WhenBatman: Arkham Shadowwas first announced back in May, it was met with a bit of a divisive reception from fans. While a newBatman: Arkhamgame has been something fans have wanted for years now,Batman: Arkham Shadow’s VR nature alienates anyone without a headset, and with it beingMeta Quest 3-exclusive, it even excludes anyone without that specific piece of tech.
But all ofBatman: Arkham Shadow’s trailers have looked fairly impressive so far, from its story trailers that tease some new, lesser-seen villains, to its gameplay trailers that show how developer Camouflaj is translatingArkham’s trademark Freeflow combat to VR.Batman: Arkham Shadowcould very well be the return to form that theArkhamseries needs afterSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and there’s a chance its release could finally lead to one long-requestedBatman: Arkhamremaster.
A Batman: Arkham Origins Remaster is Sorely Needed
Batman: Arkham Originsis still viewed as the black sheep of the series by many fans, and seemingly by Warner Bros. and DC. WhileBatman: Arkham AsylumandArkham Cityhave received remasters with theReturn to Arkhamcollection, andBatman: Arkham Knighthas been ported to the Nintendo Switch alongside them with last year’sBatman: Arkham Trilogycollection,Batman: Arkham Originshas remained stuck on the 7th generation consoles.
ThoughBatman: Arkham Originswasdeveloped by Warner Bros. Games Montrealand not Rocksteady, it’s still a strong action-adventure game, and though it caught a lot of flak at the time for feeling too similar toArkham City, that gameplay formula is a strength all these years later. There are some intriguing story elements inArkham Origins, some engaging boss fights, and an asymmetrical multiplayer mode that now feels ahead of its time. All of these combine to makeBatman: Arkham Originsa game worthy of a remaster.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Might Finally Be The Straw That Breaks The Camel’s Back
WhileBatman: Arkham KnightandSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguedo have a few references to the events ofBatman: Arkham Origins, they focus on telling their own standalone stories. The upcomingBatman: Arkham Shadow, however, seems to tie in directly with the events ofBatman: Arkham Origins, acting as a direct sequel to the 2013 game.
Inrecent interviews, Camouflaj developershave discussedBatman: Arkham Shadow’s clear connections toOrigins, stating that it’s an intentional decision to carry forward these early timeline versions of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, Dr. Jonathan Crane, and Harvey Dent, among other iconicBatmanvillains. It’s also an intentional decision to bring back Roger Craig Smith as the voice of Bruce Wayne/Batman inArkham Shadow, with the actor appearing inArkham Originsas a younger, less experienced version of the Caped Crusader. With so many direct ties toBatman: Arkham Origins, it would make a lot of sense for a remaster of the 2013 game to release just beforeBatman: Arkham Shadow’s October launch.
A Batman: Arkham Origins Remaster Can Sweeten The Deal With An Extra Inclusion
While a remaster ofBatman: Arkham Origins' single-player campaignand asymmetrical multiplayer mode would be more than enough to get fans through the door, Warner Bros. could sweeten the deal even further by including a remastered version of the Nintendo 3DS/PS Vita gameBatman: Arkham Origins Blackgate. It was met with middling reviews at the time, butArkham Origins Blackgateis a solid 2.5D Metroidvania that adds some fun lore to the Arkhamverse.
Batman: Arkham Shadow
Become Batman in this official new entry into the Arkham franchise.It’s the Fourth of July, and Gotham City is under attack by a new threat: the mysterious Rat King and his cultish devotees. As widespread rioting engulfs the city, Batman races to prevent this so-called “Day of Wrath” before it all goes wrong.Experience the World of Batman Like Never Before:Immerse yourself in all the grit of Gotham City with the power of VR, and take down its most notorious criminals.Hard-Hitting Arkham CombatRealized exclusively for VR—choose from fan favorite gadgets and bold fighting styles reimagined from the beloved Arkham franchise.Friends, Foes and Other Familiar Faces:Meet Dr.’s Quinzel and Crane before they became Harley Quinn and Scarecrow, as well as other iconic characters including Harvey Dent, Jim Gordon, and Ratcatcher.
