Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Trailer Shows Gameplay From 3DS/Vita Adventure

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has released the first trailer from Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, the all-new Arkham title coming to the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita. The trailer is equal parts cutscene and gameplay footage.

Blackgate is set after the upcoming PC/console game Arkham Origins and before Arkham Asylum. The Joker, Penguin and Black Mask have been incarcerated in Blackgate Penitentiary. These criminals stage an uprising and take several prison employees hostage. Captain Gordon enlists Batman to help squelch the rebellion and rescue the civilians.

Within Blackgate, Batman will encounter many members of his rogues' gallery. Deadshot, the master marksman and renowned assassin, will return from Arkham Origins. He'll also meet Catwoman and the assassin Bronze Tiger for the first time. From the looks of the trailer, Tiger will be one of the game's many boss fights. The undead behemoth Solomon Grundy will make an appearance as well.

Origins Blackgate isn't a fully 3D, open-world game like its console/PC brethren. Instead, it's a 2.5D Metroidvania experience with free exploration. Earning new gadgets will allow Batman to reach previously inaccessible areas. Developer Armature Studio seems well-suited to make this sort of game, as the company was founded by members of the Metroid Prime team. This will be the studio's first original game so we'll see what they're capable of. .

Though Blackgate is essentially a side-scroller, it retains many of the core features gamers expect from an Arkham title. The combo-based, free-flow combat makes a return as do the stealth-based "invisible predator" segments. The environments will have elements like floor grates and breakable walls to enable Batman to get the drop on enemies. There will be some detective work thrown in as well, as the Dark Knight tries to uncover the plans of the criminal masterminds he's facing. Batman will have many of the usual gadgets at his disposal including explosive gel and batarangs. In an interesting twist, players will be able to tackle bosses in whatever order they choose.

Blackgate will launch alongside Batman: Arkham Origins on October 25th worldwide.

Pete Haas

Staff Writer at CinemaBlend.