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Ranking the Batman: Arkham games
- Thread starter Solidsoul
- Start date
gigantor21
Member
Of the ones I've played: Asylum > Origins > City.
The smaller scale of Asylum made it the most satisfying. The sprawl of City created a sense of padding and aimlessness, killing my interest in finishing it. The Origins studio did a better job with an open world, but I still preferred the first game.
I'm doubtful on buying Knight, to be honest. It's an even bigger game, the complaints about the Batmobile line up with my initial fears about it, and after three games I'm not too keen on yet another Arkham. :/
The smaller scale of Asylum made it the most satisfying. The sprawl of City created a sense of padding and aimlessness, killing my interest in finishing it. The Origins studio did a better job with an open world, but I still preferred the first game.
I'm doubtful on buying Knight, to be honest. It's an even bigger game, the complaints about the Batmobile line up with my initial fears about it, and after three games I'm not too keen on yet another Arkham. :/
RespectThySole
Member
Asylum>>>>>Knight>City
LinkMaster111
Member
Knight > City > Asylum > Origins
Haloid1177
Banned
Knight > Asylum > City
Origins doesn't even qualify.
Origins doesn't even qualify.
family_guy
Member
Origins > Asylum > City. Not sure about Knight yet.
My initial reaction after finishing AK:
Arkham Knight>City>Asylum>Origins
But they are all varying levels of greatness. Some of the best games to come out in the last 10 years. I'm just really glad we've had a great run of Batman video games. Hopefully WB will find someone to continue that run and Rocksteady can do what they did for Batman for another DC hero.
Arkham Knight>City>Asylum>Origins
But they are all varying levels of greatness. Some of the best games to come out in the last 10 years. I'm just really glad we've had a great run of Batman video games. Hopefully WB will find someone to continue that run and Rocksteady can do what they did for Batman for another DC hero.
Kerotan Frog
Member
Haven't played Knight yet, but I'd put the first three like this.
Asylum > Origins > City
Asylum felt the most cohesive and well put together, except the last fight.. It was so much fun to use gadgets as you unlock them to traverse new areas. I love the feeling that I get familiar with a place toward the end of a game and can go anywhere. Like MGS1 & 2.
Origins had the best story, and I really loved how the introduced
but I really hated some parts at the end that went into 2.5d. That was terrible.
Finally, City would be my least favorite arkham game. Not to say it's bad, loved the Freeze fight and the sniper side quest. But the story was a revolving door of enemies that seemed to just name drop hard (but eventually got good), and the world wasn't as fun to traverse. It's like they just stretched out asylum type areas and put nothing good in between. Poor design. I did like the ending tho.
Asylum > Origins > City
Asylum felt the most cohesive and well put together, except the last fight.. It was so much fun to use gadgets as you unlock them to traverse new areas. I love the feeling that I get familiar with a place toward the end of a game and can go anywhere. Like MGS1 & 2.
Origins had the best story, and I really loved how the introduced
the Joker with that bank level. Oh and that Bullseye fight! So good.
Finally, City would be my least favorite arkham game. Not to say it's bad, loved the Freeze fight and the sniper side quest. But the story was a revolving door of enemies that seemed to just name drop hard (but eventually got good), and the world wasn't as fun to traverse. It's like they just stretched out asylum type areas and put nothing good in between. Poor design. I did like the ending tho.
I don't have Knight yet, but I have a feeling Asylum > City > Knight is going to be it for me for the same reason.
eot
Banned
Having not played knight, I would rank them in release order.
I thought the switch to an open world in City was a huge mistake, that not only killed one of the better parts of the first game (the light metroidvania elements) but replaced it with pointless tedium that screwed with the pacing. The only good parts of City are the parts that take place inside buildings anyway. Origins was just crap, it was unpolished and uninspired. Seeing how little appears to have changed with Knight I'm not super excited to play it. The predator sections need a complete overhaul.
I thought the switch to an open world in City was a huge mistake, that not only killed one of the better parts of the first game (the light metroidvania elements) but replaced it with pointless tedium that screwed with the pacing. The only good parts of City are the parts that take place inside buildings anyway. Origins was just crap, it was unpolished and uninspired. Seeing how little appears to have changed with Knight I'm not super excited to play it. The predator sections need a complete overhaul.
eot
Banned
I ran into locked doors in Origins. Maybe all of them weren't like that but I specifically remember it pissing me off.
The Real Napsta
Member
Why do all the games have the word Arkham in them?
I'm replaying them now before diving into Knight, since I barely recall much of each having only completed them at their respective launch periods. Finished Origins a couple months ago and just completed Asylum while just a little bit into City at the moment.
I used to be a bit prickly towards City and agreed with many that it lost its personality going for the giant hub, but I think my position is reversed on this revisit almost ready to call it the superior game to Asylum(at least so far). Asylum is excellent, but as the OP states, the combat options, and even stealth scenarios really do feel limited now. The plot sadly isn't all that interesting and ends up feeling anti-climactic. The overabundance of Titan duels also gets a bit grating. The setting and scenarios are spectacular though with plenty of surprises, particularly with the Scarecrow segments that are so unexpected when they show up. So much to love about Asylum and it still holds up amazingly well, even if the thrills are more front-loaded.
City and Origins are very similar and I pretty much agree entirely with the OP on each so far. Origins had gimmicky but impressive boss encounters and a wonderful plotline involving the origin of Batman's first major encounters unique to this universe. Sadly the hub is dreary and lacks any real identity even as a re-purposed rendition of Arkham City. The combat suffers from slight issues that has been discussed but some of the scenario design is equally as engaging as any of the other entries.
I still have City left to complete before moving onto Knight, but I look forward to both.
I used to be a bit prickly towards City and agreed with many that it lost its personality going for the giant hub, but I think my position is reversed on this revisit almost ready to call it the superior game to Asylum(at least so far). Asylum is excellent, but as the OP states, the combat options, and even stealth scenarios really do feel limited now. The plot sadly isn't all that interesting and ends up feeling anti-climactic. The overabundance of Titan duels also gets a bit grating. The setting and scenarios are spectacular though with plenty of surprises, particularly with the Scarecrow segments that are so unexpected when they show up. So much to love about Asylum and it still holds up amazingly well, even if the thrills are more front-loaded.
City and Origins are very similar and I pretty much agree entirely with the OP on each so far. Origins had gimmicky but impressive boss encounters and a wonderful plotline involving the origin of Batman's first major encounters unique to this universe. Sadly the hub is dreary and lacks any real identity even as a re-purposed rendition of Arkham City. The combat suffers from slight issues that has been discussed but some of the scenario design is equally as engaging as any of the other entries.
I still have City left to complete before moving onto Knight, but I look forward to both.
publicpwnerer
Member
Knight > Asylum >>> Origins >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> City.
I absolutely loved Knight's pacing, and I thought it was very tight and contained despite being open world. I loved the Batmobile and often found myself riding around in it, despite flying being faster overall. Asylum's pacing was legendary, and blew my mind at the time...never having seen such an incredible licensed game like that before.
I put Origins well beyond City because it explored a more interesting aspect of the Bruce / Batman story, as well having the interesting detective cases, regardless of how simple they were. I enjoyed the fact that showed us Batman breaking down and fragile, as well as showcasing the strong bond between Alfred and Bruce. The Deathstroke encounter was legendary too.
I absolutely loved Knight's pacing, and I thought it was very tight and contained despite being open world. I loved the Batmobile and often found myself riding around in it, despite flying being faster overall. Asylum's pacing was legendary, and blew my mind at the time...never having seen such an incredible licensed game like that before.
I put Origins well beyond City because it explored a more interesting aspect of the Bruce / Batman story, as well having the interesting detective cases, regardless of how simple they were. I enjoyed the fact that showed us Batman breaking down and fragile, as well as showcasing the strong bond between Alfred and Bruce. The Deathstroke encounter was legendary too.
That's where I'm at. Asylum is the best. I have high hopes for Knight, but only just started. Origins biggest fault was being utterly forgettable. And City's horseshoe shaped city was annoying to navigate.
Branding.
JigglesBunny
Banned
Knight > City > Asylum > Origins
Knight has the best story and gameplay for my money minus the forced Batmobile stealth Cobra sections, City was an amazing leap from Asylum, had better combat and had the most "comic book" story of the series, Asylum was an awesome introduction to the series and the intimate, metroidvania and gothic/horror vibe was unique and never matched again and Origins, while having a good story, was City with busted combat and more bugs.
Knight has the best story and gameplay for my money minus the forced Batmobile stealth Cobra sections, City was an amazing leap from Asylum, had better combat and had the most "comic book" story of the series, Asylum was an awesome introduction to the series and the intimate, metroidvania and gothic/horror vibe was unique and never matched again and Origins, while having a good story, was City with busted combat and more bugs.
The_Afroman
Member
I think as a whole each game has an identity.
Asylum like any good Batman comic is situational. He was locked in the Asylum and well.. he has to deal with the issue in that ONE location
City, He was taken to the "new" Arkham which was a whole area of Gotham and was Walled in, so while it was open, it was still closed in. Also, all the Villains were locked up. in one place which i find hilarious as they were kinda happy ruling in their own turf wars under the thumb of Strange.
Knight, i'm not done yet, but this one more than any of the 3 feels the MOST open of them all. It is all about traveling from place to place. This one the Batmobile was "needed" but should not have been rammed down our throat the way it was. The fact that their are moments in the game that are situationally the same as the other 2, but suddenly i can;t do them without using the BatTank.. is silly.
But I love them all. Origins, while i didn't finish.. I liked for one thing.. IT FIXED the art style. I always hated Batman's HUGE BULBUS shoulders in the others and with Origins they slimmed him down a bit, and the art was changed. I liked that. Knight followed suit.
Rank?
1. City
2. Knight (but only because of Batmobile, so far)
3. Origins
4. Asylum (this isn't bad but it was the first and the others fixed SO MUCH)
Asylum like any good Batman comic is situational. He was locked in the Asylum and well.. he has to deal with the issue in that ONE location
City, He was taken to the "new" Arkham which was a whole area of Gotham and was Walled in, so while it was open, it was still closed in. Also, all the Villains were locked up. in one place which i find hilarious as they were kinda happy ruling in their own turf wars under the thumb of Strange.
Knight, i'm not done yet, but this one more than any of the 3 feels the MOST open of them all. It is all about traveling from place to place. This one the Batmobile was "needed" but should not have been rammed down our throat the way it was. The fact that their are moments in the game that are situationally the same as the other 2, but suddenly i can;t do them without using the BatTank.. is silly.
I need the damn thing to go up and down an elevator? COME ON
But I love them all. Origins, while i didn't finish.. I liked for one thing.. IT FIXED the art style. I always hated Batman's HUGE BULBUS shoulders in the others and with Origins they slimmed him down a bit, and the art was changed. I liked that. Knight followed suit.
Rank?
1. City
2. Knight (but only because of Batmobile, so far)
3. Origins
4. Asylum (this isn't bad but it was the first and the others fixed SO MUCH)
roflwaffles
Member
Haven't finished Asylum yet so I'll exclude that from my list. This is actually kind of tough trying to nail down where Knight fits into all of this, but for now I'd say
City>Knight=Origins
Knight is a technically much stronger game than Origins. The open world blows Origins away, the combat is better, and the predator sequences are better. Origins, however, gets right on the things that I find more enjoyable - a good story and very good boss battles.
Knight's story is serviceable but a tad predictable and too centralized on Scarecrow and Arkham Knight whereas Origins and City made much better use of a big rogues gallery, and it completely drops the ball on boss battles. There are no boss battles. The game teases you with characters who can stand toe to toe with Batman but all you get are shitty tank battles with characters who you should be having a fist to fist confrontation with.
Origins, however, had some of the best bosses in the series. I'd say most of the best bosses in the series come from this game, aside from City's Mr. Freeze. The first Bane fight is just great.
City>Knight=Origins
Knight is a technically much stronger game than Origins. The open world blows Origins away, the combat is better, and the predator sequences are better. Origins, however, gets right on the things that I find more enjoyable - a good story and very good boss battles.
Knight's story is serviceable but a tad predictable and too centralized on Scarecrow and Arkham Knight whereas Origins and City made much better use of a big rogues gallery, and it completely drops the ball on boss battles. There are no boss battles. The game teases you with characters who can stand toe to toe with Batman but all you get are shitty tank battles with characters who you should be having a fist to fist confrontation with.
Origins, however, had some of the best bosses in the series. I'd say most of the best bosses in the series come from this game, aside from City's Mr. Freeze. The first Bane fight is just great.
Mikey Jr.
Member
I''m only a few hours in Knight, but it seems like it has SUBSTANTIALLY less "room encounters". You know, where you enter an area and have to figure how to take everyone out. It seems so far like the game is
40% Batmobile combat/traversal/driving
40% Just beat up a bunch of dudes
20% Room encounter
Its still a good game, but it sucks that the main driving force behind these games has been reduced so dramatically.
40% Batmobile combat/traversal/driving
40% Just beat up a bunch of dudes
20% Room encounter
Its still a good game, but it sucks that the main driving force behind these games has been reduced so dramatically.
Vire
Member
There are a ton of Predator sections in Knight, keep playing.
Try out the bank side quest as well!
The Lone Courier
Member
1. Asylum
2. Origins
3. Arkham Knight
4. City
2. Origins
3. Arkham Knight
4. City
Mikey Jr.
Member
Alright, I trust you. I hope you're right.
plasmawave
Banned
Knight is near the bottom.
City > Asylum > Knight > Origins.
City > Asylum > Knight > Origins.
Ascenion
Member
I don't find it feasible to evacuate an entire city of 8.5 million in 24 hours to where you see no civilians, not to mention everything happening in one night. The latter being one of my main complaints about Arkham City.
Permanently A
Junior Member
1. Arkham City - weaker atmosphere than Asylum, but gameplay is massively improved. Mr. Freeze boss fight is amazing
2. Arkham Asylum - great atmosphere, groundbreaking combat for its time
3. Arkham Origins - rehash of City, unpolished and buggy, great story, combat had some changes that made it feel worse. bosses other than Firefly and Deathstroke were completely forgettable (seriously I don't remember them)
Haven't finished Knight yet but from what I've played I think I would rate it above Origins but below Asylum. If the story is really good it would take second.
2. Arkham Asylum - great atmosphere, groundbreaking combat for its time
3. Arkham Origins - rehash of City, unpolished and buggy, great story, combat had some changes that made it feel worse. bosses other than Firefly and Deathstroke were completely forgettable (seriously I don't remember them)
Haven't finished Knight yet but from what I've played I think I would rate it above Origins but below Asylum. If the story is really good it would take second.
You are correct. I want them to go back to the Asylum style so bad. That game was perfection.
Vire
Member
Plays comic book game with giant poison plant monsters, fear serum, man-bats and you are worried about the logistics of evacuating millions of people overnight.
For real?...
Golgo 13
The Man With The Golden Dong
VERY surprised to see so many people list Knight as their favorite when, in the official thread, there's so many people bitching about it and complaining. I haven't finished knight but, about halfway through the story, it's below City and above Asylum and Origins, so
City>>>>Asylum>>>>origins>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>blackgate
For now
City>>>>Asylum>>>>origins>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>blackgate
For now
XOMTOR
Member
PC player so haven't played Knight but have played all the rest including Blackgate. My ranking:
Story mode:
Asylum>Origins>City>Blackgate
Asylum just had the most focused story plus the pacing and location were sublime. Mark Hamill had a large role here and there were more chances to be stealthy. Plus the Scarecrow segment was amazing.
Combat Challenges:
City>Origins>Asylum
City's combat challenges were fantastic and Catwoman stole the show for me here. She's so much more nimble and her challenges are quite a bit more well...challenging.
Story mode:
Asylum>Origins>City>Blackgate
Asylum just had the most focused story plus the pacing and location were sublime. Mark Hamill had a large role here and there were more chances to be stealthy. Plus the Scarecrow segment was amazing.
Combat Challenges:
City>Origins>Asylum
City's combat challenges were fantastic and Catwoman stole the show for me here. She's so much more nimble and her challenges are quite a bit more well...challenging.