5 Batman Games With Better Stories Than The Dark Knight

When The Dark Knight came out in 2008, it immediately made a big impression. That same year also marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man, though at the time, no one knew just how popular those films would become. What was clear, however, was that The Dark Knight was a truly great action movie, enjoyable even for those who weren’t already fans of Batman.

Honestly, what really makes The Dark Knight great is the dynamic between Batman and the Joker – Heath Ledger absolutely nailed that role, and the scenes are just unforgettable. It’s become a super famous Batman story, but I think some of the Batman games actually have even better stories. There are some seriously well-written narratives in those games, you know?

5. Batman: The Enemy Within

Batman, Bruce Wayne, And The Nature Of Villainy

The Joker in The Dark Knight instantly comes across as a force of pure chaos. From the very beginning, with the bank robbery, he shows he’s willing to use and discard anyone, even his own allies. He also cleverly outsmarts a group of powerful criminals who try to eliminate him. The iconic scene of him burning the money perfectly illustrates how unpredictable, dangerous, and effective he is in Gotham.

The movie focuses on the tragic story of Harvey Dent, while presenting the Joker as the established villain fans know. However, the game Batman: The Enemy Within explores a Joker who is still developing, initially known only as John Doe. Telltale Games, known for strong storytelling and player choice, delivers that here. The game immediately establishes the Riddler as a serious threat and introduces powerful characters like Bane as part of a group called the Pact. We also see conflict between the police and Amanda Waller’s Agency. Classic Batman characters like Gordon and Catwoman aren’t just cameos; they each have important roles in the story. Unexpected events, such as the Riddler’s death, drive the plot forward, which centers on a mysterious virus called Lotus and the differing goals of the Pact and Agency regarding the Riddler’s blood – the Pact wants to use it for restoration, while Waller intends to use it to control villains.

What makes The Enemy Within so exciting is how the story can change based on your choices. While John Doe is destined to become the Joker, the details of that transformation depend on the decisions you make at key moments. The game heavily features Batman, who John Doe looks up to, and your relationship with him – how much you trust him or not – makes even small choices, like accepting a handshake or deciding if Batman acted in self-defense, feel incredibly important. It’s easily one of the best games based on DC Comics.

4. Batman: Arkham Origins

A Different Perspective On Batman

Man, the Joker in The Dark Knight really owned the screen – he was always there. Honestly, sometimes it felt more like his movie than Batman’s! But both Batman and Joker were so well-established by then, which is why that final fight scene, where the Joker talks about why they need each other, hits so hard. Batman Begins is where we get the whole Bruce Wayne origin story, even why he’s afraid of bats, but Batman: Arkham Origins is cool because it shows an earlier Batman. He’s still new, still figuring things out, a bit rough around the edges and driven by revenge. Everyone’s coming after him – the bad guys, and even Gotham’s cops see him as a problem they need to take down. It feels like everything’s just piling up on this guy who doesn’t have a lot of friends.

Black Mask puts a huge bounty on Batman’s head, attracting all sorts of villains to Gotham City – from famous enemies like the Joker and Bane to lesser-known threats like Copperhead and Electrocutioner. Following Batman’s pursuit of Black Mask through Gotham is a real highlight for fans. But even if you only know the most popular characters, the story is captivating. Batman: Arkham Origins delves into the development of key relationships, something the other films don’t explore as much. We see Captain Gordon begin to trust Batman as a crime fighter, and Alfred offer support after a brutal attack by Bane. Bruce Wayne himself comes to terms with needing allies. It’s exciting to witness the foundations of the series being laid, and this game truly lives up to expectations.

3. Batman: The Telltale Series

Telling Some Fantastic Tales About DC Legends

Batman: The Telltale Series kicked off a compelling story that continued in Enemy Within. The first game delves into the surprising connection between Bruce Wayne’s parents and the Falcone crime family, while also showing how the Children of Arkham rise to power and Harvey Dent tragically transforms into Two-Face. It shares similarities with The Dark Knight, but takes those themes even further. The game reveals secrets about Bruce Wayne’s family history, leading to him being briefly removed from his company and even sent to Arkham Asylum, where he unexpectedly forms an alliance with the man who will become the Joker. The chemicals used by the Children of Arkham allow players to see the darkest sides of various characters, offering a deeper understanding of who they really are.

The Telltale Batman series delves into the many sides of Bruce Wayne’s life as the Dark Knight. It examines the challenges of trust and the consequences when relationships fall apart, as seen in Batman’s faith in Harvey Dent and even Alfred’s secrets about Bruce’s parents. The unpredictable Catwoman adds another layer, shifting between ally and adversary with her own goals. According to How Long To Beat, the game’s story takes about 9.5 hours to finish, giving players a chance to really get to know these characters and the rest of the cast on a deeper level.

2. Batman: Arkham Asylum

A Huge Plot In A (Relatively) Small Area

Before Batman: Arkham Asylum, it seemed unlikely that a video game based on a license could be so well-made and stylish. The game truly excelled in almost every area. From its menus and user interface to the items you collect, everything looked like a living comic book. Its combat system also set a new standard for how action games handle multiple enemies, influencing many titles that followed. Importantly, the game told a story that felt true to the Batman character. Arkham Asylum was more focused and story-driven than later Arkham games, which sometimes got lost in the vastness of Gotham City. While The Dark Knight offers a bigger experience, it doesn’t quite have the same tight focus that makes Asylum so memorable.

The movie and the game share a similar storyline: the Joker deliberately gets captured and put in prison as part of his plan. In the Arkham Asylum game, he engineers this to coincide with Batman’s arrival, and then takes control of the facility with Harley Quinn. As Batman tries to recapture them, he discovers the Joker’s interest in the Titan formula – a substance that could create an incredibly powerful, unstoppable force. Stopping the Joker forces Batman to confront other famous villains like Killer Croc and, importantly, Scarecrow. The game really emphasizes the psychological elements of the story – more so than The Dark Knight – with memorable sequences where Batman must overcome his fears while evading a giant Scarecrow. The game also offers a compelling look at the complex relationship between the Joker and Batman, even though they aren’t often in the same room, thanks to clever writing and voice acting – the Joker especially loves to be the center of attention, even if it’s just through broadcasts.

1. Batman: Dark Tomorrow

A Faithful Comic Book Inspired Tale

What made Arkham Asylum so special was how much it felt like playing a Batman comic. Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003), unfortunately, doesn’t achieve that same feeling. It’s known for its awkward controls and stiff movements, which made even simple jumps frustrating. However, the game does have one strong point: the story is genuinely good. It features a lot of Batman’s classic villains, and they all play a meaningful role without feeling like unnecessary additions.

While The Dark Knight delivers large-scale action, Dark Tomorrow tells an even more expansive story. Batman begins what seems like a typical day dealing with villains like the Joker, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and Mr. Freeze at Arkham Asylum. He soon discovers the Joker’s antics were a distraction – the true danger is Ra’s al Ghul, who plans to use explosives to create a global crisis and seize control in a world with limited resources. The game takes players outside of Gotham to the League of Assassins’ base, where the main villain reveals his detailed, evil plan. Though the stealth gameplay isn’t perfect – relying heavily on throwing Batarangs – the cutscenes are impressive for their time, and the story is a bold and faithful adaptation of the comics.

2026-01-25 14:38