Arkham Returns: Two New Batman Games In The Works

Bruce Wayne may be returning not once but twice. This could be just what WB Games needs after Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League got mixed reviews. Recent leaks, rumors, and whispers in the industry say that Rocksteady Studios, the company that made the acclaimed Arkham trilogy, is working on both a full remake of Batman: Arkham Asylum and a whole new Batman game.

First, the Arkham Asylum Remake and it's more than just a remaster. During a Warner Bros. investor call earlier this year, the company mentioned additional Arkham projects, which sparked rumors about a remake of Arkham Asylum. It wouldn't be as easy as just raising the scale. Sources indicate that the remake is being built from the ground up, a similar approach to Capcom's Resident Evil 2 Remake. 

That means new graphics, maybe even new stealth systems, better boss fights, updates to make the game more fun to play, and maybe even more stories. But the voice of Batman is still a big deal. Since Kevin Conroy's death, fans have differing opinions about whether the remake should use his original recordings or feature new actors, such as Roger Craig Smith from Arkham Origins. WB hasn't said anything yet, but his silence is beginning to sound like a sign that something is happening.

Adding fuel to the fire, a rumor said that Rocksteady is really making a new single-player Batman game. While the project is still in its early stages, leaks suggest that it could be a reboot of the franchise or an idea from Batman Beyond, with Gotham set in the future, Terry McGinnis as Batman, and an older Bruce Wayne as Bruce Wayne's mentor. Some people think it might only be coming out for the PlayStation 6.

James Gunn, who is now in charge of the whole DC universe, has made it clear that new DC games will eventually connect to the DCU, but the Arkhamverse will be able to exist on its own. This means that The Batman Part II and Brave and the Bold won't have to connect to Rocksteady's new Batman project. For many fans, that's a relief because it means the games can breathe without getting tangled up in the bigger storyline.

And when it comes to antagonists, Reddit is full of ideas. The Court of Owls has become a strong contender, which makes sense given how creepy and secretive they are and how their mythology is connected to Gotham—fans also like Hush, The Dollmaker, and even darker rogues with a horror vibe. 

If the Batman Beyond storyline is true, we could see bad guys like Blight or Inque in video games for the first time. If Rocksteady is starting over with the universe, Joker will probably not play a big role in the first game, though he might be hinted at in a bigger way in a new trilogy.

So, when will we see the Bat Signal after the release window? According to people who work in the industry, the remake of Arkham Asylum could come out as early as 2026. The new Batman game would come out in late 2027, maybe in 2028 or 2029. It would follow a well-known strategy in the business: first, release a remake based on nostalgia to get people excited again, and then release a new mainline title while fans are still interested.

One thing for certain: The Arkhamverse isn't dead, even though Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League made some mistakes. It may just be getting a new lease on life. Rocksteady is getting back to what they do best, and WB looks like they are making plans for a full remake of the game that started it all. The Dark Knight's digital legacy could soon rise again.

There you have it: Batman is back. Perhaps twice. If the leaks are true, the next few years could be very important for Gotham's Caped Crusader.