Gotham Knights Review – In this Gotham Knights Review, we take an in-depth look at one of the most anticipated action RPGs set in the Batman universe. Developed by WB Games Montréal, Gotham Knights puts players in the shoes of Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood as they fight to protect Gotham after Batman’s death. Available on PS5 and Xbox Series X, this game offers a fresh take on the Bat-Family, complete with open-world exploration, RPG elements, and co-op gameplay. But does it live up to expectations? Let’s find out.
Story and Narrative
At the heart of Gotham Knights is a compelling narrative that follows the Bat-Family’s struggle to maintain order in Gotham after Batman’s mysterious death. The game wastes no time throwing players into a dark and gritty storyline, with each character dealing with their own grief and responsibilities.
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The main plot revolves around the rise of the Court of Owls, a shadowy and powerful organization that has secretly controlled Gotham for centuries. As the heroes investigate Batman’s death, they uncover a web of corruption, conspiracy, and dangerous enemies. The game does a great job of building tension, making players feel like they are truly stepping into Batman’s shoes—without actually being Batman.
Throughout the campaign, players engage in various side missions and character-driven interactions, allowing them to explore each hero’s personal growth and relationships. The game’s storytelling is well-paced and engaging, keeping players invested from start to finish.
Gameplay and Combat
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Gotham Knights takes a different approach to combat and traversal, moving away from the Arkham series’ signature counter-based mechanics. Instead, the game adopts a more RPG-inspired system, with light and heavy attacks, dodging, and special abilities that can be unlocked through skill trees.
Each of the four characters has a unique combat style and abilities:
- Batgirl excels in hacking and hand-to-hand combat, making her a well-rounded fighter.
- Nightwing specializes in acrobatics and teamwork, ideal for co-op play.
- Red Hood relies on brute strength and ranged attacks, offering a more aggressive combat style.
- Robin is a master of stealth and gadgets, making him perfect for silent takedowns.
The game also features a deep progression system, allowing players to unlock new abilities, gear, and upgrades as they level up. The combat feels fluid and engaging, though some fans may miss the fast-paced counter mechanics from the Arkham series.
Open-World Exploration
Gotham City in Gotham Knights is a vast and atmospheric open world, filled with criminal activity, side missions, and hidden secrets. Players can explore the city using various traversal methods, such as Batgirl’s grappling hook, Nightwing’s glider, Red Hood’s mystical jumps, and Robin’s teleportation tech.
The city feels alive, with dynamic weather, NPC interactions, and random crimes that players can intervene in. However, while Gotham looks stunning, some areas feel a bit empty, lacking the dense population and environmental interactions seen in other open-world games.
One of the game’s strongest aspects is the Batcycle, which allows for fast traversal across Gotham’s streets. While it’s a fun addition, some players may find it a bit stiff and lacking depth compared to traditional Batmobile mechanics.
Multiplayer and Co-Op Features
One of the biggest selling points of Gotham Knights is its co-op mode, allowing players to team up online and fight crime together. Unlike previous Batman games, which were strictly single-player, Gotham Knights embraces a drop-in/drop-out co-op system that enhances the gameplay experience.
Playing with a friend makes combat encounters more dynamic, as players can coordinate attacks, combine abilities, and strategize their approach. The game also includes co-op-specific challenges, adding more replayability for those who enjoy multiplayer experiences.
However, Gotham Knights does not support local split-screen co-op, which might disappoint some fans who were hoping for an offline multiplayer experience.
Graphics and Performance
Visually, Gotham Knights delivers a beautiful and detailed Gotham City, with realistic lighting, character models, and atmospheric effects. The game takes full advantage of next-gen hardware, but its performance has been a topic of debate.
On PS5 and Xbox Series X, the game runs at a locked 30 FPS, which may feel underwhelming for players expecting a smoother 60 FPS experience. While the graphics are impressive, some performance issues and occasional frame drops can hinder the overall experience.
Despite these minor setbacks, character animations, facial expressions, and cinematic cutscenes are well-executed, bringing Gotham’s dark and moody atmosphere to life.
Platform-Specific Insights
Gotham Knights Review PS5
On PS5, Gotham Knights benefits from fast loading times and stunning visuals. The DualSense controller enhances immersion, with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback adding weight to combat and traversal. However, the lack of a 60 FPS mode is a major downside, especially for players who value smooth performance in action games.
Gotham Knights Review Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X version delivers a comparable experience to the PS5, with high-resolution textures and ray-tracing support. Thanks to the SSD, loading times are significantly reduced, allowing players to seamlessly explore Gotham. While the frame rate remains locked at 30 FPS, the game’s performance is stable, making it a solid option for Xbox players.
Is Gotham Knights a Good Game?
The answer depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re expecting an Arkham-style Batman game, Gotham Knights may not fully satisfy you. The combat system and open-world mechanics feel different, and the lack of a true counter system might take some getting used to.
However, if you enjoy co-op gameplay, character progression, and an engaging story, Gotham Knights delivers a unique and enjoyable experience. The ability to play as four different heroes, each with distinct combat styles and abilities, adds depth and replayability to the game.
Final Verdict – Should You Play Gotham Knights?
In conclusion, Gotham Knights is an ambitious take on Gotham’s vigilante heroes, offering a strong narrative, fun co-op mechanics, and a detailed open world. While it has some performance issues and lacks a 60 FPS mode, the game still provides an exciting experience for fans of the Bat-Family.
For those who love RPG progression, co-op gameplay, and open-world exploration, Gotham Knights is worth checking out. However, players looking for a true Arkham-style experience might need to adjust their expectations – Gotham Knights Review
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