Back in the hands of Rocksteady, Batman: Arkham Knight brings the Batman Arkham to an explosive close. As reviews for the game trickle out, one thing has been made clear — the game is great. Some might say that the story is a bit 'ham-fisted' or that the forced vehicular use is a drawback, but for every misstep the game makes there's redemption found elsewhere.
The reviews for the game average out anywhere from 9 – 10/10, with one score of 7/10. The lowest score is founded on the reviewer finding that certain elements detracted from the game: the predictable reveals, dialogue, mediocre boss encounters and the forced use of the Batmobile.
GameInformer:
At the end of it all, Batman: Arkham Knight delivers a great sense of closure for this series. Rocksteady leaves a few plot threads dangling to tease and taunt us, but the grim tale that started all the way back in Arkham Asylum is done. I walked away from Arkham Knight shocked, satisfied, and in dire need of someone to discuss the story with. Rocksteady built a special experience that dazzles with its cleverness, intelligence, and ability to shift from kick-ass Batman moments to emotional gut punches to scenes stripped straight from some of Batman's greatest comic book stories.
GameSpot:
Many individual elements are so carefully constructed, and presented with such flair, that appreciation is the only reasonable reaction. Yet most of these elements–excellent acting, wonderful animations, moody soundtrack–are ones that Batman: Arkham City also excelled in, making Arkham Knight's missteps all the more noticeable. Rather than escape the pull of the games that spawned it, The Bat's newest adventure refines the fundamentals; it is a safe but satisfying return to the world's most tormented megalopolis.
Polygon:
Rocksteady has said this is its last Batman game and I'm praying to the New Gods that they're on the level. After Arkham Knight, trying to find more meat on the Batman bone would define futility. After Arkham Knight, Batman has been perfected — and the end result is the best game of this console generation.
IGN:
If this is in fact the last Rocksteady-developed Batman game, the series will end on a high note. Arkham Knight is the biggest Batman game yet, not just in map size, but in the wide range of different types of gameplay, and its collection of characters. The addition of tank combat thematically clashes with everything Batman stands for, but it is fun, and having access to the Batmobile for the first time gives us a new world of possibilities for interacting with Gotham City. Arkham Knight is an outstanding game on almost every level.
VideoGamer:
Batman: Arkham Knight is not only the best Batman game ever made, but a game that will be remembered as exemplary. Obviously being a fan of the license is going to help no end – the Arkham trilogy as a whole is as important and impactful as its filming equivalent – and how this will ever be topped in terms of donning the cowl and being Gotham's protector is anyone's guess.
GamesRadar:
Arkham Knight offers an unparalleled interactive superhero experience that’s as rich as any fan could hope for – this is one of the best open worlds I have ever had the pleasure of exploring, and one of the nicest-looking games on PS4. Without overcomplicating the Batmobile’s purpose in Arkham Knight and a slightly less disappointing campaign, this would’ve been close to a perfect sign-off for Rocksteady’s Caped Crusader
Batman: Arkham Knight is set to release on June 23 for the Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
