Batman Arkham Knight

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 39,693 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Batman Arkham Knight Game Cover
Arkham Knight has some flaws, but they generally pale in comparison to the wondrous spectacle Rocksteady serves us up. A fine end to the Arkham trilogy.
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Batman: Arkham Knight, a single-player action game, concludes Rocksteady's Arkham trilogy with an explosive finale. As Scarecrow unites super criminals to destroy Batman, players must protect Gotham City, while experiencing the ultimate Batman experience with the legendary Batmobile. Featuring an intriguing story, this game allows players to tear through Gotham's streets and soar across its skyline.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 39,693 reviews
story4,789 positive mentions
optimization617 negative mentions
  • story11,568 mentions

    The story of "Batman: Arkham Knight" is a significant aspect of the game, praised for its emotional depth and character development, particularly in exploring Batman's psyche and his relationships with iconic villains like Scarecrow and the Arkham Knight. While many players find the narrative engaging and filled with twists, some criticize it for being predictable and for the over-reliance on the Batmobile in missions, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game is generally regarded as a fitting conclusion to the Arkham series, offering a rich storyline that intertwines with various side missions and character arcs.

    • “Arkham Knight’s narrative is one of its strongest aspects, delivering an intense and emotional story that explores Batman’s psyche.”
    • “The story is gripping, filled with intense moments and iconic villains, making it a substantial experience for fans of the series.”
    • “The story is so good and its visuals reflect it as well, providing a compelling finale with top-tier storytelling.”
    • “The story is a mess.”
    • “The story is garbage.”
    • “The story is weak but the gameplay makes up for it.”
  • gameplay4,587 mentions

    The gameplay in "Batman: Arkham Knight" is widely praised for its fluid combat mechanics, refined stealth elements, and the introduction of the batmobile, which adds a new layer of exploration and combat. However, many players feel that the batmobile's frequent use can become repetitive and detracts from the core Batman experience, leading to mixed opinions on its overall integration into the gameplay. Despite this, the game is considered a significant improvement over its predecessors in terms of mechanics and visual fidelity, making it a must-play for fans of the series.

    • “Set in a vast, open-world Gotham City, it expands on the gameplay mechanics of its predecessors while introducing new features like the Batmobile.”
    • “The core gameplay loop of gliding through Gotham, battling thugs, and solving puzzles is incredibly satisfying.”
    • “The gameplay is top-notch, with refined combat mechanics, fluid stealth, and the addition of the Batmobile, which adds a new dynamic to both exploration and combat.”
    • “While the batmobile offers exciting new gameplay options, its overuse in certain missions has been criticized as repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay, however, offers quite a wide variety of actions, including puzzles and a combination of moving on foot/gliding and using your batmobile.”
    • “The batmobile gameplay can be annoying sometimes.”
  • graphics4,241 mentions

    The graphics of *Batman: Arkham Knight* have received widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and atmospheric design, with many players noting that the visuals still hold up impressively well even years after its 2015 release. While the game showcases breathtaking environments and character models, some users experienced performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly at launch. Overall, the game's graphics are often described as a highlight, contributing significantly to the immersive experience of navigating Gotham City.

    • “Batman: Arkham Knight is a must-play for fans of the series, offering a compelling finale with top-tier storytelling, stunning visuals, and satisfying gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and it's fun to play.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning, showcasing a meticulously detailed Gotham City that truly comes to life, especially on modern gaming hardware.”
    • “The PC release of Arkham Knight was marred by severe technical problems, including frame rate drops, crashes, and graphical glitches, leading to its temporary removal from digital stores.”
    • “The graphics are not even near the trailer; in fact, I don't think this really looks all that far removed from City at its best.”
    • “The graphics are a lot better than Arkham City and Origins, but the performance issues and graphical glitches make it hard to enjoy.”
  • optimization1,928 mentions

    The optimization of "Batman: Arkham Knight" has been a contentious topic among players, particularly at launch, where it was plagued by significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and crashes. While many players report that subsequent patches have improved performance considerably, allowing for smoother gameplay on modern hardware, others still experience issues, especially during demanding sequences like driving the Batmobile. Overall, while the game has made strides in optimization, it remains a mixed bag, with some players enjoying a stable experience and others struggling with persistent performance problems.

    • “The optimization efforts have significantly improved the overall experience, making it a worthy investment for PC gamers.”
    • “Despite some issues such as batmobile overuse and PC performance issues, the game remains a compelling addition to the Arkham series.”
    • “The game looks fantastic, easily the best looking of the four games, and well optimized.”
    • “I did have significant performance issues with the Batgirl DLC, 'Matter of Family', as there was a major frame drop gliding near the ferris wheel and a crash just after the final cutscene, which initially prevented the achievement from counting.”
    • “Despite some stand-out voice acting performances such as the Joker and Alfred, there are some misses, the main one being Harley Quinn, which has atrocious voice acting.”
    • “This game is fun, it's just that this game often has problems with performance, even though in games with higher specifications than this game, the ultra setting is still stronger.”
  • stability667 mentions

    The stability of "Batman: Arkham Knight" has been a contentious topic among players, particularly regarding its initial PC release, which was plagued by severe technical issues, including crashes, frame rate drops, and graphical glitches. While many users report that the game has improved significantly over time with patches, some still experience occasional bugs and performance hiccups, particularly with the batmobile and during specific missions. Overall, while the game is now considered playable and visually impressive by many, it retains a reputation for being somewhat unstable, especially on lower-end hardware.

    • “A well-polished game that looks and runs great.”
    • “The game runs great and you'll never regret playing it either.”
    • “No glitches or crashes and very smooth gameplay without any stuttering or slowing down when in batmobile.”
    • “The PC release of Arkham Knight was marred by severe technical problems, including frame rate drops, crashes, and graphical glitches, leading to its temporary removal from digital stores.”
    • “Game crashes a lot and is really buggy, so get ready to reinstall and restart a few times.”
    • “This game is buggy, laggy, and repetitive.”
  • grinding475 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Batman: Arkham Knight" has received significant criticism, with many players finding the Riddler challenges and Batmobile missions to be tedious and repetitive. Completing the game, especially for those aiming for 100% completion, often feels like a chore due to the sheer volume of side quests and collectibles required, leading to a sentiment that the game is overly padded with grindy content. While some players appreciate the overall gameplay and story, the excessive grinding detracts from the experience for many.

    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “Can get a bit grindy.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The end game being locked out by tedious side quests that are the same thing 15 times each is a real bore.”
    • “To remind everyone from the first two sentences, this game is long; by that, I mean a grinding fest to 100% or, in this case, 240%... the mini-campaigns were delightful.”
    • “The riddler puzzles felt like too much grinding, so I didn't finish those.”
  • music351 mentions

    The music in "Batman: Arkham Knight" has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and dynamic orchestral score, composed by Nick Arundel and David Buckley, which enhances the game's emotional depth and intensity. Players have praised the haunting soundtrack and impactful sound design, noting how it complements the narrative and action sequences, while the voice acting, particularly from Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, adds to the overall immersive experience. Despite some mixed opinions on the memorability of certain tracks, the soundtrack is generally regarded as one of the best in the series, contributing significantly to the game's dark and engaging atmosphere.

    • “The musical score, composed by Nick Arundel and David Buckley, is powerful and evocative, perfectly capturing the tone of the game.”
    • “The music dynamically shifts to match the intensity of the action and the mood of the narrative, adding an emotional layer to the experience.”
    • “From the stunning visuals to the hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack, every element contributes to the immersive experience.”
    • “The music is forgettable; the big reveal falls flat; the lack of true boss fights makes the game a bore; and the heavy reliance on the Batmobile for advancing through the story is not only frustrating, but repetitive and unimaginative.”
    • “The soundtrack can be easily swapped with the one from Arkham City and you would not notice; you will be delighted to hear that the bat sounds are new.”
    • “The voice acting is phoned in (which is disappointing, because Kevin Conroy is my favorite Batman); the graphics leave much to be desired; the music is forgettable.”
  • atmosphere314 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Batman: Arkham Knight" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, dynamic weather effects, and immersive sound design, which collectively capture the dark, gritty essence of Gotham City. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the environment, from rain-soaked streets to atmospheric lighting, enhancing the overall experience of being the Dark Knight. While some reviews note that the story may not match the atmospheric depth of earlier titles in the series, the game's ability to create a living, breathing Gotham filled with tension and intrigue remains a standout feature.

    • “The game's atmosphere is top-notch, perfectly capturing the mood of a city on the brink of destruction.”
    • “Gotham city is rendered in exquisite detail, with a vibrant atmosphere that shifts from the ominous shadows of crime-ridden streets to the breathtaking skyline.”
    • “The attention to detail in Gotham city is remarkable, creating a dark and atmospheric setting that truly captures the essence of Batman's world.”
    • “The atmosphere wasn't all that thrilling for the most part.”
    • “While it's no Arkham City in terms of story and atmosphere, Arkham Knight is probably the most entertaining of the Arkham games to free roam or play in a more leisurely way.”
    • “The whole idea of a Riddler race track, while meagerly fun, simply does not mesh with the Batman atmosphere or the Riddler's theme.”
  • humor278 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, particularly for the character of the Joker, whose darkly comedic lines and interactions with Batman provide a consistent source of laughter throughout the gameplay. Players enjoy the witty banter among thugs and the absurdity of certain situations, which often lead to unexpected comedic moments, enhancing the overall experience. Despite some minor bugs and repetitive elements, the humor effectively balances the game's darker themes, making it a standout feature.

    • “The segment where you land with Barbara and a bunch of tanks converge on you actually made me laugh out loud, purely because of Batman saying, 'Don't worry, Lucius made a spare Batmobile'... what?”
    • “The running dialogue by the Joker ranges from hilarious to sinister to downright twisted and uncomfortable - sometimes all at once, but that's what made it so good!”
    • “Having the Joker next to you all game long was just hilarious and it was a big plus for me.”
    • “The Riddler missions are not funny; only a few of them have any humor, and the rest feel like a chore.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and often feel forced, lacking the cleverness I expected.”
    • “The humor in the game is hit or miss, with many attempts at comedy feeling stale and unoriginal.”
  • emotional219 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Batman: Arkham Knight" is widely praised, with many players highlighting its intense and complex narrative that delves deep into Batman's psyche and relationships, particularly with iconic characters like the Joker and Poison Ivy. The voice acting, especially from Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, adds significant emotional weight, making key moments resonate strongly with players. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster that effectively captures the struggles and sacrifices of being the Dark Knight, often leaving players in tears by the end.

    • “The emotional depth and complexity of the story add significant weight to the gameplay.”
    • “It felt as if Bruce was asking himself, 'I’ve won... but at what cost?' It’s a subtle, yet emotional conclusion that perfectly captures the weight of being the Dark Knight.”
    • “From the gut-wrenching emotional beats to the adrenaline-pumping action sequences, Arkham Knight is a game that will stay with you long after the credits roll.”
    • “Tedious, way too long, and super boring story.”
    • “It's a show to look at, but the gameplay suffered from being interrupted by a boring story, boring gameplay elements, and over-talkative characters left and right.”
    • “A boring storyline, not that interesting.”
  • replayability176 mentions

    "Batman: Arkham Knight" is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its engaging main story, diverse side missions, and a plethora of challenges, including Riddler puzzles and AR challenges. Players appreciate the New Game Plus mode and the variety of playable characters from DLCs, which further enhance the game's longevity. Despite some criticisms regarding certain gameplay elements, the overall consensus is that the game offers substantial replay value, making it a title players are likely to return to over the years.

    • “Arkham Knight offers high replayability, with its engaging main story, diverse side missions, and expansive open-world content.”
    • “The challenge maps and new game plus mode provide additional replayability for those looking to experience the game again with added difficulty.”
    • “The side quests and challenges scattered throughout the city add depth and replay value, ensuring that even after the main story concludes, there's still so much more to uncover and enjoy.”
    • “Despite Arkham Knight's large world full of different things to do, you more than likely won't get too much replayability out of the game.”
    • “Weak story, monotonous stealth and tank battle sections, and a lack of predator/combat challenges made this a very weak entry in the Arkham series of games with little to no replay value.”
    • “I don't see much replay value unless you absolutely wanted to redo everything from scratch.”
  • character development75 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and richness, with standout performances from the voice cast, particularly Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker. Reviewers highlight the engaging narrative that intertwines psychological elements and character arcs, making players genuinely care about the fates of both heroes and villains. Overall, the character designs and development contribute significantly to an immersive and cinematic experience, solidifying the game as a standout in the superhero genre.

    • “Engaging narrative with deep character development.”
    • “The character development is rich, with standout performances from the voice cast, including Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker.”
    • “With its compelling narrative, deep character development, refined gameplay mechanics, and immersive world design, it stands as one of the best superhero games ever made.”
    • “Throughout the story, he wasn’t a likable character and there’s no character development whatsoever, but then towards the end, he pulled the 'reformed villain' trope so abruptly, it was like, bam!”
    • “Maybe it's the mostly empty city (by design due to story), but the character development via the upgrade points and the side missions themselves just feel kind of shallow.”
    • “Specifically, this game is a hodge-podge of the earlier Arkham games, both in style and content, slapped together with a thin plot and little to no character development.”
  • monetization19 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to excessive batmobile missions, microtransactions, and intrusive advertisements that disrupt gameplay. While some appreciate the holiday sales and additional content, the overall sentiment suggests that the monetization strategies detract from the game's quality and enjoyment, leading to frustration among players.

    • “Now this is a lot, but not a deal breaker. Batmobile missions are relatively short for the most part and you can fly through them. Microtransactions and DLC you don't have to buy if you don't feel like it's worth it, and the predictable story will only impact you if you didn't like the story thus far. But if you enjoyed it, this will have little to no impact on the game and story itself.”
    • “But every game comes with its flaws, for one, the excess amount of Batmobile missions, or the microtransactions, short DLC, and some predictable story elements.”
    • “This is a disgusting cash grab attempt and the people who made this game should leave the industry for good if this is their work.”
    • “The game is a multi-hour Batmobile advertisement filled with constant interruptions to the flow of the gameplay and story.”
    • “All this hype for a new character, new story, and fresh take was thrown to the wind out of lazy cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy Batman Arkham Knight

Play time

25hMedian play time
53hAverage play time
17hMain story
50hCompletionist
8-57hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 138 analyzed playthroughs

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