Batgirl plays a prominent role in both Batman: Arkham series, but one version of Barbara Gordon is much deeper and more unique to control than the other. Rocksteady's epic trilogy of Batman games features a range of heroic ing characters, including Barbara Gordon as Oracle and the always jovial Nightwing. However, Gotham Knights focuses on these sidekicks much more closely as they step up to defend Gotham following the Dark Knight's death. Batgirl is a playable hero in both series, but one title does the heroine more justice than the other.
Each installment in the Batman: Arkham series features Barbara Gordon in a prominent role, though she only becomes playable as Batgirl in Arkham Knight DLC. In Rocksteady's first two games she instead serves as Batman's loyal and technology expert Oracle, an identity she adopts after being paralyzed at the hands of the Joker. The prequel adventure Arkham Origins, meanwhile, plants the seeds of Barbara's future superhero career by having her aid Batman in an investigation. Batgirl finally become a playable hero in the Batman: Arkham Knight DLC A Matter of Family, which makes her available in both challenge maps and a robust prequel storyline.
Gotham Knights Makes Batgirl Feel Unique To Control
While Barbara Gordon plays a key role throughout the Batman: Arkham series, Gotham Knights lets players embody Batgirl for the entire open-world experience. Gotham Knights gives Batgirl acrobatic combat, unique skills and distinct gadgets that help set her apart from the rest of the Bat Family roster. In battle Batgirl is fast and agile, with the Perfect Evade skill letting her deliver powerful follow-up attacks if she dodges at the opportune moment. Her four skill trees let players further customize Batgirl by turning her into a gritty brawler, taking advantage of her technology expertise and letting her summon a drone for assistance in combat.
Batgirl Is Important To Batman's Success In The Arkham Games
The version of Batgirl featured in the Batman: Arkham series is crucial to Batman's success, but playing as the tenacious hero feels far more unique in Gotham Knights. The Arkham Batgirl is only actually playable in Arkham Knight, and in the DLC she fights and travels just like Batman outside of her unique hacking device. Gotham Knights' Batgirl, meanwhile, has four skill trees that make her feel totally different from Robin, Nightwing and Red Hood. Character-specific cutscenes also shine a spotlight on Barbara Gordon's distinct character arc as she copes with both the death of Batman and the loss of her father Jim Gordon.
The Batman: Arkham series highlights the strengths and skills of Oracle, but Gotham Knights delivers a much more robust version of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl. With unique skill trees and story moments, Batgirl in Gotham Knights can feel like the star of the show for those that choose to control her. She has a unique traversal method and original skill trees which perfectly match her training at Batman's hands, along with her expertise in both martial arts and technology. Meanwhile, the version of Batgirl playable in Batman: Arkham Knight feels more like a reskin of the Caped Crusader himself.
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