To play Batman Arkham games in order, begin with Batman: Arkham Asylum, then Batman: Arkham City, followed by Batman: Arkham Origins, then Batman: Arkham Knight.
Want to navigate the dark streets of Gotham, fighting crime as the Caped Crusader? Many wonder how to play Batman Arkham games in order to experience the story correctly. It’s a great series, full of gadgets, combat, and a captivating narrative that you won’t want to miss out on.
Starting at the beginning is essential for understanding the character development and the escalating stakes. You’ll see why each title builds upon the last, creating a rich overall experience. So let’s get started and get that play order figured out.
How to Play Batman Arkham Games in Order
So, you want to dive into the amazing world of the Batman Arkham games? That’s fantastic! These games let you become the Dark Knight himself, fighting crime and exploring the gritty streets of Gotham City. But with several games in the series, it can be tricky knowing where to start. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure out the perfect order to play them. Playing them in order will make the story much easier to follow, and you’ll appreciate how the gameplay changes and improves with each installment. Get ready for an exciting journey!
The Release Order Versus the Story Order
It’s important to understand that the order the games were released is not exactly the same as the order of the story. The Batman Arkham series is special because it tells one big story across multiple games. Think of it like reading a book series – you wouldn’t want to start with book three, would you? Playing in the correct story order will let you experience the story in the best way, seeing how Batman grows and changes, and understanding all the connections.
Batman Arkham Origins: The Beginning
The first game in the story is Batman: Arkham Origins. This game takes place several years before Arkham Asylum. It’s a very early point in Batman’s career. He’s not quite the polished hero we see later; he’s a bit rougher, a bit angrier, and still figuring things out. In Origins, you’ll see Batman facing a group of assassins hired to kill him. You’ll also get to see early versions of villains, many of them just making their mark on Gotham, not yet the notorious criminals you’ll fight later. This game introduces a new cast of bad guys to the world of Arkham, and gives some much needed backstory to the villains. It will show you exactly what Batman is capable of in his younger days, making it easier to appreciate how far he has come by the time the other games take place.
Playing Arkham Origins first is important because it shows Batman at a different point in his life. You get a feel for how his relationships with other characters like Alfred and Commissioner Gordon develop over time. The gameplay is also slightly different compared to the others, which is a great way to get your bearings before starting the other Arkham games. It is not the best looking of the Arkham titles, it’s important to get it out of the way first. Even though it was made by a different studio than Rocksteady, it’s still a crucial part of the Batman Arkham series narrative. The combat system is very similar to that of the other games, so you are not going to feel lost or need to re-learn the mechanics.
Batman Arkham Asylum: The Start of the Mayhem
Next up, it’s time for Batman: Arkham Asylum. This game kicks off the main trilogy of the Arkham series. Batman must infiltrate the asylum and stop the Joker from taking over and turning the inmates against everyone. Arkham Asylum introduced the signature combat system the Arkham series is known for, also being the first game where players get the full sense of what it is like to be Batman in a video game.
This game puts you in a very enclosed environment, making the experience really intense. It introduces you to many important characters from the DC Universe. You really get a feel for how the characters interact within the context of this Batman world. The graphics were also a massive improvement over Origins, so you will really get a sense of the technology improving as you play through the series. Playing Arkham Asylum after Origins will allow you to see the difference in experience that Batman has gained, and it makes his prowess as a hero even more noticeable.
Batman Arkham City: The Open-World Adventure
Following Arkham Asylum, you should move on to Batman: Arkham City. In this game, a large section of Gotham has been turned into a huge prison, and Batman finds himself locked inside. Now, you get to see a larger open world environment to explore. You have more freedom to move around the city, taking down goons and completing side missions.
Arkham City is where the gameplay mechanics from Arkham Asylum are improved and expanded. The story is also much bigger, featuring more villains and lots of surprises. It’s a great game to show off the progress that Batman has made and the depth of the character. It shows just how far he has come since the early days depicted in Arkham Origins. Playing in this order will let you feel like you are playing as Batman in a more substantial way.
Batman Arkham Knight: The Epic Conclusion
Finally, you will end with Batman: Arkham Knight. This game takes place a year after the events of Arkham City. In Arkham Knight, Scarecrow returns to Gotham, teaming up with a mysterious new enemy, the Arkham Knight, and the rest of Batman’s rogues gallery to take down the city. The introduction of the Batmobile is a major change to gameplay, letting you drive around Gotham at high speeds and do lots of cool tricks.
Arkham Knight is the biggest of the Batman Arkham games, with the largest map and an abundance of content. It is the final chapter of the main Batman Arkham story, and you’ll be happy that you have been following along in order so you can appreciate every moment. The story is deep and emotional, and it really showcases how much Batman has grown as a character throughout the series. It is a perfect way to end your journey through the Arkham series, with all the skills you have acquired along the way.
Playing Side Content
The Batman Arkham games are not just about the main stories; they also have lots of side missions and challenges. These are really fun, and they add a lot to the experience. But when should you do them?
During the Game: Many side missions become available as you progress in each game. It is usually best to work through some of these as they appear. They give you extra challenges, more to see in the game world, and help to build up your character with upgrades that can help in the main storyline.
After the Story: There is no reason that you can’t go back and do more of the side content after you finish the main story, and if you are someone who wants to 100% complete the games, this will be the only way. This way, you can enjoy the main story without getting too distracted, and then explore the extra content at your leisure. This is a good option for those who really want to focus on the main narrative of the game before getting lost in side missions.
Whenever You Want: The great thing about the Batman Arkham games is that you can play them however you prefer. If you like taking your time and completing everything, go for it! If you prefer to stick to the main story, that works too. Feel free to try different methods of completing the content.
Gameplay Evolution
One of the really cool things about playing the Batman Arkham games in order is that you get to see how the gameplay changes and gets better with each game.
Combat: The combat system, often called “Freeflow Combat,” is a defining feature of the series. Each game has this mechanic, but the techniques and enemy types change as you move from one to the next. You really get a feel for how Batman’s fighting style evolves.
Gadgets: Batman’s gadgets are another key part of the games. You’ll start with a few basic tools in Arkham Origins, and you will gain more as you progress. Each game introduces new gadgets or adds upgrades to older ones, making for some dynamic combat options.
Exploration: The way you move around Gotham gets better too. Arkham City introduced gliding around an open world, which was significantly enhanced in Arkham Knight, with the added ability to use the Batmobile. It will allow you to experience how the game world evolves throughout the series.
Stealth: Sneaking around as Batman is crucial. You will need to stay out of the way of enemies and pick them off quietly. The stealth gameplay gets more advanced, with more ways to outsmart enemies as the series goes on.
Other Important Notes
DLC Content: Each game has downloadable content (DLC) that adds extra story and challenge maps. It’s up to you when to play this content, but it’s good to know it exists.
Remastered Versions: If you are playing on newer consoles, you might consider the Return to Arkham collection. This bundles Arkham Asylum and Arkham City with remastered visuals and gameplay.
Different Platforms: The games are available on various platforms. Make sure that you select the version you want before diving in.
A Quick Guide
To make it even easier, here is a simple list to guide you:
- Batman: Arkham Origins
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Batman: Arkham City
- Batman: Arkham Knight
Following this order will help you experience the story of Batman in the Arkham universe the way it was meant to be played. It allows you to see his progression as a hero and appreciate his journey in the series.
Playing the Batman Arkham games in story order is the best way to really get into the world and understand all of the details. Following this order will make the most sense, and you will experience the best overall story. Start with Arkham Origins, move through Asylum and City, and finish with Knight. Remember to enjoy the side missions, explore the world, and have fun. You will be fully immersed in the world of the caped crusader, and you will be a fan of the Arkham series for years to come. Get ready to be the Batman!
How To Play Batman Arkham Games in The Right Order!
Final Thoughts
To play the Batman Arkham series chronologically, start with Batman: Arkham Origins, then move to Arkham Asylum. Arkham City follows, and finally conclude with Arkham Knight. This order presents the story as it was intended.
Playing in this specific sequence allows you to see the evolution of the Dark Knight’s journey and character. You must experience each title sequentially. This method correctly reflects narrative events.
Therefore, to understand the complete story, how to play batman arkham games in order means starting with Origins and progressing to Knight. This is the proper way.
