Top Arkham Series Games: Worst to Best

Top Arkham Series Games. Every time this questions comes up, it becomes a huge task to figure out, which one holds the top position.

The Arkham games have all been fantastic at capturing the detailed aspects of the character we all have loved so much and secretly dreamt of becoming when we were kids; The Batman. These games have done a marvelous job at making us feel how is it to fight, glide, and investigate like the infamous caped crusader but which one did it best?

A disclaimer has to be given here. Montreal’s Gotham Knights (a spin-off of Batman: Arkham Series) has released, therefore, it shall be considered as a contender in this list. However, there are some upcoming titles that we haven’t included. Those titles will be included once they are out there for review. Rocksteady the studio behind the very popular Batman: Arkham series (Except Batman: Arkham Origins) is making its return, with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. 

Till that comes out, let us have look at the best games which are already there:

5. Batman: Arkham Origins

Batman: Arkham Origins was unlike all the other Batman Arkham games was not really a sequel and was more of a deviation or let’s just say a prequel to the previous Arkham games. Since the game was developed by WB Games Montreal and not Rocksteady, they decided to go a different path and made a game which does not follow the events of Batman: Arkham Origins. Regardless of their efforts of trying to make the game different from its predecessors in terms of bat-suit, voice actors, game modes, the game overall was so much similar to its prequels. The locations, gameplay, and overall aesthetics of the game made it look-like a copy-paste version of Batman: Arkham City, which was probably the worst aspect of the game.

Unfortunately, the game recreate the magic the other Top Arkham Series Games had because sluggish gameplay and a very disappointing story-line. But it would be wrong to suggest that there was nothing likable about the game. Unlike any of the other games, Arkham Origins included a new online multiplayer mode that gave the installment an added boost to its shelf life and value.

4. Gotham Knights

One thing can not be denied, that there were indeed huge expectations from this game. After the launch of first teaser and later the demo gameplay, Gotham Knights appeared to have all the ingredients of an ambitious, action-packed, crime fighting superhero game. And the best part is, that it has a co-op gameplay option which is unlike all the other Top Arkham Series Games.

However, despite all its promises, Gotham Knights turned out to be a disappointing return to the Gotham City and certainly displays lack of creativity. Regardless of the game providing decent fun at free roaming in co-op mode, for most part Gotham Knights fails at taking the Arkham Series forward. From the inconsistent frame rates, to the weak story, to one-note combat that rarely feels good, there was virtually always something going wrong with the game. Though it is an enjoyable co=op game in parts, however, I wouldn’t recommend you to prefer this game over the Top 3 contenders in this list.

3. Batman: Arkham Asylum

The game that started it all, Arkham Asylum started as a fun, engaging, action-packed video game yet carried a dark element in certain areas. This was the game which actually made us step into the shoes of Batman and made us feel what it is like to be the greatest detective in the world. All the aspects of the game capture the feel of Batman’s character.

This game if not in every aspect, but in terms of gameplay was something never witnessed before. The combat felt powerful, the stealth missions were well designed, and the detective work was clever, all adding to the feeling that the player was embodying the dark Knight. The climax and the ending of the game was the only drawback, which could have been slightly better. Still, this game became the new gold standard for the genre and will forever be counted as one of the Top Arkham Series Games.

2. Batman: Arkham Knight

The conclusion to Rocksteady’s Batman series, Arkham Knight had good and bad both aspects, but in either ways this game was simply entertaining. The game had pretty much everything that the past games had while it also introduced some new features, like the new armored bat-suit, and the iconic Batmobile.

The world, the aesthetics, the story, everything was on point and was carefully designed designed, allowing us to glide or drive through Gotham City with ease and fun. Apart from that, Arkham Knight carried the most fun and interesting side missions which were extremely well put in the plot of the game and were enough to give you a sense of accomplishment every time you complete them. But unfortunately, Batman: Arkham Knight has its fair share of short comings and one of them was its over usage of the Batmobile. Though it was a fun concept, but its extensive usage felt like a drag somewhere in the middle.

Some more dark elements and less usage of the Batmobile could have made the even better. Nevertheless, it still counts as one of the Best Arkham Series games of all time.

1. Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City that came out in 2011 improved upon the first in all the right ways making it best of them all. The graphics were better, the world was larger, and the story was richer. Like its prequel, this game left no stones unturned to make us feel like the cape cruisader but this time, there was more space, bigger story and more things to do.

One of the most astonishing aspects of this game was the map. It may not seem too impressive now but at the time of release, Arkham City had one of the largest open-world environments games had ever seen. But when we talk about the scale, we are not just talking about its map but also the extensive, detailed and engaging plot the game had. It was surely one of the best games of 2011 leaving behind some other tough contenders like Uncharted 3. This game had everything fans of the Caped Crusader could ask for without becoming overcluttered, making it the best on the list. Batman: Arkham City surely comes out as the best amongst the Top Arkham Series Games so far.