Batman is easily one of the most iconic and popular superheroes ever, but many fans feel that almost a decade without a proper game based on the character is far too long, after Rocksteady’s acclaimed trilogy ended.
To truly capture the essence of the Dark Knight and make a new type of Batman game, maybe a new studio is best suited to give it a shot. It would take a developer with a unique vision and the ability to bring Gotham City to life in a way that’s both immersive and innovative, and here are five studios that could give the character the game he truly deserves.
Naughty Dog
Naughty Dog has a reputation for delivering deeply emotional and narrative-driven experiences. Their ability to craft complex characters and extremely compelling stories could bring a new dimension to Batman.
With the studio’s attention to detail, and the sheer talent of its developers and artists who have made some of the best-looking games for each of the console generations, they could delve deeper into Bruce Wayne’s psyche and relationships, making players feel the weight of Bruce Wayne’s dual life.
This is something Rocksteady didn’t focus quite as much on, and there are definitely a lot of possibilities to explore this side of the Caped Crusader.
Eidos Montreal
Eidos Montreal knows a lot about immersion thanks to their two immersive-sim Deus Ex games, and the worlds in both of these games are filled with atmosphere, personality, and interesting characters. They could bring this design philosophy over to Gotham, and make it feel more immersive and interactable than ever.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy also showed that they can create atmospheric and detailed environments based on iconic comic book locations and characters. Their expertise in building intricate worlds could make a Batman game feel more alive and lived-in.
The studio’s experience with strong narratives and great character development, as shown in their latest game, would help the Dark Knight’s allies and rogues gallery feel like real people.
Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games are the masters of creating expansive open worlds that feel lived-in and dynamic, with great stories and characters. A Batman game by the studio would likely feature a sprawling, detailed Gotham City filled with great side content, and a living ecosystem.
Their talent for weaving multiple storylines together and creating complex, morally ambiguous characters could also make for a rich narrative experience, especially given the character’s lore.
Navigating the criminal underworld of Gotham with the same freedom and attention to detail found in Rockstar’s other titles could make for an experience that would even surpass Arkham City.
Arkane Studios
Arkane Studios, another studio known for their immersive-sim games such as Dishonored, are also known for their innovative gameplay mechanics that encourage player creativity, exploration, and freedom, They could bring a fresh approach to the character’s combat and stealth, giving players a variety of tools and abilities to use in unique ways.
The studio’s skill in designing interconnected environments with multiple ways of approach could also translate well to a Batman game, where players could navigate Gotham’s rooftops, alleys, and underground passages in deeper, more personal ways. They’re also working on the upcoming Marvel’s Blade, so they also have some superhero game experience already.
Raven Software
Raven Software used to make great single-player games from 1992 onwards until they were swallowed up by Activision and have been relegated to a Call of Duty and Warzone support studio for almost 15 years now. Before that, they have made some solid single-player games such as Wolfenstein, Singularity, and two games in the Star Wars: Jedi Knight series.
They also made one of the first truly good superhero games, just a few months before Arkham Asylum. X-Men Origins: Wolverine was a game based on the mediocre movie of the same name that ended up being drastically better than it.
Recently, they have been given the chance to make single-player games again in the form of campaigns for both Black Ops: Cold War and Black Ops 6, and if given a proper chance, could definitely make another great superhero game.
Which studio would you have added to this list? Let us know in the comments.
