Just wrapped up my playthrough of Batman: Arkham Knight, and wow—there’s a lot to unpack. This game left me with mixed emotions, but I’d still argue it’s one of the best superhero games out there. If you skipped it when it came out due to the controversy, you might want to give it another shot. Here's why.
The Good:
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Graphics & Atmosphere: Even by today’s standards, this game is gorgeous. Gotham is brought to life in a way that makes you want to just grapple and glide around aimlessly. The neon lights, rain-slick streets, and moody atmosphere scream Batman. Considering this was designed for last-gen hardware (PS4/Xbox One), it’s a technical marvel. The reflections, lighting, and rain effects are phenomenal, making it feel like a true next-gen experience on last-gen consoles.
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Combat: Rocksteady nailed it. The Freeflow combat system feels as smooth as ever, and the variety of gadgets makes every fight feel dynamic. Taking down thugs in a dark alley while chaining combos is as satisfying as it’s ever been.
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Story & Joker: While it’s not perfect (more on that below), the central narrative does a great job of exploring Batman’s psyche. The inclusion of the Joker as a hallucination is genius, and Mark Hamill delivers one of his best performances as the Clown Prince of Crime. It’s a fascinating way to show the toll of being Batman.
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The Batmobile (Mostly): I know, I know—hear me out. Driving the Batmobile around Gotham is thrilling at first, and it’s clear Rocksteady put a ton of effort into making it feel just right. As a traversal tool, it’s fantastic and adds a whole new layer to Gotham.
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Side Missions: From tracking down serial killers to dismantling the Arkham Knight’s militia, the side missions are varied and engaging. They make Gotham feel alive, even though it’s mysteriously empty of civilians.
The Technical Stuff:
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Performance: On consoles, the game runs at a locked 30 FPS. While it’s smooth and stable, gamers used to 60 FPS or higher might find it restrictive. The PC launch, though, was a disaster. Bugs, stuttering, and crashes made the game unplayable for many players in 2015. Thankfully, patches have since stabilized it, and if you’ve got the hardware, you can push the game’s visuals to incredible heights.
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Anti-Aliasing & Visual Fidelity: On consoles, FXAA is used for anti-aliasing, which smooths jagged edges but can make the image a bit soft. On PC, if your rig can handle it, you can enable Nvidia GameWorks effects like interactive smoke and enhanced rain for an even more immersive experience.
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Next-Gen on Last-Gen: This is one of the best-looking games from the 2014–2016 era and stands as a testament to what developers could squeeze out of last-gen hardware. It genuinely feels like a next-gen game running on old-gen systems.
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Load Times: If you’re still on an HDD, prepare for some wait times when transitioning to large areas or reloading after deaths. On an SSD, it’s much quicker and smoother.
The Bad:
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The Batmobile (Again): Okay, I said I liked it, but they really overused it. The tank battles started fun but became repetitive. If Rocksteady had pulled back on the Batmobile segments, it might have been universally loved instead of divisive.
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The Arkham Knight Reveal: If you’re a Batman fan, you probably saw this twist coming a mile away. While the build-up was strong, the payoff felt underwhelming, especially compared to the reveals in Arkham Asylum and City.
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Boss Fights: Compared to previous Arkham games, the boss fights here are lackluster. Most boil down to repetitive patterns or Batmobile sections, and they don’t come close to the creativity of the Mr. Freeze fight in Arkham City.
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Riddler Trophies: WHY ARE THERE 243 OF THESE? If you’re a completionist, good luck. For everyone else, just watch the 100% ending on YouTube after finishing the main story.
A Fan-Favorite Redemption:
Let’s address the elephant in the Batcave: Batman: Arkham Knight was hated when it first launched in 2015. The PC port was a disaster, the Batmobile overuse was ridiculed, and many fans felt it didn’t live up to the legacy of Arkham Asylum or City. However, as the dust settled, many have come to appreciate the game for what it is—a stunning, ambitious send-off for Rocksteady’s trilogy.
In hindsight, it stands as one of the best games from the 2014–2016 era. Its visuals, story, and gameplay still hold up, and the backlash has softened as fans revisit Gotham and remember why this series set the standard for superhero games.
Final Thoughts:
Despite its flaws, Batman: Arkham Knight is a love letter to fans of the Dark Knight. The gameplay, voice acting, and world-building are all top-tier, and it’s a worthy conclusion to Rocksteady’s trilogy. Sure, the Batmobile fatigue and predictable story beats hold it back from being perfect, but if you’re a fan of Batman or action-adventure games, it’s a must-play.
Rating: 8.5/10
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to YouTube to watch the full Knightfall Protocol because there’s no way I’m getting all those Riddler trophies.
What did you all think?
Did the locked 30 FPS or PC issues bother you? Has your opinion on the Batmobile changed over time? Let me know—let’s talk about why this game is becoming a fan favorite!