Batman: Arkham Origins

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 16,203 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Batman: Arkham Origins Game Cover
Feels like a long DLC at times but fun enough to be The Batman.
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In Batman: Arkham Origins, play as a young Bruce Wayne before he becomes Gotham's Dark Knight. The game is set in a gritty, open-world Gotham City, where you must take down dangerous thugs and villains like Black Mask and the Joker. Use an array of Batman's gadgets and stealth abilities to uncover plots and bring order to the city. This action-adventure game features thrilling combat and powerful storytelling.

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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 16,203 reviews
story2,491 positive mentions
stability945 negative mentions
  • story6,026 mentions

    The story of "Batman: Arkham Origins" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its exploration of a younger, more aggressive Batman during his early years as a vigilante. While some critiques focus on the predictability of the plot and the overuse of the Joker as a central antagonist, the narrative is praised for its engaging character development and emotional depth, particularly in the relationships between Batman, Alfred, and the various villains. Despite some bugs and pacing issues, the story is considered a compelling addition to the Arkham series, with memorable boss fights and a rich atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

    • “Although a lot of people hate on this game, I loved the whole Batman Begins story. It was very cool to get a backstory and more lore to the series!”
    • “The story was honestly great. It provides a deep exploration with well-developed characters and an engaging plot.”
    • “The story is the most engaging of the series and is an impressively good Batman adaptation.”
    • “The main story feels padded out; the usual Riddler stuff is a few hours by itself, and after beating the main story, there's an extra 90 minutes of one of the most pointless post-story missions I've ever seen. I was down to 10 Blackgate prisoners left to capture, beating my head against the wall because I just wanted to be done with it.”
    • “The story is solid but short, and the characters you already know make the combat fun but repetitive very soon.”
    • “The story is a cluttered mess where all the interesting scenes happen off-screen, and what we get are mostly repeats of what happened in asylum.”
  • gameplay2,110 mentions

    The gameplay in "Batman: Arkham Origins" is largely a continuation of the mechanics established in previous titles, particularly "Arkham City," featuring familiar combat and stealth systems with some new gadgets like the shock gloves. While many players appreciate the fluidity and engaging nature of the combat, some criticize the game for lacking innovation and introducing bugs that can disrupt the experience. Overall, it offers a solid gameplay experience for fans of the series, though it may feel repetitive and less polished compared to its predecessors.

    • “Thankfully the gameplay still holds up (a bit easier tbh thanks to a certain gadget or two) and the story is my personal favorite of all the Arkham games, along with the pretty fun boss fights.”
    • “Batman fans must play this game; the dark nuances of Gotham City, graphics, and combat gameplay are neatly arranged in this game.”
    • “Even though it doesn't expand much from the Arkham formula, it still provides great gameplay, arguably the best boss fights in the series, and cool detective scenes.”
    • “The gameplay is, as mentioned, very city-esque.”
    • “The biggest issue with the gameplay is that on occasion, the game will ignore your input during combat and allow an enemy to hit you, despite blocking or dodging.”
    • “The gameplay is a clone of city and the story is just as good.”
  • graphics1,103 mentions

    The graphics in "Batman: Arkham Origins" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the game's visual fidelity and atmospheric design, particularly in 4K resolution. While some players noted that the graphics hold up well for a 2013 release, others pointed out issues such as graphical glitches, subpar cutscene quality, and a less polished aesthetic compared to its predecessors, "Arkham Asylum" and "Arkham City." Overall, the game is recognized for its impressive character models and environmental details, but it also suffers from inconsistencies and bugs that detract from the visual experience.

    • “Batman fans must play this game; the dark nuances of Gotham City, graphics, and combat gameplay are neatly arranged in this game.”
    • “This time is not an exception either; the graphics with the PC port of this game look really good, and nothing is really buggy; you can just enjoy the almost decade-old story with 4K graphics.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous, and the game has probably my favorite Batman design in any media, the story is far better than any other Arkham game, and the map is different from City while similar enough to feel like it's the same city, which does a lot for immersion.”
    • “The graphics for 2013 are really underwhelming.”
    • “The graphics are atrocious.”
    • “The graphics look worse than the earlier game in the series which makes no sense.”
  • stability963 mentions

    The stability of "Batman: Arkham Origins" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many citing a plethora of bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some users report minor issues that do not severely impact gameplay, others have encountered game-breaking glitches that necessitate restarts or hinder progress. Overall, the game is perceived as needing further polish and stability improvements, particularly in its PC version, which has been criticized for its numerous technical issues.

    • “So look, generally this Batman game is fine (and runs great on Steam Deck by the way!).”
    • “I had a bug-free experience playing through both Arkham City and Arkham Knight.”
    • “So far no bugs, no glitches, game runs great on my computer.”
    • “It is absolutely filled to the brim with bugs and glitches.”
    • “The only thing that's annoying to me in this game is the bugs and the glitches.”
    • “Glitches, bugs, and performance problems plague nearly every aspect of the game, from stuttering framerates to game-breaking crashes.”
  • optimization227 mentions

    The optimization of "Batman: Arkham Origins" has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, bugs, and crashes, particularly on PC. While some users noted improvements over previous titles in the series, the game is often described as poorly optimized, requiring workarounds and mods to achieve stable performance. Overall, despite its engaging story and strong voice acting, the game's technical shortcomings detract from the overall experience.

    • “The original release of Arkham Origins was plagued by performance issues; however, most shortcomings in this department seem to have been fixed by now, so anyone planning on playing the game shouldn't worry too much about the performance.”
    • “This game was really optimized and I can play this game on a Core2Duo and HD 5570 for 50-60 fps on medium-high settings.”
    • “A very well optimized game, which still has awesome graphics.”
    • “The game is barely optimized for PC.”
    • “Glitches, bugs, and performance problems plague nearly every aspect of the game, from stuttering framerates to game-breaking crashes.”
    • “This game is so badly optimized, it cooks your hardware.”
  • music217 mentions

    The music in "Batman: Arkham Origins" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric orchestral score and Christmas-themed elements that enhance the game's setting. While some players found the soundtrack to be one of the best in the series, others felt it was unremarkable compared to previous titles. Overall, the music is noted for its ability to complement the game's narrative and emotional moments, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.

    • “The orchestral score, composed by Christopher Drake, delivers a haunting and powerful soundtrack that heightens the emotional impact of key story beats and intense action sequences.”
    • “The soundtrack of Arkham Origins complements the atmospheric gameplay, enhancing the mood and tension of each moment.”
    • “This game is brutally underrated; it takes everything you love about City and expands on it, adding its own things as well, and in my opinion, has the best soundtrack out of all the Batman Arkham games.”
    • “The music is generic action sucky poo poo.”
    • “The first thing you hear in this game is a great rendition of 'Carol of the Bells', too bad that's about it for the soundtrack, and I hope you like that song, because you'll hear it throughout the game in pianissimo, or very softly.”
    • “Music doesn't fit the game.”
  • atmosphere175 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Batman: Arkham Origins" is often praised for its dark, gritty portrayal of Gotham City, particularly enhanced by the unique Christmas setting, which adds a hauntingly beautiful layer to the experience. While some players feel it lacks the immersive quality of earlier titles in the series, many appreciate the detailed environments, atmospheric soundtrack, and the overall mood that captures the essence of being Batman. However, critiques mention that the city feels less alive and engaging compared to previous entries, impacting the overall atmospheric experience.

    • “The story is gripping, the combat is fluid, and the atmosphere perfectly captures Gotham's dark, gritty vibe.”
    • “From the moment I stepped into Gotham City, I was engulfed in its dark, atmospheric ambiance.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game... Gotham City on Christmas Eve.”
    • “Origins is a recycle of elements from the previous games with little innovation, an absence of attention to detail and atmosphere, an insultingly broken skill progression tree, and a disjointed, disappointing story that can’t be bothered to write beyond the scope of an eighth grader’s fanfic.”
    • “While having a worse atmosphere than Asylum, a worse story than City, and worse gameplay than Knight, Origins shines with some of the best boss fights of the series, Deathstroke and Bane being the top ones.”
    • “The only real downside is the lack of the magical atmosphere of Arkham Asylum.”
  • grinding170 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. Common complaints include the need for extensive backtracking, monotonous boss fights, and a lack of engaging content in side missions, which often feel like filler to artificially extend playtime. While some players appreciate the story and character elements, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding mechanics require a significant time investment that can feel more like a chore than a rewarding experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding!”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
    • “Only issue I have is some missions feel overwhelmingly tedious sometimes.”
    • “You'll complete an area only to be rewarded with backtracking; every door is locked behind a tedious puzzle or some other pointless extra step to artificially increase playtime.”
    • “The riddler's 100% completion section is extremely tedious, and the game is riddled with a surprising amount of bugs for a AAA game.”
  • humor97 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as a mix of intentional comedic moments and unintentional hilarity stemming from glitches and bugs, such as amusing ragdoll physics and quirky character interactions. While some players appreciate the lighthearted tone and funny dialogue, others feel that the humor can detract from the game's serious atmosphere. Overall, the game is seen as entertaining, with many finding the humorous elements to be a charming aspect despite the technical issues.

    • “Last but not least, the game has a fun sense of humor that keeps things from getting too dark and serious.”
    • “The story is well done, some of the thugs' conversations are hilarious.”
    • “Despite the funny bugs that keep happening, this game is fun.”
  • character development75 mentions

    Character development in "Batman: Arkham Origins" is widely praised, particularly for its portrayal of Bruce Wayne's growth and struggles, as well as the depth given to villains like Bane. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to weave character arcs into the narrative, making it a standout installment in the Arkham series despite some criticisms regarding pacing and certain character designs. Overall, the game is noted for its engaging storytelling and character dynamics, which resonate well with fans of the franchise.

    • “Batman’s character development in this game is amazing - at first never wanting help from anyone, but across the course of the story, he finds out that he needs people and help from his friends.”
    • “The game seamlessly weaves together moments of heart-pounding action with poignant character development, leaving you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.”
    • “Every plot point ties in with each other beautifully and, even despite this game being a prequel, it creates a completely fresh and new story with many unexpected moments and incredible feats of character/character development for Batman and his villains alike.”
    • “There is little in the way of character development; conflicts are resolved too quickly, and Batman feels just as skilled and confident here in his early career with little struggle.”
    • “My only gripe with the story is that, even though they stuck true to many of Batman's comic book stories, it ultimately fell flat because I feel like not enough time was put into character development for us to appreciate the big moments in the game.”
    • “One of the biggest flaws in this game is character development.”
  • replayability70 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the abundance of extra modes, side missions, and challenge maps that enhance the experience beyond the main storyline. However, some reviewers note limitations, such as the lack of difficulty adjustments and the need to reacquire gadgets in new game plus, which can detract from the overall replay value. Overall, while opinions vary, many consider it one of the most replayable entries in the Arkham series, particularly due to its engaging gameplay and seasonal themes.

    • “The replay value is amazing after the main mission.”
    • “Great storyline and immense replayability.”
    • “With so much content, the replayability and longevity of life that this game has is tremendous.”
    • “However, the game also lacks replayability, as there is no way to change the difficulty or increase the challenge.”
    • “Very abrupt ending, I was not appreciative of that, and I do not see the replayability factors that would encourage me to play again or for any remaining awards.”
    • “Great gameplay but very short and no replay value.”
  • emotional68 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its deeply engaging story and character development that evoke genuine feelings, particularly in key moments involving Batman's relationships with Alfred and other characters. Others, however, criticize the narrative as confusing or boring, detracting from the emotional impact. Overall, while many found the game to be emotionally resonant and immersive, others felt it fell short in delivering a compelling storyline.

    • “My personal favorite game in the franchise, it contains a story with genuine emotional stakes and amazing characterization for everyone involved on top of fun gameplay that innovates off of the city.”
    • “The voice acting, led by Roger Craig Smith as Batman, delivers a convincing and emotionally charged performance, bringing the characters to life with depth and authenticity.”
    • “The orchestral score, composed by Christopher Drake, delivers a haunting and powerful soundtrack that heightens the emotional impact of key story beats and intense action sequences.”
    • “I just can't recommend a game that relies on story, as all RPGs do, but has a bunch of villains mashed together into a very confusing and boring storyline.”
    • “I beat the first boss hoping it would get better, but I just couldn't stomach more boring story and repetitive gameplay.”
    • “Pretty boring story which I didn't find compelling.”
  • monetization36 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment in its lack of originality and polish compared to its predecessors. Players feel that the game prioritizes profit over quality, featuring unnecessary microtransactions and a rushed development that undermines the overall experience. Overall, the sentiment is that the game exploits the goodwill of the franchise while delivering a subpar product.

    • “The game offers a variety of in-app purchases for Batman suits.”
    • “The presence of microtransactions to gain goodies feels entirely unnecessary.”
    • “Overall, it kind of feels like a cash grab.”
    • “This is just a lazy cash grab attempt from WB.”
    • “This game is a buggy, lazy, cynical cash grab made with none of the love and care of either of the two earlier games in the series.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

Buy Batman: Arkham Origins

Play time

20hMedian play time
38hAverage play time
12hMain story
40hCompletionist
10-38hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 55 analyzed playthroughs

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