The Batman: Arkham series is a pretty straightforward adaptation of the Batman mythos in video game format. Batman: Arkham Origins tells the story of a young Batman.
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Story & Themes
Batman: Arkham Origins is a prequel to the first two Batman: Arkham games. A $50 million bounty is put on Batman's head by the criminal Black Mask. Batman must fight off eight of the world's most deadly assassins (recognizeable characters from the Batman franchise), who have come to Gotham to claim the bounty. Meanwhile, he must also contend with Gotham's police force, who consider him a renegade outlaw. There is corruption within the police ranks, though not all are bad guys.
Batman uses his crime-solving capabilities and his physical prowess to fend off his enemies and get to the bottom of the mystery.
Save Points
Progress is saved at certain checkpoints.
Heads Up!
Violence If you're a Batman fan, you know that his refusal to kill anyone is an integral part of his character. This is also the case in the Arkham series. However, this doesn't stop him from beating the stuffing out of the bad guys. This often includes breaking their arms (complete with crunching sound effects) and inflicting other traumatic but nonlethal injuries. Of course his enemies don't extend the same courtesy to Batman, and it is possible for the hero to die in some rather gruesome ways. For example, in Arkham City it is possible for Batman to get eaten by a shark. That said, it's never very graphic.
Sex & Nudity There is no nudity, but there are some scantily clad women. Harley Quinn, who appears in all the games, wears skin-tight clothes and shows off her cleavage.
There is some flirtatiousness from some of the female villains, but nothing too suggestive.
Strong Language Some mild swearing is present.
Online Community
In Arkham Origins, there is a multiplayer mode where players can join a party in order to chat with them, but this is not required.
Conversation Starters
- How do you feel about Batman's refusal to kill bad guys?
- Do you think the comic-book origins of Batman justify some of its dark and exaggerated content?
- Do you think the female villains are just as formidable as the male villains, and does that make you think the games are not sexist? How do you feel about the (over)use of the term "bitch" in relation to Catwoman?
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