Announced at 2020's inaugural DC FanDome, Gotham Knights is an upcoming open-world action RPG from WB Montreal. Despite being developed by Arkham Origins developer WB Games Montréal, the game is an entirely new affair, with no story relation to the acclaimed Batman: Arkham series.

Following the apparent death of Batman and the rise of various villains in his absence, Batman's adoptive family -- Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin -- have risen up to fill the void left in his absence. Together, this reluctant team will have to protect the city's massive five boroughs from an army of underground criminals. Unbeknownst to them, however, the Court of Owls are lurking in the shadows, waiting for the prime opportunity to strike.

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Gotham Knights' Trailer

In the Gotham Knights premiere trailer, Bruce Wayne sends out a secret message initiating "Code Black." The message is sent to the four heroes explaining their new situation. Even in death, Bruce knows what Gotham's criminals will do, and it's up to the family to stop them. He offers them the Belfry Hideout in Wayne Tower as their new base of operations.

Despite training with the same Batman, the Knights have their own personalities. Each hero operates differently, with their own unique equipment and combat mechanics. Nightwing's flashy acrobatic skills create powerful attacks. Red Hood utilizes guns and brutality to instill fear in evil-doers. Robin creeps to hinder his opponents. Batgirl focuses on her opponent's weak points with precise attacks and an arsenal of tech.

As part of Gotham Knight's ongoing narrative, criminals begin by taking over the five boroughs. The trailer highlights Mr. Freeze, in particular, whose weather machine is making Gotham the center point of a new Ice Age. However, at the end of the trailer, it's revealed that the Court of Owls is waiting to strike now that Batman is gone.

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At Gamescom 2022, a new trailer for Gotham Knights arrived. GCPD officer, Renee Montoya is highlighted in this video, giving a voiceover speech about how the now-deceased Jim Gordon "never gave up on anything," and how she's "known for a while now that some day, [she'd] have to work with you," you being the bat family she's introduced to when Alfred allows her access to the bat cave. She continues on to say that she will "need your help, your skills, your knowledge, and your adaptability," again addressing Red Hood, Robin, Batgirl, and Nightwing.

A variety of villains is featured, but it's Harley Quinn, Clayface, and Mr. Freeze that really steal the show. Clayface is particularly menacing in this clip, as he phases through a barred exit from what looks like a sewer line with Robin in pursuit and later taunts Red Hood. Freeze is shown operating an ice-shooting mech and Harley just dominates the proceedings, seemingly in charge of most of the chaos sprouting up in Gotham.

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Gotham Knights' Updates and Latest News

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The game focuses on the four members of the Bat-Family, who are each in the prime of their careers having lived and operated alongside Bruce for some time, but becoming their own heroes. The Gotham City Police Department is also expected to play a role, as Commissioner Jim Gordon is gone as well. However, it's not yet been revealed how he died. The GCPD, however, has lost its way and corrupt cops run rampant throughout the city.

Players will have the option to play with any character throughout the game's campaign. The campaign is playable in a solo or two-player co-op mode, and each of Gotham's Knights will level up on their own. Character equipment will also differ from player to player, and enemies will give players reasons to try new gear or tactics. Leveling will apply to the Knights and enemies, so the bad guys will always present a challenge.

According to an interview with the game's creative director, Patrick Redding, Gotham is a character just like the Knights. All five boroughs can live, breathe, and change during the game. The population will change, and players can explore the city while traversing with grapple hooks or batcycles. Gotham's open world will allow players to experience the good and the bad in the city. Redding explained that the story takes place over several nights, but the heroes will have long-term growth. With every victory over a goon, that experience will help the Knights take on bigger enemies. Each encounter is a chance to prepare themselves for something more menacing, like the Court of Owls.

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A trailer that debuted at 2021's DC FanDome positioned the sinister Court of Owls as the Knights' primary threat. Relatively new in the comics, the Court of Owls first appeared in Batman Vol 2 #3 (2011). They were created by writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo. The criminal group comprises some of Gotham's wealthiest people and kidnaped kids trained into deadly assassins called Talons. They have appeared in other DC games like Batman Arkham Origins and DC Lego Supervillains. Still, Gotham Knights will be their first time as a game's central villains.

When Does Gotham Knights Release?

Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood and Batgirl stand in a rain-soaked alley in Gotham Knights

Though Gotham Knights was originally announced for a 2021 launch, that was quickly delayed to 2022. The game was finally given a release date of Oct. 25, 2022, debunking rumors that the game was going to be pushed into 2023 like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League recently was. Even better, that date was moved up to Oct. 21, 2022, with the release of the Gamescom footage. The game will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and, PC.