Highlights
- DC should invest in a game starring Nightwing instead of another Batman game to explore new territory and capitalize on the popularity of the character.
- Nightwing has enough substance to stand on his own in a game, with his own unique set of skills, allies, and foes.
- Changing the setting to Bludhaven would provide a fresh experience instead of seeing Gotham again, and it would help Nightwing escape from Batman's shadow to become a proper video game hero.
Instead of another Batman game, there's a good reason that DC should invest in making a game starring Nightwing instead. Batman is right up there with Superman as one of DC's biggest names, and he has a highly successful game series in the Arkham games. Even so, there's always merit in trying something new, especially with a universe as vast as the one that DC Comic has at their disposal. It helps that Nightwing is a popular and well-known character in his own right. Nightwing has more than enough substance to stand on his own in a game.
The recent appearance of a playable Nightwing in Gotham Knights was only the latest appearance of the character. Dick Grayson began as Batman's loyal sidekick Robin, the first of many characters to take up the title. As Dick got older, he eventually broke away from his original role and became an individual crime fighter under the name of Nightwing. He still uses the same acrobatic skills that he did as Robin, but experience has made him much more effective. Despite no longer fighting by Batman's side, Nightwing is still on good terms with the Caped Crusader, and is still a solid member of the Batfamily.
Nightwing's Bludhaven Would Make an Excellent Video Game Setting
As one of fiction's most famous cities, Gotham City in the Batman games has been a near-constant. Although the original Arkham Asylum took place in the titular asylum, the later games have taken place throughout Gotham. It's provided some memorable sights for comic fans, as well as a familiar battleground for fights against Batman's most famous foes. However, since the Batman games have been consistently taking place there, there's a risk of Gotham City becoming too predictable and similar for players. The next game in line could benefit from a new locale, and that's one area where Nightwing could lend a hand.
As a solo hero, Nightwing settled in the city of Bludhaven. Since Batman's Gotham City needs something new, a trip to a new locale could be exactly what the games need. Although it's not as big as Gotham, Bludhaven is still a sizable city that could be made into a sprawling game world full of interesting landmarks. In addition, Bludhaven has its own set of villains that Nightwing could tangle with, rather than the usual rogues' gallery that Batman has been fighting for years. All of this combined would help a Nightwing game feel like a fresher experience, despite his similarities to Batman.
Changing the setting to Bludhaven would also help Nightwing escape from Batman's long shadow. While the Arkham games missed a chance with Robin, Bludhaven could be Dick Grayson's big opportunity to make a name for himself in the gaming world. While he did have Gotham Knights, that was a role shared with three other Batman mainstays, while a solo Nightwing game would be a real chance for him to shine. Establishing his own home territory, allies, and foes would be a major step forward. It could be the push that Nightwing needs to grow from a side character to a proper video game hero.
Nightwing has been fighting crime for a long time, and Bludhaven as a setting is only one reason why he deserves his own game. After Gotham Knight's unfortunate reception, Nightwing needs a way to bounce back in the eyes of fans. As Bruce Wayne's original apprentice, he has most of the same talents as the Caped Crusader himself, making him a perfect successor. Even though he's no longer in Gotham, he takes the same approach to heroics in his new home city. A Nightwing game could make Bludhaven into another memorable video game city.