When Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Knight hit the shelves in 2015, it marked the end of a remarkable era. The trilogy, accompanied by stellar spinoffs and prequels, had solidified the Batman: Arkham universe's legacy. Despite criticisms, especially regarding Batmobile gameplay, Batman: Arkham Knight served as a fitting conclusion to the adored series. However, the arrival of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League changed the game.
After much anticipation, Rocksteady unveiled their 4-player co-op game featuring Task Force X in 2020. Although some fans were underwhelmed by the trailer, the prospect of revisiting the Arkhamverse sparked excitement. Even after the lackluster release of Suicide Squad, the desire to return to the Arkhamverse persists, albeit with newfound challenges.
The Arkhamverse's Resilience Post-Suicide Squad
The Potential Rebirth of Rocksteady's Arkhamverse
The conclusion of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League leaves Rocksteady's Arkhamverse at a crossroads. With the Justice League and Batman eliminated in the game, the Arkhamverse feels desolate. Yet, rumors hint at the Justice League's resurrection in the Arkhamverse, potentially through Brainiac-created clones in post-launch updates.
Rocksteady has various avenues to revive the Justice League and Batman in the Arkhamverse, especially with DC's multiverse concept. From a storytelling perspective, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League doesn't have to mark the end of the Arkhamverse. Rocksteady could still craft a Superman game, another Batman: Arkham installment, or even a new Suicide Squad game. Despite apparent bridges burned by Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, they could easily reconstruct them with multiversal twists.
Impact of Suicide Squad's Performance on the Arkhamverse
The fate of the Arkhamverse heavily relies on the reception of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Shortly after its launch, Warner Bros. CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels acknowledged the game fell short of expectations. The player count on Steam and the negative feedback on the first live-service content further emphasize the game's rocky start. The future of Rocksteady's Arkhamverse hangs in the balance.