Batman Beyond: Rocksteady’s Risky Reboot

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The future of DC video games is more uncertain than it has ever been. After the mixed response to Gotham Knights and the negative reaction to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, fans were hoping that Monolith’s Wonder Woman game would turn things around for DC. However, this project has been canceled, Monolith has closed, and according to recent news, it seems that Batman may be the only viable option left for the company moving forward.

After the announcement of Wonder Woman’s ending, Jason Schreier from Bloomberg reported that Rocksteady is planning to revisit Batman once more. Later on, leaker Lunatic Ignus posted on Twitter that Rocksteady’s upcoming Batman game might be inspired by the 1999-2001 “Batman Beyond” animated series and its subsequent comic book adaptations and follow-ups. The idea of a Rocksteady “Batman Beyond” game is quite promising, but sticking to the same “Arkham” formula could potentially be a bit of a mixed blessing after so many years have passed.

A Batman Beyond Game Can’t Repeat Itself

A Return to Arkham’s Gameplay Formula Could Feel Like Retreading Old Ground

It’s plausible that Rocksteady Studios may revert to utilizing the gameplay mechanics similar to those found in the Arkham series for their next Batman title, as the reception towards Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s shift to third-person shooting has been noted. However, neither Schreier’s report nor Lunatic Ignus’ leak explicitly confirmed this.

If Rocksteady were to incorporate once more the Freeflow combat and Predator-style stealth mechanics from the Batman: Arkham series in their upcoming game, there is a risk that the title could appear rather repetitive or uninspired. This could become evident if the game includes an extensive tutorial where these features are introduced sequentially. Given that many fans have been utilizing these mechanics since 2009, merely presenting them with the same toolset they’ve had for over a decade may not generate much excitement among players.

Rocksteady Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Throw Players In At The Deep End

In a game like Batman Beyond, tutorials are useful but not always essential. For experienced fans of the series, it might be more engaging if they could dive right into the action without tutorials getting in the way. Rocksteady should also consider introducing players to complex new gameplay mechanics early on, rather than gradually introducing them over time.

The core combat and stealth aspects should remain familiar, maintaining the authenticity as a follow-up to the Arkham series. However, long-time fans expect a rich introduction with innovative elements such as novel gadgets, fresh takedown techniques, and advanced traversal methods that reflect the futuristic ambiance of Batman Beyond. These initial features should be expanded upon and developed throughout the game, leading to an exclusive set of skills tailored specifically for this new installment.

A Batman Beyond Game Needs to Subvert Story Expectations

As a dedicated Batman fan, I can’t help but reflect on the array of memorable villains that have graced our screens over the years. However, it seems almost all of them have made an appearance in one form or another within the Arkham universe. Just as the gameplay maintains its unique charm, a Batman Beyond game would need to preserve the essence of the series while introducing fresh elements that long-time fans would eagerly welcome.

It’s great that the setting of Batman Beyond, specifically Neo-Gotham, provides a natural backdrop for this. Established in the year 2039, Batman Beyond offers a new lineup of villains, allowing Rocksteady to catch fans off guard and present an engaging, innovative storyline.

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2025-03-14 23:14