The world has waited long enough for a new Batman game because the makers of the Arkham series of excellent titles decided to reveal some huge news at the recent DCFandome.

Basically, Batman is dead and that’s not totally a bad thing. In fact, he needs a replacement and that’s where you and all sorts of other DC Comics luminaries come into play.

In what essentially sounds like the upcoming Avengers game but with Batman IP and the Arkham pedigree, Gotham Knights promises fanboys and newcomers alike more than enough content to keep them entertained in a Bruce Wayne-less Gotham.

Per the game’s own website:

“Batman is dead. A new expansive, criminal underworld has swept the streets of Gotham City. It is now up to the Batman Family; Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin; to protect Gotham, bring hope to its citizens, discipline to its cops, and fear to its criminals. From solving mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in the city’s history to defeating notorious villains in epic confrontations, you must evolve into the new Dark Knight and save the streets from descent into chaos.

Gotham Knights is an open-world, action RPG set in the most dynamic and interactive Gotham City yet. In either solo-play or with one other hero, patrol Gotham’s five distinct boroughs and drop in on criminal activity wherever you find it.”

Characters on tap so far include the Red Hood, Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing. As if the reveal at the DCFandome didn’t underscore how much of a love letter this is to fans, the gameplay and differentiation between the characters – as well as the huge cast of enemies on tap – should erase any remaining doubts.

But the game won’t just include classic characters but also nods to more recent developments in the DC Universe, such as the Court of Owls enemy that Batman has faced off against beginning in 2011. Variety reports that each character will have their own unique combat style and weaponry that will hearken back to the characters as depicted in the Batman serials.

Best of all is that no one will have to wait for very long to get their hands on this game and try it out for themselves. Slated for release in 2021, Gotham Knights will be on next-gen consoles, naturally, but will also make an appearance on current-gen systems. There will be an online element with multiplayer cooperative being a big deal. In fact, players will be able to star as the same character (an earlier fan concern) though we don’t know if they will be distinguishable by gear load-outs or what. Given that this game does aim to have RPG mechanics as a big selling point, we would imagine that gear is a big deal in the course of the game but that’s just our own speculation. 

What do you think? Does Gotham Knights sound like something you would be interested in buying? Are you a fan of the Arkham games? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below if you like.

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