WB Montreal’s Next DC Game Hopefully Takes Another Shot at a Key Part of Gotham Knights

The gaming side of DC Comics has had a rough few years, from the underwhelming Gotham Knights to the disastrous Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. It’s a particularly disappointing run, not only because of the inherent potential of DC Comics properties in gaming, but because of the brand’s previously strong pedigree: the Batman: Arkham franchise’s influence is still felt to this day, proving what juggernauts companies like Rocksteady and WB Montreal once were.

But it’s also important to put things into perspective. Games like Gotham Knights, for instance, didn’t fail because the developers didn’t care about the property. Rather, it would appear that some mechanics, like the questionably Destiny-like gear system or granular MMORPG progression model, were misguided and not the best choice for an open-world superhero game. In other words,there’s a world where Gotham Knights could have turned out rather well, especially given its unique premise, as the idea of a Batman game without the caped crusader himself, focusing on the legacy he left behind, could have been something special. It would seem that the Bat Family will be put on the back-burner for now, but as WB Montreal pushes forward with its next AAA game, it shouldn’t forget about the choices it made with Gotham Knights entirely.

Warner Bros Montreal Could Capitalize On DC Comics’ Potential With a Nascent Hero Team

It’s already been confirmed that WB Montreal is working on another DC Comics game, though its nature is unclear at the moment. Given the amount of untapped potential in franchises like The Flash or Green Lantern, there are countless routes for this game to take, but the best, or at least most interesting, option could be one that aligns with Gotham Knights‘ narrative premise.

There are definitely benefits to putting a more established and experienced hero at the center of a game, but a younger protagonist can open the door to more creative possibilities, both in terms of gameplay and narrative. A game based on Teen Titans, for example, could explore themes of identity, expectations, and the weight of responsibility. Such ideas can and have been touched on in stories with adult heroes, of course, but they tend to have an added dimension when placed in the ever-changing context of adolescence. A game starring younger superheroes would also be well-positioned to provide players with an exciting progression system: there would be a built-in excuse as to why the characters don’t have all their powers yet.

WB Montreal Has Experience Making ‘Year One’ Games

The prequel game formula is one that should be somewhat familiar to WB Montreal in particular, as it’s the studio behind the Batman: Arkham Origins spin-off. Though not a literal Batman: Year One adaptation, the game is emblematic of the benefits of putting a more inexperienced, immature superhero at the forefront of a story: Batman makes more mistakes and has more to learn, which ultimately leads to more interesting storytelling and character-building. Additionally, the game’s premise allowed for a better look at the younger versions of key allies and villains, painting a more robust picture of the Arkhamverse.

Whether the ever-prominent Batman: Arkham universe is left behind or not, WB Montreal could reprise its prequel storytelling chops, but this time focusing on a different cast of characters. By doing so, the studio could tap into a font of potential, presenting a unique and flexible narrative in the process.