The Gotham Knights cinematic launch trailer has just been dropped, like a hooded ranger, on a fool in a dark alley. While the visuals and story sound great, I’m still not convinced that four bats are better than one.
The trailer introduces every member of the Bat family, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Redhood. One by one, the trailer shows them in the back streets of bleak, neon-lit Gotham, taking out thugs, gangs and criminals.
But it is not only their combat skills that are on display. Each member of the bat family also suffers from their deepest fears while on a crusade around the Dark City – “Friend, Unfit, Replaceable” are just some of the self-doubts Robin encounters. It’s a great addition to the cinematic trailer because it shows how these superheroes and people who play sports are more than just masks.
It seems that this insight into each member’s psyche will be an integral part of the game’s storytelling. Especially since spoiler alert, it doesn’t look like Batman will hit any criminals in Gotham KnightsNot from under a tombstone, at least. So it felt like Gotham Knights would see the team of four fight their way through their villains and their emotions while coming to terms with the loss of Batman.
But the question remains whether introducing four very different heroes and rangers works well for a series known for being one character. Can WB games synergize characters who have vastly different personalities? I’m not sure, but I think they should still rely on Batman for help.
crazy life
It would be a lie to say the Gotham Knights game was smooth. WB Games made some questionable decisions, – I can’t help but immediately think of the Living the Vida Loca incident.
A few days ago, video game critic Janet Garcia released a video for the Gotham Knights showing Batgirl fighting in a prison brawl, as it seems out of nowhere that a female cover of Ricky Martin’s Living the Vida Loca begins playing a mid-fight scene. The popular combat music worked great in Guardians of the Galaxy, but that didn’t make it to me in Gotham Knights. Instead of a great fight scene, I could only see a cheap attempt to please a female audience.
I have to tell you all that during my Gotham Knights preview, Living la Vida Loca came into play and it was by far the weakest moment of my session. My jaw dropped when it started playing and I was like wtf going on. pic.twitter.com/b75lvP6VFmOctober 6 2022
It’s not just Batgirl who had a questionable introduction. When I found out that they offered the magic of Redhood, I was completely confused. Redhood is one of my favorite DC characters. The point of his character, like most members of the bat family, is that he has no superpowers, only impeccable archery, close combat experience and, of course, a stylish red helmet. I understand that Redhood is resurrected from the dead in the comics, so the truth can stretch when it comes to his character. However, being able to summon magical platforms in the air seems like a useful game mechanic, rather than a natural extension of his character.
breath with taste
Not all news is bad. The movie trailer just released is proof of that. The direction of the story looks promising. Each character featured has a famously complex relationship with Bruce Wayne or Batman, so exploring this in Gotham Knights could mean we get a better understanding of who these characters are without the looming shadow of the Caped Crusader.
I hope WB Games don’t try to do too much. Each of these characters will lead to an interesting lead for the game set in Gotham. Especially Nightwing and Redhood, who have a lot of material written about them. But the combination of four of these characters may muddy the waters.
It’s often a little more, and Arkham Games are a great example of this. You know where you stand when it comes to Batman’s goal and morals. But in Gotham Knights, you have stark contrasts. First, Nightwing honors Bruce’s legacy by continuing his work fighting criminals, while making a name out of Batman’s shadow. Instead, there’s Redhood, which is incredibly complex. As a vigilante, he ostensibly rejects Batman’s ideals of non-lethal justice, since he has no problem putting a bullet into someone’s skull. These two alone are completely different, and it will be interesting to see how WB Games brings all four members of the bat family together in one game.