Batman: Arkham Origins continues the Arkham franchise's tradition of free-flow combat. It concludes in a series of combat sequences within Blackgate Prison, which is overrun by inmates and enemies. While it is not until Batman: Arkham Knight that players can swap between Batman and another member of his crime-fighting family in scripted combat sequences, Batman: Arkham Origins does let players team up alongside Police Captain Jim Gordon in a combat sequence where Gordon is an NPC.
Gordon's inclusion is not meant to be a game-changer in terms of combat, as he is simply an NPC whose AI throws intermittent kicks and punches against Blackgate inmates and Joker thugs. The combat sequence in general is instead meant to demonstrate that the pair are finally willing to work together at the end of Batman: Arkham Origins. Batman arrives at Blackgate's Death Row in time to assist Gordon during an ambush, but one fan has determined that it is Gordon who is there to assist Batman.
J_onn_J_onzz shares their gameplay footage of the encounter in Batman: Arkham Origins. Instead of engaging in free-flow combat, the fan chooses to remain passive and see if Gordon can clear the room by himself. As showed in the gameplay footage, enemies concentrate their aggression toward Gordon if players maintain a safe distance. However, Gordon is easily overwhelmed by enemies who wield stun batons or carry riot shields. This results in the player intervening in order to give the NPC time to recuperate. This sequence can last under a minute if players are skillfully adept in combat, but it is entertaining to see J_onn_J_onzz put Gordon's NPC to use in the fight.
Turns out Gordon can take everyone down in a room by himself... although you have to get the shield and stun baton thugs distracted so Gordon can hit them from behind. I didn't throw a single punch... (Arkham Origins) from BatmanArkham
When enemies inevitably attack Batman, the player avoids them by leaping over their heads. When too many enemies are ambushing Gordon, the player reels enemies backward with the Batclaw. During the fight, Batman remarks upon Gordon's ability to handle himself in a fight. Gordon responds, saying he's had a "rough childhood." This moment accentuates Batman and Gordon's character developments and builds on the relationship that players know they have from previous Arkham games. It also fits with how well Gordon is handling himself in the encounter.
J_onn_J_onzz refuses to throw any punches themselves, letting Gordon clear the room on his own. Unfortunately, the fan seems to inadvertently interfere when they attach an enemy to a gas cannister using the Remote Claw, which knocks them unconscious. This is shown with a swarm of bats that appear on screen, indicating that the player does indeed take out an enemy. J_onn_J_onzz may have been trying to attach the enemy to another enemy and misfired, or they may have simply wanted to speed up the fight. Either way, the fan has demonstrated that Gordon is fully capable of dispatching this room's enemies with only minor assistance in Batman: Arkham Origins.
Batman: Arkham Origins is available now on PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360.