Gotham Knights has a great premise for a co-op action-adventure through Gotham City - Batman's dead and it's up to the extended Batfamily to pick up the crime-fighting mantle. But it doesn't take long for the misguided live-service style RPG design, bland repetition, clunky combat, and poor performance, to make you yearn for an actual Arkham series co-op spin-off.

A snippet.

As a setup for a co-op-filled crime-fighting adventure into the rain, neon, steam, and smoke-filled streets of Gotham at night - it’s pretty easy to be swept up in the premise of Gotham Knights. Take your pick of the four aforementioned proteges listed above, team up with another player, and take-down syndicates and streetcorner thugs using combat inspired by the popular Batman Arkham series of games.

Structurally, Gotham Knights is sound - with no more Batcave, the Belfry serves as the operations hub to visit before and after each night venturing into the open-world Gotham. Here you’ll meet familiar faces or take on main missions and various side missions that evolve, progress, and change over time.

It’s a shame then, that Gotham Knights is aggressively mediocre and outright bad in just about every way imaginable. From the clunky, slow, and button-mash combat that feels more like a Ninja Turtles arcade game (and a bad one at that) than an extension of the Arkham series, to the grapple-filled traversal that is imprecise and unpredictable. Being able to glide or even fast-travel to different districts doesn’t unlock for several hours and requires completing repetitive tasks so that you can move about in a way that isn’t annoying-grapple-only or on a slow-as-hell but cool-looking cycle.

Our Full Gotham Knights Review

Gotham Knights is out this week - October 21 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S - and ahead of the launch we got confirmation that on console the game is locked to 30fps. Seems that console gamers on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have gotten used to the addition of performance modes and a smoother 60fps presentation, so there's been some backlash to the revelation.

Naturally the home of that has been social media.

WB Games Montreal has confirmed that Gotham Knights on consoles will run at 30 FPS with no performance/quality mode option pic.twitter.com/blAiNAFwoc

— Wario64 (@Wario64) October 15, 2022

The announcement came via the Gotham Knights Discord server (as per above), with executive producer Fleur Marty writing, "Due to the types of features we have in our game, like providing a fully untethered co-op experience in our highly detailed open world, it's not as straightforward as lowering the resolution and getting a higher frame rate."

And so the game on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S will run at 30fps.

Console titles, especially cinematic open world action games, have a long history of targeting 30fps. So it's a little strange that Gotham Knights running at 30fps is causing such a stir - especially when the Batman Arkham titles have all been 30fps experiences. Being an open-world and co-op is definitely not an easy thing to pull off, and in practice 30fps is fine if controls are responsive. That said, on PC Gotham Knights will support 60fps with the lowest GPU configuration being the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.

The news arrived following confirmation that a four-player co-op experience called Heroic Gauntlet is coming post-launch.

Gotham has thrown down a new gauntlet. Heroic Assault, the free 4-player co-op experience, is coming to #GothamKnights November 29, 2022. Learn more at https://t.co/cDNfcheGrw pic.twitter.com/v3tU7DQvPh

— Gotham Knights (@GothamKnights) October 14, 2022

A fresh cinematic trailer for Gotham Knights has been dropped, and isn't to be confused with this trailer from over the weekend. In it we get a glimpse at some of the psychology of Batman's sidekicks, which to be fair if you're at all involved in his altruistic crusade, you're never gonna be quite right, and gives a hint at the depth of writing we might potentially come across in the forthcoming release.

Told from the perspective of Alfred Pennyworth, the video looks at the inner reflection that Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin all go through as each Knight rises to the challenge of protecting an increasingly vulnerable Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death. The trailer also provides a glimpse of the mysterious Court of Owls and the growing threat it poses.

This studio was responsible for the less well received Batman: Arkham Origins, though the story in that game was really very good, and a lot of time has passed since Rocksteady hung up Batman's boots and left the Arkham universe to take on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, so there's a gap here alongside an itch we all wouldn't mind having filled and itched, in equal measure. Here's hoping it can live up to expectation.

No pressure, sidekicks.

In case you've missed anything regarding Gotham Knights, the action-RPG set in a Batman universe where The Wolrd's Greatest Detective has died, well, I've just given you the setup. The rest follows his various protiges and allegiences coming together to solve the mystery of his fate and features the newest (yet oldest) crime house in all of Gotham, The Court of Owls, among many others.

Anyway, here's a new trailer for it.

Gotham Knights features the Batman Family as players step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin, a new guard of trained DC Super Heroes who must rise up as the protectors of Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death. From solving mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in the city’s history to defeating notorious villains in epic confrontations, players will confront an array of challenges as they evolve into their own version of the Dark Knight.

As HUGE Batman fans here we're beyond (heh) excited to see how this fares in the grand scheme of Batman games. Stay tuned as we close in on the game's release, which isn't far away at all.

Gotham Knights launches for next-gen consoles this October 21.

Gotham Knights is the new open-world not-Batman co-op action-RPG where players take on the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin - and it's out October 21, 2022 for PC and Consoles. Ahead of its launch Warner Bros. Games and DC have released a PC-specific trailer highlighting that version's features.

Although hardware requirements weren't revealed, the game is getting proper PC love in the form of high-quality 4K visuals, "ultra-high" frame rate options (which we assume means uncapped), ray-traced reflections, and NVIDIA DLSS 2, AMD FSR 2, and Intel XeSuper Sampling (XeSS) to boost performance.

Gotham Knights features the Batman Family as players step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin, a new guard of trained DC Super Heroes who must rise up as the protectors of Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death. From solving mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in the city’s history to defeating notorious villains in epic confrontations, players will confront an array of challenges as they evolve into their own version of the Dark Knight.

Gotham City is yours to explore and protect. See the city in all its glory on PC as you traverse from the streets to the rooftops stopping criminal factions and solving Gotham’s best kept secrets. The Knight is yours and Gotham’s safety is in your hands.

As per above ultra-wide and multi-monitor support is also coming, with Warner Bros. Games promising expansive customisation options. And for those that pre-order there's a special 233 Kustom Batcycle Skin available at launch.

It's not that we're not interested in Gotham Knights, the premise and gameplay switch-up is definitely intriguing. It's more that its shoes it's yet to fill are Rocksteady-sized and therefore achingly formidable. But today's new "Villains" trailer for the game, which aired as part of Gamescom Opening Night Live, has given us arguably our best look at proceedings yet, raising our awareness levels to new and excitable heights.



And you have to feel for writes of any Batman experience, what with a Rogues Gallery for the ages to pick and choose from.

It's interesting then that we're dancing yet again with the likes of Harley Quinn, Clayface and Mr. Freeze as some of the big bads in Gotham Knights, though it's still the Court of Owls we're most interested in. And who knows who else might pop up in the game proper.

Here's a dossier we nabbed from GCPD on the perps at large:

Gotham Knights features the Batman Family as players step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin, a new guard of trained DC Super Heroes who must rise up as the protectors of Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death. From solving mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in the city’s history to defeating notorious villains in epic confrontations, players will confront an array of challenges as they evolve into their own version of the Dark Knight.

The game has also come forward to October 21st in terms of its release date, and will arrive for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Stay tuned for more as we close in on that date.

Gotham Knights is shaping up to be... something. On the one hand, the game centres around the death of Batman at the hands of the Court of Owls, in a storyline pulled from some of the best modern Batman comic book arcs, but on the other it's also looking like it could be too much of a mixed bag of gameplay ideas not always gelling together.

And tonally, if the music in today's character spotlight is anything to go... let's just say we're a bit concerned.


As huge fans of the Batman Arkham games (and being expert in that combat system), we're obviously hoping this just wows and floors us and we happily eat our Cobblepot top hats, but we're coming into the whole thing cautiously optimistic. Especially as this studio's Arkham effort, Batman: Arkham Origins, didn't quite soar to the heights it could have.

Here's some official word in relation to today's trailer:

As an expert with his collapsible quarterstaff and a specialist in stealth techniques, psychological warfare and deductive reasoning, Robin is a force to be reckoned with. Using teleportation technology from the Justice League satellite, Robin can zap himself across the battlefield, utilising speed and surprise to his advantage in a fight. What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in natural intelligence, with detective skills that are on par with, if not even better than, Batman himself. Robin deeply believes that Gotham City needs a Batman and aspires to one day take up the mantle himself. And when the time comes, he will be ready.

And in case you missed it, here's a spot light on Nightwing which gives us an equally mixed vibe on everything. (Really can't stress enough though how much we want this to be awesome.)


Gotham Knights is scheduled to launch on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S this October 25. Stay tuned as we close in on that date with more info and new content.

WB Games Montreal has let loose a lengthy gameplay video highlighting just some of the experience to be had with its upcoming action-RPG hybrid, Gotham Knights. Set within a Gotham City facing an increase in lawlessness following the apparent deaths of both Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon, Gotham Knights allows players to play through the experience as any one of Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl or Robin, either in single-player or co-op.



Gotham Knights was always going to be up against it. The benchmark set by Rocksteady and the Batman: Arkham series is ludicrously high as it is for action games on the whole, but to sidle up alongside it as another DC entity set within that world (or similar) but not starring Batman or being helmed by Rocksteady (especially after the mixed affair that was Batman: Arkham Origins by the very same team handling this), has meant the word caution has been bandied about a bit.

In the video above we get a glimpse mostly at the game's Arkham-like combat, which does look tighter than what we experienced in Origins, but whoever was demoing Red Hood really needs to work on their timing. The rest doesn't give us a lot and we really need more info on just how open the world is, how dynamic it and character progression is, and just what the makeup of each character looks like in a regular playthrough.

There's a lot to like here, though: a gritty Gotham to explore, four main characters not being hand held by The Dark Knight, and each offering unique playstyles and stories. But best of all is the game follows the exploits of The Court of Owls from the Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Batman run of comics -- a secretive organisation as old as Gotham itself who managed to operate under the nose of even The World's Greatest Detective for years before he stumbled across them.

The Court of Owls is perhaps the best Gotham crime 'reset' in decades and almost makes purchase of Gotham Knights mandatory for its inclusion as the game's big bad.

Still, more questions on the whole thing stand, especially as comic book nerds and Batman: Arkham experts here. But we're on the case, so stay tuned...

So many of Batman's rogues gallery participants are from ancient Bat tomes going back more than 80 years. But as with anything with that amount of longevity, we're also going to come across new entries among the old. Which is where we find ourselves with Gotham's secret crime organisation, the Court of Owls. A relatively new mob, in the long running pantheon, but one written to have existed pretty much first. And now the Court of Owls has injected itself in to Warner Bros Montreal's forthcoming Gotham Knights.

Over the weekend this was more solidly confirmed by way of a new story trailer that largely forgoes any gameplay in the face of showcasing that, firstly, this isn't in the same game-universe as Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham series and, secondly, this organisation (as created by modern Batman masters, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo) is creepy, cool and downright intimidating. Enough that even the Penguin is afraid of them.

Check out the new story trailer embedded below. Gotham Knights, like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is slated for 2022.

Announced last year, Gotham Knights is a new Batman-verse title from Warner Bros. Games Montréal that presents an original story (in that it's not directly connected to the Arkham series) in Gotham with a focus on co-op action-RPG mechanics. With the playable characters revealed as Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin -- it's gameplay debut looked promising. But, it looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer before we can play it.

As per the following Tweet the team behind the game needs "more time to deliver the best possible experience for players". On the plus side it does look like we'll be seeing more of in action in the coming months.

pic.twitter.com/O1U4T0gK3u

— Gotham Knights (@GothamKnights) March 19, 2021

Controversially the story of Gotham Knights revolves around the apparent death of Batman -- which is definitely pretty huge. As per the description.

Gotham Knights is a brand-new open world, third-person action RPG featuring the Batman Family as players step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin, a new guard of trained DC Super Heroes who must rise up as the protectors of Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death. An expansive, criminal underworld has swept through the streets of Gotham, and it is now up to these new heroes to protect the city, bring hope to its citizens, discipline to its cops and fear to its criminals. Players must save Gotham from descent into chaos and reinvent themselves into their own version of the Dark Knight.

And here's the gameplay walk-through from last year's reveal.

Revealed last weekend, Gotham Knights is a new bat-verse co-op action-RPG where Batman is dead and you take control of Bat Girl, Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood to take down Gotham's worst. In addition to that gameplay debut, interviews with the developers at WB Monreal are now giving us some more insight into what style of game it will be.

With friends-of-the-site Press Start Australia getting the goods. First up the game will be entirely playable in single-player and two-player co-op setup was chosen to focus on the classic 'dynamic duo' setup of the greater Batman universe.

Also, Batman is apparently legit dead in this non-Arkhamverse adventure.

"He’s dead, our only playable characters are Bat Girl, Robin, Nightwing and Red Hood," Fleur Marty, Senior Producer at WB Montreal told Press Start. Fleur also expanded on the game's action-RPG elements noting that it isn't designed as a "games as a service" style experience, story comes first and the RPG mechanics relate to skill trees and crafting gear upgrades. Which sounds a lot more like the Arkham series than say, Destiny.

As per the headline you can disable damage numbers, and play through the entire game as one of the four characters on offer. The open-world is also described as "a living, breathing, Gotham City" with citizens and the option to explore and go anywhere.

Head here for the full interview.

The game's official description doesn't pull any punches, with players put in the shiny shoes and even shinier spandex of "a new guard of trained DC Super Heroes who must rise up as the protectors of Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death". Yeah, 'ol Bats has dead apparently carked it so it's up to Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin to take on Gotham's worst of the worst.

A setting that the following cinematic sets up nicely. Turns out the Batcave is no more too, so our new heroes will need to use the Belfry as their base of operations.

Gotham Knights offers a dynamic and interactive Gotham City where an exploding criminal element has swept through the streets. With the Belfry as their base of operations, this new era of heroes will solve mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in the city’s history and must defeat notorious villains in epic confrontations. Players must save Gotham from a descent into chaos and reinvent themselves into their own version of the Dark Knight.

With four heroes to choose from, here's a breakdown of the Gotham Knights.

Batgirl, also known as Barbara Gordon, is a determined fighter and a skilled hacker. As the daughter of deceased Gotham commissioner, Jim Gordon, she had helped Batman as Oracle in the past. Now, after years of recovery and preparation, she is ready to step into her new role, wielding her melee tonfa, and harnessing her training in kickboxing, capoeira and jiu-jitsu.

Nightwing is Dick Grayson, the first Robin, who was Batman’s protégé before becoming a hero in his own right. He’s a natural leader and the eldest and wisest member of the Batman Family. Nightwing’s mastery in acrobatics is complemented by his expertise use of his signature dual Escrima Sticks, making him proficient at taking out enemies.

Red Hood, formerly known as Jason Todd, is an intense and volatile anti-hero, which stems from his death and forced resurrection by one of Batman’s most dangerous foes. Red Hood has trouble keeping his temper in check but will not hesitate to step into the line of fire when a friend is threatened. His training has given him peak human strength and proficiency in multiple combat techniques with all manner of weapons – both traditional and high-tech.

Robin is Tim Drake, the young prodigy and genius of the team, who is a master of deductive reasoning. As a true believer in Batman’s mission, he is motivated by the conviction that Gotham City needs protecting and hopes to be the type of hero Batman personified. An expert fighter armed with his collapsible quarterstaff and skilled in a variety of stealth techniques, Robin also possesses a background in combined psychological warfare and behavioral sciences.

For more on Gotham Knights be sure to check out the very cool gameplay debut that showcases Batgirl and Robin take on Mr. Freeze. Gotham Knights will be out sometime in 2021 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC.

As an original story (and something not connected to the Batman: Arkham series), Gotham Knights presents a new Gotham where Batman is seemingly dead (or missing). So, it's up to Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin to step up to the plate... and protect Gotham from its rogues gallery of super-villains like Mr. Freeze.

With the "open-world third-person action RPG" due for release sometime next year -- 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X -- we've also got the following 4K gameplay walk-through. Which shows Batgirl and Robin team-up to take on Mr. Freeze.

Gotham Knights is a brand-new open world, third-person action RPG featuring the Batman Family as players step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin, a new guard of trained DC Super Heroes who must rise up as the protectors of Gotham City in the wake of Batman’s death. An expansive, criminal underworld has swept through the streets of Gotham, and it is now up to these new heroes to protect the city, bring hope to its citizens, discipline to its cops and fear to its criminals. Players must save Gotham from descent into chaos and reinvent themselves into their own version of the Dark Knight.

Play as a New Guard of DC Super Heroes – Step into the roles of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin and shape Gotham’s newest protector to create your own version of the Dark Knight.

Action-Packed, Original Story Set in DC’s Batman Universe – With the Belfry as their base of operations, this new era of heroes will solve mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in Gotham’s history – from its soaring towers to its underground criminal network. Embark on rich storylines, including face-offs against some of the most infamous DC Super-Villains, such as Mr. Freeze, who is set on engulfing Gotham City in ice.

Explore and Fight Crime in an Open-World Gotham City – Patrol the dark streets of five distinct boroughs in a dynamic, interactive Gotham using a variety of traversal abilities and heroic combat moves, as well as the iconic Batcycle. From street-level crimefighting to face-offs with iconic DC Super-Villains, save the city from descent into chaos.

Unique Character Abilities and Customization – Each hero has unique abilities, gear, weapons and a customizable suit. Batgirl wields her melee tonfa; Nightwing uses his signature dual Escrima Sticks; Red Hood has trained to reach peak human strength; and Robin is expertly skilled with his collapsible quarter staff.

Team Up in Two-Player, Online Co-Op – Play Gotham Knights solo or team up with a friend and combine strengths to protect Gotham City in two-player, online co-op.

“The team is thrilled to announce Gotham Knights and share our work in bringing a different story of the DC Super Heroes to the forefront,” said Patrick Redding, Creative Director, Warner Bros. Games Montréal. “We’re looking forward to fans playing and enjoying a lot of action as this new guard of strong DC Super Heroes in Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin, while solving an original mystery set against a living, breathing Gotham City.”

It certainly looks impressive from a visual and art direction standpoint, and the combat has a very Arkham feel which is more than welcome. Warner Bros. Games Montréal's last title Batman: Arkham Origins came out back in 2013, so this is also the long-awaited return for the studio.