Welcome to the madhouse!
Back in the day, good superhero video games were few and far between. The best Batman game we'd got in a decade was built (near) entirely of LEGOs. So you can imagine how practically everyone in the universe felt when WB announced: "hey, we got this company no one's heard of doing a Batman game. Beat that, Marvel!" A new company? That no one had ever heard of? How could anything even related to those paired sentences turn out well in the long run?
Fantastic, actually. As time went on, Rocksteady's "Batman: Arkham Asylum" kept on looking better and better. Not only did it have amazing, gritty graphics and incredible gameplay, but the folks over at Warner Bros had gotten four major alums from the still beloved "Batman: The Animated Series:" writer Paul Dini, and Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, and Arleen Sorkin, the voices of Batman, the Joker, and Harley Quinn.
And when it released, it did not disappoint. 2009's "Batman: Arkham Asylum" had hundreds of collectibles, perfect FreeFlow combat and invisible predator styles, and the wonders that were challenge maps, arena-based locations that let you practice your style with the fists and the gadgets. In fact, it topped so many Game of the Year charts it recieved a superior sequel two years later, "Batman: Arkham City," which expanded the open world, the way you played, and even the scope of the story, wiping out hundreds of thugs and even four major characters. If you haven't played the game and you don't know, there is something seriously wrong with you.
Rocksteady's next release, "Batman: Arkham Knight," is coming soon for the next-generation consoles (save Wii U) next year, four years later, but there's been plenty else along the way: character DLC for "Arkham City," two prequel games developed by seperate companies ("Arkham Origins" and "Arkham Origins Blackgate"), and a DC Universe Animated Original Movie ("Assault on Arkham").
A much beloved part of the franchise used in every single entry are the gadgets. Batman's toys that allow him to slice through foes easy as a pie to the face. And that's why I'm here. While future entries may detail more parts of this universe, let's list the top ten gadgets from the still growing "Batman: Arkham" series! Maybe when Rocksteady's final game comes out, I can update this, but for now, let's dive in like a Batman!
(Disclaimer: Not all gadgets have to be specifically Batman's)
Key:
01) AA = Arkham Asylum
02) AC = Arkham City
03) HQR = Arkham City: Harley Quinn's Revenge
04) AO = Arkham Origins
05) AOB = Arkham Origins Blackgate
06) CCH = Arkham Origins: A Cold, Cold Heart
10) Batarang/Multi-Batarang/Thermal Batarang
Character: Batman (XE Batman)
Game of origin: AA + CCH
Also In: AC/HQR/AO/AOB
Uses: Knocking down/dazing foes, hitting switches, cutting ropes, destroying collectibles, cutting down icicles (Thermal upgrade only)
And Because?: If you associate anything with Batman, it's the Bat-shaped shurikens he tosses, or the "Batarangs." These are useful to knock foes down quickly in Predator, but is best used in Combat, where you can throw it endlessly after every punch and disoreintate foes long enough to hold them back or rush at them fists forward. It gets even better once it's upgraded to Thermal in "Cold, Cold Heart," allowing you to dice foes with the ice quick as you please. It's immensly satisfying.
09) Bo Staff/Shield
Character: Robin
Game of origin: AC
Also In: HQR/AO
Uses: FreeFlow combat, stunning foes, breaking through patched walls, extending into shield (blocking bullets, bashing foes)
And Because?: Robin's badass major weapon. Not only does it give you that deliciously evil noise when you slam it into a foe's skull (EVIL! Sorry, um...Ten?), but it can transform into that shield, which can pretty much save your butt every time an enemy's in front of you. Besides, bashing an enemy off a ledge with that is...as said before, immensley satisfying. Actually, from now on, there'll be a "most satisfying use" category per gadget.
08) Shock Gloves
Character: Batman
Game of origin: AO
Also In: CCH
Uses: Charging electrical outputs, dealing double damage on foes when charged
And Because?: A superweapon that seems incredibly dangerous to use...but screw it, right? Sure, Batman has it to charge stuff, but whatever. Lashing onto foes is where it's at, and it can really take pressure off during combat knowing you don't have to worry about armored, shielded, or stun baton enemies. Too bad it seems they won't be back in "Arkham Knight." Maybe "Origins 2?"
Most Satisfying Use: Performing a Special Combo Takedown on an enemy with the Gloves activated
07) Remote Claw
Character: Batman, Deathstroke
Game of origin: AO
Also In: CCH
Uses: Connecting a rope and/or pulling together two objects (vantage points, fire extinguishers, propane tanks, enemies)
And Because?: If a gadget ever comes close to OP, this'll be the one. It's basically long range, double use, inverted takedowns that feel so very brilliant when you use them. This may have been WB's finest invention, and the only weapon Deathstroke actually uses in the challenge maps that actually fit the freaking character. Sure it doesn't kill, but it does give a pretty damn big "ego" vibe.
Most Satisfying Use: Latching a foe up to a gargoyle remotely using the Claw
06) Line Launcher
Character: Batman, Nightwing
Game of origin: AA, AC (latter)
Also In: HQR, AOB
Uses: Creates a vertical line to travel across for use of transport or knocking down enemies; can also (AC onwards) be used as a tightrope for Drop Attacks/Glide Kicks
And Because?: An incredibly useful tool for more relaxed city patrolling. It gets you places you've never been before, hopping up on the tightrope makes for an insanely good, non-gargoyle vantage, and the way Batman lifts his entire body with one hand could never be beaten. Ever. And of course, it's the only gadget they don't replicate in some way in Arkham Origins. Even the Concussion Detonantor mimicks the Remote Electrical Charge.
Most Satisfying Use: Flying over Gotham and watching your prey as you zip above them
05) Explosive Gel/Gel Launcher
Character: Batman, Robin
Game of origin: AA + AOB
Also In: AC, HQR, AO, CCH
Uses: Dispersing/launching a gel-like substance full of exploding nanites that can knock down foes or blow over weak walls
And Because?: Probably the flagship tool of the Arkham series, being both the first tool you collect and the first tool you utilize after Detective Mode and the Batarang. It has many different uses and can be played to truly awesome effect (master "Three for Three" in the Silent Knight Extreme challenge map to feel good about yourself). If only the Gel Launcher from 2.5D Arkham Origins Blackgate made its way around to the console games.
Most Satisfying Use: The most basic of uses, blowing up a wall on one thug or more
04) Sonic Shock Batarang
Character: Batman
Game of origin: AA
Also In: AC, HQR, AO, AOB
Uses: Luring a foe to a specific location (with an upgrade, the batarang can detonate an electric explosion to automatically knock out an enemy, disabling uses of these in the same area as well)
And Because?: It's hard to believe one of the most useful gadgets in the entirety of Batman's career exists as an upgrade. An upgrade that you don't have to choose. This automatically knocks out some of the worst of foes in predator encounters and can be played to master any attempt you have. A truly majestic weapon.
Most Satisfying Use: Luring an enemy away from foes and doing an Inverted Takedown
03) Cape
Character: Batman, Robin
Game of origin: AA (AC, latter)
Also In: HQR, AO, AOB, CCH
Uses: Stunning foes, stretching outwards to allow for air traversal, scrunching to dive down through the air, creating a safe landing from a high vantage
And Because?: Batman's uses of this gadget are just incredibly amazing. It's amazingly cool, soaring over the sky like a bat, and its incredibly useful, speeding up your traversal of Arkham City and Gotham super quickly. Robin also has this gadget, though he is limited to only gliding, similar to Batman's in Arkham Asylum.
Most Satisfying Use: Flying hundreds of feet in the air and dive bombing down into a shockwave
02) Cowl & Detective Mode
Character: Batman
Game of origin: AA
Also In: AC, HQR, AO, AOB, CCH
Uses: Locating people, identifying heart rates & objects of interest, tracing trajectory points, replaying crime scenes through evidence (AO/CCH only)
And Because?: Though its use in Arkham Asylum and Arkham City is pretty cool, allowing you to scan thugs and see any objects of use or out of the ordinary, Arkham Origins is where the cowl and its detective vision shine. You can create a whole animated sequence displaying a crime scene merely using this and its connection to the Batcomputer. It is so cool, and its a joy to use whenever you need it in the game. It's unlikely, but hopefully Rocksteady will take notes on this in Arkham Knight?
Most Satisfying Use: Solving a crime scene in "Arkham Origins" and watching the whole thing
Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
01) Kujiki Bomb
Only available as Bruce Wayne in "Arkham Origins." Using this can disoreintate an enemy's vision, allowing to you to dash around right in their view.
Most Satisfying Use: Running right in front of a thug and using a Knockout Smash
02) Disruptor
Usable as Batman or Nightwing in "Arkham City" and "Arkham Origins." Using this can disrupt enemies' guns, automatic weapons, or floor mines.
Most Satisfying Use: Disabling a thug's gun then beating the heck out of them from the front
03) Remote Control Explosive Teeth
Usable as the Joker in "Arkham Asylum." While only one of these is available, after walking this to a specific area, you can detonate it and murder anyone in a small area around it.
Most Satisfying Use: Taking out a guard then blowing up everyone who inspects the body
04) Freeze Blast/Glue Grenade
Usable as Batman in "Arkham City" and "Arkham Origins." Toss this at water to create a small platform or at foes to freeze them in their tracks...quite literally.
Most Satisfying Use: Freezing Clayface completely during the final boss of "Arkham City"
05) XE Suit/Thermal Gloves
Usable as Batman in "Arkham Origins: A Cold, Cold Heart." This upgraded suit allows Batman to survive in cold tempratures, burn through ice, and toss Thermal Batarangs.
Most Satisfying Use: Leaping into the cold air fully protected for the first time
Plus, something extra!
After the usual top 5 honorable mentions, let's look at my top five dishonorable mentions, or, my least favorite gadgets!:
01) Cryptographic Sequencer
Usable as Batman in every game's story mode. This can hack into WayneTech boxes, activating a minigame which is probably the most annoying common element in the series.
02) Caltrops
Usable as Catwoman and Bruce Wayne in "Arkham City" and "Arkham Origins." These very rarely knock foes down, most of the time they see them and kick them to the side, and you only have three.
03) Mask & Night Vision
Usable as Nightwing in "Arkham City." The worst of any character's detective mode. It barely allows you to identify objects of interest, and the radar in the top right is worthless.
04) Whip
Usable as Catwoman in "Arkham City." Using this makes it impossible to move around at any decent speed, and the Batclaw is just better in every possible way.
05) Cluster Batarang
Usable as Batman in "Arkham Origins" online. You can knock foes down, but it takes ages to do so, ages much better spent with a Glide Kick.
01) Grapnel Gun/Grapnel Boost/Grapnel Accelerator/Batclaw/Ultra Batclaw
Character: Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Deathstroke, Bruce Wayne
Game of origin: AA (GG/B/UB), AC (GB, not for Robin or Nightwing), AO (GA not for Deathstroke or Bruce Wayne)
Also In: HQR, AO, AOB, CCH
Uses: Grappling one up to higher locations (and then boosting them off), latching on to enemies, vents, hooks, or weak walls (Ultra Batclaw only)
And Because?: Could it be anything else? The perfect gadget. You use it to reach higher places, and perhaps boost off them. You pull thugs off of ledges. You pull down walls. Great for offense and free-roaming. Hopefully this needs no more explanation. Plus, everyone seems to have it (save for the Joker, but that's not his style, and Catwoman, has it for the reason that she sucks).
Most Satisfying Use: Pulling three foes off a ledge with one shot (Ultra Batclaw only)
Phew, thanks much for reading this guys. If you haven't played these games already, I 10/10 reccomend them. I'm pretty sure you can pick up the first two for $20 or less on the App Store, Steam, or Amazon.
*disappears without saying goodbye because I'm Batman*
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