Batmans Arkhamverse Has an Assassins Disappearance to Answer for

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Batmans Arkhamverse Has an Assassins Disappearance to Answer for

As a gamer with over two decades of Batman Arkham universe under my belt, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about Shiva. She was a formidable adversary back in Arkham Origins, and her disappearance after the fight left me hanging like a Bat-signal over Gotham City.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m thrilled about the upcoming release of “Batman: Arkham Shadow,” the latest addition to the Arkhamverse. Given that it serves as a direct sequel to “Origins,” I can’t help but feel intrigued by Camouflaj’s commitment to tying up loose ends that WB Games Montreal left hanging. One such thread is the return of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, and while we don’t know if her psychotic lover’s influence will lead her down a path of crime in her red-and-black attire, it’s certainly intriguing.

In the event that The Joker returns significantly in Batman: Arkham Shadow, it could be rather disheartening, as it would be intriguing to see lesser-known characters like Ratcatcher and the Ventriloquist, who make their gaming debuts exclusively on Meta Quest 3, have their moment in the spotlight. Additionally, among the less prominent antagonists, Shiva – who appears in Arkham Origins and its story-related Initiation DLC challenge pack – deserves a satisfying conclusion.

Batman: Arkham Origins Left Shiva’s Fate Open-Ended

In the side mission “Shiva’s Most Wanted” from Arkham Origins, Batman is tricked into various distractions set up by Shiva or her assassin team members. A stroller is abandoned on a street, a GCPD officer is hung above an electrified pond of water, and another cop meets a tragic end after escaping—all these actions are intended to draw Batman’s focus.

Shiva’s confrontation in Sheldon Park’s Wonder Tower lobby culminates in a fierce battle with Shiva and several assassins. However, instead of capturing her, Shiva disappears in a cloud of smoke grenade. Batman then confers with Alfred, declaring assertively that the encounter with Shiva is far from over, suggesting she will resurface again soon.

It turns out that no Arkham game has included or alluded to her directly since then, which he hadn’t expected. Shiva, while not particularly deep or original, pales in comparison to Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins, with whom she is associated. However, it’s unfortunate that the Arkham universe hasn’t given her due recognition or fulfilled the hints Batman drops at the end of her story arc about her potential role.

Intriguingly, it turns out that Shiva played a pivotal role behind the scenes in both the reopening of Quincy Sharp’s Arkham Asylum and the construction of Arkham City – events central to the games bearing their names. Remarkably, however, she remains an unseen character in both these gripping narratives.

A Batman: Arkham Game Must Close the Book on Shiva with Finality

A new game in the Shadow series, especially if it’s developed by Rocksteady or another studio, could give us the resolution we’re looking for. However, since Shadow has dynamic combat, it’s not unreasonable to expect a second fight with Shiva from Camouflaj. So far, only Lock-Up’s battle (the one against Lyle Bolton’s Lock-Up) has been demonstrated, and players can engage him using the Electrocutioner’s shock gloves.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but imagine the exhilarating challenge of repeatedly parrying Shiva and her assassins in Arkham Shadow, responding with a swift, rhythmic flurry of counter prompts. However, it might be that Shiva doesn’t quite fit the tone Arkham Shadow is aiming for, which makes me hopeful that she could return when given the proper treatment. If the opportunity arises, it would be satisfying to finally put an end to her storyline in Arkham Origins, thus resolving the lingering foreshadowing and giving a sense of completion to the series.

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2024-09-08 00:04