Batman: Arkham Shadow goes beyond mere fan service to deliver a meaningful expansion of the Arkham universe, one that will likely be remembered as a defining moment in VR gaming history
Gotham's Dark Knight has finally made his triumphant return to virtual reality, and what a return it is. Batman: Arkham Shadow isn't just another VR adaptation - it's a fully-realized Arkham experience that stands shoulder to shoulder with its legendary flat-screen predecessors.
Set in the gap between Arkham Origins and Asylum, Arkham Shadow drops us into a sweltering July 4th night in Gotham City. A mysterious new threat called the Rat King has emerged, leading a fanatical cult promising to unleash chaos upon the city. As Batman, you must unravel the conspiracy before Gotham falls into complete anarchy.
The narrative takes us primarily to Blackgate Prison, transformed into a powder keg of tension and violence. The creative decision to focus on this confined yet intricate location pays off tremendously. Every corroded cell block, every dimly lit corridor, and every echoing chamber tells a story. The prison feels alive with danger and secrets, housing some of Batman's most notorious enemies alongside common criminals.
The story weaves through themes of justice, redemption, and the thin line between order and chaos. The Rat King proves to be a fascinating antagonist, whose motivations become increasingly complex as the narrative unfolds. Without spoiling anything, the story takes several unexpected turns that genuinely surprised me and enriched the already deep Arkham lore. It's a testament to the strength of the Arkham series that it can introduce new characters and plot points without disrupting the established universe, but at the same time also a testament to how much Camouflaj loves and understands this universe. They really nailed it.
The greatest achievement of Arkham Shadow is how it translates the series' signature combat system into VR. Rather than opt for purely physics-based fighting, Camouflaj has created a rhythmic combat system that captures the flow and intensity of the Arkham series. Throwing punches requires precise timing and proper form - wild flailing will get you nowhere. The game teaches you to read enemy movements, time your counters, and chain together devastating combos.
You will need to master this combat system to survive in Blackgate. This is even more important when you start facing hordes of enemies. The game does a great job at gradually introducing new mechanics and punishing mistakes. You'll quickly learn that blocking and evading are just as important as landing hits. Different enemy types like guys in heavvy armour or those weilding electric batons require different approaches, and some will force you to adapt on the fly. It's a challenging system that rewards patience and practice.
Then you have the multi-stage boss fights which are just chef's kiss. Without spoiling anything, these encounters can be quite challenging, but the satisfaction you'll experience as you punch them to submission is unlike anything you've ever experienced in a VR title.
The predator sequences, a hallmark of the series, return in Arkham Shadow and are even more impressive in VR. Perching on gargoyles, swooping down on unsuspecting enemies, and disappearing into the shadows feels incredibly immersive. The vertical nature of these encounters works beautifully in VR, creating genuine tension as you stalk your prey from above.
Batman's iconic gadgets have been thoughtfully implemented. The grappling hook feels natural and intuitive, making traversal both thrilling and precise. Running and jumping off a ledge and gliding by holding your cape only to fire the grappling hook at the perfect moment is effortless and extremelysatisfying. The Batarang throws are as satisfying not only to hit switches from afar, but also during combat as they help you keep that combo up and stop the enemies from attacking you. The explosive gel also returns and can be used not only to blow up blocked paths, but also during combat creating tactical advantages.
The Detective Mode, reimagined for VR, makes crime scene investigations feel more engaging than ever. Once you activate it by just putting your hand next to your head and pressing the trigger, you can look around and inspect the scene. Much like the flat-screen games, scanning different clues will reconstruct the events of the crime and reveal what actually happened. These investigative sequences are another highlight of the game.
While Blackgate Prison might seem limiting compared to the open worlds of previous Arkham games, it's densely packed with content and detail. The prison's architecture is a maze-like warren of interconnected spaces that gradually open up as you acquire new abilities and gadgets. Backtracking never feels tedious because you're constantly discovering new secrets and alternate paths.
The attention to environmental storytelling is remarkable. Prisoner conversations echo through the halls, graffiti tells tales of past incidents, and evidence of the Rat King's influence can be found in the most unexpected places. The game rewards thorough exploration with an impressive array of collectibles, including Rat King propaganda recordings that flesh out the story's background.
Batman: Arkham Shadow is also one of the best looking games for Quest 3 along other greats like Assassin's Creed Nexus VR and Red Matter 2. The gothic architecture of Blackgate is rendered in stunning detail, from the tiniest vent and dimly lit tunnel to the big areas like the Yard and the Glasshouse. The character models are excellent too, some of the best I've seen in a standalone VR game, expressive and detailed, particularly during close-up story sequences.
The voice acting is exceptional across the board. The cast brings gravitas and nuance to their roles, with particularly strong performances from Roger Craig Smith who voices Batman/Bruce and another character I do not intend on spoiling and the always excellent Troy Baker who lends his voice to Harvey Dent and another character I also do not intend on spoiling, but if you played Arkham Origins, you'll know who it is. Elijah Wood brings Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow to life and Tara Strong as Harley Quinn is always a treat for your ears. The excellentsound design and music create an immersive atmosphere - from the echo of footsteps in metal corridors to the satisfying thud of landing a perfect counter-attack.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows though. Since Batman: Arkham Shadow is a fully fledged AAA VR title running on basically a mobile chipset, it suffers from occasional technical hiccups. Frame drops will occur when entering new areas and especially when you use the smoke bombs during combat. I also found that recording gameplay via the Quest's built-in DVR often would cause frame drops. I've clipped and fallen off the world a couple of times while cramming myself through vents. Then there are the crashes... yeah I've had a few of those. Advice, when you are playing the game and running full sprint towards a door that is clearly there to help load the next big segment of the map, stop running towards it and you will mitigate the risk of the game crashing.
Luckily Camouflaj has been very active on Discord, they know about these issues and are working on them. I've talked directly to the game's director on Discord, Mr. Ryan Payton, which I have to say it's a privilege, and he let me know that the upcoming V1.1 patch coming sometime in November will address most of these issues. Just be aware that you might experience some hiccups if you plan on playing the game right now.
Batman: Arkham Shadow is more than just a phenomenal VR game - it's a phenomenal Batman game, period. It successfully captures the essence of what made the Arkham series special while adding its own unique touches through the power of virtual reality. The combination of compelling storytelling, refined combat mechanics, and atmospheric world design creates an experience that feels both fresh and faithful to the source material. The game goes beyond mere fan service to deliver a meaningful expansion of the Arkham universe, one that will likely be remembered as a defining moment in VR gaming history. Despite its few technical rough edges, Batman: Arkham Shadow stands as a masterful achievement that truly makes you feel like you've become the Dark Knight. Yeah, this is an essential experience I recommend to everyone that owns a Quest 3 or Quest 3S. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a Quest 3 via a promo code provided by the publisher. Batman: Arkham Shadow is available exclusively on Meta Quest.
