Batman: Arkham Underworld

Rinzal Benson

2 min read

·

03-12-2024

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Batman: Arkham Underworld, released in 2016, offered a unique take on the Dark Knight's universe, shifting the focus from direct combat to strategic resource management and gang warfare. Unlike the action-packed Arkham series main titles, this mobile game presented a city teeming with villains, placing the player in the role of a rising crime lord building their own criminal empire under Batman's watchful eye.

Gameplay: Building Your Villainous Empire

The core gameplay loop revolved around building and managing a lair, recruiting and training henchmen, and engaging in strategic battles against rival gangs. Players collected a roster of iconic villains, each with unique abilities and strengths, allowing for varied strategic approaches. This wasn't about directly controlling Batman; instead, you were working against him, indirectly challenging the caped crusader through indirect means. Resource management played a significant role; players needed to efficiently allocate resources to upgrade their lair, train their recruits, and launch attacks.

Strengths of Arkham Underworld:

• Unique Perspective: The game offered a refreshing change of pace, allowing players to experience Gotham from the perspective of the villains. This provided a unique narrative experience different from the typical superhero storyline.
• Roster of Villains: The diverse range of playable villains added depth and replayability. Players could experiment with various team compositions and strategies to conquer their rivals.
• Strategic Gameplay: The strategic elements involved in base building, troop management, and combat provided a level of complexity that kept the gameplay engaging.

Weaknesses of Arkham Underworld:

• Mobile Game Limitations: As a mobile game, Arkham Underworld suffered from some limitations in terms of graphics and overall depth compared to console titles in the Arkham series.
• Grindy Aspects: The game featured elements of grinding, requiring significant time investment to unlock new content and advance.
• In-App Purchases: The presence of in-app purchases might be considered intrusive by some players, potentially impacting the overall gaming experience for those who prefer not to spend additional money.

Conclusion: A Decent Mobile Spin-Off

Batman: Arkham Underworld wasn't a perfect game, and its mobile nature and occasionally grindy mechanics held it back from reaching the heights of the main Arkham series. However, its unique perspective and strategic gameplay offered a compelling experience for fans of the Batman universe looking for something different. While not essential, it served as an interesting side story, offering players the opportunity to explore Gotham from a villain's point of view. The game's relatively short lifespan, however, reflects some of its shortcomings in balancing player engagement and in-app purchases.