Go out to any comic book store in the world, pick one up, and something becomes immediately clear: it ain’t easy being a sidekick. It’s hard to think of any superhero who knows this better than Robin, Batman’s ‘Boy Wonder.’ And while the masses may have an image of a campy, somewhat oddly-dressed young boy permanently attached to the Dark Knight’s partner, Rocksteady Studios is looking to change all that. With Batman: Arkham City only weeks away, Tim Drake is set to reach all new levels of respectability, if everything goes according to plan.
Anyone who has been keeping up with Arkham City news already knows that the developers have plenty in store for the legendary sidekick. Whether we’re talking about Robin’s unique combat abilities, or his contemporary cage-fighter backstory, this game’s version of Robin is sure to be the fulfillment of what many Bat-fans have always known was possible.
It’s hard to blame just one source for the overall lack of respect that Robin seems to receive from mainstream audiences, although Chris O’Donnell’s portrayal in the latter feature films didn’t help. A buzz-cut and bad attitude aren’t the only things going for Tim Drake in Arkham City, with the gritty world of Rocksteady’s games sure to deliver a healthy dose of personality and danger to the often-overlooked hero.
And while Robin may only be playable in Arkham City‘s Challenge Modes, that does’t mean that Rocksteady is passing up the chance to breathe some life back into the character. In speaking with AtomicMPC, Lead Narrative Designer Paul Crocker explained just how important it is for them to portray Robin in as unique a light as any other character in Arkham City:
“One of the goals with Robin was to make people think Robin is cool because a lot of people don’t, which is a fair point, but our goal from day one was to make him cool, forget everything you’ve seen in the films. We wanted to make the fighting with Robin—which we’re not going to show you today—cool. We wanted to make you think, ‘I would rather play as Robin than as Batman.’ If our goal is ‘Robin’s a cooler fighter’ and we make that goal happen, we’ve won. Robin has his own unique set of moves, his own unique set of weapons and every map can be played as Robin.”
We’re dying to see Robin’s character trailer anytime now, since the idea of combat with feet, fists, and a staff is one that we can’t resist. If there is any development team that has proven their ability to perfectly realize a problematic comic book character, it’s Rocksteady, so we can’t help but get excited for Robin’s impending reveal.
Do you think Robin can deliver the same satisfying experience as Batman, or will he always be a sidekick in your books? Leave us your thoughts in the comments.
Batman: Arkham City will be released for the xbox 360 and PS3 on October 18th. A PC release has been delayed into November.
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Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce.
Source: AtomicMPC
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I’ve always liked Robin (at least Tim, anyway) more than Batman. I can’t stand his design in this game, to be honest. He’ll never wear anything but the Red Robin outfit for me.
i hate robin and could care less about batgirl. Batman needs no sidekick. hes just that kickass
F**k yeah! you’re right.
I agree, Robin is & always will be lame. Sorry Robin fans but his conception is just flawed.
Now this character Eminem-Robin, may be fun to play with, but why do you think he’s just a Challenge Map character?
i am just saying that the original robin is a fag this one looks preety badass so i consider him less of a fag
Teen Titans Robin was my favourite
I don’t know never realy liked drake, but hopefully he’s pretty good.
Also hoping Nightwing gets someface time but doubt it(mabey 4th playble challenge character )
I have always liked Robin, especially Tim Drake. If people would read the comics that include the him, instead of look at the old Adam West Batman and Robin, they would see a deep, well-developed, character. Look at Tim Drake, he is his own superhero now (Red Robin)and he has been said, by Batman himself, to be the best detective in the world. So stop hating on Robin already. Get the image of Burt Ward and his spandex and elf booties out of your head, and give this great superhero a chance. I cannot wait to see what Rocksteady does with him, his moves and gadgets.
The guy named himself after a burger joint? That doesn’t sound very col to me…
Have you ever BEEN to Red Robin? Best burgers ever.
Robin always has been a cornball to me, no hate but never paid him any mind. Just off images alone this game has made him look way cooler so it’s all good.
Making Robin “cool”. I’ll stick with Batman.
Tim’s Robin has always been awesome. Anyone who’s read a Batman comic in the last 20 years would know this… I’m happy Rocksteady is showing everyone else that Tim Drake is a truly cool character, I just really hope they don’t turn him into a stupid angsty teenager which he’s never been.
I don’t think it’s that Robin isn’t cool it’s that he always made Batman seem like a crazy child abductor, abuser, possible molester, definite endanger-er.
Batman adopted them not abducted them. He chose Dick grayson because both his parents died when he was young too Jason Todd because he would have been a very darker version of him self that batman would have had to deal with If did’t take Jason under his wing when they first met. Tim drake because he saved Batmans life also dick grayson vouched for Tim to become the next robin, Damian Wayne because that’s his son.
Dick Grayson (aka Nightwing) & Jason Todd (aka Redhood) is the best robins hands down, but there not robins anymore they are there own heroes now.Dick Grayson was tired of being In Batmans shadow and became night, Jason Todd died and was brought back to life, becoming the most badass anti-hero ever with skills that rival Batmans own.