The caped crusader may be known as the greatest detective that the world has ever seen, but some problems can’t be solved with sheer intellect alone. Sometimes, a conundrum needs to be fixed the good old-fashioned way – with fists. And in Arkham Knight, Batman will have an expanded arsenal of attacks to try out on various henchmen.
In the E3 build of Arkham Knight, I got to try out a few of those new moves. For example, Batman’s stealth has received a new boost in the form of Fear Attacks. By remaining out of sight and in the shadows, Batman can now chain his takedowns, by immediately moving onto the next minion in range after springing a choke-hold surprise on the initial unlucky creep.
This attack can take down up to three enemies, but it won’t be available if a group of goons happen to know that you’re in the area. Combat has also been evolved in Arkham Knight. On the surface, batman still has his usual tricks. He can move around the arena with ease, clobber his way through perps and block/dodge/counter attacks with well-timed button presses.
What’s new however, is that these attacks can now be used in new ways. For instance, using the bat-claw to grapple an enemy would usually lead to a stiff clothesline from the dark knight, but he can now carry on with that attack with another well-timed button press, where he’ll catch the punching bag in mid-air and slam him down for extra damage.
Counters can now also be used to knock down more enemies, as Batman can throw his opponent into a wall of oncoming repeat offenders. Alongside a few new enemy variants who possess quicker reflexes and tougher hides, Batman can now also use environmental takedowns, smashing heads in fuse-boxes and remote controlling the Batmobile to stun targets with a few rubber bullets during the heat of battle.
Can you understand yet why this game has had me grinning like a Joker victim all week? You may have been Batman in previous Arkham games, but Arkham Knight is going out of its way to make players feel like the ultimate incarnation of the dark knight.
Last Updated: June 17, 2014
Dutch Matrix
June 17, 2014 at 11:03
Now THIS got me excited. If it is better than Arkham City then yeah… I’d consider it…
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 17, 2014 at 11:04
Did you see this clip about the new Batmobile features Darryn?
The D
June 17, 2014 at 11:06
HA!
Rince&exhale
June 17, 2014 at 11:19
Good man 🙂
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 17, 2014 at 11:28
Did you watch the rest of them?
Rince&exhale
June 17, 2014 at 11:39
Nah, watched Game of Holy shitballs Batman.
Admiral Chief Cyber Commando
June 17, 2014 at 11:47
WHEATONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!
Sith JJ
June 17, 2014 at 11:51
Yea yea
Badass Eyepatch Man
June 17, 2014 at 11:08
So environmental takedowns?….Like Sleeping Dogs? I liked this combat style when it came out, with Sleeping Dogs having the best variation. Interested to see how Batman plays and hopefully he has some proper combos. Game still looks amazing
The D
June 17, 2014 at 11:23
Very much so sir. Thing is, doing those takedowns requires some skill, instead of dragging a henchmen into a box. Takedowns need to be organic like the combat system.
Rince&exhale
June 17, 2014 at 11:25
Oh awesome man. So hyped for this game!
Badass Eyepatch Man
June 17, 2014 at 11:28
That is very true. one thing that Batman did well with regards to it’s combat was that it was organic as you mentioned and flowed well, had a certain, waltz-like quality to it. So I’m pretty excited to see how it all combines with gadget attacks as well..Game is looking preeeety hype
Avithar
June 19, 2014 at 13:10
Only PS4 and Xbox One??????? say it isn’t so…