A YOUNGER, ANGRIER Bruce Wayne | Batman: Arkham Origins Retrospective Review 

That Batman vs. Deathstroke cinematic didn't need to go as hard as it did. That was some movie-level action right there. Actually, the plot of this game would make for a good Batman film, with the caped crusader having to face multiple villains all out for his head.

One cool detail: when Bane states that Joker has “one minute” to talk with Batman, he actually returns about a minute later in real time.

I always loved the Origins batsuit, it looks thick, layered, brutal.

One of my favorite little details in this game has to do with Killer Crocs design. Younger crocodiles in real life tend to have a more white belly that gets darker and greener as they age. Killer Croc in this prequel has that white chest/belly of a younger crocodile. 💙

Gonna say, looking back Origins has the most tight story where antagonists don't over shadow each other like it was in City and Knight. Also, Bane is so good in this and shows that Paul Dini should never write Bane.

I always found the "Loose Lips" nickname funny and kind of ironic, because compared to Batman's other interrogations in the Arkham games, Loose Lips easily puts up the most resistance, and finally talks maybe once in the GCPD.

This game above all the other Arkham titles holds a special place in my heart. This was the game that made me finally “get” what the Arkham series was about. Beyond being a celebration of the Batman mythos, the Arkham series is essentially a 4 game character study on the relationship between Batman and The Joker, and this is the game that made me realize that.

I love how the Joker’s first line about “If only you [Batman] were all I wanted. You’re just a teeny distraction!” How wrong he was. He had no idea he had just met his other half. Makes me think about two lines-one from Heath Ledger, “I think you and I are destined to do this forever”, and one from the Batman who laughs where Joker says to Bruce, “I want neither of us to win. Ever.”

I’ve always said Robert Pattinson’s Batman was very similar to Origins Batman in that he’s young, brutal, aggressive and still has much to learn also Telltale’s Batman interpretation is pretty close aswell

The "I won't kill you, but I don't have to save you" is a creation of that movie. Most interpretations of Batman outside the films for awhile now believes inaction and being directly involved with the killing to be the same thing. In Arkham Knight he does a similar thing, letting Ra's die is phrased as "taking a life" when he talks through it with Alfred. As to why that's the case I'm not sure.

The Lacy Towers investigation is such a cool story beat. The scene where Batman puts it all together and says what happened has impeccable presentation, the music, visuals, and voice acting combine for a cinematic and engaging scene. I absolutely love it. It was just excellently done.

That whole scene, from when Bane rips Batman out of the elevator, to Joker blowing up the buildings, is just fantastic.

My take on why batman leaped for the joker has nothing to do with the joker himself. With everything going on I think Bruce saw someone falling and he is so dead set on saving every life he can no matter what he leaped before thinking about it. That scene has always shown me it doesn't matter who is in danger, if someone could die batman will save them. It's only after rescuing him that Bruce begin to even think about if he should have or not

I love how Joker is actually portrayed as a competent fighter in this game, the way he was able to beat Sionis even when surprised attacked, his playable fight scene and the way he expertly disarms Gordon all make him feel more dangerous.

I love this version of The Joker. Troy did an amazing job with it. And the way Joker is written he is absolutely insane in this game.

Pretty confident that, Gotham is now the second most dangerous city is a reference to Blud Haven the main city for Nightwing Dick Grayson, Bruce Waynes former pupil and adopted son. In the comics, I believe its talked alot about how while Blud Haven doesn't have very many costumed super villains, it does have much more brutal people.

I have to say, the default suit in origins looks so good, perhaps the best looking default suit...

I gotta say, this is my favorite version of Joker in the games. He’s so brutal, so intense, so fast, he’s just a force. I personally like the black mask twist, even though it’s a somewhat overused device. I love the joker and could go on about him but as far this game/ the games go, this one is the most dangerous I think. He’s young and just loving the chaos and the violence. He’s not even evil really; he kills those thugs without any mercy and understands what kind of people they are. No moral sides, just wants to watch the world burn. I would love to this version come to life on the big screen one day. Pure chaos and fun

Man Roger Craig Smith did a amazing job as Batman

Another fantastic retrospective, I’m excited to see what you have to say about the rest of the series! Also waking up to the lady’s face in the bank spooks me no matter how many times I replay the game.

27:00 Fun Fact: On hard and New Game + every cop in that room is in armor and armed, making almost impossible to clean the room. Love that detail.

That final bane fight actually made me shriek in fear at one point. Honestly 10/10

1:57:38 fun fact: The ending dialogue for the Initiation campaign changes depending on how many medals you earn. If you get all of the emblems, he asks you to prepare tea for the both of you, which is actually a line the same character spoke to Bruce Wayne in one of the few comics that show Bruce’s martial arts training. My favorite thing about the Arkham games other than being well designed games is that they have their own original continuity, and yet a lot of comics are considered canon to it as well

Arkhams origins has a very underrated story with too similar of gameplay to Arkham city. But it has become a Christmas tradition for me to play this game because of how much I love it. I’m glad this game is getting such an in-depth look at it, keep up the great work!

Funnily enough, my favorite part of Origins has always been the portrayal of Firefly. They managed to take an obscure C lister villain and turn him into a badass yet simultaneously cheesy villain. The high-tech aspect of his design was a huge refresher from the all grey bug man fans were used to.

I like how in the start of the game the bats flew down, but when Alfred encourages Bruce to keep going the bats fly up. The Dark Knight Rises.

I loved how Ricky’s more scared of the fact that Batman’s got him than the fact he’s hanging upside down off a very tall building.

My favorite piece from the score was whenever they mixed carol of the bells into the scene like the joker reveal. It was always extremely chilling and stuck with me

14:52 another small thing in the cinematic, The Electrocutioner is the only one to kill Black mask’s messenger, showing his hotheaded unprofessionalism

I never realized how good the Bruce/Alfred bat cave scene was. Being older now I can understand the emotions going through both of them and idk if anyone else felt this way but it was giving hard “I am the danger” Breaking Bad scene

About time someone gave this game the love it deserves. Too often people treat it as just a cash grab with no merit of its own, but I think it's one of the best Arkham games, and the fact that Rocksteady considers it canon means that they also ended up very happy in how it turned out. Too bad WB keeps ignoring it in all the re-releases.

This was my favorite of the series. The best version of bane, the anger of batman, the dirty cops, Gordon reluctant to work with batman at first, the deathstroke fight and the fact batman actually doubts himself admitting he has no idea how to deal with joker.

I can honestly say I've replayed this game more times than arkham city. It just encapsulates the type of batman story I like best. Also the multiplayer is still accessible on steam and hella fun with friends!

“Make the game you want to make” excluded from all rereleases

Arkham Origins is an underrated gem.

Damn, I wish we could see more of this Bane in other Batman stuff. The man who broke Batman's back is not a moron like he is in Asylum and City.

This is literally the video I needed to quench my Batman thirst before watching the movie! Arkham origins is one of my favorite games from the Arkham series, the Batman and Christmas aesthetic is so nostalgic to me!

2:24:42 That bugged out enemy had me dying. I like to imagine batman punching him so hard and now he just can't stop rolling in pain lol

This game is definitely the most dramatic/cinematic out of all the Arkham games

One fun thing you missed: In the final Boss Fight Bane becomes stronger and Alfred tells you how strong he gets. In gameplay, his damage on catching you becomes higher and on max he insta kills you if get caught, even with all upgrades. I love that little mechanic.

Batman:Arkham Origins doesn't get a lot of love. Batman Arkham Remastered includes Arkham, City and Knight but no Origins. I understand that Origins was developed by a different company that was not Rocksteady and it is not up there with the Rocksteady Batman games but Origins is a fun and decent Batman story where you see a younger Batman who is not a grizzled veteran. Origins deserves some respect.

I always thought that it would have been far more effective from a narrative standpoint if Bane lost his memory from the extended period where he was 'dead' because of Batman. IE; lack of blood circulation to his brain. This 'saves' Bruce Wayne's secret identity, but at the cost of Bane's actual identity. The price Batman must pay to abide by his one rule is another man's intellect, which might reinforce Bruce's desire to save all of these villians by reforming them. He needs to make that the sacrifice worth it in the end, as if to redeem himself for the convenience it provides him. This also ties Bruce and the Joker together even more, since they now have a shared responsibility for Bane's ultimate fate. Joker set up the joke and Batman delivered the punchline. If every good Batman villain casts a mirror on our protagonist, then the permanently brain-damaged Bane would always be a painful reminder of Bruce's inability to find a clean 'third possibility' to Joker's dilemma.

A little detail about the Initiation dlc that people miss is that it actually has three different endings you can get, depending on how well you do during the challenges. For the worst one, Bruce is told to clean the latrines, the middle one, he's told to clean the floors, and the best ending, he's told to prepare tea for the other students.

26:00 You could say that Batman is kinda going easy on the cops, whenever you do a finisher on a cop, Batman slams them into the ground rather than break their bones like with everyone else.

This game for me felt like playing batman inside a movie, arkham origins it's a really good game.

I know the Joker was a letdown for a reveal, but I do love how brutal his reveal is. Treat's Black Mask like he is nothing.

It's so crazy that origins is my favorite game. It's just too good bro, the boss fights were perfect, in my opinion they portrayed the beginning of batman too well and it was just so perfect, the beginning of batman and how aggressive he is, he is so angry and young. And using roger was the best option for a younger batman, the beginning of a relationship with the villians and batman and them beginning to fear him and especially the relationship with bane or joker with batman. They portrayed the beginning of a great rivalry between joker and batman just too good. And then you can see that the joker will start to know batman better and he knows his weaknesses, like he didn't know that batmam would not kill anyone and he tried to break him. So joker was the best in origins and had the best design as a younger joker. The story was perfect, especially bane and batman and how they knew each other. I love origins and I don't care what anyone says, it is so underrated just because of a stupid reason that rocksteady didn't make it. The Deathstroke and bane boss fights still gives me chills till this day, they don't appreciate this game much. It's definitely top 2. I understand opinions but they really should pay attention to this game more. That mission in the hotel royale is still the best mission in the series. It was perfect how you go from the sewers to the hotel and you do detective and predator stuff and you see the joker scene where he kills electrocutioner and you get his gloves, and you have to make your way up to the hotel, it was perfect. And then going to the bane fight while joker is watching. And you go save joker and actually this game really did the backstory of batman and joker justice. You can see how deep joker is. That's why I just love origins, and to point out origins was the first arkham game I played that's why I love it, it introduced me to the series. And it's the prequel so it was perfect to play first. The best joker, the best boss fights, the best character designs, the best character development, the best incantation of the villians, the perfect song, the best bruce wayne and Alfred portrayel. Hating this game is a crime.

I love that in the Trailer, Deadshot shoots the remaining blade off of Deathstroke's sword, and then he just looks back at him like "You cheeky bitch."

Bane’s design is legit so cool and creepy in this game. I actually like his design more than I like Joker’s here. I think I don’t love the makeup effects for Joker, but you made a few excellent points about how they did right by Bane in this game-the exposed teeth and glowing green eyes are, indeed, scary AF.

49:25 😂😂😂had us in the first half ngl

I’ve always loved Origins. It’s been my favorite in the series. I’m glad to see it getting some recognition and not being cast aside like usual.

I actually liked this game. I hope it gets a next-gen reboot

This has always been my favorite Arkham game, might not be the best but still my favorite. Plus it has, hands down, the best boss fight ever.

Note that all of the rejected assassins--Cheshire, Black Spider, and David Cain--all have some sort of attachment, family, code of honor, or boundaries in the comics that may make them a bit more moral than the assassins Joker would probably desire. Cheshire and David Cain both have daughters (Cassandra would even become Batman's adoptive daughter) and in Cheshire's case, she even fell for a superhero. Black Spider, meanwhile, isn't so much an outright villain as he is a lethal vigilante. I'd imagine that Black Spider in the Arkhamverse might want to leave a fellow vigilante alone unless Batman interfered with his mission. Joker, however, is the kind of guy who propagates and feeds on chaos and would likely use people without such restraints as those heroes, so as to better build up that chaos. Except for Lady Shiva, whose true mission for Ra's al Ghul was probably secret even to Joker, everyone else in the villainous cast doesn't have attachments or (in Bane's case) ends up obsessed with beating Batman to the point of voluntarily taking potentially deadly drugs to carry out his mission.

I’ve been playing this game after watching The Batman. It’s so cool that they have so much in common

Origins was the game that introduced me to the Arkham series so, it will always have a special place in my heart.

One thing I absolutely love about the Arkham games is how as the night goes on your suit gets more damaged, only a few games I know do that. Mainly the tomb raider games

When Batman gets electrocutioner's gloves, the game goes from great to fantastic. When the option for shock gloves showed up Spider-Man ps4 I knew what I would be playing with for the rest of the game.

This retrospective was top-notch and well detailed, this really also gave me a little restropect on Batman: Arkham Origins. For an interesting game, I felt Origins had always the underdawg of the Arkham series, I can understand Rocksteady didn't entirely contribute to its development, but I don't think it deserves to be tossed aside in favor of the main Arkham trilogy when its pretty good. This in-depth video did give me a new respect for the game and realize this really deserves to be adapted to next gen consoles

just in time for The Batman, who's also a younger and angrier Batman

Personally, I always thought this was a great addition to the series. It had some great story moments, fun locations, and one of the best boss fights in the entirety of the series (Death Stroke). It's such a shame they didn't re-release it on newer consoles.

I’d say this game has the best story out of them all. It is a tight plot that is emotional and good characters

Arkham Origins' Bane is arguably one of if not the best Bane portrayal outside of the comics. He's my personal favorite Bane depiction.

There’re different endings to the initiation DLC depending on how many medals you get in the challenges.

This was an incredible analysis! Just another great reminder showing how underrated this game is. It would be awesome to see this get a remaster similar to the one the other games in the series got. Would love to play it on next-gen!

First video I’ve seen of your’s. It’s crazy how detailed and informed you are. I’ve never seen someone put in this much work when they make a retrospective.

If I have to give this game anything (and this is coming from a personal fan of the game) it’s the cutscenes. Every single one is incredible. Showing all the assassins, Batman piecing together the crime scene at the safe house, the joker reveal etc they’re just so well made and still one of my favorite things that I think this game holds over the others

It's Ironic that Bane almost kills Alfred in this game 7 years before he would actually do so in the comics.

This channel has come a really long way good for you man🙏

There are actually 2 endings for the Initiation DLC, one is the one you showed where Bruce becomes a servant and another one is (I think) only available when you get 3 stars on every challenge when the master says he is impressed.

I also like it when you glue grenade firefly he'll say "what is this. Bat spit" I chuckled when I first heard this

Origins is such an underrated and beautifully written game. Far from perfect but I definitely think it deserves more than a passing mention when labeled towards its other contemporaries. Roger Craig smith and Troy baker were amazing.

I didn’t expect to see this so soon

This is truly one of the best video game of retrospective videos I've ever seen on RU-vid. I've learned stuff and I truly hope you do the other three Arkham games just like this. Thank you for the work you put in on this video

Phenomenal video, playing this gem for the first time on my steam deck. So far honestly its my favorite out of all the arkham games

An absolutely amazing retrospective on one of my absolute favorite games ever. Just started a new game plus file about 12 hours before this came out. Made me want to jump back in. Amazing work as usual keep it up man.

Wow back again with another banger, didnt think you’d do the Arkham games well done my friend!

I understand the conflict with having joker be the main villian again for this game. Though as I sat on it I became fine with it. As when you think about it these games have always been about the relationship between the two. Even after joker dies it's shown that he is still apart of batman. So Having the origin of how this relationship started, is how this series should start in my opinion.

After 10 years has gone I do not know why fans hated this game back then & now its become more loved now by them. I hope that WB Montreal comes back to make a sequel to arkham origins someday cause they did a good job with arkham origins.

I got Arkham Origins when I was 9 years old in 2015 and it’s been my Favorite Game Ever Since. If I could have 1 wish it’d be an Arkham Origins Remake that Upgrades the Graphics, Adds Some Side missions, improves traversal, and Makes the City feel more alive. Honestly I’d be Happy with just a remaster as I still play it on my PS3 but would love for it to be 1080p/4K 60FPS on my PS4.

I remember playing this game and seeing that first cutscene that introduced all the assassins out for Batman. Gave me chills at the time and still does to this day

28:30 if you stay near them for a few seconds they will ask you to not hurt them and Batman will say something back

The cutscenes and cinematic trailer for Arkham Origins are so good. I wish WB Montréal make an animated Batman series.

The Christmas setting adds so much personality to this game. I always do a play through on Christmas eve.

Bro, this is the best Arkham Origins video I’ve seen, hands down. It’s incredibly refreshing to see someone giving this game the love and appreciation it deserves in a long form video no less. New sub earned👌🏼

49:26 was so funny lmao 😭

man, the multiplayer mode for this game was so fun. I remember I was the last man standing on my BANE team and I managed to kill robin, which ressed the rest of my team and it allowed us to win the whole game. Good times... Also playing as Bane was so fun! too bad people hated this game for "not being a rocksteady title" it's a great game with great boss battles.

I really loved this Retrospective Mr.Nerdy!!!

Clicked the video to entertain myself, then I started working on my papers for school. Suddenly, I noticed that an hour have passed and the vid is still going. So, I went to check and saw the runtime. Man, I appreciate the hardwork in putting out videos like this. It helps me survive long work hours as well as boredom from being alone in my house. Thank You. But just like in Batman: Arkham Asylum, this night is still young. So, I'll continue watching this vid.

Bro ngl when I saw the cutscene fight with deathroke and batman and dead shot I thought it was a movie scene from a live action batman movie and then I realized I was still in game

That scene between Alfred and Bruce is so structurally similar to Heisenberg’s “I am the one who knocks scene”. It’s crazy I notice that now only after recently seeing breaking bad.

Origins is fantastic, Such a solid Arkham game. It is criminally underrated, although it seems that more and more people are warming up to it as years go on. Also, for god sakes Rocksteady will you please add this onto the Return to Arkham collection and add 60fps mode on consoles!!!

I'm so glad this game is finally getting the recognition it deserves! Everyone always says it's just "Arkham City but with Easy Mode gloves," but it's so much more than that!

The craziest thing to me is how different the boss fights were handled in origins and knight. Origin had really great boss fights, especially the deathstroke fight. But for knight we had tanks which was stupid.

The combat in this one is amazing, so fast and fluid and the bone breaks and joint dislocations are so satisfying

Honestly, considering that they're already using the Killing Joke origin for Joker in this game, I feel like it would have been a better way to include the Joker as a main character without it being annoying if they just had him as a spineless goon who works for Black Mask and gets turned into the Joker during a scuffle with Batman. Instead of the whole "Oh, he was actually the main villain and schemer the entire time!"

I really enjoy your retrospectives you deserve a lot more subscribers I've been rewatching alot when I'm doing dishes and drawing or even when just heading off to bed.

That trailer you played at the beginning is still, I’d argue one of the best Batman videos ever created

When Alfred and Batman were arguing it reminded me of “ no Skylar I'm not in danger I am the danger”

I like that you don’t speedrun the game you look for Easter eggs, little details etc..I don’t watch long videos but I have watch this full video and ur asylum keep doing what you are doing!