Best Batman Games - Liberate Gotham As The Dark Knight!
Just like Superman or Spiderman, Batman is one of the most recognizable superheroes. Whether you like him or not, he’s probably the best-written character out of them all. Lack of superpowers, gloomy Gotham City, and a legendary cast of villains we’re created with a mature audience in mind. Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy and Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series prove that statement as they captured the essence of the Caped Crusader perfectly. Also, the latest Matt Reeves movie, “The Batman,” was highly acclaimed by reviewers, and Warner Bros confirmed its upcoming sequel.
However, you’re here because of the best Batman games, and luckily, there are plenty of them. Most games we’re going to discuss will provide an authentic experience of living the life of a billionaire Bruce Wayne by day and a vigilante by night. Also, all of them are available on RoyalCDKeys for competitive prices!
Batman: Arkham Collection
- Release Date: November 27, 2018
- Developer: Rocksteady Studios
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The presence of Batman Arkham games on this list shouldn't surprise anyone. It’s not only the best Batman games series ever created but also the best superhero games series. The collection consists of the entire trilogy made by Rocksteady: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight. It’s the most authentic Batman experience available, including detective work, various gadgets, air gliding, and iconic villains.
It also takes plenty from The Dark Knight trilogy, so every fan of Nolan’s interpretation of our Caped Crusader (including myself) should be more than pleased. Every game is unique in its own way and improves even further with the next installment.
The Arkham Collection is the most cost-effective way to become acquainted with the series, as it costs a mere $6. Considering the price, it’s completely unviable to purchase each game separately. Therefore, we will explain in detail the entire trilogy in chronological order, so you’ll know what to expect.
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Key Features
- The entire trilogy of the Arkham series made by Rocksteady.
- High resemblance to Nolan’s Batman movies.
- The trilogy is considered one of the best superhero game series ever created.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Release Date: September 15, 2009
- Developer: Rocksteady Studios
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
- Metascore: 91
The Arkham Asylum started the whole Arkham series, and not so long after its release, it was acclaimed as the best Batman game ever. Since it's the first game of the trilogy, it placed a solid foundation for continuing the series and made Batman significant in the video game industry. It captures the atmosphere of gothic-soaked Gotham City perfectly, voice-acting is top-notch, and the storyline is captivating from start to end.
The action of the game begins shortly after Batman once again manages to capture the Joker and lead the villain to the eponymous insane asylum. Soon after his arrival, Joker escapes as it was a part of his elaborate plan. As Batman, you have to lead to re-imprisoning all escaped criminals. Apart from the Joker, you’ll meet many other villains like Riddler, Bane, Killer Croc, Harley Quinn, and Scarecrow.
You’ll spend most of the time visiting diverse locations and neutralizing prisoners. The original, FreeFlow combat system assumes the necessity of making quick strikes, merging them into more effective combinations. In addition, the game incorporates stealth sequences. The key to success is surprising enemies and using elements of the environment (such as gargoyles). In between eliminating adversaries, you’re going to solve puzzles and perform simple investigations like following the DNA traces, searching for specific smells, etc.
It’s an action-adventure game that inspired many future games like Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and Spiderman for PS4. It’s not as open as its sequel, but a more streamlined structure can be positive, depending on the player’s preference. Open or not, it doesn’t take away from its outstanding storyline and iconic gameplay mechanics.
Key Features
- The first installment to the Arkham trilogy.
- Introduction to the captivating storyline, where Joker plays the main role.
- Original FreeFlow combat system, where you seamlessly chain attacks and fight multiple enemies in a flashy way.
- Approach enemies frontally or resort to sneaking techniques and gadgets to deal with them silently.
- Fight against Batman's most dangerous enemies, including Bane, Killer Croc, and Poison Ivy.
Batman: Arkham City
- Release Date: November 21, 2011
- Developer: Rocksteady Studios
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U
- Metascore: 91
Arkham City improves on almost every aspect of the previous game and serves as a prime example of a solid sequel. Switching from Arkham Asylum to Arkham City is similar to a quality jump between Assassin’s Creed 1 and 2. The map’s scale and level design have drastically improved, as you’re not limited to the Asylum. Gotham City is free to explore and hides many secrets to discover. Like the first game, combat is smooth, and gliding through Gotham is extremely satisfying. The narrative is also top-notch as it starts strong and never lets up from there.
The action takes place a few months after the events of the first part. Quincy Sharp, the former warden of the Arkham facility, has been appointed mayor of Gotham. One of his first decisions was to buy up much of the local slums, fence off the area, and then let the Arkham thugs in. The tenants of this unusual prison grouped themselves into several gangs, each led by a classic Batman villain. On behalf of the mayor, the whole area is managed by a mysterious madman known as Hugo Strange. He gives the prisoners complete freedom, as long as they won’t try to escape.
Gameplay-wise, Arkham City is almost the same as its predecessor, so I won’t get much into details. Fights are even more exciting and more difficult, as enemies are equipped with firearms, shields, armor, knives, or stun guns. There are also duels with bosses, which require creativity and great dexterity.
Apart from the main storyline, there are plenty of side missions and puzzles to solve scattered by the Riddler. Also, Batman is not the only playable character, as some of the main and side missions involve Catwoman. Arkham City is considered the best Arkham game out of the three, and I fully agree with this statement.
Key Features
- Arkham City is considered the best Batman title to date.
- Open world with plenty of side quests and puzzles to solve.
- New gadgets and the ability to fly through Gotham.
- More difficult enemies and bosses.
- Playable Catwoman.
Batman: Arkham Knight
- Release Date: June 23, 2015
- Developer: Rocksteady Studios
- Platforms: PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One
- Metascore: 87
Arkham Knight is a solid culmination of the trilogy, but nothing really shines here. Most improvements and new mechanics were introduced in Arkham City, so I guess there wasn’t much left for Arkham Knight. It tries to innovate with the introduction of Batmobile, but it isn’t nearly as perfect as its predecessor. Also, the PC port was a technical mess back then, so it missed the opportunity to become the best Batman game of all time. Don’t get me wrong, though; it’s still a fantastic game with a gripping storyline.
Scarecrow, an old enemy of Batman, has deployed fear toxin bombs in Gotham. Batman's most dangerous adversaries exploited the confusion created by the evacuation of the city's inhabitants. They dominated the deserted Gotham City and united to finally defeat Batman. In addition to the familiar antagonists, one more appears - the titular Arkham Knight, Batman's new adversary.
Mechanically, it’s the same as previous games. However, many small changes have been introduced – for example, you can knock out several enemies at once or finish off those who are stunned. Also modified counter system is back. The Dark Knight has to be more careful while fighting as he can be caught not only by stronger opponents but also by regular ones.
Another novelty in the series is the introduction of the Batman's vehicle – the Batmobile. Now, he can quickly move from place to place, shoot rockets, stun enemies, catapult himself and immediately start air gliding. However, the number of activities regarding Batmobile can be overwhelming, and it can ruin the game's pace, but that’s only my opinion.
It’s worth noting that the action takes place in the central part of Gotham, and the map is five times as large as presented in Arkham City. Overall, WB Games made an excellent decision by hiring Rocksteady. They’ve made an exceptional trilogy that will be remembered for a long time.
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Key Features
- The epic conclusion to the Arkham trilogy.
- Storyline that focuses more on Batman himself and his weaknesses.
- New gadgets and finishing moves.
- Batmobile combat.
Batman: Arkham Origins
- Release Date: October 24, 2013
- Developer: Iron Galaxy Studios
- Platforms: PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U
- Metascore: 74
Arkham Origins serves as a prequel to the Arkham series but was made by a different studio. It shows the very beginning of Batman’s career and introduces a roster of iconic villains. It’s the least acclaimed game in the Arkham series, but still a decent one. Rocksteady set the bar high, and Iron Galaxy Studios just didn’t meet the expectations put on the franchise.
The action is set on Christmas Eve, a few years before the events presented in Batman: Arkham Asylum. Batman is just beginning his superhero career, and one of the most dangerous villains in Gotham City – Black Mask, has put a price on his head. Batman must face the villains hunting him and discover why someone wants him dead.
The plot is full of action as Batman fights Bane, Deathstroke, Black Mask, and other villains trying to collect a bounty for his head. Once again, Joker steals the show as the game shows the beginning of their relationship outstandingly. Unfortunately, other villains feel shallow in comparison and they only shine during impressive boss fights. Mechanically, it’s a copy-paste from previous games, so there’s nothing much to say about the gameplay. It has a multiplayer mode, but it’s nowhere as good as the main game, and servers were closed back in 2016.
I had a great time playing Origins from start to finish as a fan of the series. However, it didn’t bring anything new like other installments, and it felt like a decent spin-off. It’s a good title to start with the series, but veterans may feel a bit disappointed.
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Key Features
- A prequel to Rocksteady’s Arkham games.
- Familiar mechanics including iconic combat, various gadgets, and stealth gameplay.
- Witness the beginning of Batman’s career during Christmas Eve.
- Face the iconic villains: Joker, Bane, Deathstroke, Deadshot, etc.
Batman: The Telltale Series
- Release Date: August 2, 2016
- Developer: Telltale Games
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3/4, Xbox 360/One, Nintendo Switch, iPhone/iPad
- Metascore: 72
You don’t need action-packed, open-world titles to enjoy new Batman adventures. Telltale excels in making story-based productions full of moral choices, and their take on the Dark Knight doesn’t disappoint.
The story follows both aspects of our protagonist's life and the actions taken by both Batman and Bruce Wayne. The choices made by each of these identities impact the reality of the other. The screenplay, on the other hand, focuses mainly on Bruce’s personal problems, including his attempts to uphold the reputation of his family. The night battle with criminals has an impact on his mind and body, and the game captures it perfectly.
Like in every Telltale game, the less you know before playing, the better. The game slowly unveils its cards throughout the five chapters leading to an epic conclusion. The choices you make will often affect Batman’s moral code, his secret identity, and the safety of his beloved ones. It’s also worth playing due to a completely different take on Joker’s personality we’ve been used to in the Arkham series. Is it possible to stop him from becoming the most dangerous villain of Gotham? You’ll find out when you play Batman: The Telltale Series!
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Key Features
- Your actions and choices will determine the fate of Batman.
- A deep, personal story about the struggle of living a double life.
- Many familiar characters, including Joker.
- Strong replayability potential.
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
- Release Date: June 19, 2012
- Developer: TT Games
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Wii U, 3DS, iPhone/iPad
- Metascore: 81
LEGO games are great in general, and the LEGO Batman series is not an exception. However, the second installment is arguably the best of the trilogy. It was a milestone for the entire LEGO franchise since it introduced an open world to explore for the very first time.
The sequel improved in almost every aspect when compared to its predecessor. The visuals have been improved and a few new features have been introduced, but the general gameplay remains the same. In the shoes of Batman, you will travel through the stages, defeat enemies, and solve logic puzzles along the way.
In the fight against the evil that rampages through Gotham, he is accompanied by his faithful companion – Robin. However, these are not all available characters. Many other figures from DC Comics also appear in the game. Among them are Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, etc. Each of them has a number of unique abilities, which greatly diversify the gameplay.
LEGO Batman is made exclusively for kids, but it doesn’t mean it’s a childish game. It’s an excellent steppingstone from the grim and dark Arkham series, where you can simply relax and have fun. Anyone will enjoy Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes as it has a little something for everyone.
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Key Features
- The best LEGO Batman game out of the three.
- An open world to explore.
- Iconic humor.
- Many characters to choose from with unique abilities.
- Suitable for people of all ages.
Injustice 2
- Release Date: November 30, 2017
- Developer: QLOC
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iPhone/iPad
- Metascore: 86
Mortal Kombat in the DC Universe? It may sound bizarre, but this unusual mix works flawlessly and provides an exceptional fighting experience. It blends side-scroll combat sequences with story cutscenes featuring a roster of DC characters.
Apart from Superman and Batman, you can play as Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Green Lantern, Scarecrow, etc. Duels take place in different arenas, located on Atlantis, Gotham City, and Metropolis. Clashes are dynamic, and the key to success is combining attacks in effective combinations and exploiting the enemy’s weaknesses.
The biggest novelty in the sequel is RPG elements. During the game, you’ll collect new pieces of equipment that affect the characters’ appearance and combat potential, increasing their strength and stamina. As you progress, you’ll also get access to new Talents, giving you an advantage on the battlefield.
And when you’re tired of playing alone, there’s local and online multiplayer, where you can test your fighting skills against real players. However, it’s not the best title for competitive play, as it suffers from balancing issues. Nevertheless, it’s a no-brainer for every fan of the DC Universe.
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Key Features
- Probably the best superhero fighting game ever released.
- A total of 28 playable characters.
- Multiple arenas.
- Great storyline.
Honorable Mentions
There are many other games about Batman worth mentioning, but most of them are console exclusives. If you are in possession of old consoles like Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Sega Genesis, or Sega Saturn, consider picking one of these titles.
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
- Batman: Arkham VR
- Batman Forever: The Arcade Game
- Batman Begins
- Batman Returns
- Batman: Vengeance