The essence of the Arkhamverse's obsession with Batman ensured that his part in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was destined to be a major focus. Batman always steals the show when he shows up, and rightfully so, given the immense respect and history he carries in Gotham City. His demise in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League implies he won't play such a dominant role anymore, but not before leaving behind a couple of iconic moments.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's Batman Experience museum stands out as a highlight in the game, slowing down the pace and offering a twisted version of players' Arkham experiences before leading them down memory lane. After the revelation of a hostile, murderous Batman, he starts appearing in Metropolis, lurking in the open world and tailing Task Force X. This was a smart move by Rocksteady, yet it loses its charm quickly.
Batman's Stalking Starts Strong but Fades Fast
Witnessing Batman from afar, standing tall with his arms crossed or perched in a crouch with his cape fluttering, is incredibly exciting the first time players spot him. However, the knowledge that he won't engage and will vanish if approached or fired upon diminishes his intimidation factor rapidly.
After encountering him a couple of times, the novelty wears off. If there was a lower probability of spotting him on a rooftop, the gimmick might have retained its impact, with players possibly forgetting about his surveillance. Instead, in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Batman is frequently seen monitoring TFX, coupled with his frequent voiceovers on comms, creating an impression that he is always present rather than lurking in the shadows.
Batman's Aura Fades Quickly in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Often, players finish a mission, quickly loot items from a Bat-Pod, and resume their journey, only to hear Batman disappearing in a puff of smoke somewhere off-screen, indicating his close proximity that went unnoticed. The game's fast-paced nature makes it challenging to remember to scan the surroundings for Batman after a while.
Additionally, Batman isn't a constant stalker throughout the campaign. Perhaps that's why Rocksteady saturates the early game with numerous Batman sightings in the distance. However, it could have been more intriguing if some players never encountered Batman throughout the entire campaign, sparking discussions and speculation.
The Misfit of Arkhamverse in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
The fear toxin episode before Batman's boss battle in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League feels repetitive and loses its eerie appeal after players confront multiple Knightmare Batman illusions with each TFX character. Batman is eventually vanquished and captured before his demise, but his image as a terrifying figure had already faded after a few rooftop sightings. He could have easily swooped in undetected and eliminated TFX post the Batman Experience episode, but he opts not to for unknown reasons.