Respecting Arkham Origins

An actual Critique, Retrospective and Analysis of Batman: Arkham Origins.

SUPPORT ME ON PATREON - https://patreon.com/micahedmonds?utm_medium=unknownu0026utm_source=join_linku0026utm_campaign=creatorshare_creatoru0026utm_content=copyLink

After enjoying a decade of circular discussion highlighting its successes and perceived triumphs in the name of claiming its public redemption, Batman: Arkham Origins’ legacy today isn’t what you’d think. This 2013 game developed by Warner Bros Montreal to act as a prequel for Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series has always been the black sheep of the family - or at least that’s what everyday critics and video essayists like myself apparently want you to think. In reality, Origins is about as beloved and fiercely defended as they come.

With a genuine claim at the Fan Favourite title for the series, its flashy presentation, strong story choices and urban aesthetic leanings were received well critically at its time of release, and have helped it find a vocal and deeply appreciative audience. However, standing next to the enviable legacies of the two prior Arkham titles, Origins fans seem to insist, at any available opportunity, that Origins is underrated and has never received the true kudos it deserves.

I returned to Arkham Origins to improve upon my original 2017 retrospectives coarse treatment of it with hope that I would finally understand this unexpected legacy.

This is Part 3 of my Better Look Back at Arkham Series - Respecting Arkham Origins.

If you are a fan of this game, this video will probably be quite annoying or tough to get through and may not be for you.

//

TIMESTAMPS

Litmus Test - 0:00
Preamble - 1:40
A Delegated Stop Gap - 11:29
Combat and Boss Fights - 39:09
Stealth - 1:24:35
A City Without Hills - 1:56:48
(of a victory) Resounding - 3:41:23
Too Little - 4:44:45
Sparkling If You Don’t - 4:57:57
End of Part 3 - 5:15:48

//

This video uses screenshots occasionally of various comments and threads online, as well as screen caps of and allusions to other video essayists work on this game - this was done as evidence of how Origins is currently discussed and is not meant as a direct attack on any of these individuals. I don’t have any issues with any other video essayists or their work on this game beyond reasonable disagreements with their points of view, and hope these creators (and those who’ve enjoyed their videos) aren’t offended by seeing their work referenced in this context.

//