Batman is way more than just a mask, costume, and set of gadgets with a deep vendetta against the world of crime. The cape and cowl serve as a symbol for truth, mystery, and turning fear back against those who would prey on the fearful. Bruce Wayne has transformed the pain, loneliness, and isolation he felt into something much more than a man, as the Batman is an entity used to push back against the criminals and corrupt crawling through the dark streets of Gotham City.
The Batman Arkham series has been applauded for successfully translating the caped crusader to the video game medium, nailing the sensation of gliding over rooftops and beating up groups of enemies with the freeflow combat system. However, despite both Batman: Arkham City and Batman: Arkham Knight being cited as the best in the series, it is the often overlooked Batman: Arkham Origins that delivers a compelling narrative that best understands the myth and motivation of Gotham’s dark knight protector.
As is evident by the game’s title, Batman: Arkham Origins’ story heavy plot is set in the early days of the hero’s crime fighting career, still perfecting his craft and struggling to come to grips with the trauma that created his alter ego. This is a newer Batman, a Batman still closely tied to the anger within Bruce Wayne and bitterness towards the criminal underworld that took his parents from him. Being Batman is all Bruce sees in himself, a necessary transformation and sacrifice to keep Gotham safe, even though at this point, he is seen as just as much of a menace.
This results in a recurring sub plot with Bruce’s trust butler Alfred (also featured more prominently here than other Arkham games) in which he persistently questions this crusade. Alfred fears for Bruce’s safety, worrying that Batman is just as destructive to his own wellbeing as he is intended to be against the many villains within Gotham. He ignores these pleas from Alfred, because Bruce Wayne understands what he must become to save the city.
But things don’t go as well as Bruce plans throughout the game, as dealing with eight deadly assassins from Batman’s infamous rogues gallery can prove to be a difficult task, especially for a younger, less-experienced Batman. In other Arkham games, there are several villains to contend with, but they are typically dealt with one at a time, with not much urgency between encounters in order to give the player breathing room to complete side objectives and activities.
Batman: Arkham Origins fits the villains directly into the forward momentum of the narrative, as an ever-present threat and sense of danger, pushing the action forward and not giving Batman (or the player) a moment to breathe. Gotham feels like a truly dangerous place with Bane, Firefly, Deathstroke, Black Mask, and more all on the loose at the same time with the main goal of hunting down Batman. Wayne being the prime target (and not some elaborate scheme or destroying the city, as is usually the case) wraps the game in a sense of dread and suspense not found in the other titles.
Most importantly, though, is that these overwhelming odds seem to almost be an extra drive for Batman throughout the entirety of the storyline. He never stops, never rests, and never hesitates until every villain has been taken down. This is presented through excellent pacing, with each set piece and encounter either leading into or elevating the next. As Batman pushes through this gauntlet, so too does the player, and it becomes clear that this isn’t so much focused on being an open world superhero experience but rather this title just wants the player to be the Batman.
Batman: Arkham Origins is available now.
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