Things Batman: Arkham Shadow Does Better Than Other Arkham Games

In the long line of Batman: Arkham games, Batman: Arkham Shadow continues to bring the Caped Crusader's world to life, but in Meta Quest 3. The VR experience brings a lot of new to the franchise, with immersive gameplay and storytelling, but it also takes elements from past games.

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From storytelling beats to video game mechanics, Arkham Shadow has surprised longtime fans with how impressive it is for a VR game. Virtual reality has advanced so much in such a short time since it became a mainstream format, as shown by Arkham Shadow managing to do some things better than in past games.

6 The Most Focused Main Story

It Doesn't Have To Juggle Multiple Plots And Subplots

• Batman: Arkham Shadow is the second mainline game not developed by Rocksteady Studios.

A benefit of the VR direction is that there is no open world to explore, just open-ended levels such as Blackgate Prison and other locations in Gotham City. There are side objectives, but they are mainly for collectibles and none of them are Riddler-based. As a result, Batman: Arkham Shadow has the most streamlined story, which is not to its detriment.

There isn't a plethora of villains for Batman to fight, and the focus is more on Batman being undercover at Blackgate as Matches Malone and the investigations he conducts. In a way, it is deceptively simple because the Arkham Shadow story provides a strong narrative with memorable sequences, performances, and even twists that some fans may not expect.

5 Detective Work

More Thought Is Put Into Solving Crime Scenes

• Detective Mode has been a staple of the game since Batman: Arkham Asylum.

As in previous games, there are sequences where Batman must collect evidence to solve a crime. Detective crime-solving is an important part of Batman's skillet, but Batman: Arkham Shadow tests the players' cognitive skills as well, by having them deduce who is the culprit behind an act of violence or where the Rat cult will strike next.

In previous games, Batman would simply solve everything himself thanks to his fancy AR technology. Batman: Arkham Shadow expanded upon it, making the player feel even more like Batman. Sometimes, even the smallest additions can do wonders to a sequel or prequel.

4 Continuity Is Important

It Manages To Connect To Nearly Every Arkhamverse Game

• Batman: Arkham is the longest-running superhero game franchise ever made.

Whether it is how Gotham City looks or ties into events of other Arkham games, continuity is an important aspect. Other games often struggled with this, as tones, characters, and aesthetics would shift drastically between games, but Arkham Shadow does a better job of feeling like a sequel to Arkham Origins while bridging the way to things that happen in Arkham Asylum and Arkham Knight.

When the Arkhamverse timeline is as massive as it is, it would be easy to accidentally retcon or meddle with it, but Arkham Shadow maintains what came before while still expanding upon said timeline. It even manages to have events and details that connect to Batman: Arkham VR and Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League.

3 Bruce Wayne's Side Of Things

Batman's Alter Ego Gets More Fleshed Out

• Flashbacks to Thomas and Martha Wayne's deaths have been featured in every Arkham game.

Batman: Arkham Shadow focuses on Bruce Wayne as he struggles with his morality, psyche, and sense of justice during a dark time as he goes undercover at Blackgate Prison rather than fighting his iconic villains. While the death of his parents is showcased yet again, Bruce Wayne's flashbacks focus more on his childhood afterward.

Bruce lived with Leslie Thompkins as a surrogate mother for Harvey Dent, another child struggling with trauma. Their family dynamic is important as Bruce goes through thoughts of breaking his no-killing rule, but overcomes his inner demons, making the climax such an impactful event for Batman and Bruce Wayne, with Roger Craig Smith again proving to be a strong actor in the role.

2 Two-Face Is At His Best

Harvey Is Finally Given The Chance To Shine

• Two-Face's actor Troy Baker has also voiced The Joker, Robin, and the Arkham Knight in the Arkhamverse.

Harvey Dent plays a big part in the Batman: Arkham Shadow story as gamers finally witness how he transforms from Batman's greatest friend to the crime lord known as Two-Face. One of the best new additions to the lore of the Arkhamverse is that Harvey was abused by his father, who also struggled with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

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By  Melody MacReady

Two-Face was always part of the Arkham games, but he was relegated to being a side quest for Batman to fight. In Arkham Shadow, however, Harvey is a major part of the story from beginning to end, with Troy Baker flexing his skills as an actor just as he did with the character before to showcase how tragic the character is.

1 The Best VR Batman Controls

Meta Quest 3 Makes The Player Feel Like Batman

• Camouflaj also developed Iron Man VR, another superhero adventure in VR form.

Where Batman: Arkham VR first brought The Dark Knight to the realm of virtual reality, Batman: Arkham Shadow took that idea and expanded upon it. Not only does it feature over six hours of content, but it's more than walking around as Batman, with more advanced technology allowing for proper combat that is adapted to VR controls while still feeling similar to past games.

Batman can still freely roam the levels he finds himself in, has detective mode, the gadgets that most fans expect, and features stealth gameplay. It all helps with the immersion, helping gamers truly feel like a young Batman stuck in Blackgate Prison.