Gotham Knights Review 2026 — Story, Combat, Co-op, Heroes, PC Requirements & Safe Buying Guide
Gotham Knights is an open-world third-person action RPG from Warner Bros. Games Montréal. It follows Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin after Batman’s death, giving the Batman Family their own story in Gotham City. In 2026, it is still not as strong as the main Batman: Arkham games, but it is better than its harsh launch reputation suggests, especially if you enjoy DC characters, co-op combat and detective-style missions.
Quick verdict:
Play Gotham Knights if you want a Batman-family action RPG with four playable heroes, online co-op, stylish combat and a solid mystery story. Skip it if you expect Batman: Arkham Knight-level traversal, a lively open world or 60 FPS console gameplay.
Gotham Knights at a glance
| Game | Gotham Knights |
| Developer | Warner Bros. Games Montréal; QLOC is also listed on Steam for the PC version |
| Publisher | Warner Bros. Games |
| Release date | 21 October 2022 |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Not available on | PlayStation 4 and Xbox One |
| Genre | Open-world action RPG, superhero, adventure |
| Playable heroes | Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin |
| Co-op | Main campaign supports solo or two-player online co-op; Heroic Assault supports up to four players online |
| Mode | Single-player and online co-op |
Table of contents
- What is Gotham Knights?
- Story and investigations
- Best hero to play
- Combat review
- Co-op, Heroic Assault and Showdown
- Main weaknesses
- PC system requirements
- FAQ
What is Gotham Knights?
Gotham Knights is a DC action RPG set in Gotham City after Batman’s death. Instead of playing as Batman, you control four members of the Batman Family: Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin.
The game is not a direct sequel to the Batman: Arkham series. It uses its own version of Gotham, its own continuity and its own story about the city falling into chaos after Batman is gone.
The setup is strong. Batman leaves behind clues, the Belfry becomes the heroes’ base, and the team begins investigating a larger conspiracy connected to Gotham’s criminal underworld and the Court of Owls.
Story and investigations
The story is one of the better parts of Gotham Knights. The opening immediately gives the game emotional weight, and the main mystery gives Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin a reason to work together beyond simple patrol missions.
You investigate crime scenes, inspect clues and return to the Belfry to review evidence. It is not a deep detective simulator, but it gives the campaign more personality than a basic beat-em-up structure.
The Court of Owls storyline is also a smart choice. It gives the game a darker mystery angle and connects well with Gotham’s history, old money, hidden power and corruption.
There are also villain case files involving familiar DC characters such as Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze and Clayface. These side arcs are not all equal, but they give the campaign more variety and some memorable set pieces.
Which hero should you play?
You can switch between all four heroes at the Belfry. The full campaign can be finished with one hero, but the game is more enjoyable if you test everyone before choosing a favorite.
- Batgirl is the most balanced choice. She feels closest to a classic Batman-style fighter and has useful hacking skills.
- Nightwing is fast, acrobatic and good for players who like mobility and teamwork.
- Red Hood is heavier, ranged-focused and built around powerful gun-based attacks.
- Robin is best for stealth, tactical play and players who enjoy gadgets.
Batgirl is the easiest recommendation for solo players. Nightwing and Robin become more interesting when you understand their tools. Red Hood can feel slower, but his ranged attacks are useful in chaotic fights.
Combat review
The combat is simple, but it can still be satisfying. Gotham Knights does not copy the Arkham free-flow combat system exactly. Instead, it uses dodging, timed strikes, ranged attacks, elemental effects and Momentum abilities.
As you land attacks, you build Momentum. You can then spend Momentum on stronger abilities that match your hero’s style. Combat feels best when you have several abilities unlocked and can chain basic attacks into special moves.
- Melee attacks handle close-range enemies.
- Ranged attacks help against guns, drones and distant enemies.
- Dodging is more important than blocking because there is no classic Arkham counter button.
- Elemental effects add light RPG strategy.
- Momentum abilities give each hero their strongest combat identity.
The fighting is not very complex, but it has enough weight and variety to remain fun through the main story. Co-op also helps because two heroes can combine attacks and split enemy attention.
Open world and traversal
Gotham City is large and visually strong at night, but it is not as lively or reactive as the best modern open worlds. You patrol districts, stop crimes, collect items, follow case files and return to the Belfry to end each night.
Traversal is also mixed. Grappling across rooftops feels better than driving through the streets. The Batcycle is useful, but the city can feel empty when you spend too much time at ground level.
Fast travel becomes important because the open world does not always reward slow exploration. The best missions are usually the more focused indoor areas and villain set pieces, not random patrol activities.
Co-op, Heroic Assault and Showdown
The main story can be played solo or in two-player online co-op. Co-op is drop-in style, and it works well because Gotham Knights does not force both players to stay close together all the time.
If you play with a friend, the game becomes more fun. You can split up, fight separate groups of enemies or combine abilities during bigger encounters. Progression and XP also carry back to your own game.
After launch, Gotham Knights also received Heroic Assault and Showdown as free updates. Heroic Assault is a separate arena-style mode with online co-op support for up to four players. Showdown lets players fight stronger versions of main villain encounters.
Important note: four-player support is for Heroic Assault, not the main campaign. The story campaign remains solo or two-player online co-op.
Main weaknesses
Gotham Knights has good ideas, but several systems hold it back.
The open world feels underused
Gotham looks atmospheric, but the city does not feel alive enough. Random crimes and collectibles are fine for XP, but they rarely feel surprising after the first few hours.
Gear and crafting are too busy
The RPG gear system adds numbers, crafting materials and repeated upgrades, but it does not always make the heroes more exciting to play. Many upgrades feel like small stat changes instead of meaningful new tools.
The interface can feel confusing
Menus, objectives, crafting, gear and case files can feel more complicated than they need to be. A cleaner interface would have made the game easier to enjoy.
Console frame rate is a limitation
Console players should know that Gotham Knights does not offer the same high-frame-rate feel as many modern action games. PC is the better choice if you want to target 60 FPS with suitable hardware.
PC performance and settings advice
The PC version is the best option for players who want higher frame rates and more settings control. However, you still need strong hardware for a smooth experience.
If performance is unstable, lower shadow quality and visual effects first. Keep the game on fast storage if possible, and avoid pushing settings higher than your GPU can handle. A stable frame rate is more important than maximum visual quality in combat.
PC system requirements
Below are the official Steam PC system requirements for Gotham Knights.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit; Windows 11 also suitable in 2026 |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 590 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 45 GB available space | 45 GB available space |
| Target | 1080p / 60 FPS / Low settings | 1080p / 60 FPS / High settings |
Is Gotham Knights worth playing in 2026?
Yes, but it depends on your expectations. Gotham Knights is worth playing if you want a Batman-family story, a Court of Owls mystery and co-op superhero action. It is not worth buying if you expect another Arkham Knight or a deep open-world RPG.
The best way to enjoy it in 2026 is to buy it during an official sale and play with realistic expectations. The story and character moments are the main reason to stay. The open world, menus and gear systems are the parts most likely to frustrate you.
Best for:
DC fans, Batman Family fans, co-op players and anyone who enjoys superhero action RPGs with detective-style story missions.
Safe official links
Use official stores and publisher pages only. Avoid unofficial installers, unknown mirrors, modified game files and multi-part archives because they may be unsafe, outdated or illegal.
- Steam: Gotham Knights on Steam
- PlayStation Store: Gotham Knights on PlayStation Store
- Xbox: Gotham Knights on Xbox
- Official FAQ: Gotham Knights FAQ from WB Games Support
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Gotham Knights FAQ
Is Gotham Knights connected to the Batman: Arkham series?
No. Gotham Knights is its own story and is not connected to the Batman: Arkham games.
Can you play as Batman in Gotham Knights?
No. The main playable heroes are Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin.
Is Gotham Knights playable solo?
Yes. The full campaign can be played solo.
Does Gotham Knights have co-op?
Yes. The main campaign supports two-player online co-op. Heroic Assault is a separate mode that supports up to four players online.
Does Gotham Knights have local split-screen co-op?
No. Co-op is online only.
Is Gotham Knights open world?
Yes. Gotham Knights has an open-world Gotham City with five boroughs, patrol activities, crimes, collectibles and story missions.
Is Gotham Knights on PS4 or Xbox One?
No. Gotham Knights is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, but not PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
Does Gotham Knights have microtransactions?
No. The official FAQ states that Gotham Knights does not have microtransactions.
Is Gotham Knights worth playing in 2026?
Yes, if you enjoy DC characters, online co-op and superhero action RPGs. It is less ideal if you expect Arkham-style combat, a very alive open world or a polished gear system.
Final verdict
Gotham Knights is a flawed but enjoyable superhero action RPG. Its story, investigations, character moments and co-op combat are stronger than many players expected. Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin each bring a different style, and the Court of Owls mystery gives the campaign a strong hook.
Its problems are clear: the open world can feel empty, the gear system is too busy, the UI is confusing and the game never reaches the quality of the best Batman: Arkham titles. Still, for DC fans and co-op players, it can be a fun experience during a sale.
Best for: Batman Family fans, DC players, co-op action fans and players who enjoy superhero RPGs.
Skip if: you want Batman as the main character, Arkham-style combat, 60 FPS console gameplay or a highly reactive open world.
Facts checked with official Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and WB Games Support pages. Last updated: 6 October 2026.