Summary
There’s oneBatmantitle that could act as a sort of pseudo-sequel to the PlayStation 4 exclusiveThe Order: 1886. Considering that the latter game has become rather obscure since its release eight years ago, it can be hard to see a relation between the two. The vast library ofBatmanstories gives the Dark Knight a further reach than many may think, though. As it turns out, one of Batman’s tales fits into almost the same niche thatThe Order: 1886did, and there’s a chance for him to carry that torch in the gaming world.
It’s disheartening to say thatThe Order: 1886missed the mark, because there was a very cool concept behind the game. Taking place in a steampunk version of London, players control Sir Galahad of the Knights of the Round Table. Instead of donning armor and adventuring in Camelot, these knights wielded powerful weapons in order to fight against vampires and werewolves. Unfortunately, a great idea and excellent presentation were let down by some rather lackluster gameplay, a short length, and an ultimately unsatisfying overall package in the eyes of many players. Despite its potential,The Order: 1886ended up being a tale of what could have been.
Gotham by Gaslight Could Relight The Order: 1886’s Vision
Some good sources for a moreunique idea for the nextBatmangamecan be found in the Elseworlds comic. Elseworlds stories take many of DC’s iconic characters and place them in different settings, often different periods in history or involving other famous stories. One of these stories isGotham by Gaslight, which received a comic as well as an animated adaptation.Gotham By Gaslighttakes place in a 19th century version of Gotham City, where the Bruce Wayne of that universe takes on the role of Batman to investigate the truth behind the infamous murderer Jack the Ripper’s crime spree.
The identity of Jack the Ripper is different in the Gotham by Gaslight film and comic, so a game adaptation for the story could be unpredictable, with a developer able to do its own Jack reveal.
A game based onGotham by Gaslightwould bring players to adifferent version ofBatman’s Gotham City, swapping the usual modern aesthetic for the styles of centuries past. The setting isn’t without technology though, asGotham by Gaslight’s Batman has his own selection of gadgets, although with a more steampunk take than his usual high-tech devices. Even over a century in the past, Gotham is still a bustling city, so players would have plenty to explore. A new universe also means new versions of classic characters. The film’s story already features characters like Selina Kyle, Commissioner Gordon, and the Robins, and a game could expand the cast even further.
There is a lot of untapped potential in this setting, and it’s no surprise that aGotham by Gaslightgame has been pitched before. Batman is a character that translates well into multiple gameplay styles, with both his martial artist and detective sides capable of carrying a mission. His anachronistic steampunk style could help to fill a void thatThe Order: 1886left behind. While Batman is more of a fistfighter than a shooter, the anachronistic steampunk stylings ofGotham by Gaslightare reminiscent of the past game. Fans ofThe Order: 1886could find a superhero title to rally behind inGotham by Gaslight.
While aGotham by Gaslightgame would obviously not be thesequel thatThe Order: 1886deserves, it would be a solid spiritual successor. Both take a historical fantasy approach to a well-known idea, andGotham by Gaslightcan learn fromThe Order: 1886and perform even better with the concept. Further, Galahad essentially ends up as a vigilante at the end ofThe Order, which could have resulted in a very Batman-like experience. The idea of Batman adventuring through a steampunk Gotham is an excellent base for a game, even if it strays a bit from the original story. A game based onGotham by Gaslightcould have the chance to do whatThe Order: 1886wanted to accomplish.
Batman
Batman is one of the most popular and well-known superheroes of all time. Created in 1939 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, Batman has evolved over the decades into a cultural icon.As a child, Bruce Wayne’s parents were murdered in front of him. Since that day, Bruce made it his mission to fight back against the criminal element in Gotham City. Taking on the appearance of what scares him most, Batman faces off against powerful villains like the Joker, Two-Face, Bane, and the Penguin.
