Major spoilers forBatman: Arkham Shadowahead.
Batman: Arkham Shadowfought to earn its legitimacy as anArkhamgame in its pre-release marketing. Ironically, not only doesBatman: Arkham Shadowgracefully and skillfully adhere to the formula it inheritswhen it needs to but it also dissociates from it when appropriate, which was incredibly brave and successful in terms of how Camouflaj went about its narrative pacing. Moreover,Batman: Arkham Shadowdecided it would pay immeasurable tribute to the two games that came before it in the timeline:Batman: Arkham OriginsandBatman: Arkham Origins Blackgate.
Batman: Arkham Shadowtakes a great deal of care in exploring miscellaneous enemies whose names probably won’t be remembered by many who played eitherOrigins, let alone its Initiation and Cold, Cold Heart DLCs, orBlackgate, and it does so because it takes place almost entirely inside the walls they were imprisoned in. Similarly, being set in Blackgate Penitentiary meant it would be almost impossible to completely shy away from name-dropping or referencing Joker in any way.Shadow’s treatment of Joker is truly commendable in this sense and is hopefully what its inevitable successor will adopt as well.
Batman: Arkham Shadow’s Joker is a Perfect Balance of Fan Service and Environmental Storytelling
By not actually visually representing Joker and only hearing him through a wall (as well as Echoes of the Past collectibles, a ‘For a Good Time’ payphone message, and apatient session tape with Dr. Harleen Quinzel),Shadowdoesn’t abuse its depiction of the homicidal clown, nor does it pretend he isn’t around when he should be. It’s brilliant that he can be heard through a cell in solitary confinement—precisely where anyone would expect Joker to be held after literally inciting three riotous breakouts at Blackgate in the last six months.
It’s doubly brilliant that Joker instantly sees straight through Bruce’s Malone voice to discern it’s Batman he’s talking to, at least if players do choose to respond. It’s only surprising to seeJoker not be a main antagonist inBatman: Arkham Shadowbecause he’s been the lead villain in nearly every otherArkhamgame, with that even being technically true of his incorporeal manifestation inBatman: Arkham Knight.
Therefore, Joker not playing a dominant and prolific role means the allure of Dr. Jonathan Crane’s cruel patient experiments,Arnold Wesker’s sad descent into becoming the Ventriloquist, Harvey Dent’s gradual, unseen decline into becoming Two-Face, and the Rat King’s identity are allowed to thrive asShadow’s focal points.
It’s a bit of a tumultuous and bittersweet topic because, on the one hand, Troy Baker’s Joker is terrific and it would be great to hear more of his distinctly sassy and mischievous portrayal in the near future. On the other hand,Shadowmerely unlocked the door leading to Two-Face’s crimes in Gotham City and hearing more ofTroy Baker’s Harvey Dent/Two-Face dichotomy, especially early on in the Arkhamverse timeline, would be equally excellent.
If at all possible, because of how prominent and inseparable the Clown Prince of Crime is from the rest of the established franchise, it would be a boon ifBatman: Arkham Shadow’s successor—whether it is exclusive to Meta Quest 3 or not—has little if not no Joker interaction. To avoid or tuck him away fully may not be realistic, asShadowdemonstrates, and yet other characters are deserving of the limelight Joker commonly and effortlessly monopolizes in the DC mythology at large.
