Batman: Arkham Knight

Name: Batman: Arkham Knight
Item: Batman: Arkham Knight
Rating: 5
Author: David Chapman

Game review by

David Chapman, Common Sense Media

Popular with kidsParents recommend

Common Sense says

age 16+

(i)

Be the Caped Crusader in this epic end to the Arkham story.

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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 27 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 103 reviews

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Common Sense review | 1:17

Batman: Arkham Knight

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Batman: Arkham Knight Game: Screenshot #2

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Positive Messages

Good fighting evil, stopping criminal activity, helping those in need overshadowed by violence, combat core to the gameplay.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Batman has a strong code of ethics, morals, including a no-killing policy. He's highly intelligent with exceptional deductive skills, a deep sense of family. That being said, Batman is still a violent character in a violent world.

Ease of Play

Thanks to expansion of combat system and new Batmobile controls, higher learning curve, degree of difficulty than previous games.

Violence

Doesn't shy away from depictions of violence. The game opens with graphic cremation of a body. Scenes of torture, corpses found in investigations; cut scenes of characters getting shot, killed. This is in addition to constant flow of combat core to gameplay.

Sex

Some female characters appear in overly suggestive outfits; criminals occasionally make sexual references, innuendo; the red-light district in Gotham features neon signs advertising "Live Nude Girls" and "XXX."

Language

Liberal use of profanity, including "s--t," "bitch," "ass." Occasionally, these words appear in main dialogue but are often repeated in ambient conversations between random criminals.

Consumerism

Based on popular DC Comics superhero, no stranger to various types of merchandise. Plus, the Arkham game series has spawned its own merchandise line, including clothing, action figures, even replica props of the items from the games.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Some characters reference drinking, drug use. Many characters shown smoking in the game. The Penguin, in particular, regularly depicted smoking a cigar in cut scenes.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Batman: Arkham Knight is the latest game in the Arkham franchise. It's a darker entry than previous games, including more graphic scenes of violence and torture. Combat is still the primary focus of the game, with lots of overwhelming close-up melee fighting. The addition of the Batmobile as a core mechanic also introduces vehicular combat. The dialogue is gritty, and criminals make fairly regular use of profanity. Plenty of characters refer to drinking and drug use, and the Penguin in particular is frequently shown smoking a cigar. Criminals occasionally mention innuendo or sexual references, female characters are dressed in suggestive outfits, and the town's red-light district has signs advertising adult entertainment.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Parent of a 7 and 12-year-old Written byDad1000 May 28, 2016

age 7+

M? Just another example of how you can't go by the ratings

How is this game rated m! M for 17+, there really should not be a rating system every kid if different. But I'm sure any 11 year only can handle this,so if... Continue reading

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Adult Written byNoman13 December 25, 2015

age 13+

Epic finish to the Arkham series

Batman: Arkham Knight is the final game in the batman arkham trilogy,(unless you count the prequel Batman: Arkham Origins) and might be the greatest of the bunc... Continue reading

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Teen, 14 years old Written byGameInformer1 June 27, 2016

age 14+

Maturer Audience

Overall a great game but has its many flaws... there are a lot of drug references, many sexual references towards the main character and also has torturer scene... Continue reading

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Kid, 12 years old September 1, 2015

age 12+

Not as bad as some people may say Spoiler Free

Batman: Arkham Knight is a game where the main factor is violence. The violence in this game never gets worse than punching people and knocking them out (in gam... Continue reading

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What's it about?

BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT is the fourth game in the series and the conclusion to the main Arkham story arc. In the story, the Scarecrow has threatened to release a new version of his fear toxin, forcing an evacuation of Gotham. This is part of a larger plan, as the various villains in Batman's Rogues Gallery have teamed up to take out the Dark Knight once and for all. In addition, a mysterious new antihero, the "Arkham Knight," has appeared to deliver his own brand of justice while plotting the downfall of Batman. New to the series is the Dark Knight's ability to take to the streets in the Batmobile, as well as occasional team-ups with various allies, including Nightwing, Robin, and Catwoman.

Is it any good?

For fans of any or all the previous Arkham games, or any Batman fan for that matter, Batman: Arkham Knight represents the pinnacle of the franchise. It's the first Batman game to carry a Mature rating from the ESRB, so younger sidekicks might want to be left in the Batcave this time around. The game is bigger, deeper, grittier, more detailed, and, on the whole, more engaging than any of the previous entries. Plus, the addition of the Batmobile to the game fulfills many fans' biggest wishes.

If there's one main criticism to be levied against Arkham Knight, it would be that the game is almost too big. By adding new abilities and moves to the combat system, as well as the extra layer of controls dedicated to driving and using the Batmobile, the controls aren't quite as instinctual. There's a steeper learning curve this time around, and until you get the hang of it, things simply don't feel as smooth as prior entries in the series. On the upside, once you get past that learning curve and start to really enjoy everything Arkham Knight has to offer, you're left with one simple thought: "I AM Batman!"

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about what defines a "superhero." What are the traits that make a hero stand out and that separate the heroes from the criminals they fight?
How has the Batman character changed over the years? Discuss how changes in the audience and worldview have dictated changes in the character, from the cheesy '60s television version to the ultra violent Dark Knight version to the current Arkham version.