Arkham Shadow Should Be the First of Many Batman VR Games

Arkham Shadow Should Be the First of Many Batman VR Games
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Batman: Arkham Shadow is the latest entry in the beloved Arkham series, and while it is a VR game, that hasn’t kept it from being a compelling chapter. It’s understandable that many have wanted a fresh Arkham story available on consoles, but Batman: Arkham Shadow is still an incredibly strong continuation of the franchise’s legacy.

Arkham Shadow is set six months after the events of Arkham Origins, following a less-experienced version of Batman as he tracks down the story’s main villain, the Rat King. Batman has been the most successful hero in DC’s gaming ventures by far. What makes Batman resonate with so many people is that he’s a unique character in the main DC Comics roster. His status as a normal human who does not possess any actual superpowers ultimately makes him stand out. On top of that, Batman’s more brooding and dark detective-inspired nature makes for compelling stories, which could make VR the perfect stage to continue telling these tales.

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Batman: Arkham Shadow’s recently added post-credits scene puts into perspective how significant Dick Grayson’s role could be in a possible sequel.

Batman’s Role as DC’s Detective Makes VR a Great Home for Future Arkham Stories

VR may not be every person’s preferred way to experience a game, but Arkham Shadow showcases just how fun it can be to live out the role of Batman. The first-person perspective makes Arkham Shadow one of the most immersive chapters in the series yet, as it can feel like one is actually walking in Bruce Wayne’s shoes as a vigilante. Sneaking through Gotham while trying to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Rat King would still be fun if it were a third-person console offering, but getting to experience everything up close and personal through the eyes of Batman can be even more effective.

Arkham Shadow‘s first-person POV change was one of the biggest challenges developer Camouflaj had to face, but the studio managed to do so surprisingly well. From the game’s combat to the more investigative moments in the story, Arkham Shadow is a great demonstration of how detective-focused action games work incredibly well in VR.

As of February 2025, Arkham Shadow has surpassed over one million players, marking a huge milestone for the VR title.

Rumors of Another Batman Game Raise Questions

According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, there may be a new Batman game developed by Rocksteady planned for the distant future. Of course, claims like this should be taken with a grain of salt until officially confirmed by developers, but if true, it will be interesting to see if Rocksteady takes note of Camouflaj’s work with Arkham Shadow.

After Rocksteady’s controversial Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League failed to bring a satisfying Arkhamverse story to life, the developer reportedly returning its focus to Batman is intriguing. On the other hand, though, Camouflaj may still be a strong studio to continue the Arkhamverse, at least in the VR space. A world where Rocksteady develops console-focused Arkham entries while Camouflaj focuses on VR spin-offs isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

Even if Rocksteady comes back with a strong Arkham game, the VR entries hopefully won’t stop. Arkham Shadow brought a thrillingly deep level of immersion that may be hard to replicate again via console. Only time will tell, but an Arkham Shadow follow-up is hopefully in the cards.

Developer Monolith is also currently working on its Wonder Woman game, but it’s unclear if it will be connected to the Arkhamverse.

The Future of the Arkhamverse is in a Tough Position Right Now

Warner Bros. and its gaming aspirations in general have had a rocky year, but Arkham Shadow was a rare silver lining. Whatever route the Arkhamverse takes, Camouflaj’s work on Arkham Shadow will hopefully inspire the series going forward.

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