Playing as alternate skins allows you to roleplay and experience Batman: Arkham City from fresh perspectives. This guide will provide detailed insights on unlocking skins, equipping your favorites, and getting more enjoyment from the acclaimed 2011 title – even in 2024.
Overview: How to Play as Skins
To play as skins, first unlock them, then equip via the Showcase. Specific steps:
- Progress the main story or install DLC to unlock skins
- Open the Showcase from the main menu
- Browse unlocked skins and select the desired one
- Choose "Set Active" to equip that skin
Once set, your skin choice will be active whenever you enter gameplay, story missions or challenge maps.
Unlocking Skins in Arkham City
Arkham City features dozens of character skins spanning DC comics history. Here‘s how to unlock the coolest and rarest ones.
Main Story Unlocks
Several skins automatically unlock at set points as you complete the main campaign:
- 1970s Batman: Finish main story (50% completion)
- Sinestro Corps Batman: Finish main story (50% completion)
- Batman Beyond: Finish main story (100% completion)
DLC Unlocks
Additional skins come with purchase of Arkham City‘s DLC content and packs:
- Animated Batman: "Arkham City Skins Pack" DLC
- Batman Year One: "Arkham City Skins Pack" DLC
- The Dark Knight Returns: "Arkham City Skins Pack" DLC
- Earth One Batman: "Arkham City Skins Pack" DLC
- Grey and Black Batsuit: "Arkham City Skins Pack" DLC
- 1970s Batman: "Arkham City Skins Pack" DLC
- Batman Beyond: "Arkham City Skins Pack" DLC
Retailer Unlocks
Select skins were only available as retailer-specific preorder bonuses:
- Red Son Batman: Amazon preorder bonus
- Blackest Night Batman: BestBuy preorder bonus
- Flashpoint Batman: GAME retailer preorder bonus
eBay or game key sellers may be options for obtaining these rare unlocks today.
Batmobiles
Skins are also available for Batman‘s iconic vehicle, with DLC:
- Batman 89 Movie Batmobile: Comes with "Batmobile Pack" DLC
- Batman: The Animated Series Batmobile: Comes with "Batmobile Pack" DLC
- Tumbler Batmobile: Comes with "Batmobile Pack" DLC
Equipping and Using Skins
Once unlocked, equip skins via the Showcase menu:
- At Main Menu choose "Showcase" then "Skins"
- Browse unlocked skins and select desired one
- Press "Select Skin" to equip it as active
- Return to gameplay – skin will be applied
Skins work across:
- Main story missions
- Challenge mode
- New Game Plus
So explore Gotham with your favorite look!
5 Best Skins in Batman Arkham City
While personal preference varies, these skins standout as community favorites:
1. Batman Beyond
This slick futuristic suit based on the hit animated series provides a modern twist for 2023 players. The beyond skin shines in freeflow combat.
2. 1970s Batman
Vibrant blue and grey outfit straight from the classic Adam West TV series. Perfect for nostalgic old school Batman fans.
3. Red Son Batman
Imagines Batman under Soviet rule – memorable what-if take within continuity. The red, gold and hammer/sickle motifs really standout.
4. Animated Series
Channels the iconic 90s cartoon. Sharp black and blue look that just feels right cruising over Gotham‘s rooftops.
5. The Dark Knight Returns
Frank Miller‘s groundbreaking 80s comic receives a meticulous skin translation. Rugged militaristic style fitting Arkham‘s dark tone.
Table: Top Five Batman Skins in Arkham City
Skin | Source Material | Why it‘s Popular |
---|---|---|
Batman Beyond | Batman Beyond animated series | Futuristic, modern design |
1970s Batman | Batman 60s TV series | Retro Adam West appeal |
Red Son Batman | Elseworlds comic | Unique Soviet spin |
Animated Series | Batman: The Animated Series | 90s cartoon authenticity |
The Dark Knight Returns | Frank Miller comic | Rugged, realistic, iconic |
Tips for Getting the Most from Skins
To fully enjoy Arkham City skins:
- Experiment with different looks across story and challenge play
- Study skins in the Showcase Viewer mode
- Take screenshots of your favorites to share online
- equipping skins carries between save files
- Many skins alter Batman‘s vocal dialogue too
Sadly skins are strictly cosmetic with no gameplay perks – but their visual impact alone brings joy to patrolling Arkham City‘s dark alleys and rooftops.
Do Skins Work in Challenge Maps?
Gladly, skins apply fully when playing Arkham City‘s Challenge Maps:
- Skins work across all challenge types
- Compatible with DLC challenge maps too
- Makes challenges more replayable
- Enjoy Batman Beyond suit in Iceberg Lounge maps!
So your selected outfit persists as you pursue high scores, test combat abilities or predator stealth tactics across Arkham‘s various challenge scenarios.
Will More Skins Release Post-Launch?
Arkham City originally launched in 2011. Unfortunately, no new skins or content have been made available in the decade-plus since.
The game still maintains a passionate fanbase however, many of whom continue hoping for new skins. Popular requests include:
- The Batman 2022 Movie skins – Robert Pattinson‘s Batsuit and Batmobile interpretation from the recent reboot film have many fans. These skins seem an obvious crossover choice, but no plans have materialized yet.
- Classic comic outfits – the 90s blue/grey Batman costume or popular black/grey alternate are also oft-requested by players.
For now, no official new skins have been announced. But the dozens of existing options still provide tons of aesthetic variety for Batfans old and new diving into one of Batman gaming‘s landmarks.
Skins Set the Stage for Further Games
Arkham City‘s robust skin support presaged expanded customization in future series entries:
- Arkham Origins added skins for Deathstroke and others
- Arkham Knight allowed skins across all playable heroes like Robin
- Even Batmobile looks became customizable
By showing how enriching alternate suits could be, Arkham City set the stage for skin systems that grew in scope and options across later franchise games.
The Last Word on Batman Skins
hopefully this guide has provided helpful details on:
- How to unlock skins
- Equipping skin options
- Appreciating skin variety
- Using skins to enhance your overall Arkham City experience
See you on the streets of Arkham! "I am vengeance…I am the night…I am Batman!"