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Good news, Batman: Arkham fans the franchise is returning. But unless you own Meta Quest 3, you'll be locked out of the adventure. Well, this is a bittersweet type of pill gamers have to swallow for now before the game makes its debut later this year. Perhaps this is the incentive to put down $499 for the VR headset and swoop back into action as the caped crusader.It could be too early to tell. So before then, let's unpack the nitty-gritty of Batman: Arkham Shadow—everything we know.
What is Batman: Arkham Shadow?
Batman: Arkham Shadow is an upcoming VR action game that is currently being developed. The game puts you in the shoes of the Dark Knight on another city-saving quest. The upcoming title is the newest in the franchise after Batman: Arkham VR, which debuted in 2016. WB Games teased the trailer, revealing, “Gotham City is in danger. And you're the only one who can save it.”
Camouflaj Studios, the developers behind the upcoming title, broke the news of the forthcoming title, noting, “Collaborating closely with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC, we aim to deliver an authentic new entry in the celebrated Arkham franchise, something that the series millions of fans will know is no easy feat. The prospect of adding a new chapter to such a storied franchise is exhilarating.”
Story
We don't have a defined storyline yet since the developers are keeping things under wraps. Therefore, there isn't much to say about the storyline. However, in a blog post, Camouflaj Studios revealed they will “build on the beloved foundation laid by the legendary teams at Rocksteady.” This could mean we could revisit Batman's maniacal experience with the Joker in Batman: Arkham VR.
In the previous title, players assumed the role of Batman as he investigated the mysterious disappearance of Robin and the murder of Nightwing. The game ended in the most dramatic twist possible, revealing that the Joker and the Dark Knight are seemingly one. It's unclear whether we'll see more of this and possibly an ending to the Jekyl/Hyde duo, where Batman regains control of his body.
It's all speculation for now. However, the trailer provides cryptic hints on the game's potential storyline. A fleeting moment featuring a rat scurrying through an alleyway reveals Dr. Harleen Quinzel's badge (Harley Quinn). A few seconds in, we see a ‘Vote Dent' graffiti and pin. There are also subtle references to Gotham's infamous rogues' gallery, including Falcone, with the Falcone Warehousing billboard gracing one of the buildings. However, perhaps the more solid hint is the presence of rats, a gas mask, and red gloves typically associated with Ratcatcher. As if giving a nod to this theory, the alleyway wall contains defaced posters pointing to Ratcatcher's return. If this indeed unfolds as the storyline, brace yourself for an immersive and chilling journey into the rat-filled alleyways of Gotham City.
Gameplay
Besides being a VR game, there isn't much we could gather about the gameplay. More about the game will be revealed on June 7 during the Summer Game Fest.
Moreover, we still don't know who will voice Batman in this title. Batman: Arkham VR featured the late and iconic Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman. Kevin Conroy passed away in 2022. However, Arkham VR won't be the last game he features in. He will voice Batman one last time in the upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League.
Speculations are that Roger Craig Smith could be stepping in after retweeting the game's announcement on X and then deleting it moments later.
Development
Batman: Arkham Shadow is an upcoming project by Camouflaj and Oculus Studios. You may know Camouflaj from their Marvel game, Iron Man VR. The title was nominated at the Game Awards for best VR/AR. It also received plenty of positive praise from critics.
The studio is also behind the indie title Republique, which did pretty well following its debut. Arkam Shadow will be the studio's third major title, but it is the developer's largest project.
Moreover, this will be Camouflaj's second partnership with Oculcus as a first-member party. In a blog post, the developers revealed, “From the start, Batman: Arkham Shadow is being crafted to be the ultimate VR game and take full advantage of Meta Quest 3. Leaning into our eight years of dedicated VR game development history has enabled us to not only create a distinctly Arkham-feeling game but do so in a way that leverages the immersive magic only VR can provide.”
Trailer
Batman: Arkham Shadow | Official Teaser Trailer
If we didn't have a trailer, there is no way I could believe that this game is in the works. The 49-second-long cinematic trailer drops plenty of easter eggs but does little to shed light on the gameplay. However, with more information coming in on June 7, we can expect a gameplay trailer to launch then. For now, we shall have to make do with the teaser trailer.
Release Date, Platforms & Editions
Batman: Arham Shadow will be launching sometime in 2024. The developers have yet to release a concrete date. We can, however, confirm that the game will exclusively launch on Meta Quest 3.
Batman: Arkham Shadow will be the second title to use virtual reality headsets, letting players experience the action from Batman's lenses. The title by Rocksteady Studios was first launched on the PSVR before being ported to other VR headsets. It's uncertain if Batman: Arkham Shadow will follow a similar precedent.
Additionally, we don't have information on the editions to expect. So many details remain scarce at the moment. However, you can always follow the official social media handle here to keep track of new updates. Meanwhile, we'll watch out for new information and let you know as soon as they come up.
