Gotham Knights: Release Date, Gameplay, Trailer, and More
It's been nearly seven years since the last Batman game, so it's exciting that the Gotham Knights release date is set to come this year. Ever since the Batman Arkham series launched back in the late 00s, we've been treated to a series of quality titles about the caped crusader and his dysfunctional family. Based on the promotional material and marketing so far, it doesn't seem like Batman himself will have a big role in Gotham Knights, but the forces of Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and Red Hood are here to help. So, read on for everything you need to know about Gotham Knights, including the release date, gameplay, trailers, and more.
Gotham Knights Release Date
Gotham Knights is set to a little sooner than we all expected. During Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022, it was announced that the release date was moved forward four days, meaning it will now release on October 21. Before this, it was set for an October 25 release, so it was a large surprise to see it moved forward, which is a rare occurence in video games.
Originally when it was revealed during DC FanDome 2020, it was announced to be released in 2021 before being unceremoniously pushed back. Whether the delay is a good or bad sign is still up in the air, but aside from some extreme cases, delaying games tends to mean they get the time and care they initially deserved, and with a new release date we can assume they are happy with the project so far.
Interestingly, the team behind Gotham Knights are also rumoured to be working on a Superman game, which we're yet to hear anything official about.
Gotham Knights Trailers
The reveal trailer set up the premise of the game back in August 2020 during DC FanDome. It featured a recording of Batman triggering code black (the protocol for his death and the destruction of the Batcave) before informing his proteges that they need to step into the boots of the Dark Knight and keep Gotham safe together. Rather importantly, it confirms that the game doesn’t take place in the Arkhamverse, instead inhabiting a separate universe, so don’t expect any crossover with Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad.
The latest trailers from DC FanDome 2021, gave us a closer look at the big bad of Gotham Knight, the Court of Owls. The Court of Owls are a secret society that have been watching over Gotham for years and is run by some of the oldest and wealthiest families in the city. They originate from a Scott Snyder comic run of the same name, which has proven to be one of the most popular Batman comics in recent memory.
In the Gotham Knights story trailer, Nightwing catches up with the Penguin, who warns of how dangerous the Court of Owls really are. It looks like Batgirl, Red Hood, Nightwing and Robin will get themselves lost in a labyrinth or two, whilst surrounded by the Court's personal assassin army, The Talons.
It shows off the other side of last year's lengthy gameplay which introduced the drop-in/drop-out co-op in action as Batgirl and Robin fought their way towards Mr Freeze. It has some distinct Batman Arkham vibes to its combat, but will bring added depth thanks to both abilities and co-op.
Gotham Knights Gameplay And Story
Click to enlargeThe game has been confirmed as an action role-playing game with different builds and play styles, depending on your character and how you choose to progress them. There are four playable characters: Robin, Batgirl, Red Hood, and Nightwing, which is a welcome break from playing their tutor/master for once. Due to the multiple player characters available, the game can be played all the way through cooperatively with smooth drop-in/drop-out that doesn’t affect the other player's progression.
The game will also feature levelling systems to complement its new RPG direction. This means you can distribute perks amongst your characters when levelling up to make them unique to your preferred playstyle. Enemies and bosses will also level up accordingly, meaning you can have two different experiences fighting a boss at level 5 and level 15. Following on from this, that also suggests that the quests and storylines in-game can be completed in the player’s preferred order.
Gotham Knights is primarily open world, following in a similar vein from the Arkham series, which transitioned to an open-world after the release of Arkham City. It’s also been shown in trailers that you can explore the city using the Batcycle or by using the mobility tricks of the various characters such as Robin’s teleport and Batgirl's glide.
Click to enlargeFrom a story perspective the game takes place in Gotham city after Batman and Police Commissioner Gordon have both been killed, leading to a sharp rise in crime and lawlessness permeating the city. The full roster of villains hasn’t been revealed yet but a few are confirmed, including the storylines that will introduce you to them. One involves Mr Freeze's schemes to manipulate Gotham’s weather, whilst another sees the sinister and nefarious secret society, the Court of Owls, attempt to control the city from the shadows.
At this point, WB Games Montréal is playing its cards close to its chest in terms of how The Court of Owls will be involved. It seems though that they'll be at the heart of undoing Batman's work.
Gotham Knights Platforms
Currently the game is slated to be released on most current-gen consoles and some last-gen consoles too. The current confirmed list stands as:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC
Keep your eyes on GGRecon for everything Gotham Knights going forward.
