To play the Arkham games in order, begin with Batman: Arkham Asylum, then proceed to Batman: Arkham City, followed by Batman: Arkham Origins, and lastly conclude with Batman: Arkham Knight.
Gotham’s shadows beckon; the Arkham series is a thrilling ride, but figuring out how to play the Arkham games in order can be tricky for new players. The release dates don’t match the chronological story sequence! We often receive questions on proper game order. This guide will clearly show you the right way.
How to Play the Arkham Games in Order
So, you want to dive into the gritty world of Batman and his epic adventures in the Arkham video game series? That’s fantastic! But with a few games in the mix, it’s understandable to wonder where to start. Playing them in order can really make the story more awesome and helps you understand all the characters and events better. It’s like reading a book series – you want to start with book one, right? Let’s break down the best way to play the Arkham games so you get the full Batman experience.
The Release Order vs. The Story Order
Okay, so first things first, there are two main ways to think about playing the games: the order they came out, and the order the story actually happens. Sometimes these are the same, but in this case, they’re a little different. Here’s why it matters:
Release Order: The Way Games Hit the Shelves
This is simply how the games were released to the public, one after the other. It’s good because it often shows how the game design got better over time. This is the order you saw in stores. Here’s a quick look at the release order:
- Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)
- Batman: Arkham City (2011)
- Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
- Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
You can see that it’s not a perfectly straight timeline when it comes to the story. That’s why we need to look at the story order as well.
Story Order: The Chronological Batman Tale
Now, the story order is how the events actually play out in Batman’s world. This helps you understand how Batman becomes the hero you know from the later games. When playing in this order, you see things unfold from the very beginning to the later events. Here’s how the games line up in terms of the story timeline:
- Batman: Arkham Origins
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Batman: Arkham City
- Batman: Arkham Knight
Notice how Arkham Origins comes first? It’s a prequel, so it tells a story that happens before the other games. Playing this order provides a full narrative journey from Batman’s early years to his more experienced adventures.
Why Playing in Story Order is Best for Newcomers
If you’re new to the Arkham games, I would suggest playing in story order. Here’s why:
- Understanding Batman’s Growth: You’ll witness Batman’s evolution as a crime fighter. You see him learn new gadgets and techniques. This makes his abilities in the later games feel like real progression.
- Character Development: The villains and their interactions with Batman gain depth when you follow the story’s natural flow. You understand their motivations and histories.
- Story Cohesion: The plot points and references from game to game make a lot more sense when you experience them in chronological order. You see callbacks and foreshadowing, enriching the overall experience.
- Avoiding Confusion: It can be slightly confusing jumping back and forth in time when playing in release order. The story order gives you a clearer, more linear path.
Okay, let’s take a closer look at each game and see what makes each one important to the storyline.
The Beginning: Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins is set a few years before Arkham Asylum. It showcases a younger, less experienced Batman. In this game, you encounter several villains who aren’t present in the later games. The game sets a new tone, focusing on Batman’s detective skills as he’s hunted by assassins. Here’s a deep dive into what makes it important:
Key Story Elements in Arkham Origins
- Early Career Struggles: You see a Batman who is not as polished as he is in later games. He makes mistakes and is learning.
- Black Mask’s Bounty: The game starts with a huge bounty placed on Batman’s head. This draws in a dangerous group of assassins.
- Encountering Villains for the First Time: You meet characters like Deadshot, Deathstroke, Copperhead, and Firefly in their early stages of villainy. This provides vital backstory.
- The Rise of Joker’s Obsession: The game shows the beginnings of Joker’s dangerous focus on Batman. You get a glimpse of the events that led to Joker’s twisted mindset.
- First Contact with Jim Gordon: The game shows you early days of Batman and Jim Gordon relationship, where Gordon is still learning whether to trust Batman.
Arkham Origins sets up many elements you see later, so it’s a crucial starting point.
The Start of the “Asylum” Era: Batman: Arkham Asylum
Batman: Arkham Asylum is where the Arkham series really took off. This is the first game in the series based on the timeline, and it’s a critical part of the story. It’s focused on the Arkham Asylum and Batman’s fight against Joker. The gameplay is very smooth and engaging.
Key Story Elements in Arkham Asylum
- The Joker’s Trap: The Joker takes control of Arkham Asylum, trapping Batman.
- The Use of Detective Mode: You are introduced to and need to use Batman’s detective mode in a huge way, which is a staple in the series. You use it to solve puzzles and locate clues.
- Introduction of Classic Villains: You face off against classic Batman enemies like Killer Croc, Scarecrow, and Poison Ivy. It provides deep understanding of their character.
- Intense Psychological Elements: The game uses some disturbing elements, like the Scarecrow sequences, to create a more engaging experience.
- The Start of Story Arcs: This game starts the character arcs for characters like the Joker and Harley Quinn, making it important for the later games.
Arkham Asylum established the core mechanics and story themes, making it a pivotal chapter in the saga.
The Open World Experience: Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City takes the gameplay and world to the next level. Instead of just Arkham Asylum, this game takes place in a huge section of Gotham. This provides a larger, more open world to explore and enjoy. It also develops the story even further.
Key Story Elements in Arkham City
- Open-World Gotham: You can explore a large section of Gotham City that has been converted into a prison.
- More Villains and Characters: You encounter more villains such as Hugo Strange, Mr. Freeze, and Ra’s al Ghul, all with their own stories.
- The “Protocol 10” Plot: The game introduces Hugo Strange, his strange plans for the prison, and his connections to the whole situation.
- Batman’s Relationship with Talia Al Ghul: The game adds more to the story of Batman and Talia Al Ghul, showing the complications in their relationship.
- Heartbreaking Ending: This game includes one of the most emotional and shocking moments of the series, that really impacts the future games.
Arkham City builds on the story and introduces many significant twists, making it vital for the whole series.
The Epic Conclusion: Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight is the final chapter in the core Arkham series. It pushes the gameplay and story to the most intense levels yet. It also introduces the Batmobile as a drivable vehicle that is really integrated in the gameplay. This game is important for its conclusions to many character stories and its epic scale.
Key Story Elements in Arkham Knight
- The Scarecrow Returns: Scarecrow is the main villain in this game. He brings together all of Batman’s most dangerous enemies.
- The Introduction of the Arkham Knight: The game brings a mysterious and very dangerous new villain called the Arkham Knight who has a personal connection to Batman.
- The Batmobile Integration: The Batmobile becomes a big part of the gameplay, with lots of challenges and combat included.
- Psychological Battles: The game plays with Batman’s mental state in a really intense way, adding to the personal journey of the story.
- Character Resolutions: Many long character arcs come to a close in this game. You see many final confrontations and end the series in a final, meaningful way.
Arkham Knight brings all the story threads together for an impactful and fitting end to Batman’s Arkham adventures.
Other Games in the Universe
While the main series is covered above, it is important to know about other related games. These are not part of the core story arc but are still part of the same world. Here’s a quick look at them:
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate: A companion game to Arkham Origins set after the original storyline, it follows Batman’s pursuit of some prisoners after an escape. It has a slightly different gameplay style but still tells a good story.
- Batman: Arkham VR: A virtual reality game that allows you to experience Gotham from Batman’s perspective. It’s more of an experience than a full game but is a unique dive into the world.
These games, although fun, are not necessary for understanding the main story, but they are still fun for the fans of the series.
Playing the Arkham games in story order gives you the full experience, and allows you to truly appreciate the development of the characters and story. Starting with Arkham Origins gives you the foundation, and Arkham Knight provides the complete conclusion to Batman’s story arc in these games. So grab your controller, and get ready for an unforgettable journey through Gotham!
How To Play Batman Arkham Games in The Right Order!
Final Thoughts
Play Arkham Asylum first, then move to Arkham City, followed by Arkham Origins. Arkham Knight is next, concluding the main series. This sequence ensures you experience the narrative correctly.
It is a must to follow this chronological path for best gameplay. This allows understanding of characters and the evolving story. So, that’s how to play the arkham games in order.
