The Arkham games generally take between 10-15 hours to complete the main story, with completionist runs extending to 30-40+ hours.
Ever wondered how long it takes to patrol the gritty streets of Gotham? Many fans ask, “how long are the Arkham games?” It’s a valid question before diving into the Batman universe.
The playtime varies greatly depending on your play style, as some players focus on the main story, while others hunt every last riddle from the Riddler. Expect considerable additional time if you’re a completionist.
How Long Are the Arkham Games? A Deep Dive
Ever wondered how much time you’d need to spend gliding through the gothic streets of Gotham as the Dark Knight? The Batman Arkham series is famous for its engaging stories, exciting combat, and amazing atmosphere. But before you start your vigilante journey, it’s good to know how much time you’ll need to devote to each game. Let’s break down the playtime for each title in this iconic series, looking at everything from the main story to all the side quests and extra goodies.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Playtime
The game that started it all, Batman: Arkham Asylum, puts you on a thrilling night in the notorious Arkham Asylum. How long can you expect to be trapped inside? Let’s see.
Main Story Completion Time
Focusing only on the main storyline of Arkham Asylum will take you around 10 to 12 hours for most players. This time can vary a little bit depending on how quickly you solve puzzles and how well you can handle the combat encounters. If you’re a skilled player, or if you just want to get through the story fast, you may finish a bit quicker. But if you like to take your time, explore each section carefully and enjoy the storyline, expect to spend a bit more time in this range.
Completionist Playthrough Time
If you are a completionist who loves collecting every Riddler trophy, finishing all side missions, and getting every upgrade, then Arkham Asylum can keep you busy for a solid 20 to 25 hours or sometimes even more. The Riddler’s challenges add a lot to the game. These puzzles often require you to explore every nook and cranny of Arkham Asylum. Figuring out the clues and grabbing all 240 riddles and trophies will certainly test your detective skills, and also your patience.
Besides Riddler challenges, the side quests in Arkham Asylum add a good few hours to your total playtime. These can involve stopping some of the other villains that have escaped, or completing time trials. If you want to experience everything the game has to offer, you’ll want to budget for this extended playtime.
Batman: Arkham City Playtime
Batman: Arkham City opens up the world significantly, letting you explore a large part of Gotham. It’s bigger and more ambitious than its predecessor, so you can expect longer playing time.
Main Story Completion Time
The main story of Arkham City is longer than that of Arkham Asylum. The average player will likely spend between 12 to 15 hours completing the core narrative. The story is full of twists and turns, and you’ll meet many familiar faces from Batman’s rogues’ gallery. The open world allows for a bit more freedom, so you might find yourself getting sidetracked from the main quest a little. If you’re a real expert, you can still finish under 12 hours.
Completionist Playthrough Time
For all the completionists out there, Arkham City is a real time investment. Gathering all the Riddler trophies (there are 400 this time!), completing every side mission, and earning all upgrades could take you anywhere between 30 to 40 hours or more. The massive number of Riddler trophies alone will add many hours, with some of the more challenging ones requiring some real detective work and clever gadget usage. The side missions are also more involved in Arkham City, offering unique challenges and mini stories that are worth exploring for the full experience. The open-world also gives players more opportunities to explore and find new things, further extending play time.
It’s interesting to note that the Arkham City also has various playable characters for the challenge mode besides Batman like Robin, Catwoman and Nightwing. These character add new styles of gameplay and can require more hours if you aim to complete challenges with them.
Batman: Arkham Origins Playtime
A prequel to the first two games, Batman: Arkham Origins, puts you in the middle of a cold Christmas Eve where Batman is hunted by deadly assassins. Let’s see how much playtime you can expect here.
Main Story Completion Time
The main story for Arkham Origins is in the same range as Arkham City, clocking in at around 12 to 15 hours for most players. The game’s narrative is very well crafted and it does a great job of fleshing out some of Batman’s earlier adventures. The story also has boss battles that will test players’ skills and patience and it can effect your time.
Completionist Playthrough Time
If you’re aiming to achieve 100% completion in Arkham Origins, prepare to spend 30 to 40 hours or even more. The game has its collection of Riddler challenges, side missions, collectibles, and also introduces new collectibles and side activities. The number of Riddler items and trophies, while less than Arkham City, are still high and require time to solve. The side missions in this game have more depth and also add hours to the game time. They may involve taking on other villains, and solving crimes throughout Gotham City. The open world of Arkham Origins is also slightly smaller than Arkham City, but still offers a lot to explore.
Batman: Arkham Knight Playtime
The final chapter in Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy, Batman: Arkham Knight, is the most expansive game in the series, introducing the Batmobile and a huge open-world Gotham. Let’s dive into how long it will take you to finish this game.
Main Story Completion Time
The main story of Arkham Knight is longer, and many players report finishing it in 15 to 20 hours. The game introduces many complex storylines and challenges that require more time to complete. The inclusion of the Batmobile also changes up the gameplay and it can be a factor of your play time. The story is a culmination of the previous games and it offers a deep and exciting conclusion for the storyline of Batman’s journey with its iconic characters and locations.
Completionist Playthrough Time
For a truly complete experience, where you collect all Riddler trophies, complete all side quests, and get every upgrade, Arkham Knight can take around 40 to 50 hours or more. The amount of content in this game is huge and it can keep you occupied for many hours. The Riddler’s challenges are also more involved this time around and they involve both regular combat and Batmobile puzzles. The side quests in the game are also plentiful and they have their own stories with various villains from the Batman universe.
The game also has post-game side missions that can increase your total playtime. These missions continue to test the player even after the main story is complete.
A Quick Comparison
To help you see the differences between the playtimes of each game easily, here’s a simple table:
| Game | Main Story (Average) | Completionist (Average) |
|---|---|---|
| Batman: Arkham Asylum | 10-12 hours | 20-25+ hours |
| Batman: Arkham City | 12-15 hours | 30-40+ hours |
| Batman: Arkham Origins | 12-15 hours | 30-40+ hours |
| Batman: Arkham Knight | 15-20 hours | 40-50+ hours |
Factors That Affect Playtime
Many factors can influence how long it takes you to complete these games. Here are some things to consider:
- Skill Level: Experienced gamers who know their way around action games might complete the story faster than someone playing for the first time.
- Difficulty Setting: Playing on a harder difficulty can increase the time required to complete a game due to more challenging combat.
- Exploration Habits: If you love to explore every corner of the game map, you will end up spending more time than players who stick to the main path.
- Side Missions: Focusing on side missions and challenges increases the playtime a lot. These activities are often fun and worthwhile, and if you don’t do these you may not fully appreciate the game.
- Collectible Hunting: The Riddler trophies and other collectibles can add many hours of gameplay if you aim to gather them all.
- Previous Experience: If you have played an Arkham game before, the combat and systems might be familiar, and this could help you finish the newer games quickly.
Playtime vs. Enjoyment
It’s important to remember that playtime doesn’t directly relate to fun. Some players enjoy a longer game, while others like shorter, more focused experiences. The Arkham games are great at providing hours of gameplay, regardless of your preference.
The Arkham games are not just about the hours you play them but also about the immersive experiences they offer. Each game brings the world of Batman to life in unique ways and whether you are a seasoned player or a newcomer, the Arkham series has something to offer everyone. It’s an interactive comic book, letting you step into the boots of the Dark Knight and experience his trials and tribulations.
The total playtime for the Arkham series really depends on your style of play and how much you want to experience each title. You could beat each game in roughly 10-20 hours, or extend your gaming experience to 25-50 hours and beyond depending on how much of a completionist you are. Either way, you’re guaranteed a fun, action-packed experience.
Batman Arkham Games RANKED! #shorts
Final Thoughts
Main story completion for the Arkham games ranges from 8 to 15 hours. Side content and optional challenges can significantly extend playtime. Players who desire full completion can expect 25 to 40 hours, depending on their gameplay style.
For those wondering how long are the arkham games, it’s clear the series offers variable playtimes. The precise time will depend on your approach and how much of the optional content you choose to complete in these great games.
