Should You Play Asylum and City Before Knight?
As a fan of the Batman: Arkham series, you might be wondering what order you should play the games to get the most out of the story and gameplay. In this article, we’ll discuss whether you should play Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City before playing Batman: Arkham Knight.
Should I Play Asylum First?
While it’s technically possible to play Arkham Knight without playing the previous two games, it’s highly recommended that you start with Asylum and then play City. Here’s why:
- Story: Arkham Asylum sets the tone for the entire series and introduces the world of Arkham Asylum and the Joker’s plan. Understanding the backstory of the series will enhance your experience playing Arkham City and Knight.
- Gameplay: Asylum and City have different gameplay mechanics compared to Knight. Playing Asylum first will allow you to adjust to the game’s controls and stealth gameplay mechanics before moving on to City‘s more fast-paced and open-world gameplay.
Key Points to Consider:
• Context: Asylum takes place in a self-contained, self-sufficient asylum with no external threats, whereas City takes place in an open-world metropolis with multiple storylines and a larger cast of characters. Understanding the tone and setting of Asylum will help you appreciate the larger scale and more complex story of City.
• Protagonist: Arkham Knight takes place 8-9 years after the events of City and features a different storyline with Bruce Wayne/Batman at its center. Playing the previous two games will give you a deeper understanding of Bruce’s personality, motivations, and backstory, making his character in Knight more relatable and immersive.
Gameplay Mechanics and Pacing:
• Asylum: More focused, linear level design, with a greater emphasis on stealth and detective work.
• City: Open-world, larger scale, with multiple districts to explore and a greater emphasis on action and combat.
• Knight: A blend of linear and open-world design, with a focus on high-tech gadgets and a greater emphasis on Batmobile combat.
Additional Points to Consider:
- Spoiler alert: Playing Asylum first will spoil some plot elements, but it will also make Knight‘s storyline more enjoyable and coherent.
- Emotional resonance: The events of Asylum and City are significant and have an emotional impact on the character and the world of Arkham. Missing out on these experiences will reduce the emotional resonance and attachment to the characters in Knight.
Table: Comparing the Games
| Asylum | City | Knight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting | Asylum | City | Metropolis |
| Protagonist | Batman | Batman | Bruce Wayne/Batman |
| Gameplay style | Stealth/detective work | Action/ combat | Stealth/ combat/ exploration |
| Storyline | Single-focused story | Multiple storylines | Continuation of the series |
Conclusion:
Playing Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City before playing Batman: Arkham Knight is recommended to get the most out of the series’ story, gameplay, and characters. Understanding the context, tone, and backstory of the series will enhance your experience playing Knight, making the story more coherent and the characters more relatable.
Additional Tips:
• If you’re new to the series, consider playing the games in the recommended order: Asylum, City, and then Knight.
• If you’re short on time or don’t have the resources to play all three games, start with Asylum, then watch a summary of City’s story, and finally play Knight.
Remember to take your time and enjoy the series!