Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League is an interesting game to say the least, as it looks to be a big departure from the style of game that Rocksteady has become known for. While controlling the misfits of Task Force X as they battle against an evil Justice League is an interesting premise, the game is still far off, as it will not be releasing until 2022. As such, Rocksteady may not even have plans ready for a game after Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, though there seems like a clear path to take based on the ending of Batman: Arkham Knight.
As shown by WB Montreal’s Gotham Knights, there is plenty of room for fresh stories within Batman’s universe that are not completely focused on Bruce Wayne. As such, while Rocksteady may have wrapped up its storyline for the iconic character, its next game should look toward who will be taking up the mantle next. While there is no shortage of options, none are better fit for the cowl than Terry McGinnis — otherwise known as Batman in Batman Beyond.
A Perfect Transition From Arkham Knight’s Ending
Though over five years have passed since Batman: Arkham Knight’s finale, fans are just as confused about the game’s true ending. Depicting a terrifying version of Batman that seems to wield the fear gas used by Scarecrow, the game’s final scene has kickstarted plenty of discussion regarding who exactly Knightmare Batman could be. However, one key detail was quickly picked up on, with the red symbol on the chest being closely tied to the suit worn by the futuristic hero of Batman Beyond. While the symbol could imply that the Red Hood has taken on the mantle, it has been heavily associated with Terry for years, making him a perfect fit for the position.
Further, Batman: Arkham Knight’s ending has written Bruce Wayne into the mentorship role perfectly. While most fans agree that his “suicide” in the game’s finale is simply him faking his death, as Bruce would never kill Alfred, he would need to stay in hiding permanently to keep up the act. As such, it would make sense for Batman to begin searching for a replacement immediately, as the hero is known for his obsessive level of strategizing. With Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl all being known heroes, Bruce would need to find someone new to take on the role of the city’s protector so that criminals are afraid once again. Once again, Terry McGinnis is the perfect choice, and his origin story could then play out exactly how does in the animated series and comics.
Rocksteady’s Batman Beyond story could cover many of the same plot points as the original, with Barbara Gordon filling in for her deceased dad as GCPD commissioner and an aging Bruce mentoring Terry from the shadows. At the same time, with Bruce forced into hiding during the prime of his vigilante career, a unique twist could see Terry’s story starting earlier — with a middle-aged Bruce struggling with being kept away from crime fighting. Batman Beyond being Knightmare Batman would also explain the movement seen by the figure in the game’s final scene, with the floating caused by a combination of Terry’s rocket boots and fear gas.
New Tools To Play With
Part of what makes the concept of playing as Terry's Batman so appealing is all the tools that would be at the character’s disposal. The aforementioned rocket boots would allow Terry to fly through the city, boosting to new heights that the original Batman could not reach. Electromagnetic padding and claws would also be included, with the pairing allowing him to climb on walls and stick to surfaces in a similar way to the Marvel hero Spider-Man. With Terry able to stick to ceilings and hang upside down like a bat, some awesome new perch takedowns and finishing moves could be added to his arsenal.
Stealth would be greatly improved by the Batman Beyond suit, as a camouflage ability allows Terry to temporarily go invisible. This could allow for him to truly terrify enemies, with a possible balancing mechanic seeing Terry forced to leave camouflage mode when taking out an enemy. Further, the original Batman Beyond’s camouflage system saw Terry’s suit failing to keep him hidden when under UV lights. This means that certain enemies could see their flashlights replaced with this beam, ensuring that the invisibility mechanic is both fun and fair.
The Beyond batsuit’s claws would make melee combat more brutal, while Terry’s launchable discs and batarangs could function in a similar way to Bruce’s. His grappling hooks could pull enemies close in a similar way to how Scorpion from Mortal Kombat uses his kunai, maintaining the speed of the game’s combat in the process. Finally, the fear gas used in the Batman: Arkham Knight ending would be an exclusive gadget for Rocksteady’s take on Terry. Possibly refined by Bruce to be less harmful in the long-term, the gas could be used to terrify enemies. In turn, they could attack their allies or be stunned in place, waiting in fear for the new Batman to knock them out.
The Natural Strengths Of Neo Gotham As A Setting
Finally, Batman Beyond’s setting of Neo Gotham would be amazing to explore in a video game. Futuristic skyscrapers, vehicles, and technology could all be seen as Terry glides through the city. With the bright, neon-filled location designed to eliminate shadows from Gotham city, giving criminals nowhere to hide, stealth could naturally be made harder — forcing Terry to make good use of his camouflage mechanic. A new Batman and a new tone would give Rocksteady the perfect chance to try out a new art style as well, with a less realistic style for the game’s graphics being entirely possible.
Further, Batman Beyond would allow new villains to take the spotlight. While Return of the Joker is considered Terry’s definitive storyline, getting beyond the Clown Prince of Crime would be refreshing. Dee Dee, Blight, and Inque would all be fresh faces for most casual fans, allowing something truly fresh and original to be done with a Batman video game. While iconic Batman villains like Mr. Freeze could show up, they would not need to, as a Batman Beyond game could thrive by separating itself from the stories that people have seen time and time again.
Rocksteady has no shortage of DC superheroes to cover in its games, and a case could easily be made for the studio to make a proper Superman game next. However, there is no denying that the studio knows Batman well, and after the break provided by Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, Rocksteady may be interested in returning to a story focused on The Caped Crusader. If it does, there is no better option available than Batman Beyond.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League releases in 2022 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.