Gotham Knights release date, trailers, gameplay and news

The Gotham Knights release date is almost upon us, and pretty soon we’ll get the chance to experience WB Games Montreal's "dynamic and interactive" open-world Gotham City for ourselves.

With Batman dead, the protection of the city falls into the hands of four other heroes in the DC universe: Batgirl (Barbara Gordon), Robin (Tim Drake), Nightwing (Dick Grayson) and Red Hood (Jason Todd). It's now up to them, and therefore you, to keep Gotham safe and to find out exactly what happened to the Caped Crusader.

As the Gotham Knights, you’ll make the most of the unique powers and abilities of each of the heroes as you fight across the five district boroughs of Gotham City, protecting them from supervillains like Harley Quinn, Mr Freeze and Clayface. There's even the option to team up with your friends in drop-in-drop-out co-op multiplayer if you so choose.

Want to know more? Read on for everything we know about Gotham Knights ahead of its release later this month.

Gotham Knights: cut to the chase

• What is it? An action RPG starring Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood
• When can I play it? October 21, 2022
• What can I play it on? PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC

Gotham Knights: release date and platforms

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment)

Gotham Knights will release on October 21, 2022 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.

Officially announced during DC FanDome on August 22, 2020, Gotham Knights was initially set to release sometime in 2021, however, Warner Bros announced in March 2021 that the game was delayed until 2022. It was later given a release date of October 25.

But that was brought forward at Gamescom 2022. During Gamescom Opening Night Live, it was announced that Gotham Knights' release had been moved by four days to October 21. We'll get our mitts on the new Batman game earlier than we thought, which makes for a refreshing change from the numerous delays that have plagued 2022.

Unfortunately, those on PS4 and Xbox One won't be able to participate in the superhero beat ‘em up. When the game was first announced back in 2020, Warner Bros said Gotham Knights would make its way onto PS4 and Xbox One. However, it rolled back on that commitment in May.

“To provide players with the best possible gameplay experience, the game will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC and will not be available for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One consoles,” the developer writes in the FAQ section of the official Gotham Knights website.

Gotham Knights: trailers

Story launch trailer
Warner Bros. has released a final cinematic trailer ahead of Gotham Knight's launch that should hopefully get your heroic juices flowing. Check it out below:

Gameplay launch trailer
Warner Bros. has given us another look at Gotham Knights' gameplay ahead of the game's release. Check it out below:

Behind the scenes: meet the Batman family
WB Games Montreal released a behind-the-scenes look at the Batman family in Gotham Knights in September 2022. Across the six-minute video, developers discuss the game's characters, their arcs, their dynamics and how they'll change across the game. Check it out below:

Villains trailer
Warner Bros dropped a fresh trailer during Gamescom 2022. It gives us a solid look at the three supervillains we'll be going toe to toe with in Gotham Knights – Harlequin, Mr Freeze and Clayface. Take a look below:

Character trailers
Warner Bros. gradually released trailers for each of Gotham Knight's main characters in the months leading up to the game's launch. Each gave us a closer look at the game's main protagonists as well as a brief rundown of their combat style. There are quite a few, and you can watch them all on the official Gotham Knights YouTube channel (opens in new tab), but you can check out Red Hood's below:

Court of Owls story trailer
Warner Bros. released a new trailer for Gotham Knights during DC FanDome 2021. It's tense, creepy and confirms that the big bad in this game is likely going to The Court of Owls. This is a secret society meets crime organization made up of Gotham's elite. 

This would make sense given we already know the game features deadly assassins known as 'Talons'. According to DC canon, these assassins were trained by The Court of Owls. 

Gameplay trailer
In addition to a world premiere trailer, Warner Bros. premiered the first pre-alpha gameplay of Gotham Knights during DC FanDome 2020, showing Batgirl and Robin joining forces to take on Mr. Freeze during one of several villain encounters. Creative director Patrick Redding narrates the footage, stating that the Mr. Freeze storyline takes place about "a dozen or so hours" into Batgirl's character progression. 

Renee Montoya is heard speaking via radio to Batgirl, seemingly confirming that the GCPD detective is working with the group in some capacity. Alfred Pennyworth - Bruce Wayne's butler and guardian - is featured over comms too.  

A new addition to the series is the introduction of an XP system for leveling up characters, meaning all thugs will possess a number above their head, giving players an idea of their difficulty. This grows as the player increases in power and ability, so that foes keep pace throughout. 

"Confronting a villain like Mr. Freeze can be a very different proposition at level five or at level 15, and not just in terms of stats but in the kinds of attacks and defenses they bring to bear," explains Redding, before teasing more to come in future. 

World premiere trailer
The first action-packed Gotham Knights trailer was revealed at DC FanDome 2020 and shows our four vigilantes receiving a posthumous call from Bruce Wayne, declaring Gotham unsafe and the GCPD distrustful, while also leaving behind all his files and a base of operations (The Belfy) to help keep the city safe. 

We then receive a montage looking at the quartet's different fighting styles, before leading into the co-op element of the game and the introduction of the Batcycle. The trailer closes out introducing what is likely the game's main antagonist - the Court of Owls. 

Simultaneously, a child's voice can be heard saying: "No one talks about them. Not a whisper word is said. For if you try to crush them, then the talon strikes you dead." This refers to the deadly assassins known as 'Talons', which were first introduced back in Batman #2 in 2011.

Gameplay demo 
Warner Bros. Games Montreal dropped a 13-minute gameplay trailer of Gotham Knights in May 2022, giving us a thorough look at Nightwing and Red Hood in action. The gameplay preview also gives us a glimpse of some of the customization options of the game. It also shows off a segment of stealth gameplay as Nightwing sneaks into a hidden Court of Owls hideout. 

You’ll be able to collect resources by fighting crime across Gotham, which can be used to construct suits, gear, and upgrades. As in past Batman Arkham games, you’ll be picking off oblivious henchmen one by one, before squaring off against waves of foes in arena fights.

Gotham Knights: setting and story

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Games)

A completely original story, Gotham Knights is set in an open-world Gotham City, following the deaths of Batman and Police Commissioner Jim Gordon. As a result, crime is on the rise with infamous DC villains like Mr Freeze, Clayface and Harley Quinn aiming to take advantage of the bat's absence. 

But, having been left a pre-recorded message from Batman, the Gotham Knights (Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood) take up the mantle to continue Batman's legacy of protecting the city - while uncovering who it was that killed the Caped Crusader in the first place and how the mysterious criminal society, the Court of Owls, is connected to the ongoing chaos.

Gotham City is set to be a living, breathing ecosystem which will feature citizens just going about their day-to-day business, a variety of criminal factions and iconic locations from the vast Batman Universe (film, TV and comics), including the GCPD. We'll also see appearances from Batman's Rogue Gallery. 

Speaking to GamesRadar (opens in new tab), creative director Patrick Redding revealed that family is a key theme of Gotham Knights. 

"One of our goals was to really tap into the aspects of the Batman universe that hadn't necessarily had exposure yet in games," Redding told the publication. "We drew on the idea of the Batman Family really as a core element of that. Family, in general, has become a theme in this game."

In the same GamesRadar interview, Redding explained mystery also plays a critical part in Gotham Knights. The Knights are aiming to uncover what exactly is going on in Gotham, who killed Batman and how the Court of Owls is connected to it all - a mission that sounds like it will have many twists and turns.

"With the Court [of Owls], the things start out as one thing, and then they definitely end up somewhere else, and that's the exciting part," Redding told the publication.

"The reason we went for a mystery sort of structure for our main story is that it isn't something you can just grind through over a weekend. It's something where you uncover a piece of it, and you get a chance to explore that piece. And it has implications, and it changes the world. And then you have to kind and go and do the detective legwork in order to get access to what the next piece is going to be."

Gotham Knights: gameplay

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Gotham Knights is an open-world action RPG that allows you to play as four characters: Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing and Red Hood. While you can play solo, there's also an option for co-op multiplayer, allowing a second player to drop in and out of the game. 

Each of these characters has their own playstyle and abilities. Batgirl is trained in a variety of fighting styles and is also well-versed in technology and coding; Nightwing is a master of acrobatics and carries his iconic dual escrima sticks; Robin is an expert fighter who carries a quarterstaff and is trained in stealth; while Red Hood is strong and proficient in a manner of weapons. 

Each playable character in Gotham Knights boasts a slate of different abilities, fighting styles, and gadgets. Nightwing, true to his circus roots, is acrobatic and graceful. He glides between enemies, dishing out the fierce fist of justice between pirouettes and somersaults. Equipped with dua batons, he’s primarily a melee-focused fighter, and uses a jet-powered flying trapeze to navigate the Gotham rooftops.

Red Hood, meanwhile, uses twin handguns to take out thugs at range. Don’t worry, though, they’re apparently loaded with non-lethal rounds, so he’s not breaking Batman’s pacifist code. Through performing successful attacks and doges, he builds a momentum bar, which can be unleashed to perform special abilities. Red Hood’s favorite mode of travel is a little different from Nightwing’s. He propels himself across the skyline by releasing bursts of “soul energy”. It’s all very supernatural.

The Belfrey will act as the Gotham Knights' home base, with the Batcomputer at the heart of it, and will be where the heroes hang out in the daytime and plan their next steps. During the night, the heroes venture out to uncover clues, fight crime in the city's five districts and explore. Heroes will have the Batcycle and a grapple at their disposal for exploring Gotham City. 

Before heading out for nighttime patrol, players will pick a hero to play as, though you can return to the Belfrey to change your crimefighter. You don't have to play as a specific hero at any time and you can play the whole game with just one. 

Players will be able to adjust heroes' gear and abilities at the Belfrey. You’ll collect resources by fighting crime across Gotham, used to construct suits, gear, and upgrades. Each hero has their own unique ability tree too, with experience earned through open-world activities. 

Gotham Knights: editions and pre-order bonus

(Image credit: Warner Bros. )

Gotham Knights is currently available for pre-order ahead of its October 21 release date. There are three editions of the game to choose from but Warner Bros. has confirmed that if you do pre-order it, regardless of the edition you choose, you’ll get the exclusive '233 Kustom Batcycle Skin'. As for what your edition choices are, they’re as follows:

Standard Edition
The Standard Edition is simply the basic game without any extras. Unless, of course, you pre-order and then you’ll get that Batcycle skin, too. 

Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition of Gotham Knights includes the base game and the Batcycle skin for pre-order customers. It also comes with the Visionary Pack which contains:

• Exclusive “Knightwatch by Jim Lee” Transmog
• Beyond Suitstyle, inspired Batman Beyond universe
• Salvage to build new Gear
• Boosted Gear
• Exclusive Emote
• 3 Exclusive Suit Colorways 

Collector’s Edition
The Collector’s Edition comes with the most extras thrown in. In addition to everything that comes with the Deluxe Edition, you’ll get the following:

• Collectible Map
• Augmented reality talon key
• Jim Lee certificate of authenticity
• Gotham Knights Exclusive New Guard Statue, inspired by Jim Lee
• Promethium New Guard Transmog

Gotham Knights: news and rumors

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

PC specs
The official Gotham Knights Twitter account has shared the recommended PC requirements for the game. Check them out below:

30fps and no performance mode on consoles
Gotham Knights on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S will run at 30fps and won't offer a performance mode. The game's executive producer, Fleur Marty, confirmed this in the official Gotham Knights Discord (via Eurogamer (opens in new tab)). 

"I know many of you are wondering about the availability of a performance mode for Gotham Knights on consoles," Marty wrote in the Discord. "Due to the types of features we have in our game, like providing a fully untethered co-op experience in our highly detailed open-world, it's not as straightforward as lowering the resolution and getting a higher FPS. For this reason, our game does not have a performance/quality toggle option and will run at 30FPS on consoles."

On PC, however, Gotham Knights will run at 60fps. Given that most current-gen console games run at 60fps, it's somewhat surprising to find out this isn't the case for Gotham Knights. 

Gotham Knights TV series
A Gotham Knights TV series is in the works (which has the same name as the upcoming game) at The CW.

While both the game and the show are called 'Gotham Knights' (borrowed from the comic book series of the same name), the show won't be a spin-off of the game. Instead, according to Entertainment Weekly, the show will "Bruce Wayne's rebellious adopted son in the wake of Bruce's murder as he's forced to forge an unlikely alliance with the children of Batman's enemies after they are all framed for killing the Caped Crusader". 

The series is currently expected to start showing in 2023.

(Image credit: WB Games Montreal)

Studio working on another game?
Warner Bros. Games Montreal, the studio behind Gotham Knights, might be working on a second, unannounced project alongside the game. 

As reported by PCGamesN (opens in new tab), Warner Bros. Games Montreal senior artist Megan Berry’s LinkedIn profile states that since 2019, she’s been working as a co-founder and art director on an unannounced game “in addition to our current responsibilities on Gotham Knights”. 

In addition, also spotted by PCGamesN (opens in new tab), WB Games Montreal was hiring for a Senior Gameplay / Animation Programmer in 2021 “to work with its game development team responsible for a new IP, AAA title.” Whoever gets the role’s job will involve optimizing “cross-platform gameplay systems” and “NPC behaviors” alongside other responsibilities. 

What the game could be is currently unknown and though there are rumors that it could involve Superman, we’ll have to wait for an official announcement from the studio to be sure. 

Is Batman really dead?
The biggest rumor circling the web is that Batman is not actually dead, rather, the world's greatest detective has gone into hiding to infiltrate the Court of Owls before subsequently being revealed alive in the later portions of the story. This has some credibility, just going off the history and general popularity of the Dark Knight alone. WB Games Montréal has not stated that Bruce Wayne is dead either, just Batman. 

On top of this, various images surfaced in August 2019 reportedly revealing the studio's previously canceled project starring Damien Wayne; Batman's son and the fifth character to assume the role of Robin. As Batman was set to be non-playable, Warner Bros. apparently scrapped the idea altogether. With this in mind, would the studio then repeat themselves in Gotham Knights?  

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