Jump to content
Toggle search
Toggle menu
  • 29 articles
  • 345 files
  • 10 users
  • 858 edits
Batman: Arkham Wiki
Toggle preferences menu
Toggle personal menu
Not logged in
Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits.

Batman: Arkham Origins

From Batman: Arkham Wiki
More actions


Batman: Arkham Origins is a video game in the Batman: Arkham series, developed by WB Games Montréal and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.[1] It was released on October 25, 2013 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U and Windows.[1] The game is a prequel set several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City. It follows a young and unrefined Batman on Christmas Eve as he is hunted by eight assassins.[1][2]

Plot

On Christmas Eve, the crime lord Black Mask placed a $50 million bounty on Batman, and eight assassins came to Gotham City to claim it.[1][11] The night began with a breakout at Blackgate Prison led by Black Mask and Killer Croc, during which Black Mask killed GCPD Commissioner Loeb.[12][13] After defeating Killer Croc, Batman learned that Croc was one of eight assassins Black Mask had hired to kill him.[13][11] The others were the Electrocutioner, Bane, Firefly, Copperhead, Deadshot, Lady Shiva and Deathstroke.[13][14]

After fending off Killer Croc, the Electrocutioner and Deathstroke, Batman investigated Black Mask's apparent murder and searched the GCPD's databases.[11] He concluded that Black Mask had not been murdered but kidnapped by a new villain, the Joker.[11] The Joker had been posing as Black Mask, had taken control of his criminal empire and had placed the contract on Batman's life himself.[11][13][12] Batman tracked down and apprehended the Joker, who was imprisoned at Blackgate.[11][15] There he was assessed by Dr. Harleen Quinzel.[13][15]

Bane had uncovered Batman's secret identity.[13][15] He attacked the Batcave, leaving it destroyed and Alfred Pennyworth badly injured.[13][16] Batman revived Alfred using the Shock Gloves.[16][15] Meanwhile, the Joker incited a riot and took over Blackgate, forcing Batman and the GCPD to intervene.[11][16] Batman joined Captain James Gordon and the police to retake the prison.[15][11]

In the final confrontation, the Joker strapped himself into an electric chair wired to Bane's heartbeat. This forced Batman to choose between killing Bane and letting Bane's heartbeat power the chair that would kill the Joker.[11][13] Batman used the electrical gauntlets to stop Bane's heart, tricking the Joker into believing Bane was dead.[11][15] He then revived and defeated Bane.[11][16] Finally, Batman subdued the Joker without killing him, and the Joker was arrested.[11][13]

Gameplay

Batman: Arkham Origins introduced an online multiplayer mode to the series, developed by Splash Damage. It pitted teams against each other in 3v3v2 matches that blended traditional Arkham gameplay with third-person shooter mechanics.[1] Players could hunt as Batman or Robin, or play as Super-Villain Elites in the Joker's or Bane's gang. Players on the villain teams had a chance to control the Joker or Bane for a limited time.[1] The multiplayer mode was not available on the Wii U. A Warner Bros. spokesperson said the team was "focusing development efforts on platforms with the largest MP audience".[17][18] The online services for the game were retired on December 4, 2016. The single-player campaign remains playable offline.[5]

Combat

The game retains the series' FreeFlow combat and adds new enemy types, such as the Armored Enforcer and the Martial Artist, each of which requires a different approach.[5]

Exploration

The game features an expanded Gotham City, with new districts that the player can glide over or fight through.[1][5] The player can stop crimes in progress, take down gangs and track down "Gotham's Most Wanted" criminals to earn unique upgrades.[5] Detective Mode was expanded with a Case File system. It lets the player digitally recreate crimes and study simulations of how they happened, using Batman's cowl sensors and the Batcomputer.[5]

Gadgets

New gadgets include the Remote Claw and the Concussion Detonator.[5] The Remote Claw can create tightropes for new routes or string enemies up from vantage points. The Concussion Detonator stuns and disorients groups of enemies in close combat.[5]

Characters

Heroes

Villains

Supporting characters

Locations

Missions

Main Story

Side Missions

Most Wanted - Enigma

Most Wanted - Anarky

Most Wanted - Penguin

Most Wanted - The Mad Hatter

Most Wanted - Shiva

Most Wanted - Black Mask

Most Wanted - Bird

Most Wanted - Blackgate Prisoners

Casefile Reports

Cyrus Pinkney's Secrets - Cyrus Pinkney (New Game Only)

Downloadable content

The Season Pass was priced at $19.99. It included five of the game's downloadable content packs: two exclusive skins, the Initiation pack and a separate new story campaign.[1] The two skins included with the Season Pass are Gotham by Gaslight Batman and Brightest Day Batman.[21] The following release dates are those listed on Steam for the Windows version.

Initiation

Released on December 3, 2013, the player controls a young Bruce Wayne completing his martial arts training, before there was a Batman.[22] It tests his skills of detection, evasion and confrontation at a temple in the Paektusan mountains of Korea, where Grandmaster Kirigi is holding a final class.[1]

Cold, Cold Heart

Released on April 22, 2014, it is a story campaign set at New Year. Batman sets out to stop Mr. Freeze after the CEO of GothCorp is kidnapped.[23]

Black Mask Challenge Pack

Released on November 26, 2013, it adds two Black Mask-themed challenge maps, "Lot Full" and "Hidden Facility". They can be played as Batman, or as Deathstroke if the player owns the Deathstroke content.[24]

New Millennium Skins Pack

Released on November 12, 2013, it adds cosmetic skins for Batman and Robin. They are Red Son Batman, Blackest Night Batman, New 52 Graphic Batman, Batman: Noel 1st Appearance Batman and One Year Later Robin.[25]

Infinite Earths Skin Pack

Released on November 26, 2013, it adds cosmetic skins for Batman and Robin. They are Earth 2 Dark Knight, Long Halloween Batman, Batman: Dark Knight of the Round Table, Thrillkiller Batman, Earth 2 Batman and Classic Tim Drake Robin.[26] The skins in both packs can be used in the story campaign after the main story is completed.[25][26]

Development

Production

Batman: Arkham Origins was developed by WB Games Montréal. Its online multiplayer mode was developed separately by Splash Damage.[1][18] Rocksteady Studios, the developer of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, was not involved in development.[4] Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment president Martin Tremblay said WB Games Montréal was "building upon Rocksteady's award-winning gameplay and technology".[2] The game runs on Unreal Engine 3. Creative director Eric Holmes confirmed that it uses a modified version of the engine, with what he called "advances" over the version Rocksteady used.[3][4]

Writing

The story was written by Dooma Wendschuh and Corey May of Sekretagent Productions, with guidance from Geoff Johns and DC Comics.[6] Wendschuh was also the game's narrative director. Ryan Galletta was credited as writer and senior narrative designer.[7][8] According to Game Informer, Holmes and Wendschuh cited classic comics such as Batman: Year One as inspiration.[6]

Wendschuh said the team wanted to make Batman and Alfred's relationship "more relatable". According to Wendschuh, Batman sees Alfred as "an extension of the death of his parents", while Alfred sees Batman as "this spoiled kid who's squandering his parents' wealth".[27] Holmes said the Christmas setting was chosen because it "adds a sense of irony to everything".[27]

Voice cast

In May 2013, it was reported that Roger Craig Smith would voice Batman and Troy Baker would voice the Joker. Both roles had previously been voiced by Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill.[19][20][28]

Music

The score was composed by Christopher Drake. Batman: Arkham Origins (Original Video Game Score), with 32 tracks, was released by WaterTower Music on October 22, 2013.[9][10]

Release

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced Batman: Arkham Origins on April 9, 2013, with a worldwide release scheduled for October 25, 2013.[2] The game launched on October 25, 2013. It was released alongside Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, a 2.5-D companion game for the PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS developed by Armature Studio, and a free-to-play mobile game for iOS developed by NetherRealm Studios.[1] In Europe, the Wii U and physical Windows versions were delayed until November 8, 2013. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions released on October 25 as planned.[29][30] The game is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB.[1]

Platforms

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions had a suggested retail price of $59.99, and the Wii U and Windows versions were priced at $49.99.[1] The Steam store page lists the Windows version's release date as October 24, 2013.[5]

Editions

A limited Batman: Arkham Origins Collector's Edition was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, priced at $119.99.[1]

Reception

On Metacritic, the PlayStation 3 version holds a score of 76 based on 46 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[31] The Xbox 360 version scores 74 from 46 reviews. The Windows version scores 74 from 17 reviews and the Wii U version scores 68 from 5 reviews, all indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[32][33][34][5]

Wendschuh, Galletta and May were nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Videogame Writing at the 2014 Writers Guild of America Awards.[7][8]

Continuity

Batman: Arkham Origins is an original prequel set several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City. It takes place before the rise of Gotham City's most dangerous criminals.[1][2] Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate continues the storyline of the console game.[1] Batman: Arkham Shadow is set between the events of Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Asylum.[35][36]

  • Batman as he appears in Batman: Arkham Origins
    Batman as he appears in Batman: Arkham Origins
  • The Joker as he appears in Batman: Arkham Origins
    The Joker as he appears in Batman: Arkham Origins

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 "Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Launches Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate", DC, DC Entertainment, October 25, 2013. Archived copy. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Announces Batman: Arkham Origins", Cision News, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, April 9, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 David Rodriguez."Batman: Arkham Origins is Powered by a Modified Unreal Engine 3", DualShockers, August 27, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Justin Alderman."Warner Bros. Announces Batman: Arkham Origins For October 2013 Release", We Got This Covered, April 9, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 "Batman: Arkham Origins on Steam", Steam, Valve. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Eric Holmes; Dooma Wendschuh."The Storyline Of Batman: Arkham Origins", interview by Ben Hanson, Game Informer, April 17, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "2014 Writers Guild Awards video game nominees announced", Engadget, January 10, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Jenna Pitcher."WGA Videogame Writing Award nominations include Assassin's Creed 4 and The Last of Us", Polygon, January 10, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Batman: Arkham Origins (Original Video Game Score) by Christopher Drake", Apple Music, Apple, October 22, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Batman: Arkham Origins (Original Video Game Score), Christopher Drake", Qobuz. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  11. ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 Simon Cardy."How the Batman Arkham Series Sets up Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League", IGN, January 29, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Jared Stewart."The Arkhamverse's Black Mask Got the Raw End of the Deal", Game Rant, December 29, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 Chris Foti."The Argument For 'Batman: Arkham Origins'", Dark Knight News, December 17, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Emily Gera."Batman: Arkham Origins final assassins leaked online", Polygon, October 21, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 "Batman: Arkham Origins (revision 1373763030)", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, September 7, 2026. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Prima Games Staff."Batman: Arkham Origins Walkthrough- How to Defeat The Joker", Prima Games, October 28, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  17. ↑ Wesley Yin-Poole."Batman: Arkham Origins multiplayer skips Wii U", Eurogamer, July 31, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 MCV Staff."Splash Damage developing Batman: Arkham Origins multiplayer mode", MCV/Develop, July 31, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Wesley Yin-Poole."Turns out Kevin Conroy is working on Batman: Arkham Origins after all", Eurogamer, May 20, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Daniel Vuckovic."Batman: Arkham Origins Voice Cast Confirmed, New Trailer and Box Revealed", Vooks, May 20, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Batman: Arkham Origins - Season Pass on Steam", Steam, Valve. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Batman: Arkham Origins - Initiation on Steam", Steam, Valve. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Batman: Arkham Origins - Cold, Cold Heart on Steam", Steam, Valve. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Batman: Arkham Origins - Black Mask Challenge Pack on Steam", Steam, Valve. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Batman: Arkham Origins - New Millennium Skins Pack on Steam", Steam, Valve. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Batman: Arkham Origins - Infinite Earths Skin Pack on Steam", Steam, Valve. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Steve Watts."Batman: Arkham Origins devs detail relationships, setting", Shacknews, April 18, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  28. ↑ Ravi Sinha."Batman: Arkham Origins Voice Actors Confirmed, Kevin Conroy Not Voicing Batman", GamingBolt, May 21, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  29. ↑ Tom Phillips."Batman: Arkham Origins' Wii U and physical PC versions will launch later in Europe", Eurogamer, October 18, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  30. ↑ Stephany Nunneley-Jackson."Batman: Arkham Origins Wii U and PC disc version delayed to November 8 in Europe", VG247, October 18, 2013. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Batman: Arkham Origins critic reviews (PlayStation 3)", Metacritic. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Batman: Arkham Origins critic reviews (Xbox 360)", Metacritic. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Batman: Arkham Origins critic reviews (PC)", Metacritic. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Batman: Arkham Origins critic reviews (Wii U)", Metacritic. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  35. ↑ "'Batman: Arkham Shadow' Debuts Story Trailer and New Details at Summer Game Fest", Meta Quest Blog, Meta, June 7, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  36. ↑ Ryan Payton."Batman Arkham Shadow Developer Cites Arkham Asylum as Its 'North Star' – Summer Game Fest 2024", interview by Ryan McCaffrey, IGN, June 7, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
Retrieved from "https://arkham.wiki/index.php?title=Batman:_Arkham_Origins&oldid=465"
Contents