Whilst some performance issues and unfavorable comparisons to the been strongly divided, fans have found a lot to enjoy about its action-packed, crime-fighting formula. One of the small ways the game has helped win over fans is with its incredible attention to detail in places.
From small easter eggs and references that only diehard fans would spot to touches of realism in the way NPCs interact even when the player isn't there, fans on Reddit have enjoyed sharing the hidden things they found in the game. These are some of the best that they uncovered.
10 Clayface's Movie History
Some of the best-hidden details require the player to pay close attention even to the smallest scraps of information they get their hands on. Luckily, Redditor Beneficial-Bee-628 was on the ball when they noticed that, in emails referencing Basil Karlo's movie history, the movie titles given are "both older Batman games."
Those games are the 2001 Batman title Vengeance and the 2003 Batman game Dark Tomorrow. Neither is particularly considered a classic in of the history of Batman games, so, surprisingly, they would choose to include those references. This only makes it an even cooler shout-out to the franchise history for fans who do the titles though.
9 A Real-Time Approach
Touches of realism go a long way to making the Gotham Knights experience engrossing but some would argue they went even further than necessary in this instance. Redditor LTP-I was one of the fans who noticed that "in the Belfry, the computer tells IRL time on the monitors."
Another added that it was the same for wristwatches. Though it might not be a technically difficult trick to pull off, it's still one that helps make the game feel all the more real in contrast to other titles where in-game clocks are much faster and even jump around from one moment to the next.
8 A Nod To Batman's Past
Batman may be out of the picture in Gotham Knights as the game distances itself from the Arkhamverse but that doesn't mean criminals in the game have forgotten the impact Bruce Wayne and his family had on the city. Redditor Kastlestud noticed that "in crime alley [...] there’s ‘No more billionaires’ painted on the wall opposite the theatre."
Infamous for being the location where Thomas and Martha Wayne were once murdered, it can't be a coincidence that the place has been graffitied with a slogan against the super-rich. Whereas open worlds are often accused of being boring and lifeless, details like this hidden in the city add a ton of depth.
7 Freak Arrest Attempts
The world of Gotham Knights isn't the friendliest place for beginners and a part of that is the gangs of Freaks that terrorize the city. The player's interactions with the Freaks are as violent as expected but what's surprising is that cops interacting with them can be just as interesting.
Redditor SovFist noticed this, commenting that "Sometimes you'll encounter a gd officer trying to read an arrested freak their rights. Needless to say, the freak does not cooperate." Considering how unhinged Freaks are supposed to be, it checks out that cooperation isn't their strong suit and the game is smart to take this into though some players may never stay around long enough to notice it.
6 A Hidden Talon Encounter
It's rare for a game to hide an encounter that adds a lot more to one of the main antagonist groups in the game in an unmarked location that a player could easily never come across but Redditor Tentaye noticed an example of just that in Gotham Knights. They explain that they "went out on patrol and saw a bunch of what seemed to be knocked out Freaks in an area."
On closer inspection, they turned out to be victims of the Talons, who then attack the player if they activate a booby-trapped chest. The encounter hints at inter-group conflicts playing out in the city even when the player isn't present and it's even better the fact it leads to more action and an extra chance to take on the Talons.
5 A Successful Heist
One of the best parts of Gotham Knights is arriving at the last possible second to interrupt heists and prevent crimes from taking place, but it would feel a little hollow if that sense of urgency was faked. Luckily, players like Santefaded8 can confirm that the criminal's plan will go ahead if the player doesn't act in time.
According to them, "I was taking too long to plan an attack on some freaks with the laser heist. And the laser actually finished the cut into the truck and they got their friend out and escaped." Whilst that's exactly what should be expected, many games would simply have the enemies remain in place until the player acted so it's a nice touch.
4 Nightwing's Court Of Owls Connection
There are some incredible Nightwing storylines in the comics and he was a fan-favorite character long before Gotham Knights. Although the game decided to largely go in its direction with the character, they couldn't have featured him as a protagonist without referencing some of his history, which they do in a throwaway line about the Court of Owls potentially turning him into a Talon.
Redditor Nightwing comics, the Court of Owls is a far more personal matter for Dick Grayson and comics fans will appreciate this nod.
3 Accurate Costumes In The Credits Montage
Although there seem to be some issues with the final credits montage of the player's hero at the end of the game, many were still impressed by a specific detail it got right. Redditor cyht was one of them and comments that "the game re the suits you wore for each story mission" and includes them in the montage.
One of the best parts of Gotham Knights is the awesome costumes that each character has and it helps make the montage feel that much more personal to each individual player when it includes this. Though it's a small detail, it did not go unappreciated by players.
2 NPCs Responding To Crimes
Rather than an individual hidden detail, one of the things that impressed fans the most about Gotham Knights was the realistic reactions NPCs had to crimes taking place, including GD officers taking control of situations and taping off crime scenes just as in real life. Redditor AlfFan2002 noticed another example of these realistic responses that is just as cool.
They recall that "one time I came back to a crime I completed a long time ago and there was a new van with a news reporter." Considering there are countless games where everything related would simply despawn when the player leaves, taking the time to imagine what would actually happen and portray it just in case the player ever returns is the kind of thing that sets Gotham knights apart.
1 Health Refills At Thompkin's Mobile Clinic
A lot of hidden details in Gotham Knights are simply for fun but Redditor Fout99 found one they wanted to share that could prove helpful to players. They explain that, for players low on health, "you can refill your health packs at Thompkins location. There's a chest besides the ambulance."
Doing so is significantly less inconvenient than returning to the Belfry for refills, which ends the night's patrol and causes all active crimes to disappear. Whilst there are ambulances around the city that can provide refills, Thompkin's Mobile Clinic gives the player a much more reliable way to get a hold of them during the night.
