When discussing the Batman: Arkham series, most fans immediately think of Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight. These games have garnered praise for their innovative combat, immersive storytelling, and the way they capture the essence of being the Dark Knight. However, there is one game in the series that often gets left out of the conversation: Batman: Arkham Origins.
Released in 2013 and developed by WB Games Montréal instead of the usual Rocksteady team, Arkham Origins never quite received the same level of acclaim as its predecessors. Critics and fans alike often cited its technical issues and the fact that it wasn’t made by the original studio as reasons why it didn’t live up to the rest of the series. But now, looking back 11 years after its release, it’s clear that Arkham Origins deserves more recognition. While it may not have been as polished as City or as expansive as Knight, it offers a unique experience that feels refreshingly distinct.
At its core, Arkham Origins excels in storytelling. The game takes place on Christmas Eve during Batman’s early years, when Bruce Wayne is still figuring out what it means to be Gotham’s protector. Gotham City itself hasn’t yet come to fear him, and the game captures this transitional period where Bruce Wayne is more of a reckless vigilante than the seasoned hero he becomes later in the series. It’s a more personal story, and it shines because of that.
The narrative kicks off with a simple but engaging premise: Black Mask has put a bounty on Batman’s head, and eight deadly assassins, including fan-favorite Deathstroke, are out to claim it. What follows is a tightly woven story that digs deep into Batman’s psyche, exploring his trust issues (particularly with Alfred) and the challenges he faces as he transitions from a lone crusader into the legend Gotham will one day revere.
One of the most compelling aspects of the story is the introduction of a young Joker who hasn’t yet established his infamous rivalry with Batman. Their dynamic in this game feels raw and full of tension, as both characters are testing each other for the first time. Later games in the series portray the Batman-Joker relationship as more of a twisted, well-worn dance, but Arkham Origins captures the spark where it all begins. This first encounter between the two brings an unpredictability and tension that later entries, while still fantastic, can’t quite match. The tension here feels mythic, laying the groundwork for their infamous enmity in future games.
Moving on to the gameplay, the combat in Arkham Origins doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. It stays true to the free-flow combat mechanics that have become synonymous with the series. However, WB Games Montréal added their own touch, making enemies more aggressive and the combat less forgiving. This version of Batman feels raw, more of a bruiser than a refined martial artist, fitting perfectly with the idea of a younger and less experienced Dark Knight. The addition of new gadgets, like the shock gloves, adds exciting twists to the brawls, allowing for more creative ways to dispatch enemies. Plus, the crime scene investigations, a central part of the gameplay, elevate Batman’s detective skills, offering more depth than in previous titles.
But one of the standout features of Arkham Origins is its atmosphere. While Arkham City and Arkham Knight are known for their visually stunning environments, Arkham Origins offers a more subdued but equally impressive world. The cold, snow-covered streets of Gotham on Christmas Eve create an eerie, almost haunting, backdrop. The silence and emptiness of the city amplify the sense of isolation Batman feels as he patrols the dangerous streets, making the experience even more immersive. Gotham is on the brink of chaos, and that tension is ever-present in the game’s design.
Of course, Arkham Origins isn’t without its flaws. Even after all this time, technical issues like frame rate drops and occasional glitches remain a problem. The boss fights, while sometimes inventive—especially the much-praised Deathstroke battle—can also feel repetitive. Despite these drawbacks, though, the game’s unpolished nature almost complements the narrative of a younger Batman still finding his footing.
And while Arkham Origins stands on its own, it seems WB Games hasn’t entirely left it in the past. With the recent release of Batman: Arkham Shadow, a VR game set in the Arkham universe, it’s clear that Arkham Origins still has a role to play. Arkham Shadow acts as a direct sequel to Arkham Origins, continuing the storyline and bridging the gap between Origins and Asylum. The VR experience offers a new, immersive way to dive into Batman’s world, but more importantly, it revisits the world established in Origins. This feels like a sign—WB Games Montréal is teasing something bigger. Could this be a precursor to a full-fledged Arkham Origins sequel? There’s a lot of untapped potential in the story between Origins and Asylum, and Arkham Shadow hints at the possibility of exploring that in greater depth.
The release of Arkham Shadow has sparked hope that WB Games Montréal isn’t finished with this version of Batman. With so much narrative ground left to cover between Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum, a full sequel could give fans the chance to see how Bruce Wayne evolved into the Dark Knight of Asylum. There are so many unanswered questions, and Arkham Shadow might just be the first step in filling those gaps.
Sadly, one game that never saw the light of day was the Deathstroke-led Suicide Squad spin-off. As a huge fan of the character, I was crushed when news came out that the project had been shelved. Deathstroke’s character in Arkham Origins had so much potential, and a Suicide Squad game centered around him could have been a perfect way to further explore the rich universe created by WB Games Montréal. The game was rumored to explore more of the assassin’s backstory, diving into the complexities of Slade Wilson, who is one of the most compelling characters in the entire Batman mythos. It’s disappointing that this project never came to fruition, but Arkham Shadow rekindles my hope. If WB Games Montréal is returning to the Origins timeline, perhaps we could see Deathstroke play a larger role again, or maybe even get his own standalone game down the line.
As it stands, playing Arkham Origins today feels like rediscovering a hidden gem, and with Arkham Shadow, it’s clear that the story isn’t over yet. Origins might have been rough around the edges, but its story, atmosphere, and combat offer an experience unlike any other in the series. If you’re a fan of the Arkham games and missed Origins the first time around, now is the perfect time to revisit it—especially with Arkham Shadow out. There’s still so much to explore in the world between Arkham Origins and Asylum, and this latest VR game feels like the perfect teaser for what’s to come. Eleven years later, Arkham Origins deserves its place as an underrated classic, and the future of this storyline looks brighter than ever.