Game Review: Batman – Arkham Knight

LAST DRIVE: Batman gets his wheels in this final game

[easyreview cat1title = “Batman: Arkham Knight” cat1rating = 4 cat1detail = “Warner Bros. Interactive”]

PC: 1499
Xbox One, PS4: 3499

The Arkham series of Batman video games has been around since 2009. With four games out, creator Rocksteady Games felt it was about time to end it with a final game. Batman: Arkham Knight is quite possibly the most perfect send-off for a series that’s delivered in spades.

The first thing that hits you is how good it looks, well at least on the PS4 and Xbox One. Issues pertaining to the PC version are well documented and hopefully will be fixed soon. But if like us, you’re playing it on a console, you’ll be hard pressed to find a single flaw. From rain drops to character animations everything looks fantastic.

While the Arkham series is known for its great combat, the folks at Rocksteady have made some additions to the formula. As usual, each punch and kick has a sense of weight, like a landing a ton of bricks on opponents. It makes fights satisfying. You can instantly take down up to five enemies at once and find yourself up against a variety of foes. These include medics that revive their buddies and gigantic mini-gun toting thugs. Throw in a host of interesting settings such as airships, chemical factories, and dilapidated ruins and you have more than enough to augment the already stellar combat.

In addition to this, there’s the Batmobile. It’s a new addition to the series and a welcome one at that. You’ll use it to pursue villains, take down tanks and even solve puzzles. It controls well and makes maneuvering Gotham’s streets a breeze.

With great combat and a fun traversal option in the Batmobile, there’s very little wrong with Arkham Knight. The plot is solid for most part barring a few loopholes towards the end. Considering that Arkham Knight is a polished, slick affair, these narrative falling stand out even more. Coupled with the fact that you have to complete everything in the game to see its proper ending sours this final instalment a bit.

All said and done though, Batman: Arkham Knight is well worth the cost of entry. You’d be hard pressed to find a better superhero game. Until, well, Rocksteady decide to revisit Gotham’s Knight.