Based upon the most iconic characters of DC Comics ever to roam in the dreadful city of Gotham, the Batman: Arkham franchise is about to make an impact by releasing the fourth installment of the critically acclaimed series, Batman: Arkham Knight. As far as Gotham is concerned, there is nothing to fear but fear itself and that is where the Caped Crusader comes in as it is up to the player to take the mantle of the Bat to be a source of hope for the troubled victims of the godforsaken city. With the game releasing on 2nd June this year, here is everything you need to know about Batman: Arkham Knight:
Scarecrow Returns
Dr. Johnathan Crane is one of the most brilliant psychologists in Gotham City whose keen interest in studying different types of fears and phobias convinced him to use his genius intellect to dominate the city instead of serving it. Taking the alias of Scarecrow, Crane invents a gas that causes people to engage in scary hallucinations and wears a mask made of burlap material with gas tubes to stay safe from the poisonous effects.
Scarecrow first appeared in Batman: Arkham Asylum with plans to experiment with his toxins on the Dark Knight and to mix his fear gas in Gotham City’s water supply to plague the citizens but his scheme meets an unexpected halt when the hungry Killer Croc attempts to eat him. However, the post-credit scene of the game revealed that he somehow survived.
The notorious villain did not appear in the game’s two sequels but is returning in Batman: Arkham Knight with a vengeance. The character is now badly disfigured as his mask is missing some of its portions; revealing a missing nose, teeth due to missing lips, pale eyes, and some fragments of his skull.
Above all, Scarecrow is the main villain of the game and is responsible for arranging the gathering of some of Batman’s villains from the previous games to exact revenge.
Rocksteady Studios Resumes Control
Admitting the fact that Batman: Arkham Origins was not up to the mark as any of its predecessors due to a weak plot, numerous glitches, and the mishandling of the new villains such as Copperhead, Firefly, and most notably Electrocutioner – believe it or not, the villain is defeated by a single punch in the so-called boss fight – the blame can very well go to Warner Bros. Games Montréal.
The company took the responsibility of game development from Rocksteady Studios – the brains behind the first two installments of the Batman: Arkham franchise – and the results were not appealing at all.
The fans do not have to worry about the fate of the upcoming game falling into the wrong hands, as Rocksteady Studious has picked up the pieces from right where they fell and has resumed the responsibility of the game’s development to outdo themselves by making sure that Batman: Arkham Knight is met with the critically acclaimed status like the first two installments. Even if it takes postponing the game to make it worth the while.
Upon the release of two trailers and gameplay previews, Batman: Arkham Knight immediately stole the hearts of gamers worldwide. With improved graphics, a sense of realism while roaming the open world, a stealth approach to combat the villains, competitive gameplay, and the depth of the role of the Dark Knight in the overall plot, the game proved to be a mirror image of the most chaotic fictional city of all time.
The Villains
See any list of the greatest comic book villains of all time and you are bound to come across a dozen of characters from the Dark Knight’s famous rogue’s gallery. That is just a glimpse of how menacing and evil the villains that Batman has to face now and then.
While the villains for Batman: Arkham Knight revealed so far are quite minimal, there has been a lot of speculation that Rockstar Studios has an ace up their sleeve as the game will have much more.
Before finding out the villains who have a death wish by stepping in the path of the Dark Knight, keep in mind that Joker will not be in the game. The Clown Prince of Crime is the most sadistic villain Batman has ever dealt with and with his perfect presentation of a twisted personality, the Joker is an absolute representation of everything the Caped Crusader stands against. Died due to his blood decaying by the Titan formula, the Joker died at the end of Batman: Arkham City and his resurrection is highly unlikely.
Taking his absence from the game on a positive note, it can be argued that the Joker has always overshadowed many of the other villains from Batman’s Rogue Gallery but in Batman: Arkham Knight, the gamers will have the chance to take a deeper look at some of the other iconic villains of the Dark Knight.
Apart from the Scarecrow, the game will feature the deranged businessman Oswald Copplebot aka the Penguin, the beautiful yet unpredictable Dr. Harleen Quinzel aka Harley Quinn, attention seeker Edward Nygma aka the Riddler, and of course, the man with the split personality Harvey Dent aka Two-Face.
Apart from the familiar villains from DC Comics, the game features an original villain by the name of Arkham Knight. The new character is a military version of Batman with the Arkham symbol on its chest instead of the Bat symbol.
