Batman: Most Underused Villains in the Arkham Games

As a fan who has grown up with the Dark Knight and his rogue gallery, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment when reflecting on the underutilization of some iconic villains in the Arkham series. Bane, for instance, was reduced to a mindless muscle-bound brute in the later games, a far cry from the cunning strategist who once brought Gotham City to its knees.

The Batman: Arkham series is well-loved due to its merits, and the Arkhamverse has showcased numerous iconic and lesser-known villains from Batman’s rogue gallery over time, offering fans a collection they can be proud of. Yet, some of Batman’s most esteemed foes may not reach their full potential across various top-tier Batman: Arkham games, as they can appear underused and underexploited in these titles.

Given the massive scope of the Batman Arkham games, it’s understandable that some villains might not get as much spotlight. However, there’s no reason they can’t be utilized more effectively. Here are several impressive DC villains introduced in the Arkhamverse that, to date, haven’t fully lived up to their potential.

8 Deathstroke

The Ultimate Assassin, Reduced to a Tank Boss Fight

Batman: Most Underused Villains in the Arkham Games

Featured in: Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Knight

Arnie’s Terminator character boasts fighting abilities and martial arts skills comparable to Batman, making their confrontation in ‘Batman: Arkham Origins’ an exhilarating spectacle. These two formidable fighters employ various gadgets in their battles, trading blows, kicks, and counterattacks – but that single fight marks the conclusion of their rivalry, despite fans yearning for more epic showdowns between them.

In my opinion, it’s awesome that Deathstroke makes a comeback in Batman: Arkham Knight! However, I must admit that our fight leaves much to be desired. Deathstroke, who could hold his own against the Dark Knight in a hand-to-hand battle, is unfortunately reduced to a Cobra Tank encounter – a type of boss battle we’ve already faced twice before. Frankly, it’s disheartening to see such an formidable adversary relegated to a tank battle.

7 Hush

The Twisted Villain Who Seeks to Dismantle Bruce Wayne’s Life

Batman: Most Underused Villains in the Arkham Games

Featured in: Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Knight

In the Arkham series of games, the character Hush was unfortunately not utilized to his full potential. Introduced in Batman: Arkham Asylum and further developed in Batman: Arkham City, Hush presented a compelling antagonist with a deep-seated grudge against Bruce Wayne, as Thomas Elliot. However, in Batman: Arkham Knight, this promising villain was reduced to a brief side mission where Batman delivers a series of quick time events, resulting in a disappointing one-punch confrontation.

Despite ample opportunity for expansion and disruption in Bruce Wayne’s dual roles as head of the Bat-Family and CEO of Wayne Enterprises, Hush seems unfazed by these prospects. Given his status as a formidable adversary, it’s only fitting that Hush should be given more challenging tasks to match his potential.

6 Calander Man

A Chilling Villain, Always Seen Locked Up, But Never in Action

Featured in: Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Knight (cameo)

The Character known as Calendar Man is undeniably one of the eeriest elements in the Arkhamverse. His appearance and intentions are downright chilling, and his actions, which involve committing gruesome crimes on every holiday he remembers, are deserving of capital punishment and confinement to prevent any further horrific acts of violent madness.

Characters have opportunities to engage with the Calendar Man character across various holiday periods within the game “Batman: Arkham City.” The fact that he remains imprisoned even amidst the lawless city, underscores his potential threat level. Regrettably, players don’t encounter this danger firsthand but can speculate on the nefarious plans Calendar Man might have concocted for the “Batman: Arkham Knight” Halloween season.

5 Two-Face

Bruce Wayne’s Best Friend, Tragically Turned to… Catwoman’s Villain?

Featured in: Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Knight, Batman: Arkham Shadow

In the game “Batman: Arkham City”, a character with immense promise and a rich background, found himself relegated to supporting roles for Catwoman. Two-Face, in this context, is a masterfully crafted character, both intriguingly brilliant and grotesquely twisted. His struggle with Dissociative Identity Disorder adds depth to his character, making him captivating to observe and chilling to confront. Regrettably, the potential of Two-Face was underutilized in “Batman: Arkham Knight”, where he was reduced to a bank-robbing side mission rather than exploring his full potential.

In the game “Batman: Arkham Shadow“, it skillfully depicted the bond and connection between Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent within the Arkhamverse. This relationship became strained as Harvey’s Dissociative Identity Disorder worsened. It presents a compelling origin story for Two-Face, and the possibility of one of Batman’s most formidable adversaries emerging from his former close friend is heartbreakingly tragic.

4 Clayface

The Horrific Twisting Monstrocity Only Features at the End of Arkham City

Featured in: Batman: Arkham City

In the game “Batman: Arkham City,” Clayface assumes a significant yet concealed part by impersonating the Joker to deceive Batman into believing that he’s well again. This twist, though impressive and unanticipated, doesn’t contribute significantly to the overall narrative of the series beyond providing an exciting boss battle.

Discussing Clayface’s potential as a formidable antagonist, it would have been fantastic to see additional scenes featuring him, particularly in Arkham Knight with enhanced graphics and mechanics that could effectively portray a terrifying clay creature. This sentiment is even more compelling given Clayface’s transformation following the Lazarus Pit.

3 Killer Croc

What Starts Out as a Terrifying Monster in the Sewers Becomes a Beat-Em-Up Boss

Featured in: Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City (cameo), Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Knight (DLC)

As a devoted fan, I must say that diving into Killer Croc’s lair in the sewers of Batman: Arkham Asylum was undeniably one of the most nerve-wracking experiences. The memory of creeping through his domain, pursued by this monstrous crocodile-human hybrid who saw me as his next course, still sends a shiver down my spine.

Although Killer Croc was frightening, he seldom appeared, and although he served as a boss battle in Batman: Arkham Origins and a side mission for the Season of Infamy content in Batman: Arkham Knight, he was greatly underused. Allowing him free reign over Gotham in Arkham Knight would have provided an exciting experience, as it would have been thrilling to hunt the terrifying Killer Croc in the sewers beneath the city.

2 Black Mask

A Sick and Twisted Mob Boss of Gotham City Reserved for a Twist

Featured in: Batman: Arkham City (cameo/DLC), Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Knight (DLC)

In the game Batman: Arkham Origins, it was believed that Black Mask served as one of the primary antagonists. But here’s an interesting twist: The bounty placed on Batman during Christmas Eve, which numerous assassins and bounty hunters pursued, wasn’t actually issued by Black Mask. Instead, it was the Joker in disguise who had set the bounty, a clever trick indeed!

In the game “Arkham Knight,” Black Mask’s subsequent appearances were minimized to just a single side mission, and he was ultimately killed by Red Hood in a DLC expansion pack. Given that the criminal wars of Gotham City are an essential aspect of Batman’s persona, it’s unfortunate that Black Mask had limited involvement.

1 Bane

Physically and Mentally Strong to Rival Batman, Reduced to a Hulk

Featured in: Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins

It’s widely believed that Bane, among all the villains in the Batman Arkham series, is the least utilized. His initial appearance in Batman: Arkham Asylum unfortunately tarnished his character. Instead of portraying the cool-headed, strategic Bane who could potentially crush Batman and destroy Gotham, he was presented as a mindless brute resembling the Incredible Hulk more than the intelligent Bane we know from the comics.

In the game “Batman: Arkham Origins,” there were some fantastic scenes featuring Bane. However, it was disappointing that his incredible potential was not fully utilized in subsequent games, leaving him as a mere huge brute. It would have been exciting if Bane had returned to Gotham in “Arkham Knight,” having overcome his TN-1 brain fog and ready for revenge against Batman once more.

2024-11-24 05:34