On Tuesday, December 15th Telltale’s Batman Episode 5: City of Light will release on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as well as certain IOS and Android devices. To celebrate the finale to this fantastic chapter in the Batman universe, The Nerd Stash is compiling the top 5 Batman experiences you can have on consoles.
First off let’s tackle the obvious choice. There have been four games in the Arkham series. Asylum, City, Knight and Origins. The first three titles mentioned were developed by Rocksteady Studios, while Origins was developed by Warner Bros. Games Montreal. The Arkham series is the pinnacle of the Batman experience. In these open world action games, you take control of The Dark Knight. Glide over the streets of Gotham or Arkham City. Fight hand to hand with thugs and infamous villains of the series, utilizing brutal martial arts moves and an assortment of gadgets. And in Arkham Knight players received their first and only opportunity to navigate Gotham’s streets in the legendary Batmobile. Barrelling through destructible environments and taking on bigger enemies in the controversial tank mode. It’s quite likely that we will never experience such a well-rounded foray into the world of Batman again.
However, if you’re looking to see more of the man behind the mask then Telltale’s Batman may be for you. This episodic adventure series takes equal time to delve into both Bruce Wayne and the masked man. Through quick time events and choose your own story dialogue make decisions as either side of the same man, and then see the repercussions on the other. The series focuses on both a unique Batman universe handcrafted by Telltale and an interesting narrative that uncovers who the Waynes truly are and the impact of their actions on others. So if you’re interested in discovering more about the illustrious billionaire behind the cape, then this narrative driven game may be for you.
However, the DC universe is bigger than just Batman. For comic book fans, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Superman are also idolized figures. So what about a game where you can pit them against one another? Injustice Gods Among Us did just that. Released in 2013 by NetherRealm studios, the same studio behind the Mortal Kombat series. So the same sadistic combat and over the top finishers you’ve come to expect from Mortal Kombat are now possible with your favorite DC superheroes and villains. Set in an alternate reality where The Joker has destroyed Metropolis and in the process tricks Superman into killing Lois Lane and his unborn child. Superman kills Joker in a fit of rage and along with several other supers, establishes an authoritarian regime to stop an event of the same nature occurring again. Batman forms a resistance against this new world order and the two go head to head. So if Batman vs Superman let you down, check out Injustice, or its sequel releasing in 2017.
However what about an experience where you don’t play as the Batman. What about a title where he can either be your mentor or your enemy. In DC Universe Online you play as a self-made character who interacts with other heroes in the DC universe. In this Free to play MMO you choose how your character moves, looks, what faction they belong to and what powers they possess. When players choose a Tech Hero then they are mentored and provided missions by Batman. As a villain, you’ll get to go head to head with him if you follow the Joker’s quest-line or if you choose to play as a Tech Villain. So if it was either your dream to work with the Dark Knight or tear him down, then give DC Universe Online a go.
The final experience I have to recommend is one for younger viewers. Do you love Batman but want to spend time with your kids? Looking for a title that isn’t dark and gritty? Lego Batman was released in 2008, with its sequels DC Super Heroes and Beyond Gotham released in 2012 and 2014. The game allows you to not only play as Batman but a large cast of characters from the greater DC universe. Exploring familiar locations such as Gotham and Metropolis, and causing and mayhem and creating inventions with the whimsical lego environments. So if you’re looking to play something with your son or daughter, or are possibly just looking for a more light-hearted experience then jump into one of the Lego Batman games.
Hopefully, there was something on this list that sparked your interest. Whether you’re looking to go head to head with superman, discover the intricacies of Bruce Wayne or just get a well-rounded Batman experience, there are plenty of different options to jump into the shoes of Gotham’s hero.
