What Order To Play Batman Arkham Games

What Order to Play Batman Arkham Games

So, you’re ready to dive into the dark and gritty world of the Batman Arkham games? That’s fantastic! These games let you truly feel like the Caped Crusader, gliding through Gotham’s streets, taking down thugs, and outsmarting some truly terrifying villains. But with a few different games out there, it can be a little confusing figuring out where to start. Don’t worry, this guide will walk you through the best way to experience the Arkham universe in the right order. We’ll talk about the story, the gameplay, and even some special things to look out for.

The Chronological Order: Diving Deep into the Batman Story

The most logical way to play the Batman Arkham games, from a story perspective, is chronologically. This means following the order in which the events of the game actually happen within the Batman universe. This approach allows you to see Batman’s journey unfold, witness the development of his skills, and understand the progression of his relationships with allies and enemies. It also makes the most sense for those who are very invested in following the overarching narrative. Here’s the breakdown:

Batman: Arkham Origins

This game actually takes place before the events of Arkham Asylum, serving as a prequel. You play as a younger, less experienced Batman, facing off against eight deadly assassins on Christmas Eve. It’s a very interesting look at Batman’s development as a hero, and it shows some of his early relationships with key characters in the series. Even though it was developed by a different studio than the other games, it feels very much part of the Arkham family and adds important backstory. This game is a great starting point if you care most about experiencing the events in order.

• Focus: Early Batman, facing multiple assassins and a younger Joker.
• Gameplay: Very similar to Arkham City, with slight variations.
• Why play first? Provides essential backstory and context.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

This is where the core of the Arkham series begins! Batman is forced to enter Arkham Asylum after the Joker creates chaos, and you’ll navigate the insane asylum and battle many classic Batman villains inside of its walls. This game set the standard for superhero games, with amazing combat, exploration, and a dark and creepy atmosphere. You start out as a strong Batman, but by the end of the game, you get even stronger with new gadgets and abilities. This is a really important game in the series, and a must-play. Because of how old the game is, it’s a bit more basic with how you move around the world and attack, but it’s still fun.

• Focus: Confined setting, focused on detective work.
• Gameplay: Groundbreaking combat system, stealth mechanics.
• Why play second? It sets the stage for all the following games.

Batman: Arkham City

Arkham City takes the gameplay from Asylum and makes it even bigger and better. Now, you’re not just trapped in an asylum, but in an entire section of Gotham that is turned into a massive prison, controlled by inmates. This game allows you to glide and explore a large open world. It has a really emotional story with fantastic boss fights against some of Batman’s greatest villains. You’ll see new and returning characters and the story is fantastic.

• Focus: Open-world exploration, more villains, a more complex plot.
• Gameplay: Refined combat, increased gliding abilities.
• Why play third? Builds upon the previous game in every way.

Batman: Arkham Knight

This is the final chapter in the main Arkham story. In Arkham Knight, Gotham is terrorized by Scarecrow and a brand-new villain, the Arkham Knight. What makes this game unique is that you can use the Batmobile to drive through Gotham, engage in tank battles, and solve puzzles. The game focuses on the fear that Scarecrow is making Batman experience. This game is very impressive in the ways that it allows you to explore Gotham and shows the results of Batman’s previous adventures.

• Focus: The Batmobile, psychological themes, conclusion of the main story.
• Gameplay: Adds vehicle combat and exploration to the mix.
• Why play last? It provides the conclusion to the narrative and shows the culmination of Batman’s arc.

Release Order: Experiencing the Evolution of Gameplay

Another way to play the Arkham games is in the order they were released. This approach lets you see how the gameplay and technology changed over time, letting you appreciate the evolution of the series. This is a good way to go if you want to experience how the game developers built upon each game’s strengths and weaknesses. This order also lets the newest gamers get into the series, as the gameplay gets more complex as the series goes on.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

As the first in the series, it is the best place to start if you are interested in experiencing how it was created and how the gameplay was introduced. As we mentioned earlier, this one is a must-play for the series. It will give you the foundation to build upon for each game after it.

Batman: Arkham City

Following Asylum, this game introduces a bigger open-world map and new mechanics, building off of the success of the previous game. It takes everything that worked in Asylum and expands on it, making it a more complex and fun experience.

Batman: Arkham Origins

Even though this game is a prequel, it was released after Arkham City, so it can be played at this point in the order. While it gives backstory for Batman, it is not essential to understanding the main story. Playing in this order gives you an idea of how the game developed from Arkham City and makes the gameplay more digestible.

Batman: Arkham Knight

The final installment in the series, it was released after Origins. You can tell that the game is made with the latest technology at the time, and is the most advanced of all of the games. Playing in this order shows the growth of the series, and allows you to understand how the games evolved.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

No matter what order you choose, there are a few things to consider.

DLC and Extras

Each Arkham game has downloadable content (DLC) that adds more stories, characters, and challenges. While not required to understand the main stories, they can add hours to your experience. It’s up to you if you play them after you complete the game or between the main story. They also help you build up more fighting experience.

The Story Isn’t Everything

While the stories in these games are really good, the gameplay is where they really shine. Don’t feel like you have to play in a certain order to enjoy the series. If you start with the later games, you can always go back and learn more of the story later. This goes for gameplay too, some people prefer to play in the order of how the games are created so they understand the growth of the series.

Different Platforms

The Arkham series is available on many platforms, including Xbox, Playstation, and PC. Some games might be optimized better on certain platforms, so check out reviews if you are unsure what to purchase. It’s important to make sure you can experience the game in the best way possible for you. For example, playing on PC might provide more graphical options, but can be more expensive to buy than the game for a console. If you decide to purchase the game on your console, make sure to check if the game is available on your console.

Enjoy the Journey

No matter how you choose to play, the Batman Arkham games are a blast. They are loved for a reason, and you are sure to have a fantastic time playing as Batman. Each game offers fun moments and great gameplay, that make it worthwhile to play.

Which Order is Right For You?

Ultimately, there is not a single “right” way to play the Batman Arkham games. Your choice depends on your own personal goals and desires when playing the series. If you want to fully experience the story in chronological order, the chronological order is your best bet. If you want to see the evolution of gameplay and how the series improved over time, then the release order is for you. Choose which one makes you the most excited to play the series, and start your adventure as the Dark Knight.

The important thing to remember is that each game offers a unique experience, each worthy of playing. The Arkham games have created a great world that is loved by many gamers and non-gamers alike. Pick up the controller and begin your adventure as Batman!