Batman: Arkham Shadows Boldest Choice is Its Character POV Twist

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As a seasoned Batman: Arkham fan, I must say that Shadow stands out as a masterpiece among its peers. The game’s intricate exploration of duality and identity is nothing short of brilliant, with characters like Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne/Matches Malone serving as perfect examples of the complexities hidden beneath the surface.

Major story spoilers for
Batman: Arkham Shadow
ahead.

In the game titled Batman: Arkham Shadow, much like other games in the Arkham series, the main plot or theme is deeply connected with its title. The concept of a shadow representing one’s ego or id is explored extensively as you engage with characters such as Drs. Jonathan Crane and Harleen Quinzel. This theme runs alongside the story and character development right up until the end credits, sometimes hinted subtly and other times quite boldly. Characters often hide aspects of themselves, so appearances can be misleading about their true selves, resulting in complex personalities with conflicting personas.

In Harvey Dent’s situation, it manifests as a distressing and mysterious type of multiple personality disorder that he appears to be oblivious of. Conversely, Bruce Wayne has consistently maintained an intriguing duality between his role as a philanthropic billionaire and a masked vigilante. An engaging debate can be drawn that Batman may not be any less mentally unwell than the criminals he imprisones, and the narrative in Batman: Arkham Shadow is instantly compelling because players experience both being incarcerated at Blackgate Penitentiary, not just as Batman but also as a common criminal who is essentially a separate character.

Batman: Arkham Shadow is a Game of Many Masks and Faces

In essence, when Bruce Wayne discards his Batsuit and cowl, transforming into Irving “Matches” Malone with blonde hair, a mustache, and forearm tattoos, it’s like we’re dealing with an entirely new individual. Although this transformation might seem hard to swallow at first, the game Batman: Arkham Shadow cleverly begins by presenting events from Malone’s perspective.

In this setting, it’s unlikely that anyone would have guessed Bruce was in disguise, even after closely examining his reflection in the bathroom mirror of the dilapidated apartment—much like how nobody at Blackgate would have made the same assumption. However, Malone’s disguise is most convincing due to his voice, with Roger Craig Smith deserving all the accolades for his impressive performances in Batman: Arkham Shadow.

Similarly, Batman stands independently as a unique character, with an angrier tone being just occasional variations from his usual voice.

If Bruce only adopted Malone’s persona when he was out of earshot of others, particularly Dr. Leslie Thompkins, suggesting that Malone was merely a mask he wore to gain information from inmates at Blackgate, then there might be some truth to that assumption. However, the fact that he continues to speak as Malone while escaping his cell and navigating towards the Batcave indicates that he fully embodies this disguise with deep commitment.

In a similar fashion, Dr. Thompkins is fully aware that Bruce is both Batman and Malone, and she quickly and sternly prevents him from using either his Malone tone or Batman tone when they’re alone. This scene vividly demonstrates how Bruce compartmentalizes and assumes the character he must be at any given moment. In fact, given Bruce’s intense dislike for crime, it seems likely that he would need to adopt such a deeply embedded disguise just to cope with taking on the role of an inmate himself.

Batman: Arkham Shadow’s Malone Keeps the Story’s Pace Steady and Impactful

It’s important to note that while Batman: Arkham Shadow was initially marketed as a game focusing mainly on grappling to gargoyles and throwing batarangs, Camouflaj made the daring decision to have players immerse themselves in Malone’s character almost as much as they would in Batman. This is evident through the significant portion of the game dedicated to character development, Easter eggs, and combat that involves using pocket sand to stun enemies instead of the usual cape swipe.

In Batman: Arkham Origins’ Initiation and Cold, Cold Heart DLCs, as well as the start of Batman: Arkham City, Bruce appears in playable sections where he’s not wearing the Batsuit. However, the gameplay in Shadow surpasses this by presenting Batman as a distinct character that players can easily distinguish from Bruce. Shadow also offers numerous combat sequences for Malone, which is crucial to maintain a smooth pace and prevent the gameplay from feeling disjointed.

Although players can’t utilize Batman’s collection of gadgets or move as fluidly while dressed as Malone, donning this character offers a unique viewpoint that the Arkhamverse hasn’t presented previously, which is an enjoyable aspect on its own.

It’s advantageous that the game design includes a Batcave beneath Blackgate, as it allows for smooth transitions between Batman and Malone scenes. This is achieved through interactive displays for both the Batsuit and Malone disguise, which players can switch between. This integration makes the story flow seamlessly as it frequently jumps back and forth between the two characters. Police Commissioner Jim Gordon’s first dialogue line poignantly reflects this: “For a moment there, I thought you were a traitor.

In the captivating world of Batman: Arkham Shadow, I found myself questioning the lines between heroes and villains. Shrike’s demise was so reminiscent of a murder perpetrated by none other than Batman himself, it made me wonder if the boundaries between right and wrong are as clear-cut as they seem. Jim Gordon doesn’t explicitly accuse Bruce Wayne of being a rat due to his appearance, but it’s a clever wink to the fact that our Dark Knight often walks a thin line between crime fighter and criminal.

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2024-10-27 23:33