Warning: Spoilers ahead for Batman Gotham Knights.There’s a good chance thatGotham Knightshas spelled the end for one specific trope in regards toBatmangames. Even though he was not the star of the game, Bruce Wayne was a major figure inGotham Knights' story, with the backstory to the game heavily hinging on him. With Bruce not physically in the spotlight, the game takes a more unique approach with him, primarily making his appearance felt through his apprentices and their actions throughout the game. However, at least one of the game’s tricks probably won’t be returning in Batman’s next gaming appearance, and that is Wayne’s resurrection.
It was quickly established thatBatman’s death inGotham Knightswas going to be one of the main focal points of the story. Bruce Wayne dying mysteriously ends up being the catalyst for Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood to come together and defend Gotham City in his stead. It’s undeniably an interesting premise for a video game. After all, Batman often seems to be the only thing keeping Gotham from descending into other chaos, so seeing how the city would survive after his death is worth exploring. Following the events ofGotham Knights, it’s worth wondering if the story has any ground left to cover.
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Gotham Knights' Bruce Wayne Twist Probably Can’t Happen Again
Even though there isno playable Batman inGotham Knights, it’s hard to deny how important he is. Each of the four protagonists was personally trained by him, and spent at least some time as his sidekick in fighting crime. His supposed death weighs on all of them in different ways. Even Alfred is suffering, since Bruce was practically a son to him. It makes for an interesting dynamic, and arguably does more to show the hole that Bruce’s departure left than the lawless state of Gotham does. For all ofGotham Knights' faults, Batman’s death is a solid idea to base a game around.
In a twist, not only is Bruce alive, butGotham Knightshas a Bruce Wayne boss fightat the climax of the story. As it turns out, the League of Shadows recovered Bruce’s body after his death and revived him in order to use him as a weapon for their own ends. Luckily, the heroes are able to defeat him and bring Bruce back to his normal personality. However, the reunion is short-lived, as Bruce ends up sacrificing himself to prevent the League from using the Lazarus Pit under the Batcave again. Losing Bruce a second time is devastating, but hopefully gives the Bat Family closure.
There is one element that future games will probably not be able to take fromGotham Knights' solid incarnation of Batman, and that’s its big twist. It’s highly unlikely that a faked Batman death in a future game would have the same impact thatGotham Knights' revival did. After all, many have theorized that Bruce fakes his death at the end ofArkham Knight, soGotham Knights' revealing that Batman didn’t really die wasn’t all that original. Even though Bruce really did die inGotham Knights' backstory, his return was one of the game’s biggest moments, especially since his death had such an effect on all the heroes. If a future game tries a similar twist, it won’t be fresh, and the impact will be lacking. A false Batman death should be a one-and-done trope, so using that trick yet again would be a mistake.
It’s highly unlikely that a faked Batman death in a future game would have the same impact thatGotham Knights' revival did.
WhileGotham Knights' temporary revival of Bruce Wayne was a key part of its story, it’s unlikely thatfuture DC video gamescan recreate it to the same effect. It worked for the story that it was in, but it’s probably not a repeatable circumstance. Considering how touchy the subject of killing off a hero can be in the first place, fake deaths are even more dangerous to play with, as they can make a narrative feel pointless. There are still whole worlds' worth ofBatmanplots for future games to experiment with. As such, it’s time for Bruce Wayne to stop coming back from the dead.
Gotham Knights
WHERE TO PLAY
Batman is dead. A new expansive, criminal underworld has swept the streets of Gotham City. It is now up to the Batman Family - Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin - to protect Gotham, bring hope to its citizens, discipline to its cops, and fear to its criminals.From solving mysteries that connect the darkest chapters in the city’s history to defeating notorious villains in epic confrontations.Gotham Knights is an open-world, action RPG set in the most dynamic and interactive Gotham City yet. Patrol Gotham’s five distinct boroughs in solo or in co-op and drop in on criminal activity wherever you find it.Your legacy begins now. Step into the Knight.
