Batman: Arkham Shadow - 5 Details We Found In the New Trailer
What new elements does Arkham Shadow introduce to the Arkham series in terms of gameplay or narrative?
Arkham Shadow introduces several new elements to the Arkham series, both in terms of gameplay and narrative. On the gameplay side, the most significant change is that Arkham Shadow is a virtual reality (VR) game, designed exclusively for the Meta Quest 3 platform. This marks a major departure from the traditional third-person action of previous Arkham games, instead placing players directly in Batman's cowl for a more immersive experience.
In terms of narrative, Arkham Shadow is set between the events of Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum, making it a prequel to the main Arkham trilogy. This allows the game to explore the earlier years of Batman's career and delve into the origins of iconic villains like Harley Quinn and Scarecrow. The game's main antagonist is the Rat King, a cult leader who has rallied a large following of disillusioned Gotham citizens and seeks to bring the city to its knees.
Arkham Shadow also features a more extensive and fleshed-out VR experience compared to the previous VR entry in the series, Batman: Arkham VR. The new game promises a fully realized Arkham game in VR, with core elements such as exploration, combat, investigations, and cinematics. Players can expect a more challenging and engaging experience, with a deeper focus on Batman's detective skills and interactions with the environment.
Who is the Rat King, and how does this character differ from the traditional Ratcatcher seen in DC Comics?
The Rat King is a character appearing in most TMNT incarnations, an enigmatic character whose origins are usually either unknown or arcane6. His relationship with the Turtles is quite complicated; he has appeared in his various incarnations as an enemy, anti-hero, and also as an ally of the Ninja Turtles6. In the context of Batman: Arkham Shadow, the Rat King appears to be the Arkham-verse's take on Ratcatcher. In the core DC Universe comics, Ratcatcher is a villain named Otis Flannegan who once worked as an actual rat-catcher for Gotham City3. After being imprisoned for murder, Flannegan develops a costumed persona and harnesses his talent for luring and controlling rats to punish the men responsible for his arrest.
In Batman: Arkham Shadow, Rat King has been given a major overhaul. This version of the villain is unique in that he's acquired a large cult following. Many Gothamites seem to identify as rats and respond to Rat King's call to burn Gotham to its foundations. Based on all the graffiti seen in the trailer and the symbolism of rats fleeing a sinking ship, it seems many disillusioned Gothamites are taken in by Rat King's vision of a better world. The Rat King in this version has a more malnourished and corpse-like appearance, wearing a plague doctor-inspired costume of a black cloak and a wide-brimmed hat.
How does Batman: Arkham Shadow fit into the larger Arkham-verse timeline?
Batman: Arkham Shadow fits into the larger Arkham-verse timeline as a prequel to 2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum. The game is set between the events of 2013's Batman: Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum. This is a younger Batman than the one seen in the main Arkham trilogy but more seasoned than the relative rookie hero we saw in Arkham Origins. Arkham Shadow is confirmed to be part of the Arkham-verse, with clues such as the absence of the Bat Sign before Origins and hints about Harvey Dent and Harleen Quinzel's origins6. The game is being developed by Camouflaj Games in partnership with Warner Brothers Interactive and will be available exclusively on the Meta Quest 3 platform4.