Summary
TheDC Universeis packed full of unique characters and interesting locales, but it’s only been over the last few years that developers have really made an attempt to present DC fans with a true open-world experience. Whilst fans wait for Rocksteady Studios’Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, an open-world game set in a Brainiac-invaded Metropolis, they can find plenty of DC open-world games to scratch their itch. Sure, there’s been plenty of very linear DC games in the past, but with so many fun areas to explore withthe likes of Gotham Cityand Metropolis, it makes this comic universe extremely suitable for the immensely popular open-world genre.
With the incredible success of Insomniac’sSpider-Mangames and rumors of many other open-world Marvel projects dropping in the future, it can sometimes be easy to overlook some of DC’s own games within the genre, despite many of them being downright amazing and extremely influential. It’s time to take a closer look at some of the very best and most engaging DC open-world games to date to understand what makes them so fun and captivating to play.
Admittedly,Gotham Knightswasn’t met very favorably by critics or DC fans when it first launched back in 2022, but after a few updates and small tweaks to the gameplay systems, a lot of people have come around to it and enjoyed the co-op open-world experience that the game offers. After the death of Batman,four trusty vigilantesmust take up the mantle of being Gotham’s finest protectors, with each player choosing one character to play as upon booting up the game for the first time.
The city of Gotham has a very dreary and dark color palette which is occasionally contrasted with bright neon lights and dim street lamps, all coming together to create an incredibly memorable atmosphere. Where the game really shines though is in its combat, which is very similar to the rhythm-based system found in theArkhamgames, but because every character is radically different in this game, it adds a lot of replay value as players are encouraged to try out other playstyles. The lackluster side missions and rather uninteresting main story can definitely harm the game, but it’s still an absolute blast to be able to swing through the gorgeous city of Gotham alongside a few friends.
WhileDC Universe Onlineis technicallyan MMO RPGfirst and foremost, it still features a vast open world that serves as the main hub between missions. Because the game has been playable for so many years by this point though, it means that developers Dimensional Link have been able to upgrade and enhance the world since its release, with there now being a staggering number of areas to explore. The two main locations, and the areas where the bulk of the playerbase likes to spend their time, are Metropolis and Gotham City, both of which are entirely different in their designs.
For example, Metropolis is very dense and much easier to navigate, featuring areas like the Historic District where players can learn about the city’s background, along withthe Suicide Slumwhich contains some of DC’s most infamous establishments.DC Universe Online’sdeep RPG mechanics can seem pretty intimidating at first, but there’s still no shame in simply creating a character just to explore the world, and to meet some new friends along the journey.
When players aren’t jumping between story missions inLego DC Super-Villains, they’ll be free to venture around the vast open world at their own pace, either solo or with a friend. This game puts a much bigger emphasis on exploration compared to previous Lego games, packing a bunch of collectibles and secrets throughout its many areas. Whether it’sthe creepy and unnerving Arkham Asylum, the primate-ridden Gorilla City, or even just the quaint town of Smallville, there’s never a shortage of places to discover.
What really helps the open-world ofLego DC Super-Villainsstand out is how much of it can be interacted with. If there’s a rooftop or ledge that seems like it should be accessible, then someone with flying power will most probably be able to reach it, which makes it a lot of fun to return with newly unlocked characters to see who might be capable of discovering some interesting hidden areas. Considering it also has over 250 characters to unlock, it’s easy to sink hundreds of overs into this game, even after completing the main story.
Lego Batman 2is often seen as one of, if notthe most innovative Lego gameever released. Not only did it completely shake up the traditional Lego formula by introducing voice acting, but it was also the first game to feature an open-world rather than small HUB areas in between levels. It might be Traveller’s Tales' first attempt at this sort of genre, but they managed to knock it out of the park withLego Batman 2, with the map being pretty gigantic for a Lego game and filled with unique challenges and extra side missions to take on which help keep the experience fresh and fun.
Despite being set in Gotham, the game does still feature a large cast of heroes and villains from across the DC universe, most of whom get their moment to shine in the hilarious story mode. Players will also run into tons of puzzles as they explore Gotham which can range from mildly tricky to absolute brain-busters, but since they all net the player some valuable goodies, it means they’re never a waste of time and always contribute something to the experience.
In the lead-up toArkham Knight’srelease, Rocksteady had been advertising it as the ultimate Batman game where the Caped Crusader himself would be tasked with taking down a combined force of his most fearsome villains, all while the late Jokertorments his mind from the inside. Despite how high the bar has been raised for this series,Arkham Knightis still very much a worthy entry that features a captivating story that really dives into the moral complexity of Batman’s passion for serving justice, and who he really is now that the Joker is gone for good.
Gotham itself is jaw-dropping to look at, and while it may be massive in size, traversing it is still very easy thanks to the brand-new Batmobile which can feel a little cumbersome at first, but it more than makes up for it with its lightning-fast acceleration. Rocksteady also made sure to make the world as exciting as possible, whether it’s through the Riddle Races, stealth encounters with thugs, or even just the optional challenges which are often brutally difficult, the game very rarely wastes the player’s time and always rewards them for traveling off the beaten path.
While it’s only the second game released in the series, the reasonArkham Cityis so beloved by fans and critics, even to this day, is because of how tight and focused it is with regard to the gameplay, story, and open-world The plot itself is captivating right from the beginning, focusing on the Joker’s illness and how his inevitable demise affects Batman, who himself has been infected by the same disease and is trying to cure it by visiting a few old friends, and even some foes too.
Gotham itself is truly outstanding in this game, and while it might be just a little smaller than theArkham Knightiteration, many players have felt that this simply makes it more dense and interesting as a result. Rocksteady truly did an amazing job at highlighting the dark and crime-ridden atmosphere of Gotham just from its design, with the barricaded shops and crashed cars reminding the player where they are, and what role theyplay as The Dark Knight. The game also has some of the best villain side-missions in the entire series, with Hush and the Mad Hatter being particular standouts, but because these enemies are often hidden away in their own personal headquarters, it encourages the player to explore the big and captivating city as much as they possibly can.
