Although its release has been met with mixed reactions from critics, Marvel's Avengers has been a huge hit. The smash-em-up gameplay allows players to control a variety of famous superhero characters, but Marvel's isn't the only comic book company in the news for an exciting video game adaption of their characters. Recently, at DC Fandome, the upcoming video game based in the world of Batman, Gotham Knights, was announced. In Gotham Knights, players control a series of different superhero characters (much like in Marvel's Avengers) as they attempt to defend Gotham City following the death of Batman.
Marvel and DC properties are often compared with one another. These comparisons are inevitable. After all, they are the two biggest comic book publishers with the two most popular rosters of superhero characters. These comparisons don't stop when it comes to their video games, and when looking at the gameplay of the recently announced Gotham Knights versus that of the recently released Marvel's Avengers, there are many interesting differences that separate the two from one another.
Many critics of the new Marvel's Avengers game were disappointed because it did not play like the more popular open world games that have defined the superhero genre in gaming for the last decade or so. On the other hand, criticisms of Gotham Knights point to the fact that the graphics and storylines don't look to be quite on par with the best new releases that modern-day gaming has to offer. When it comes to these to areas (graphics and story) Marvel's Avengers absolutely excelled.
Destiny vs Batman: Arkham
While the gameplay of Marvel's Avengers is more like that of Destiny or Anthem, with medium-sized maps that small teams of players can traverse as they search out enemies to fight, Gotham Knights looks to be a completely open world experience, much like the many games in the Batman: Arkham series that Gotham Knights is obviously inspired by. Marvel's Avengers is also filled to the brim with loot (much of which is invisible and does not affect the game in any meaningful way), something which many players have found to be an unnecessary inclusion.
One area that seems to be a huge focus that both games are keying in on is co-operative gameplay. It seems to be the case that players will be able to jump in each other's games to fight the many supervillains of Gotham City together. In Marvel's Avengers, co-op gameplay is one of the biggest selling points, and it definitely seems like video game companies are starting to realize that superhero video game fans love the idea of teaming up with their best friends online. Marvel's Avengers allowed four players to team up at the War Table for raid-like missions, while Gotham Knights' co-op is relegated to two players only. However, unlike Marvel's Avengers, Gotham Knights will let players pick two of the same character.
Will Gotham Knights be able to recapture the success of the Batman: Arkham series? Only time will tell. What it will do is give superhero fans another chance to explore and patrol a large, open city full of criminals and supervillains. Just like in Marvel's Avengers, players will be able to team up with their friends, but this time, the game might just be able to capitalize on one of the biggest disappointments of the once-highly anticipated Marvel game, as the open world aspect of Gotham Knights will hopefully allow for much more organic (and hopefully a less loot-focused take on) superhero gameplay.