Why Batman Remakes May Be The Best Path Forward For Rocksteady

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As a die-hard fan of the Batman: Arkham series who has witnessed its evolution since the release of Arkham Asylum back in 2009, I wholeheartedly believe that it’s high time for Rocksteady Studios to revisit their masterpieces and give them a modern touch.

The highly acclaimed “Batman: Arkham” game franchise, which will mark ten years since its debut with “Batman: Arkham Knight” in 2025, has established itself as one of the most cherished superhero series. Despite some varying reviews for games like “Lockdown,” “Blackgate,” and “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” the franchise has consistently maintained a strong position within the genre. In essence, it continues to be a standout in the world of superheroes.

Instead of stopping here, it’s actually an opportune moment for Rocksteady Studios to explore the idea of remastering their other primary games and smaller projects. Given that Kevin Conroy is no longer available to reprise his role as Batman and the reception towards Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has been mixed, going back to the roots of the Batman: Arkham series might be a wise choice. Revitalizing games like Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Knight could attract both new players and dedicated fans, offering a fresh take on these beloved titles.

This article contains major spoilers for
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

Several Arkham Games Are Worthy of a Remaster

Why Now Is the Perfect Time For Fresh Arkhamverse Remasters

More recently, the Arkham series welcomed a new VR title called “Batman: Arkham Shadow” in October. Although it garnered mostly positive feedback, its restricted distribution on VR devices caused some enthusiasts to feel excluded. Additionally, the absence of a mainline installment from Rocksteady Studios since 2015 has left many disappointed, particularly considering the mixed reception towards 2024’s “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.” The game also served as Kevin Conroy’s final portrayal of Batman prior to his passing, further intensifying the sorrow felt by fans.

Instead of revisiting the crime-filled streets of Gotham City as the world’s best detective being a dull prospect, it could be an exciting opportunity for the studio. They might honor Kevin Conroy’s legacy by retaining his voice recordings and upgrading to advanced technology like Unreal Engine 5. This move would also mark the beginning of transitioning the games to next-generation consoles, while simultaneously tugging at the heartstrings of longtime players with a nod to nostalgia.

Beyond completing the Suicide Squad’s objective and the elimination of the Justice League, the future of Rocksteady Studios’ Arkhamverse remains unclear. Some might choose to ignore the 2024 game, but given its canonical status, it seems doubtful that the Batman players have grown fond of will reappear in a future title. At least, it appears unlikely for this character to return through any narrative following the end of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

Batman Games Rocksteady Should Remaster First

Although Rocksteady Studios might not be planning a complete Dead Space-style remake of any games from the series, it’s worth mentioning that only Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City have been remastered. These remastered versions were compiled in the Return to Arkham collection, launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2016. This package included both games, their additional content (DLC), and offered players a chance to revisit these classic titles.

Given their popularity, it’s worthwhile to consider an update for the 2013 game “Batman: Arkham Origins” and the 2015 release “Batman: Arkham Knight”. The studio might also benefit from revitalizing other titles in the series, such as the virtual reality game “Batman: Arkham VR”, the side-scroller “Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate” from 2013, and “Batman: Arkham Underworld” from 2016. With the recent debut of “Batman: Arkham Shadow”, fans are eagerly waiting for Rocksteady Studios and Warner Bros. to reveal their plans for future DC Comics games.

Initially, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate was designed exclusively for PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS consoles. Later on, a premium version was launched on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Windows.

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2024-11-29 14:04