Gotham Knights Review: A Missed Opportunity in the Shadows of Greatness
The release of Gotham Knights marks a significant moment for DC fans, as it is the first open world Gotham City entry since the acclaimed Batman: Arkham Knight in 2015. However, the weight of expectation hangs heavy, especially considering its development by WB Games Montréal, the studio responsible for the less-than-stellar Batman: Arkham Origins. As if that weren’t enough, the game also faces comparisons to the incredibly successful Marvel’s Spider-Man franchise, which has set a high bar for superhero open world experiences. While Gotham Knights attempts to carve its own path, it ultimately falls short, offering a familiar and underwhelming experience that feels more derivative than innovative.
A Gotham Devoid of Life
The biggest disappointment lies in Gotham City itself. It’s a visually stunning and impressively detailed setting, but tragically lacks the life and vibrancy that would truly immerse players. Unlike the bustling streets of Marvel’s Spider-Man’s New York, where civilians react to the web-slinger’s antics, Gotham in Gotham Knights feels eerily silent and lifeless. While crimes unfold around you, the citizens seem oblivious, going about their day as if nothing is happening. It’s a jarring disconnect that significantly undermines the sense of danger and urgency that Gotham should embody.
This lack of life extends beyond the interaction with NPCs. The overall environment feels sterile, lacking the grittiness and grime that characterized Matt Reeves’ The Batman, a film that captured the essence of a decaying city tormented by crime. Instead, Gotham Knights presents a sanitized vision, devoid of the grit and atmosphere that made previous Batman games so captivating.
The decision to confine the action to nighttime is another missed opportunity. While this might have been a clever way to avoid the need for day and night cycles, it ultimately contributes to the lack of atmosphere. The constant darkness, despite the visually impressive city, makes Gotham feel less like a living, breathing metropolis and more like a sterile, artificial playground.
Heroes in a Uniform: A Lack of Differentiation
The four playable characters: Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and Red Hood, each boast distinct personalities and combat styles. However, the initial hours of gameplay feel remarkably similar across the board. The core combat mechanics, relying heavily on light and heavy attacks, feel rote and predictable. While individual skill trees and momentum abilities introduce some variety later on, the initial lackluster combat experience hampers engagement.
The inability to seamlessly switch between heroes during a night patrol is also perplexing. This restriction makes little narrative sense and adds a frustrating layer of inconvenience, forcing players to return to the Belfry HQ if they need to change their hero for any reason. This limitation further reinforces the sense that the characters are not truly independent entities within Gotham’s shared narrative.
Traversal: A Missed Swing
Gotham Knights attempts to replicate the fluid traversal mechanics of the Batman: Arkham series and Marvel’s Spider-Man, with the grappling hook serving as the primary tool for navigating the cityscape. However, the movement system feels clunky and lacking in momentum. The absence of gliding (until Nightwing’s glider is unlocked), coupled with the awkward transitions between grappling and jumping, hinders the otherwise visually impressive verticality of the city. The result is a less satisfying and less engaging experience compared to its predecessors.
Co-op, Performance, and Verdict
Gotham Knights offers a compelling co-op experience with both two-player campaign and planned four-player standalone modes. While cross-play isn’t available, the game provides various options for finding partners, and the overall co-op gameplay runs smoothly, despite the occasional stuttering during high-speed Batcycle rides.
Performance on consoles suffers from a 30fps lock, though the game runs smoothly within those limitations. While higher frame rates are achievable on PC, the demanding specs required may deter some players.
In conclusion, Gotham Knights feels like a missed opportunity. While it borrows elements from successful superhero games, it fails to deliver a truly engaging and innovative experience. The lack of a compelling open world, uninspired combat mechanics, and restricted traversal system combine to create a game that feels formulaic and uninspired. Despite some visual appeal and decent co-op functionality, Gotham Knights ultimately falls short of its potential, offering a familiar, albeit underwhelming, journey into Gotham’s shadows.
