Video games have come a long way in adopting some notable characters and creating new and memorable ones. With a detailed history and attractive personalities, these characters captivate players to live a second life through their eyes. On the same note, Batman is one of themost loved characters in comics, animated series, movies, and games.
Here is a list of top video game characters that evoke the indomitable spirit ofThe Dark Knighthimself. These characters exude the aura of vigilance, strength, and determination, combined with their unparalleled combat skills, intellect, and stealth. Leaving aside theArkhamseries, the following video game characters will make gamers experience a thrill akin to the Caped Crusader.
Set in Gotham itself,Gotham Knightsallows players to choose and play as one of Batman’s four sidekicks. Although most gamers are satisfied with Batgirl herself in terms of stealth, hacking, and combat, the other characters do not feel short. Nightwing has excellent close-range combat skills combined with his mobility and agility. He is also best suited for cooperative gameplay.
Similarly, Robin has been under Batman’s direct guidance and excels in overhead stealth takedowns. Gamers can further invest in his build and make him more powerful to enjoy the cinematic spectacle of Robin fighting with theinfamous Harley Quinn. Depending on their skills and expertise, some players can switch between Red Hood and Batgirl. In a way, all the characters are overpowered in their domain.
Fans of the character may recognize him quickly as a product of D.C. Comics, like Batman himself. However, many gamers argue that his persona inWolf Among Usstood out much better as portrayed in the comics. Few of them even go on to proclaim him as the fairytale Batman. Set in Fabletown, a community in 1980s New York City, Bigby Wolf is a sheriff of the place to track down criminals and resolve conflicts.
Formerly known as the Big Bad Wolf, he is one of the strongest characters among the Fables, trying to turn a new leaf. People either hate him or are scared of him because they are unaware of the tough choices he has to make. Nonetheless, he never does anything without a reason due to his calculative mind. He is never afraid to use brute force but constantly suffers against his nature due to having been the Big Bad Wolf. Like Batman, he is keen and capable of noticing small details in a crime scene. Plus, he is excellent at hand-to-hand combat, which sometimes makes him seem like abarely restrained monster.
Dishonored 2allows gamers to play either as Corvo Attano (from the first game) or Emily Kaldwin (his daughter). Corvo Attano has the skills of an assassin, which makes him feel like Batman due to his stealth and power. He also wears an iconic mask that makes his enemies fear him. The game also takes place in a steampunk aesthetic with lots of dark and gloomy cityscapes that add to the ambiance.
However, players can enjoy different gameplay based on their character selection. If they wish for a brute force approach, they can pick Emily and test out fresh and new powers. Corvo’s powers are much simpler but super strong for any situation. Players can also glimpse his childhood and history, which shaped him into who he is today. During gameplay, his combat skills stand out in how he places himself around his enemies. Like Batman, he is serious, contemplative, disciplined, and super bold. Plus, he can fight the worst people around him and come out without blood on his hands.
Sleeping Dogsshares many traits with theArkhamgames through the character Wei Shen. He is a Chinese-American police officer who has to go undercover to infiltrate a criminal organization. Plus, he is amazing at combat when dealing with gang members. Although Wei wants the good of society, his means of achieving the goals can be rather destructive (Batman!).
Some players may also see him acting more like a criminal than a cop, which only affirms his vigilante image. Instead, it would be better to say that being a cop makes him a better criminal because he knows exactly how to operate in certain situations. However, he can do fantastic cop work when needed and cripple a whole triad or bring down a drug ring if the situation calls for it.
5Talion - Shadow of Mordor / Shadow of War
Similarities: Dark and Gritty, Combat, Stealth
Set in a dark and gritty atmosphere,Shadow of MordorandShadow of Warpromise varied gameplay due to their skill-building. Talion is a Gandorian Ranger who binds with a wraith of the Elf Lord Celebrimbor. Gamers can choose from over 60 skills, and depending on their build, they can enjoy the feeling of playing like Batman.
Some notable skills for the stealth plus kill combo include Silent Runner, Shadow Strike Pull, Agility, Critical Strike, and Melee Close Combat. Under the Shadow category, players can try many other skills, like Shadow Strike and Shadow Dominate. Plus, the tragic character of Talion has a fantastic story and lore that makes players connect with him as they play along. He embodies the saying, “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourselfbecome the villain.” The amount of sacrifices he makes is guaranteed to make players look at him with awe for an unforgettable experience. Many gamers have vouched for both titles to resemble theArkhamtitles.
Throughout theMax Paynetrilogy, many players loved the third installment solely for the character. The first part dealt with experiencing a tragedy and trying to cope with its trauma (albeit, it may have seemed spoofy). The second part explores his failure to cope with the trauma but come to terms with it. Finally, the third part explores how he is still trying to overcome that pain and ultimately succeeding.
Regarding its similarity with Batman, Max Payne resembles the older and worn-out Batman from the comics and animated series. Gamers can see how he has become disgruntled andweary but still dangerous. Plus,Max Payne 3wraps up Max’s character in a rooted and satisfying way. Without spoilers, Max gets his redemption arc from the trauma of the previous games and can finally be at peace. The combat involves guns and gang wars, but the personality and character truly stand out.
Similar toMax Payne, Cole Phelps has a tragic backstory. He tries to overcome his trauma by doing good. Throughout the game, players get to do detective work by finding clues and using them to solve crimes. Cole is a very realistic character that one could encounter at a bar without meaning to. Through his trauma, he always feels like he has sinned with fire and constantly pours over water to purify himself.
Plus, he is not liked by many, which makes him a tragic anti-hero – a hero with flaws. Ultimately, he may seem like an evil man trying to do good, which could be said to be the same for Batman from the eyes of some. Cole is one of the few complex characters in the game world, and players may or may not like him, depending on their moral compass. Eventually, he gets his redemption and finally achieves what he has yearned for, for years.
Hailed by many players as Samurai Batman or 13th Century Japanese Batman, Jin Sakai frighteningly shares his backstory with The Dark Knight. Like Bruce Wayne, he is from a wealthy, privileged background, raised by a loyal servant, and trained by elite martial artists. Like Batman, he dons an armor, mask, and cape, uses stealth and guerrilla tactics, uses bombs, sharp throwing objects, and has a grappling hook. His enemies also fear him and his love interest is a thief!
The only difference would be that Batman doesn’t kill, and he does, but that is purely debatable. Batman has killed his enemies in comics, animated series, and past and recent movies. Jin Sakai doesn’t kill because he has to, but because he needs to. In a way, he is not the hero the people wanted but the hero they needed. Jin does whatever is required of him for the great good ofTsushima. Plus, he can be very vengeful, and players can catch a glimpse of him enjoying himself most in battle. He can be ruthless if the situation calls for it. The first Act may seem easygoing, but the actual plot and character development starts during Acts 2 and 3, where players can see him emerging as the trueGhost of Tsushima.
Set in Chicago,Watch Dogsmakes a fantastic statement by making it seem cold and grim. Aiden Pearce is a highly debatable character with mixed reviews from the series' fans. They either love him or hate him, but not many can deny that playing as Aiden makes it feel like playing close to Batman. He may be a damaged man, but he has a vigilante persona.
Like Batman, he aims to make the city a better place, although his actions may be questionable. Plus, players can adjust the gameplay as they wish. They can use hacking and stealth creatively or go all-out guns blaring. Aiden even uses a baton for non-lethal takedowns of nearby enemies. Some players even exclaim he is a ‘hacker Batman’ mixed with parkour andJohn Wick-type gameplay elements. Plus, he is a perfect representation of an anti-hero due to his morality being in a speculative gray area.
Players can compareCyberpunk 2077toShadow of WarandShadow of Mordordue to its varied gameplay. Here, players can create a build that resembles Batman and enjoy the game in the already dark, gritty, and corrupt setting of Night City. Where theShadowseries incorporates skills,Cyberpunkhas cyberware that can affect the gameplay as much as the player wants.
For a Batman-like build, players can get the fist/gorilla arm perk and Kiroshi optics and look for gadgets to get the throwing knife perk. Many gadgets can imitate what Batman’s gadgets do in theArkhamseries. There are stealth perks and a cyberware arm that one can install with tranquilizer darts to shoot and knock out long-range enemies. Hacking is a given, and the game also has an Easter Egg for a Batman-type car that one can find in a cave by going with Panam. This is the fastest car in the game and can go 220 mph. Players can also put on a suit and tie to imitate Bruce Wayne. Apart from that,Cyberpunkhas many modsthat can get you anything related to Batman.
