Because Gotham Knights had so few villains to its name, it is easy to point out where their portrayals were lacking or underwhelming in such an oversized Gotham City. Gotham Knights has the bones of a fantastic open-world experience with a strong day-and-night patrol system, but isolating Harley Quinn, Mr. Freeze, and Clayface as optional case file events was an odd approach to a game that only features four main antagonists. Gotham Knights’ depiction of the Court of Owls was even more disappointing for many fans.
Gotham Knights had a high bar to compete with in terms of its classic antagonist representations; for example, Gotham Knights’ Harley Quinn is relatively uninspired compared to her appearance in games like the Batman: Arkham series. Because the Court of Owls has so few depictions outside its original comic book run, Gotham Knights had a rare opportunity to produce something unique in its own original narrative. However, since it didn't do so, the Court of Owls may now be looked down upon unless another adaptation nails its depiction.
The Court of Owls Has Nowhere to Go But Up
Gotham Knights’ Court of Owls likes to present itself as a clandestine organization underpinning all the events that have occurred in Gotham City, but it is actually fairly transparent. Jacob Kane is obviously the Court’s leader, and the Court itself never seems as intimidating as they make themselves out to be.
There are some neat set pieces that players explore as part of the Court’s proceedings, but the organization is quickly put on the back burner for the sake of Gotham Knights’ League of Shadows. The premise that makes the Court interesting is how sinister and elusive it is, though Gotham Knights seems to eventually forgo that, resulting in an organization that is relatively uninteresting and unmemorable - especially after the same combat encounters with Gladiator Talons occur frequently.
Many fans might not associate the Court with Gotham Knights, and that would be for the best. The Court is a terrific antagonist in its source material, and it would be a shame if no DC game tried to adapt the Court again following this lackluster attempt. The largest blemish that Gotham Knights made on the Court was its presentation, as the fact that the Court was integral to Gotham Knights’ marketing seemed to seal its fate.
If the Court had been kept an actual secret until the game launched, it could have been more salient and engaging, even if it failed to live up to expectations. Instead, Gotham Knights’ Court of Owls shot itself in the foot by taking away the entertaining mystery element that often accompanies the group. Thankfully, there is a silver lining in Gotham Knights’ Court of Owls, as it presents a good blueprint for another DC game to swoop in and portray the Court favorably by side-stepping many of the same the mistakes.
It would only take a more involved narrative and better characters to make the Court feel impactful, and it is absolutely necessary that the Court be kept secret in pre-release marketing. Many fans undoubtedly would have been interested in seeing Rocksteady’s take on the Court, for example, and since the Arkhamverse is continuing through Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, that is not yet off the table. Otherwise, developers may want to leave some distance between the Court in order to concentrate on other underrepresented villains in the Batman rogues' gallery.
Gotham Knights is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
