One featureGotham Knightshas over other action-adventure superhero games is fluidity between multiple playable protagonists.WB Games Montreal prioritizes the player’s experience inGotham Knights, allowing fans to swap between Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and Red Hood at the Belfry, seemingly whenever they want. Moreover, they can play as any combination of these characters in online, two-player co-op. But ifGotham Knightswants to expand on its base game’s story and characters, WB Games Montreal could consider standalone spin-offs.
This could entail a more concise experience with individual characters as the sole protagonist. In doing so, fans would become more acquainted withGotham Knights’ titular characters, and whichever protagonist is chosen to feature could be elaborated upon greatly. There would be obvious downsides to making standalone stories, including the fact that one ofGotham Knights’ main appeals is its multiple protagonists, but if it does get spin-offs they should follow the same formula asMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
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Gotham Knights Spin-offs Could Make Batman Playable
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ playtimedepends on how many optional activities the player engages with, but its main narrative can be completed in several hours. This may sound short to some fans, but it is a concise experience with refined mechanics that plays uniquely different fromMarvel’s Spider-Man. Miles is given his own storyline after the events ofMarvel’s Spider-Man,and comes into his own as a new wall-crawler. Rhino is even reprised to great effect, becoming a more interesting villain.
IfGotham Knightsfollowed this template for one or more spin-offs, WB Games Montreal could flesh out its original IP with deeper worldbuilding. Considering the fact thatBruce Wayne is supposedly dead inGotham Knights, fans would likely be excited to see him appear in a prequel narrative.
Batman could then be playable, or perhaps serve as a playable companion in two-player co-op or as an NPC to fight alongside. This would allow for fans to enjoy Batman without the character disrupting the Bat Family’s moment in the spotlight, which they are supposed to be relishing inGotham Knights.
AGotham Knightsspin-offcould also realistically feature any one of its playable protagonists. Seeing more of their early crime-fighting days would be incredible, for instance reliving Jason’s origins as Robin through to his death and rebirth as Red Hood.
Gotham Knights Needs to Avoid DLC Like Arkham Episodes
One thing is certain about post-launch content inGotham Knights: the formula for DLC packs inBatman: Arkham Knightshould be avoided.Batman: Arkham Knight’s The Season of Infamyis superb and offers closure on influential Arkhamverse villains, but besides Batgirl’s A Matter of Family DLC, its Arkham Episodes are woefully abrupt. Arkham Episodes are supplementary story packs that feature Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, Red Hood, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn in their own mini-narratives.
Almost all Arkham Episodes last about 10 minutes and can be underwhelming, which begs the question of why they were not simply added as AR Challenges. Batgirl’s is more substantial as a nearly hour-long prequel story where she and Robin search Seagate Amusement Park for Jim Gordon, who is held hostage by the Joker and Harley Quinn. Of course, the option to make spin-offs instead of simple DLC packs is a much larger investment that WB Games Montreal may not want to risk.
Standalone spin-offs could also alienate players who may not have enjoyed one character over another. If fans do not end up caring to play Red Hood inGotham Knights, for example, they will hardly be inclined to play a full-fledged title featuring him. Still,Gotham Knights’ Bat Family deserves a more substantial experience than just one game can provide.
Gotham Knightsis scheduled to release on June 28, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
