For the last few weeks, any Bat-game news coming out has been related to Warner Bros. Montreal's prequel, Arkham Origins, leaving the handheld Arkham Origins Blackgate out in the cold. But now, a new trailer is finally showing us what gameplay will look like for the title, due out around the same time as Origins.
As far as placing the game in continuity, it takes place before the first two Arkham games, but after the console versions of Origins, so if you're looking to keep things in order, and prevent any sort of spoilers, there you go.
The trailer's a hodge podge of familiar Arkham faces, Joker, Catwoman (this is when Batman actually meets her in the Arkham-verse), Solomon Grundy, Penguin, etc., or characters that will make their debut in Arkham Origins, in the case of Black Mask. There's at least one new character in Bronze Tiger, another feline themed martial artist. He's traditionally seen in a feline getup, not unlike Catwoman, but strict Blackgate guidelines frown on him keeping his tiger mask. However, there's no problem with him wielding a pair of retractable claws. Welcome to Gotham...
On the surface, the plot is fairly basic, but expect a few twists and turns here and there. Basically, a prison uprising has begun on the titular prison island, and it's up to Batman to go in and put a stop to the riot. Unlike the open worlds seen in the first two Arkham games, Blackgate will be a 2D sidescroller in the "Metroidvania" vein. You know the drill, explore there, gain this, backtrack there, etc.
From the looks of the trailer, it seems to follow this style fairly well, but has some improvements. Players will be able to fight, interact, and explore with enemies and objects in both the foreground and background. Like in the other Arkham titles, Batman's predator and detective modes are also present, letting him hide in the usual array of floor grates, vents, gargoyles, and take down enemies stealthily with glide kicks, choke holds, and the like.
There's also a peek at the game's comic book styled cutscenes, keeping faith to the source material.
Despite the sidescrolling nature, Blackgate's combat is also said to be similar to the other Arkham games, and the trailer shows it at least looks that way. We'll have to see if it'll feel the same when the game releases.
You can check out the trailer below. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate releases for Nintendo's 3DS and Sony's PS Vita on October 25.
