8. Batman Arkham - Grand Theft Auto
This is exactly what I meant in the intro with not-so-much the merging of worlds as the ideas of the games. Basically Im not pitching a game that sees Batman taking on Niko Belic, more of an open-world Batman game that offers freedom. The Batman Arkham games are open-world but not the way a GTA or an RPG is open-world. Now I understand why Batman isnt entirely open-world but I think it would be worth a shot if it paid off. A huge Batman game that allowed for free-exploration with vehicles, real-time weather systems and a home where you can return to to save the game etc. The weather system is slightly tricky because, as well all know, Batman is a creature of the night. That being said you could return to the batcave and sleep, like GTA, which would skip forward until night-time again. However Id rather they didnt take that easy route out, Ive always wanted to have sections of a Batman game that see you as Bruce Wayne. Whether it be simply exploring the house and batcave, driving around daytime Gotham to attend meetings etc., or even training with Robin, there are lots to be done with Bruce Wayne. Its beyond me how, after 3 games, the Arkham games havent included the batcave, Wayne Manor or Alfred. Although maybe the upcoming game will have some of those elements, seeing as they have an-apparently fully-realised Gotham. Either way theyre things that definitely should be tackled sooner rather than later. You might ask: so why GTA? The primary reason is that Grand Theft Auto games boast some of the most incredible open-worlds in all of gaming, yet isnt an RPG; from San Andreas (new and old), to Vice City and finally Liberty City, each as memorable and entertaining as the last. These worlds feel really alive and immersive, not an easy feat as seen with games like Mafia 2 and The Amazing Spider-Man. This wouldnt be a problem for a Batman game as Gotham is already so well-known and iconic that it would feel real and immersive. One of the greatest lures of a truly open-world Batman is the batmobile. GTA games are famous for their open-worlds that see gamers driving around the huge map for hours. Rocksteady have already stated that their hesitance to include the batmobile stems from Batmans code of not killing, and if gamers were recklessly driving the batmobile around theyd obviously be hitting enemies left, right and centre. This is a problem as it would ruin a huge part of Batmans character to have him senselessly driving over enemies but theres got to be a way around that. This is probably a hard one to work out and would take a really long time to make but it would be totally worth it. A real open-world Batman with vehicles, real-time weather systems, day and night and a full-realised Gotham with Wayne Manor etc., Id pay quite a bit for that.