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It’s been more than 75 years since Batman took his first tentative steps onto the streets of Gotham City. That he is still around is proof enough of the character’s enduring appeal, but more than that his popularity continues to grow. In Batman: Arkham Knight we see the world’s greatest detective at the height of his powers and taking on the greatest challenge of his career. And not only that, he’s never looked so good.
Remember, this award winning franchise has integrated NVIDIA GameWorks and PhysX technologies from beginning to end. We’ve seen clothing, destruction, particles, tessellation, TXAA, and more – eye blistering visuals that have won armies of PC gaming fans the world over. And there’s more to come. Batman: Arkham Knight is imminent. Discover the six reasons why PC gamers need to strap on the NVIDIA tech, don a cape and cowl and prepare for Arkham Knight.
Reason 1 – Eye Candy
Arkham Knight is going to be eye-wateringly beautiful. Like a gigantic, gothic, blacker-than-jet behemoth hitting you square in the corneas, it will assail the senses and send you reeling. Gotham will look more bleakly magnificent than ever. Moving beyond the confines of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, Gotham is a vast sprawling place situated over three island districts.
We will also be able to enjoy some of the most dramatically realised character models yet seen in the DC universe. The new Batmobile’s ferocious lines and imposing bulk echo that of Batman’s ever more armoured and aggressive appearance.
Reason 2 – Bad Guys
The roster of super villains this time out will provoke both fear and intense excitement in anyone bold enough to slip into the Batsuit for this latest adventure. Sadly, following his demise in Arkham City, the Joker is absent, but filling the void is a supremely vile Scarecrow aided and abetted by Penguin, Two-Face, Riddler, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and… well, let’s just say the safe money is on surprise appearances by one or more other evil-doers. And in a bit of a twist, you’ll even be able to play as Harley Quinn, more of which later.
Reason 3 – The Batmobile
It’s the Batmobile… Awesome! Enough said. Only in this case there’s actually plenty more to be said and for us to celebrate. This is the first game in the series that the Batmobile has played a pivotal role. The new and somewhat insane looking Batmobile is an integral part of the gameplay here enabling Batman to not only navigate the city at breakneck speeds in pursuit mode but also switches to battle mode when the situation demands it. Packed with gadgets and equipment designed to help Batman during the puzzling and crime-solving aspects of the game, the Batmobile really is a character in its own right.
The Batmobile also comes into its own during the much rumoured Race Track feature. This tantalising new development has yet to be fully revealed but whether it consists of in game challenges or an entirely separate race mode, either way it’s another reason to be extremely pumped.
Reason 4 – All-star Cast
It’s not just Batman’s shoes you’ll be slipping into, although that in itself offers a wealth of new challenges. Our hero has to juggle multiple tasks including navigating the city, solving puzzles using forensics, engaging in combat and employing stealth tactics. Combat is now more complex and gadgetry is ever more impressive, a particularly fine addition being the ability use gadgets and weapons while Batman is in mid-glide.
Also debuting is free-flowing combat during which you can switch between controlling Batman and the other playable characters he encounters over the course of the game. Additional playable characters include Robin, Knightwing, Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Red Hood. With these and the cast of villains this is the most impressive roster of characters in the series to date.
Reason 5 – The Stuff of Knightmares
It’s the final chapter in an already utterly compelling story. In Arkham Knight the battle is not just for Arkham Asylum and its outlying regions but for the heart and soul of Gotham itself. The Scarecrow has unleashed a terrorist attack on so horrifying a scale that the city’s millions of inhabitants are forced to flee leaving the place occupied only by criminals. It is Scarecrow’s intent, alongside Penguin, Two-face and the mysterious new super-villain the Arkham Knight (among others), to eliminate Batman once and for all.
As if that muscular premise weren’t enough, Arkham Knight reunites the writing/directing dream team of Sefton Hill and Paul Crocker to finish the job they so brilliantly started with the first and second chapters of the Arkham series. Joining them is Martin Lancaster, the genius behind Crysis, Crysis 2 and Killzone: Shadowfall. This stellar line-up should result in a hugely satisfying, coherent and gripping finish to what has been a truly epic franchise.
Reason 6 – Cool stuff! More cool stuff! Yet more cool stuff!
When Arkham Knight hits the crime-ridden streets on June 23rd you’ll already be faced with an embarrassment of bat-related riches. If you play via Steam and opt to buy the Season Pass bundle, however, Arkham Knight is the gift that keeps on giving. Over the course of six months season pass holders will receive access to new story missions as well as additional super villains, classic Batmobiles, challenge maps, character skins and race tracks.
Gotham beckons.
Disclaimer: Nvidia Showcase content is created in partnership with Nvidia.