Rocksteady stunned the gaming world when it released Batman: Arkham Asylum in 2009. The company created a critically acclaimed series using a mix of clever combat, intricate puzzles and solid world-building. However, could their signature style be used for another hero, and who would fit best.
The Flash was introduced to DC Comics in 1939 and has been a staple for the company ever since. However, despite being a part of the DC Universe for so many years, the character has never really broken into the video game world. This is in part due to the inherent difficulty with controlling a character that is so fast — but the way the Arkham series works could fix that.
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One of the most lasting aspects of the Arkham games is the combat system. Essentially it works off of using single button inputs. The system works very well as it is simple yet requires a degree of timing and rhythm to perfect. Imagine using such a system with the Flash’s super speed. While it always looked a little strange to see Batman fly across a room to kick someone, it makes perfect sense for the speedster. There is even a chance to implement some of his powers into the special moves and gadgets. Why use a Batarang to take down an opponent when a ball of super-compressed air, which we saw the Flash do in the animated film Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, would do.
The series also used Batman’s detective skills and gadgets to reconstruct crime scenes, and a Flash game using the Barry Allen version of the character could also. Barry Allen is a forensic scientist and, as such, could bring those skills to the game.
The other skills involve the speed and movement available to the character. One of the greatest difficulties with the Flash is making a world that can support moving quickly. The Arkham series used vertical worlds that were designed around Batman’s grapnel and cape. Then, after the inclusion of the Batmobile, Arkham showed that they could design a system that allowed players to move at high speeds across the map. Similarly designing Central City, using a mix of the horizontal and the vertical, would allow players to use the full limits of the Flash’s speed and agility.
One of Batman’s biggest strengths is his rogue’s gallery, which is arguably one of the best around. For a while, the Flash’s own gallery was relatively unknown or left to play second fiddle to Lex Luthor or the Joker. However, with the emergence of the rogues in other media, there is a chance to recreate them to fit into the darker themes that the Arkham universe perfected. Characters like Captain Cold and Heatstroke could easily be reworked to fit into a darker universe and still retain the aspects that fans enjoy.
Rocksteady did an amazing job with the Arkham series and developed a system that has been partially implemented in many other games. The Flash deserves a good game and Rocksteady, or at least their design, would be a perfect fit. Hopefully, there will one day be a game that gives the speedster the chance to shine; the building blocks are already there, after all.