets and staff melee combat, Tim Drake AKA the third Robin is deceptively simple at first but gets better as the player learns him. Using his staff, bullet shield, and zip-line takes a lot of practice, making his combat more challenging. He was already fun to play in Arkham City, and he only improved with Arkham Knight.
Robin is also given character development through a short but sweet DLC story. It's a shame that the character is never allowed to be played in the open world; something that will be fixed with the upcoming Gotham Knights game.
Catwoman
Batman: Arkham City (2011) & Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
Most characters in the series feel like modified versions of Batman. That is definitely not the case with Catwoman; her combat, gadgetry, and traversal are all unique. In combat, Catwoman is easily the fastest character, with the ability to leap across the stage in the blink of an eye. The whip, caltrops, and bolas are also all fun to use and experiment with. In predator missions, she can crawl on the ceiling to spice up the stealth.
Catwoman even received her own mini-campaign in Arkham City before returning to Arkham Knight. Arguably, Catwoman was so well done in the Arkham games that she could have gotten her own spin-off and the fans would have been behind it; maybe she could be a DLC character for Suicide Squad.
Batgirl
Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
Most of the reasons why Catwoman works so well also carry over into Batgirl. She's quick and agile, making it difficult for enemies to keep up with her. Batgirl stars in her own campaign with the ability to explore a Metroidvania-style map akin to the map in Arkham Asylum.
Easily, it made for one of the best DLC in the series. Batgirl in both combat and predator missions is incredibly fun to play. The only thing disappointing aspect of Batgirl is her lack of skins, even though her base design is arguably the best the character has ever looked. This is one of the best characters to play in the build up to the release of Gotham Knights.
Deathstroke
Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
This is one of many reasons why Batman: Arkham Origins is underrated. Not only was Slade Wilson AKA Deathstroke one of the best boss fights of the Batman: Arkham series, but players could choose to play as him. Deathstroke features hard-hitting and brutal combos that take a little time to get used to but result in a powerhouse of a character.
The best part about Deathstroke is his gadgets, which really make the character rethink strategies in combat and predator missions. However, his staff combat is a lot of fun and is even better than Robin's staff.
Batman
Every Batman: Arkham Game (2009-2015)
Sometimes, the original just can't be beaten. The Arkham games simply would have died after the first one if Batman was not engaging to control. Obviously, the series did not die and is still being played by fans every year, and is receiving a spin-off with Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League.
Batman was already great in Arkham Asylum, but over the course of four games, Batman's gameplay evolves. Batman continuously got better and better with new combat and predator mechanics, new gadgets in every game, and more polish until he played perfectly in Arkham Knight. Kevin Conroy giving some of the best performances of his career is just icing on the already delicious cake.