Why a Harley Quinn Arkhamverse Game is Long Overdue

As a seasoned movie buff and lifelong fan of the DC universe, I must say that my heart skipped a beat when I heard the news about Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League shuttering its operations. But alas, it seems that Wonder Woman’s demise was not as final as we thought, with the Flash, Green Lantern, and Batman somehow managing to cheat death.

The game titled “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” is almost closed down, and it seems there won’t be any new content added in the future. The entire package of the game features characters such as Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Joker, Mrs. Freeze, Lawless, and Deathstroke. In addition, players encounter Brainiac boss battles across various universes and a storyline where the Justice League is brutally murdered, except for Wonder Woman.

As a die-hard film fan, I was initially thrilled about “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” but now it seems they’ve changed their minds. It looks like Wonder Woman might remain deceased, while Flash, Green Lantern, and Batman are expected to have survived the game’s storyline unharmed. The fact that most of the Justice League affiliates are still alive suggests that Rocksteady, DC, or Warner Bros. may have plans for them in the future. Despite this, Harley Quinn, our beloved character from the Arkhamverse, has firmly established herself as a permanent fixture and definitely deserves her own standalone game.

Why Harley Quinn is the Arkhamverse’s Most Nuanced Character

In the universe of Arkham, Harley Quinn initially starts with simple origins, often serving as a vulnerable target for both the Joker and Batman since the game Batman: Arkham Asylum. Her role is that of a loyal and innocent sidekick, a depiction that has persisted for quite some time until more recent portrayals.

In “Batman: Arkham City,” Harley’s personality didn’t undergo any significant change until the DLC, “Harley Quinn’s Revenge.” Here, Harley is grieving. This theme persists in “Batman: Arkham Knight,” but Harley is not fully exploited in the storyline, despite Joker’s infected blood causing his psyche to appear in various characters like Henry Adams, Christina Bell, Johnny Charisma, and even Batman. The sole advantage of her limited screen time in “Knight” is that she gets a brief DLC episode, which presents a prequel story where Harley breaks into the Bludhaven Police Department.

As a diehard movie buff, I can’t help but praise this portrayal of Harley as it delves deep into the turmoil that defines her mind and emotions. Instead of Batman’s Detective Mode, they’ve brilliantly introduced Psychosis Mode, which adds a chilling layer to the gameplay experience. The combat in the Arkhamverse has always been impressive, but seeing it adapted to Harley is nothing short of amazing. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to imagine that this narrative could pave the way for a standalone single-player Harley Quinn game.

Harley Quinn’s Potential is Only Now Brimming in the Arkhamverse

Since the release of “Batman: Arkham Knight,” Harley’s character has undergone a significant makeover, both visually and in terms of her development. In the game “Batman: Arkham Shadow,” we get a peek into Dr. Harleen Quinzel’s past, before she transformed into Harley Quinn. During this time, Bruce Wayne finds himself empathizing with Harleen due to her apparent dedication to treating and rehabilitating inmates.

It’s quite an unexpected twist in their Arkhamverse storyline that, despite all their encounters, Harley Quinn is the one who ultimately ends up taking Batman’s life.

Indeed, Bruce apparently isn’t deceased as initially believed. With additional Arkham games likely in production, it will be intriguing to observe whether any of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s plot-altering choices get revised or reversed in the future.

Making Harley Quinn the protagonist of her own game could be a daring yet logical decision, given her significant role in the Arkhamverse, which is arguably equal to or even surpassing Batman’s. A prequel or prologue could offer an intriguing insight into the transformation of Harleen Quinzel into Harley Quinn. It would be captivating to portray a scenario where she evades Batman, who serves as an antagonist in this hypothetical game. This approach would leverage the engaging Batman Experience at the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League museum, while seamlessly continuing the compelling narrative established by Batman: Arkham Knight.

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2024-12-27 00:03