The landscape for DC video games seems more uncertain than ever. With the lukewarm reception of Gotham Knights and the disastrous feedback for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, DC fans pinned their hopes on Monolith’s Wonder Woman as a potential savior, banking on its strengths as a single-player narrative experience developed by experienced hands. However, those hopes were dashed with the abrupt cancellation of Wonder Woman and the subsequent closure of Monolith. Recent buzz suggests that Batman might be the remaining viable path for DC’s gaming future.
Following the cancellation of Wonder Woman, Jason Schreier from Bloomberg revealed that Rocksteady is gearing up for another Batman installment. Not long after, leaker Lunatic Ignus took to Twitter, claiming that Rocksteady’s new endeavor will draw inspiration from the 1999-2001 Batman Beyond animated series, along with its related comic book continuations. A Batman Beyond game by Rocksteady has immense potential, but leaning too heavily on the familiar Arkham template could both benefit and hinder the project.
### Revisiting Arkham’s Gameplay Could Be Overly Familiar
Although neither Schreier nor Lunatic Ignus explicitly mentioned a return to Batman: Arkham’s gameplay style for Rocksteady’s latest Batman venture, it’s likely the studio may revert to this tried-and-true formula. This seems plausible, especially given the backlash to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s shift to third-person shooting mechanics. However, revisiting Arkham’s Freeflow combat and Predator stealth gameplay might risk making the game feel redundant. For longtime players who have been engaging with these styles since 2009, a heavy-handed reintroduction of these mechanics, such as through an extended tutorial, might not spark much excitement.
### Embrace Depth and Innovation from the Start
While tutorials are a staple in gaming, the rumored Batman Beyond game could greatly benefit from making them optional, allowing seasoned fans to dive straight into the action. By minimizing tutorial time, Rocksteady has the opportunity to plunge players into the deep end, offering a fresh array of gameplay elements right from the beginning. While keeping the signature combat and stealth mechanics to maintain an Arkham legacy, providing veterans with a suite of new offerings—like innovative gadgets, advanced takedowns, and engaging traversal methods true to Batman Beyond’s futuristic milieu—could enhance engagement. Such elements should progressively evolve, creating a unique skill set for this fresh chapter.
### Novel Storylines for a New Era
Batman is renowned for his infamous roster of villains, yet many have already featured prominently in the Arkham series. Much like the gameplay, the Batman Beyond storyline would need to remain faithful to the series’ essence while offering something new for devoted enthusiasts. The Neo-Gotham backdrop of Batman Beyond naturally sets the stage for novelty. Positioned in the late 2030s, it introduces an entirely fresh rogues’ gallery. This setting gives Rocksteady a golden opportunity to pleasantly surprise fans with an unexpected narrative direction, while crafting a fresh yet authentic experience.
