The gaming division of Warner Bros., specifically its sphere of DC Comics properties, has pinned its success on theBatman: Arkhamfranchise sinceArkham Asylumreleased back in 2009. But if the brand truly wants to grow in the gaming market, it might need to take more bold steps, moving away from the Caped Crusader even asprojects likeBatman: Arkham Shadowcontinue to show promiseand garner positive press.
It’s difficult to overstate just how influential theBatman: Arkhamfranchise was, particularly during the seventh console generation. The franchise’s unique blend of open-ended stealth, free-flow combat, and cinematic storytelling made it both a treat forBatmanloyalists and an accessibly good time for casual fans. More significant was the impact that these creative choices had on the gaming medium;Arkham’s combat found its way into a number of non-Batmangames, likeSleeping Dogs,Mad Max, and theMiddle-Earthseries. Even today, the remnants ofArkham’s gameplay can be seen in the likes ofMarvel’s Spider-ManandGhost of Tsushima, indicating its enduring legacy. The other biggest sign ofBatman: Arkham’s mammoth success is the fact that Warner Bros. hasn’t managed to top it yet.
DC Games Need to Move On from Batman: Arkham
The Batman: Arkham Games Can’t Be the Only DC Solo Adventures
Needless to say, there are still DC video game adaptations,such asSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice LeagueandGotham Knights, but there hasn’t been anything approaching the quality, polish, or powerful creative vision of theArkhamseries. Yes,Suicide SquadandGotham Knightsare riddled with assorted problems not shared by Batman’s titles, but they are also fundamentally different from theArkhamseries. It almost seems as though DC and Warner Bros. lack confidence in solo hero stories, opting instead to double-down on co-op or team-up games.
Batman may be a more popular stand-alone characterthan someone like Green Lantern or The Flash, but a big reason for that is the investment that controlling parties have made in his stories. Twenty years ago, it would have been hard for the average moviegoer to believe that Iron Man could helm three solo films and an entire blockbuster franchise, but that’s exactly what happened with the MCU, because the character was given the opportunity to grow and become relevant. The same thing must happen with future DC games; Warner Bros. should take the opportunity to spotlight other heroes, building ambitious, novel projects around them.
How DC Could Benefit from Non-Batman Games
IfMonolith’s upcomingWonder Womangameis any indication, it looks like Warner Bros. is already taking the initiative to grow beyond the confines set byBatman: Arkham. AssumingWonder Womanis a success, the Amazonian heroine could become the new Batman, in a sense: she could lead DC video games for the foreseeable future, ushering in a new era for the franchise.
This is assuming that theWonder Womangame is creatively and mechanically distinct from what came before it; if it feels like nothing more than aBatman: Arkhamgame with a Wonder Woman coat of paint, it will probably be underwhelming.
As DC Comics fans cross their fingers forWonder Woman’s success, it’s worth looking even further ahead, beyond Monolith’s current ambitions. Warner Bros. could make a push for some sort of gaming extended universe, but it would probably be best not to hinge an entire franchise’s success on a single point of failure. Perhaps the future of DC games lies in a decentralized approach, where a multitude of different characters can have their chance to shine with stand-alone, unique projects. IfWarner Bros. starts outsourcing its games, as rumors have suggested, then this could wind up becoming a reality, though not in the way most would have expected.
Batman: Arkham Trilogy
WHERE TO PLAY
Protect Gotham City from all kinds of threats across the iconic Batman: Arkham Trilogy. Become the Batman and utilize a wide range of gadgets and abilities to face off against Gotham’s most dangerous villains, finally facing the ultimate threat against the city that Batman is sworn to protect.Face off against notorious DC Super-Villains: The Joker, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, and more in Batman: Arkham Asylum. Step into the shadows of Batman: Arkham City’s open world, the new maximum security “home” for thugs, gangsters, and insane criminal masterminds. In Batman: Arkham Knight, tear through the streets of Gotham and take on the ultimate threat in the trilogy’s epic conclusion.Experience two of the most critically acclaimed titles of the last generation - Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, with fully remastered and updated visuals. Complete your experience with the explosive finale to the Arkham series in Batman: Arkham Knight. The trilogy includes all DLC, in one complete package.
