Gotham Knights

There's a lot to love about Gotham Knights, especially when fighting or traversing the city, but a few hiccups do hold it back.

Starting at $2.55Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

Get on PS Store

In "Gotham Knights: Deluxe Edition," play as Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, or Robin to protect Gotham City from a new criminal underworld after Batman's death. This open-world action RPG features a dynamic Gotham City with five boroughs to patrol, either solo or in co-op. The Deluxe Edition includes the main game and Visionary Pack with exclusive transmog, suit styles, gear, emote, and suit colorways.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,168 reviews

story1,619 positive mentions

optimization442 negative mentions

story
4,351 mentions
37 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story of "Gotham Knights" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its focus on the Bat-family and the emotional weight of Batman's death. While some find the narrative engaging and well-characterized, others criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth compared to the Arkham series. The game features unique character interactions and side missions that add to the lore, but the overall pacing and structure can feel repetitive and disjointed, leading to a sense of grind rather than a cohesive story experience.
- “The story is engaging, and the voice acting is top-notch.”
- “The story is interesting and captivating.”
- “The story is well written, showcasing a great cast from the Batman universe.”
- “The story is still the same, but the attention to detail in the interactions between different characters and the different characters of the main cast is great to see, and in my opinion is sorely needed in other games that include multiple playable pre-made characters.”
- “The story honestly makes zero to little sense, you'll see one character during a mission and never see them again until way later and you've forgotten about them.”
- “The story is very boring and most of the time very stupid since we have 4 superheroes, but I go solo on every mission.”
optimization
1,627 mentions
15 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Gotham Knights" has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, particularly in open-world scenarios and while using the batcycle. While some users have noted improvements following patches, the game is still considered poorly optimized, especially compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, players recommend waiting for further updates to address these performance concerns before purchasing.
- “The performance is extremely optimized now, running everything at high settings at 4K with DLSS balanced on.”
- “Despite the performance issues, I really enjoyed this game after the performance was fixed; had to give them the win after going back and fixing it.”
- “The game is currently in good condition - smooth performance, no crashes, no stutters, no microtransactions.”
- “Over a year since the release and the game is still a poorly optimized mess, even at the lowest settings. As soon as I go outside a building, my frame-rate tanks hard.”
- “The game is poorly optimized and has a lot of trouble making use of the hardware that is available to it, which means if you load too much into memory too fast it will crash even if you have memory to spare.”
- “This game has some of the worst optimization I've ever seen, and I played Cyberpunk on launch day.”
gameplay
1,616 mentions
27 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Gotham Knights" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its departure from the beloved mechanics of the Arkham series. While some appreciate the unique character abilities and co-op gameplay, others criticize the repetitive combat, clunky mechanics, and performance issues, leading to a less engaging experience overall. The game offers a fun, albeit flawed, RPG-like experience that may appeal to fans of the DC universe, but it struggles to meet the high expectations set by its predecessors.
- “The game's co-op mechanics are a highlight, making it fun to team up with a friend to explore the open world and take down enemies.”
- “The gameplay is done well and all things considered is smooth and gives the player four options based on the four characters (Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, and Red Hood) to choose how you want to play.”
- “The gameplay is surprisingly enjoyable, offering new mechanics that bring a fresh experience.”
- “Worst Batman game ever in both gameplay and graphics. It has also lost its own identity by trying to be Destiny with the gear power and level-based gameplay.”
- “The real downsides of Gotham Knights are many, namely the horrendous gameplay, bad story progression, uncreative and repetitive side activities. Its combat takes away all the things that made the Batman Arkham games great and gives us a jankier version of Sleeping Dogs.”
- “The gameplay is bland and uninspired, but it was the writing that truly ruined this game for me.”
graphics
951 mentions
41 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Gotham Knights" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the game's aesthetic and character designs, describing them as beautiful and atmospheric. However, numerous players have reported performance issues, including frame rate drops and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems, leading to comparisons with the superior graphics of the earlier "Arkham" series. Overall, while the visuals are appreciated by some, the optimization and performance problems detract from the experience for many players.
- “The graphics are amazing, I love the rendering, textures, details, the effects in this game it looks absolutely great.”
- “Gotham Knights boasts decent-looking graphics that bring the city to life, with detailed character designs and atmospheric environments that immerse you in the Batman universe.”
- “The graphics are stunning, and some of the locales you visit for the game look jaw-dropping.”
- “Combat is mediocre, graphics are not nearly as good as other Batman games, and the story is just a snooze fest.”
- “Graphics look worse than Arkham Knight even on the highest setting with ray tracing on.”
- “The graphics for this game coming out in 2022 are absolutely piss poor, for example Arkham Knight came out in 2015 and has water reflections that gap this game; doesn't make sense.”
stability
338 mentions
8 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly during multiplayer sessions and while using the batcycle. While some users note improvements since launch, stating that the game runs better now, others still experience significant glitches that disrupt gameplay. Overall, the game is considered fun but remains plagued by stability problems that detract from the experience.
- “I enjoyed the story, the game performed poorly at launch but now it runs great, solid 60 fps constant.”
- “It runs great, looks great, very fun to play and was a steal for $30 on sale.”
- “I've experienced no bugs, the game runs great.”
- “The game is a buggy, clunky mess.”
- “This game is still so extremely buggy that I spend days trying to figure out just how to get it playable.”
- “The game crashes and freezes constantly, do not buy expecting 4 player co-op; it is 2 player only for the main story.”
grinding
308 mentions
1 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive. Reviewers noted that the need to grind for materials, unlock abilities, and progress through missions often detracts from the overall enjoyment, making combat feel slow and unengaging. While some players appreciate the grind as part of the RPG experience, the overwhelming consensus is that it can be excessively time-consuming and detracts from the game's potential fun.
- “There's a good variety of suits for each hero and you can even customize certain parts like the cowl, gloves, etc. The gear progression - while simple - feels satisfying and isn't grindy.”
- “It isn't really grindy either, and is definitely worth it.”
- “This game doesn't have the grinding aspect eluded to by what most people are saying.”
- “It takes way too much grinding to just unlock certain things, with only certain events giving you the required material to craft.”
- “There's genuine fun hidden within this game, some solid hours of good gameplay and entertainment but unfortunately it gets shadowed by tedious, padded, mind-numbing grind which is almost 70% of the game.”
- “The game becomes very fun, but only after an initial 10-ish hours of grinding.”
music
86 mentions
43 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric qualities and emotional impact, while others criticize its repetitiveness and lack of memorable tracks. Many players feel that the soundtrack does not live up to the standards set by previous Batman games, often describing it as limited or underwhelming, particularly in high-stakes moments. Overall, while there are highlights, such as specific tracks that resonate well, the consensus suggests that the music could have been more diverse and engaging.
- “Music is so important to me in games, and I thought the music was great.”
- “Many games conquered me because of the music, Batman wasn’t different, and everyone here knows why – epic music makes any ordinary fight feel like an epic battle.”
- “Not to mention these action-packed moments were made more memorable thanks to a phenomenal soundtrack that truly surprised me.”
- “The music at one point made me want to vomit, and the characters are a bunch of twits.”
- “The combat is dull, the boss fights are extremely basic, the music is lacking (especially that irritating music that starts up every time you ride the cycle), the open world missions and enemies are all entirely cut and paste, the villain encounters are pretty boring.”
- “The whole OST/music/sound (even some noises) in Gotham Knights should be revamped!”
atmosphere
85 mentions
46 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Gotham Knights" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its vibrant visuals and unique artistic direction that evoke a sense of immersion in Gotham City. While some praise the game's ability to capture a lively yet dark environment, others feel it lacks the gritty, intense atmosphere characteristic of the earlier Arkham series. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing experience with a distinct atmosphere, though opinions vary on its depth and engagement.
- “Despite the things previously mentioned, I loved the story told by this game, the characters, the music, the beautiful and atmospheric scenery and levels.”
- “The atmosphere is very relaxing and has busy streets buzzing with life in Gotham.”
- “The atmosphere of Gotham was pretty nice; I like that it managed to be pretty dark but also showed some vibrant areas.”
- “Not only were the controls changed to some MMO-type combat style, but also the dark gothic atmosphere from the Arkham series is turned into something cartoony similar to the SR reboot.”
- “The atmosphere is so random and uneven in the game; I have no idea what the developers want us to feel.”
- “The atmosphere of the city doesn't feel alive, and the game just bores me immensely.”
emotional
82 mentions
90 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising the heartfelt character interactions and touching storylines that evoke strong feelings, particularly surrounding Batman's death and the subsequent struggles of his allies. While some moments are described as genuinely moving, others feel shallow or forced, leading to a lack of overall emotional investment for certain players. The game's ability to create unique emotional journeys for each character is highlighted, but technical issues and a perceived lack of depth in the narrative detract from the overall experience.
- “Nightwing's is bittersweet if you know the lore; Robin's is emotional; Batgirl's is the most unique; and Red Hood's is the most apropos given the situation.”
- “The game's story and action are really cool, and the characters' relationships are heartfelt and funny.”
- “Each character is going through a different emotional journey following the death of Batman, coping with it in different ways, and are struggling to fill the bat-shaped hole that Batman's passing has left on Gotham.”
- “I went into it not expecting an Arkham game and was still disappointed; 6 measly hours of unbelievably boring story missions and about 4 more of side content, some of which was fun.”
- “Boring story, alright gameplay, stale character portrayals, and unoptimized to the max.”
- “Side missions... yikes, just felt kinda meh besides Freeze, but his boss battles are very boring story-wise.”
humor
71 mentions
94 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the character interactions, witty dialogue, and absurd moments genuinely funny, contributing to an enjoyable experience, especially in co-op play. Some players appreciate the game's self-aware humor and the comedic elements of character design and glitches, while others criticize the humor as forced or overshadowed by gameplay issues. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the game's darker themes, making it more engaging for those who enjoy a blend of comedy and action.
- “The game's story and action are really cool, and the characters' relationships are heartfelt and funny.”
- “I love the simultaneous dark realistic grittiness and lighthearted humor, on top of the cheesy superhero crime fighting aesthetic, it made for a really enjoyable experience.”
- “Robin makes funny comments when he punches people.”
- “Is this supposed to be funny?”
- “This game is so unbalanced it's not funny.”
- “Please fix the game; it is so broken it's not funny. I like it, but it crashes all the time, so I guess I will put it down until it is fixed.”
replayability
53 mentions
26 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising the ability to play as multiple characters, each offering unique interactions and gameplay styles, which enhances replay value. However, many criticize the lack of meaningful New Game+ content and repetitive missions, leading to a perception of limited long-term engagement. Overall, while there is potential for replayability, especially with future updates and character additions, the current experience may not satisfy all players.
- “Great story and cinematics, good combat system, decent graphics, great crafting system, huge replay value.”
- “The game has a lot of replayability as well due to the ability to play four characters and the fact that each reacts differently to missions and story events.”
- “The ability to play as four characters who are diverse enough to give you a different feel is refreshing and adds replayability.”
- “New Game+ replayability is basically non-existent.”
- “The absence of meaningful DLC content takes away from the game's replayability and leaves the community feeling somewhat abandoned after the initial release.”
- “There is 0 replay value for me; I have no interest in doing New Game+ to spend more time as the other three characters.”
character development
52 mentions
42 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the depth and backstories of the characters, as well as their interactions and voice acting. While some critiques mention that the development could benefit from more polish and emotional depth, the overall consensus highlights a strong narrative and character design that resonates with fans of the Batman universe. Customization options and adherence to comic book aesthetics further enhance the character experience, despite some minor issues with gameplay mechanics.
- “The story is great, the character development, the interactions between them and the villains, the voice acting.”
- “I feel like the story and character development of the main characters are phenomenal and really help tie a nice bow on the game.”
- “As an avid Batman comic and media consumer, I love how dedicated the devs were to staying true to the characters; you can really tell they put their hearts and souls into this project and understand what fans have been wanting in terms of their character development.”
- “Character development is there but it needs some polish.”
- “The game mechanics, character development, and plot to me are very shallow.”
- “There's little to no character development through dialogue; very little time was spent on making voice overs, for example, when interrogating someone post-grab, they said 'I'll tell you whatever you want, hero!' as if they couldn't tell by the large bat on my chest who I was.”
monetization
34 mentions
9 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
68 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" that relies on nostalgia rather than delivering a quality experience. While there are no microtransactions or loot boxes, the game's upgrade system and overall design have been perceived as exploitative, leading to disappointment among players who expected more depth and value. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to be poorly executed, contributing to a negative reception.
- “Literally the only redeeming quality is that there's no microtransactions or loot boxes of any kind.”
- “It has in-depth combat, progression, and customization not based on microtransactions.”
- “The people that made this game easily could have been greedy and added a bunch of microtransactions, but they didn't.”
- “The production teams should be ashamed that this is the story they went with; this game feels like a cash grab and a production test for future games, and it has failed.”
- “It's just a cash grab that is relying on nostalgia and the promise of being a spiritual successor to the Arkham franchise.”
- “A mobile game poorly ported to the PC and a blatant and greedy cash grab with little return for the cost.”