Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City

Hack and slash/Beat 'em up • Adventure
2011

Batman: Arkham City is an upcoming Hack and slash/Beat 'em up/Adventure game releasing on OnLive Game System, PlayStation 3, PC (Microsoft Windows). Scheduled to launch on October 18, 2011.

Developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by WB Games, DC Entertainment.

Release Date: 10/19/2011

Released
Batman: Arkham City cover
trailer

Story

At a press conference held by Bruce Wayne to declare his opposition to Arkham City, TYGER mercenaries arrest and imprison him in Arkham City. Hugo Strange discloses his knowledge of Wayne's dual identity as Batman before releasing him into the prison's criminal populace. While Strange prepares to commence "Protocol 10", Wayne obtains his equipment via airdrop from Alfred Pennyworth, allowing him to become Batman. He first saves Catwoman from being executed by Two-Face, who hopes to gain respect by murdering her. After Joker attempts to assassinate Catwoman, Batman tracks him to his hideout in the Sionis Steelmill, believing Joker may know the truth behind Protocol 10.

There, Batman learns that the unstable properties of the Titan formula are mutating in Joker's blood, gradually killing him. Joker captures Batman and performs a blood transfusion on him, infecting him with the same fatal disease. Joker also reveals that Gotham hospitals have been poisoned with his infected blood. Desperate to save himself and innocent citizens, Batman seeks out Mr. Freeze, who had been developing a cure but has since been kidnapped by the Penguin.

Tracking Penguin to the Cyrus Pinkney National History Institute, Batman defeats his forces, his imprisoned monster Solomon Grundy, and ultimately the Penguin himself, before liberating Mr. Freeze. Freeze tells Batman that he has already developed the cure, but its instability renders it useless. Batman deduces that the restorative properties of Ra's al Ghul's blood can complete the cure. Batman tracks one of Ra's al Ghul's assassins to his underground lair, leading Batman into a confrontation with Ra's and his daughter Talia, Batman's former lover. With Ra's al Ghul's blood, Freeze is able to develop an antidote, but it is stolen by Harley Quinn before Batman can use it.

When he returns to the Joker, Batman finds him restored to health. While the two fight, Strange activates Protocol 10, which is revealed to be a scheme to wipe out the entire population of Arkham City and destroy the criminal element of Gotham. The TYGER troops begin executing inmates as Strange launches missile strikes on Arkham's denizens from his base in Wonder Tower. A missile hits the steelmill, burying Batman under rubble. Before Joker can take advantage of the situation, Talia arrives and offers him immortality in exchange for sparing Batman's life. After escaping with the help of Catwoman, Batman is convinced by Alfred to end Protocol 10 before pursuing Talia and Joker.

Batman infiltrates Wonder Tower and disables Protocol 10. Ra's al Ghul is revealed to be the true mastermind behind Arkham City and mortally wounds Strange for failing to defeat Batman. With his dying breath, Strange activates "Protocol 11", the self-destruction of Wonder Tower. Batman and Ra's escape, but Ra's commits suicide rather than risk capture. Joker contacts Batman, threatening to kill Talia unless Batman meets him at the Monarch Theater. Once Batman arrives, Joker demands the cure but is stabbed and apparently killed by Talia while distracted. Talia admits to stealing the cure from Quinn, when she is killed by a second Joker, still stricken with the disease. The healthy Joker that Talia stabbed then reanimates into the shapeshifting Clayface, who is revealed to have been masquerading as a healthy Joker all along at the ailing villain's request.

Batman incapacitates Clayface, but Joker blows up the theater floor, sending Batman plummeting into Ra's' lair below. Batman destroys Ra's' rejuvenating Lazarus Pit before the Joker can use it, and drinks a portion of the antidote. Batman debates curing his foe but is attacked by Joker before he can act, causing the antidote vial to inadvertently smash. Batman admits that in spite of everything Joker had done, he would have saved him. After Joker finally succumbs to his illness and dies, Batman carries his body out of Arkham City. As Commissioner Gordon asks what happened, Batman places Joker's body on the hood of a police car and leaves in silence.

Screenshots

Batman: Arkham City screenshot 1
Batman: Arkham City screenshot 2
Batman: Arkham City screenshot 3
Batman: Arkham City screenshot 4
Batman: Arkham City screenshot 5
Batman: Arkham City screenshot 6

Game Information

Platforms

OnLive Game SystemPlayStation 3PC (Microsoft Windows)Xbox 360Nintendo Switch

Genres

Hack and slash/Beat 'em upAdventure

Developer

  • Rocksteady Studios

Publishers

  • WB Games
  • DC Entertainment

Age Rating

ESRB: Unknown

Player Perspective

Third person

Part of

  • Batman franchise

Ratings & Reviews

91%
Critic Score
10 reviews
87%
User Score
2353 ratings

Features & Details

Themes & Elements

ActionStealthOpen world

Game Modes

Single player

Key Features

assassinmartial artsdetectivecomicsmetroidvaniahand-to-hand combatbrawlerinsanity

Game Engine

Built with Unreal Engine

Release Information

Primary Release Date

October 18, 2011

✅ Already released

Platform Release Dates

PlayStation 3

November 23, 2011
Japan
October 21, 2011
Europe
October 18, 2011
Asia
October 18, 2011
North America
October 19, 2011
Australia

Xbox 360

November 23, 2011
Japan
October 21, 2011
Europe
October 19, 2011
Australia
October 18, 2011
North America

PC (Microsoft Windows)

November 22, 2011
North America
November 23, 2011
Australia
November 25, 2011
Europe

OnLive Game System

November 25, 2011
Europe
November 23, 2011
Australia
November 22, 2011
North America

Nintendo Switch

December 1, 2023
Worldwide

Release Notes

  • Release dates may vary by region and platform
  • Pre-orders may be available before the official release date
  • Digital releases typically go live at 00:00 local time
  • Physical releases may arrive a few days earlier or later depending on shipping

System Requirements

Estimated system requirements for Batman: Arkham City on PC

Minimum Requirements

os:Windows 10 64-bit
processor:Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
memory:16 GB RAM
graphics:NVIDIA RTX 2060 / AMD RX 6600 XT
directx:Version 12
storage:50 GB available space (SSD recommended)

Recommended Requirements

✨ Recommended
os:Windows 11 64-bit
processor:Intel Core i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
memory:32 GB RAM
graphics:NVIDIA RTX 3080 / AMD RX 6800 XT
directx:Version 12
storage:100 GB available space (NVMe SSD recommended)

Important Notes

  • These are estimated requirements based on game analysis and industry standards
  • Official system requirements will be announced closer to release date
  • SSD storage highly recommended for reduced loading times
  • Requirements may vary for different graphics settings (Low, Medium, High, Ultra)
  • VR games may have additional requirements if VR support is included

💡Performance Tips

For the best experience with Batman: Arkham City, consider upgrading to an SSD, ensuring your graphics drivers are up to date, and closing unnecessary background applications before playing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Batman: Arkham City