Welcome to your ultimate Batman: Arkham City Walkthrough! Step into the dark and gritty world of Gotham City and prepare yourself for an exhilarating journey as the iconic Dark Knight. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find everything you need to navigate every twist and turn of the game’s sprawling open world. We’ll guide you from Starting Your Mission through to mastering the Key Locations and Challenges. Discover the secrets of Using Gadgets and Combat Effectively to keep Gotham’s criminals at bay. Get expert Strategies for Boss Battles that will put your skills to the test, and don’t miss our tips for Unlocking All Riddler Trophies to prove you’re the true hero Gotham deserves. Dive in and become the ultimate protector of Arkham City!
Starting Your Mission
Suit Up
Welcome to Batman: Arkham City! Your mission kicks off in the heart of the action, and you know what that means: it’s time to suit up. After a brief setup where you find yourself in some serious trouble as Bruce Wayne, you’ll soon be donning the iconic Batsuit. Pay attention to the tutorials here—they’ll walk you through some basic combat skills like strikes, counters, and evading attacks. These moves are your bread and butter, so get comfortable with them.
First Steps: Into the Prison City
Once you’re fully geared up, it’s time to jump into the open-world chaos of Arkham City. Your first objective is to head to the Ace Chemicals building. Open your map (press the back/select button) and set a waypoint to make navigation easier. Use your Grapnel Gun to traverse rooftops quickly—it’s not only super cool but keeps you away from ground-level thugs.
Learning to Glide
Mastering the art of gliding is pretty much key to getting around in Arkham City efficiently. Hold the glide button (typically the ‘A’ button on Xbox or ‘X’ button on PlayStation) when you leap off high points. Utilize your dive boost by pressing the dive button (usually Right Trigger) and then pulling up to keep your momentum going. This technique will save you tons of time.
Recon and Intel Gathering
Batman doesn’t just rush into things without a clue. Use Detective Mode (toggled by pressing the ‘LB’ or ‘L1’ button) to scan the environment and spot enemies, key locations, and interactive objects. You’ll often find hidden secrets and clues this way. Remember to be stealthy; taking thugs down silently can often be more effective than a full-frontal assault.
Running into Old Friends… and Foes
On your way, you’ll encounter various iconic characters from the Batman universe. Early on, you’ll bump into Catwoman, who’ll briefly cross your path. It’s worth paying attention to these encounters because they often give you secondary objectives and side missions that can offer valuable rewards. Keep an ear out for when Batman’s communicator crackles to life with updates from Alfred or Oracle—they’ll guide you towards new missions and objectives.
Combat 101
Your first real fight is just around the corner. Combat in Arkham City is fluid and based on rhythm—mix strikes and counters to build up combos. As you progress, you’ll unlock special moves and gadgets that make Batman even more formidable. If you strike like crazy without thinking, you’ll miss chances to counter, which leaves you open to attacks. It’s all about balance.
Exploring the Alleyways
Don’t rush too much from point to point; take some time to explore the alleys and rooftops of Arkham City. There are Riddler Trophies, side missions, and random crimes popping up that you can interfere with. Plus, exploring gives you a feel for the city’s layout, making future missions smoother.
The First Main Objective: Saving Catwoman
Your primary objective here is to rescue Catwoman. Once you reach the Ace Chemicals building, you’ll have to tussle with some goons. Beat them down because they’re holding her hostage. After you rescue her, you’ll get critical information on what to do next and where to head.
Stay Alert, Stay Alive
Arkham City is a dangerous place. Keep your eyes peeled for potential threats and always be ready to switch back to Detective Mode to gain the upper hand. Listen for audio cues—they can alert you to nearby danger or opportunities.
Next Steps
Now that you’ve got the basics down, you’re ready to dive deeper into the mysteries of Arkham City. Keep following the main storyline missions while exploring side missions and collectibles for a richer experience. Remember, Batman operates from the shadows, so use stealth, strategy, and gadgets to keep Gotham’s worst in check.
Wrapping Up
And that’s the start of your mission in Batman: Arkham City! By now, you should have a good handle on the controls, combat, and exploration. Stay vigilant, and enjoy your time in Gotham’s most notorious prison city. Happy hunting, Bats!
Ready to take on your first big boss? Check out our guide on Facing the Penguin for tips and tricks!
Key Locations and Challenges in Batman: Arkham City
Welcome to the dark and gritty world of Batman: Arkham City! Navigating through this eerie, expansive map can be a bit overwhelming, so here’s a guide to some of the key locations and the challenges that await you in each.
1. Ace Chemicals
Ace Chemicals is pivotal in the storyline with multiple important encounters here. Crawling with thugs and armed guards, this industrial site demands stealth and precision.
- Challenge: Use Detective Mode to locate and silently take down armed henchmen. Remember, going in guns blazing (or in Batman’s case, fists flailing) isn’t always the best option.
2. Amusement Mile
Amusement Mile is where things get really interesting. This area is filled with roving gangs and set pieces ripe for action. It’s essential to glide around and get the lay of the land.
- Challenge: Locate the riddler trophies scattered throughout the Mile. They’re well-hidden, so keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Using your Line Launcher and Remote Electrical Charge will help you reach tricky spots.
3. The Bowery
A densely populated area, The Bowery teems with criminal activity. Here you will find the GCPD building, and it’s an essential location for progressing the main story.
- Challenge: One of the side missions here involves rescuing political prisoners. These missions test your stealth skills, as you must avoid or neutralize patrolling guards without being detected.
4. Industrial District
This part of Arkham City is key to finding Penguin and learning more about his operations. It’s a heavily fortified area loaded with enemies wielding firearms.
- Challenge: Confronting the Penguin’s goons necessitates a mix of stealth and combat. Make good use of your Disruptor to disable weapons and create confusion among enemies, giving you the upper hand.
5. Old Gotham
Old Gotham, characterized by its rundown architecture and deep alleyways, contains the Arkham Asylum facility. This area plays a significant role during the Joker’s story arc.
- Challenge: The main challenge here involves confronting Mad Hatter. His mind games put your detective skills to the test. Pay close attention to details and clues to progress.
6. Wonder Tower
Wonder Tower is not just a visually impressive structure; it’s also where critical late-game events unfold.
- Challenge: Ascending Wonder Tower involves dealing with complex security systems and encountering elite guards. Utilize your hacking tools and pay close attention to enemy patrol patterns to make it to the top.
7. The Steel Mill
Harley Quinn’s base of operations, the Steel Mill, offers plenty of combat and puzzle-solving opportunities. Expect tight corridors and lots of enemies.
- Challenge: Navigating the Steel Mill requires showcasing all of Batman’s gadgets, especially the Batarang for hitting difficult switches and the Freeze Blast to create platforms on water or disable hot pipes.
Tips for Overcoming Challenges:
- Use Detective Mode frequently. It highlights important objects and enemies.
- Master the combat system. Pay special attention to counters and using gadgets mid-combat.
- Upgrade wisely. Focus on health boosts and quicker takedowns early on to survive longer fights.
- Explore thoroughly. Some important gadgets and upgrades can only be found by exploring off the beaten path.
Stay vigilant, keep your detective wits about you, and remember: every corner in Arkham City holds a potential threat or mystery waiting to be unraveled. Happy crime-fighting!
Using Gadgets and Combat Effectively
Batman: Arkham City is known for its fluid combat and diverse gadget arsenal. Mastering both in harmony will help you become the true Caped Crusader. Here’s how to use gadgets and your combat skills effectively to conquer Gotham’s deadliest foes.
Gadgets: Your Best Friends
Batman’s suit is equipped with numerous gadgets to give him the edge in any fight. Here are some essentials:
Batarang: This gadget is most effective for quick, ranged attacks. Tap to throw a basic Batarang, or hold to aim for specific targets, like enemy heads or environmental objects.
Explosive Gel: Use this to take down destructible walls or set up traps during combat. Spray it on the ground before a fight and detonate it when enemies are near for a surprise attack.
Batclaw: Great for pulling distant objects or enemies towards you. It’s especially useful for disarming armed thugs or getting a breather in crowded fights.
Line Launcher: Perfect for traversing large gaps or setting up stealth attacks. You can also use it mid-combat to escape tight spots.
Each gadget can be upgraded to improve its functionality or unlock new uses. Be sure to visit the Batcomputer regularly to enhance your gear.
Building Combos and Timing
Combat in Arkham City is all about rhythm and timing. Here are key tips to keep your combo meter high:
Freeflow Combat: This system allows Batman to move quickly from one enemy to another. Aim to keep your movement fluid—jump, punch, and counter in a seamless dance of punches and kicks.
Counters: Perfect timing on counter attacks (when you see Spider Sense-like symbols above an enemy) can be a lifesaver. This lets you deflect blows and maintain your combo string.
Stun and Cape Stun: Use the Capes Stun (Circle/B on controllers) when up against armored enemies, as it leaves them open for a beatdown.
Ground Takedowns: Knock an enemy to the ground, and then use a Ground Takedown (R2 + Triangle on PlayStation, RT + Y on Xbox) to put them out for good. Just be cautious; other enemies can interrupt you during this.
Balancing Gadgets in Combat
Integrating gadgets into your freeflow combat is key to tackling tougher groups of enemies. Here’s how to weave them into your fighting:
Quickfire Gadgets: Certain gadgets like the Batarang or Batclaw can be quick-fired in the midst of a combo. This helps to keep enemies at bay or disarm them without breaking your flow. Quickfire commands are usually a directional button plus a face button (e.g., L1 + Square on PlayStation).
Pause for the Cause: Sometimes, breaking away from pure melee for a second to use more strategic gadgets (like the Freeze Blast) can get you out of sticky situations.
Environmental Advantage: Use the arena to your benefit. Grapple to higher ground or use environmental hazards like electrical panels and explode walls where possible.
Stealth is Key
Going head-to-head isn’t always the best strategy. Stealth can be just as effective:
Silent Takedowns: Approach enemies from behind or from above on ledges for silent and quick eliminations. Useful for thinning out crowds before engaging directly.
Detective Mode: Use this to spot armed enemies, see through walls, and find environmental clues that could give you an edge.
Fear Takedowns: Unlockable later in the game, Fear Takedowns let you take out multiple enemies in quick succession. Perfect for quickly neutralizing dangerous foes.
Practice Makes Perfect
To become the ultimate Gotham superhero, practice using your gadgets and refining your combat skills. Use the in-game AR Challenges to test and sharpen your abilities in a controlled environment.
By combining gadgets with precise combat techniques, you’ll handle any criminal Gotham throws at you. Continue to upgrade your gear, fine-tune your timing, and always stay one step ahead of your enemies. Happy crime-fighting, Caped Crusader!
Strategies for Boss Battles
In Batman: Arkham City, boss battles can be some of the toughest challenges you’ll face. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with tips and tricks to help you take down each of these formidable foes. Let’s dive in!
Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze is all about outsmarting him, and you can’t use the same attack twice. Here’s how to handle this chilling opponent:
- Hide and Seek: Use the environment to your advantage. Hide behind walls, around corners, and in vents.
- Silent Takedown: Sneak up behind him for a quick hit.
- Use Gadgets: Use gadgets like the Freeze Blast and the Electrical Charge to knock him off balance.
- Change Tactics: Remember, you can’t repeat your moves. After each takedown, switch your strategy to keep him guessing.
Solomon Grundy
Facing Solomon Grundy requires a bit of patience and precise timing:
- Avoid Attacks: Dodge his large, sweeping attacks.
- Ground Pound: When Grundy tries to regenerate, you’ll see electrical panels light up. This is your cue to destroy the generators.
- Explosives: Use Explosive Gel on the panels to put a stop to his healing process.
- Final Blow: Once the generators are all destroyed, go in for the final attacks to finish him off.
Ra’s al Ghul
Battling Ra’s al Ghul is as much about finesse as it is about knowing when to strike:
- Counter His Strikes: Keep your counter button ready for his fast-paced sword attacks.
- Avoid The Shadows: He will summon shadowy minions—prioritize dodging their blows while focusing on Ra’s.
- Blade Dodge Takedown: When Ra’s charges with his sword, use the Blade Dodge Takedown to deal significant damage.
- Stay Agile: Keep moving to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Poison Ivy
While Poison Ivy isn’t a direct battle in Arkham City, her plants will still pose a significant challenge:
- Watch for Vines: Keep mobile to avoid being trapped by the vines she controls.
- Target The Bulbs: Use Batarangs or other ranged gadgets to take out the glowing bulbs on her plants.
- Quickfire Gadgets: Rapidly deploy Freeze Grenades or the REC to incapacitate enemy plants.
- Overall Mobility: Keep dodging and moving to avoid taking hits from her plant attacks.
Joker Titan
When facing the Joker with Titan henchmen, it’s all about controlling the chaos:
- Focus on Minions: First, clear out the smaller enemies to reduce distractions.
- Stun and Takedown: Use your stun attack (cape) then follow with a beatdown on the titans.
- Explosive Gel: Lure titans near walls pre-loaded with Explosive Gel for big damage.
- Watch For Charging: Titans often charge—dodge this and they’ll crash into walls, leaving them vulnerable.
Tips for Success
- Utilize Your Gadgets: Each boss battle can benefit from different gadgets—experiment to see what works best.
- Stay Alert: Always look for openings in their patterns. Most bosses telegraph their attacks.
- Upgrade Skills: Before diving into a boss fight, make sure you’ve upgraded relevant skills for better chances.
By keeping these tips in mind and staying patient, you can take down anyone who stands in your way in Arkham City. Good luck, Batman!
Unlocking All Riddler Trophies
Unlocking all Riddler Trophies in Batman: Arkham City can be a bit tricky, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you snag every single one of those bad boys.
Getting Started
First off, you need to understand that there are 400 Riddler Trophies scattered throughout Arkham City. They come in various forms:
- Green Trophies – Simply pick them up.
- Interactive Trophies – Require you to solve puzzles or use gadgets.
- Pressure Pads – Stand on these and perform actions.
- Physical Challenges – Involves combat maneuvers.
- Riddles – Scan specific objects or locations.
Essential Gadgets
Before you begin your trophy hunt, make sure you have the following gadgets unlocked as they are essential for solving Riddler’s puzzles:
- Cryptographic Sequencer: To hack security consoles.
- Remote Electrical Charge: For powering machinery and electromagnets.
- Line Launcher: For reaching distant platforms.
- Freeze Blast: To create ice rafts or freeze vents.
- Batclaw: To pull down items out of reach.
Navigating the City
Arkham City is divided into several main areas, including:
- Amusement Mile
- Industrial District
- Park Row
- The Bowery
- Wonder City
Each area contains a number of trophies and riddles, so make sure to thoroughly explore with the Detective Mode on.
Solving Riddler Challenges
Pressure Pads: You’ll need to find your way to the pads. Stand on them, then use gadgets like the Line Launcher to hit multiple switches at once. Keep in mind you might need to batarang some switches while airborne.
Gates and Buttons: Oftentimes, you’ll see a Riddler trophy behind a gate. Nearby, there might be buttons that you need to hit with a batarang, which will time-release the gate.
Vents and Windows: Some trophies are hidden in vents or behind windows. Use the Batclaw to pull them out or the Remote Electrical Charge to open windows or vents.
Close-Quarter Challenges: Some trophies are in tight spots or alongside a wall of electricity. Use the Freeze Blast to create platforms or short out the electricity.
Scan Objects: Scanning specific objects or locations often involves clues left by the Riddler. Use Detective Mode to find question marks and related puzzles.
Gathering Help from Informants
Don’t forget to interrogate Riddler informants. They’re thugs marked in glowing green, scattered around the city. Interrogating them will reveal the locations of more trophies on your map. Use this info to plan your collection route more effectively.
Area-Specific Tips
- Wonder City: Watch out for the multiple levels and hidden underground entrances. It’s a maze, but patience and Detective Mode will help you navigate.
- Amusement Mile: Look for trophies hidden on the roller coaster tracks and Ferris wheel. The Line Launcher and Batclaw are particularly useful here.
- Park Row: Pay attention to rooftops and alleyways; most trophies are hidden in nooks and crannies.
- Industrial District: Lots of trophies are inside buildings. You might need to fly high and explore windows or vents to get inside.
Completing the Riddler’s Challenge
Once you’ve gathered enough trophies (400), you’ll be able to trigger the final challenge from Riddler himself. It’s a complex showdown in an underground lair that puts all your skills to the test.
Good luck, and remember: patience, strategy, and your gadgets are your best friends in collecting all the Riddler trophies. Go get ‘em, Batman!