The Problem With "New" Villains & Arkham Shadow's Rat King (Outdated)

[@HOTD108_]

I can't wait for the Rat King to take his mask off and reveal that he's really Jason Todd's former roommate, Steve (aka Man).

[@seasonembrace3624]

Jeff Lebowski : I'm the dude....I'm also the surprise main villain....be scared.

[@Onezy05]

Officer balls

[@michaeliv284]

"I, Batman, am your father's, brother's, nephew's, cousin's, former roommate."

[@seasonembrace3624]

@@Onezy05 I remember that meme. Batman : It's officer Balls!

[@SpaceCore2053]

​@@seasonembrace3624Joker : BWAAHHHH

[@SaphirePage9500]

Batman: “Who are you?” Rat King: “I am a shadow, Arkham Shadow”

[@HOTD108_]

"You're... You are..." "Yeah. I'm Arkham Shadow Man."

[@shaynehughes6645]

@@HOTD108_ don't say it, don't think it

[@Moonking_Is_Back]

PEAK CINEMA!!!!!1

[@GodOfOrphans]

"The true self!"

[@dukeslytalker1192]

Thats the name of the game!!!!!

[@senior_sakuga]

Jokes aside I think it’s pretty funny that every new Arkham villain is just Troy baker in a trenchcoat

[@Bigguy226]

The rat king is actually Bird trying to make up for his crap boss battle by being the main villain

[@seasonembrace3624]

Yep very forgettable character in Origin's. Pretty sure he doesn't even have a unique voice actor either. Just the one that's used for the nameless mercenaries in that game.

[@Not-spelt-like-at]

@@seasonembrace3624never does electrocutioner he also voices loose lips & killer croc in origins shares a voice actor with warden Joseph not to mention copper head also voices a hostage in origins

[@seasonembrace3624]

@@Not-spelt-like-at That's true both Loose Lip's & Electro were done by Steve Blum. Were as both Joseph & Croc in Origin's have Kary Payton of Teen Titan's Cyborg fame If my memory is right. Those are fair points.

[@BestManGamer]

Clown figured it out. It's Officer Balls

[@RacingSnails64]

BWAAAAHAHAHA

[@Onezy05]

🦇: "Officer balls." 🤡: "BWAAAA-"

[@leonardorivelorivelo9253]

BWAAAAAAHAHAHA

[@zackieburke9253]

Balls? He was scum!

[@Man_Aslume]

If i see you follow me, he dies

[@anakinlowground5515]

"It can't be Harvey Dent's Two Face origin story," that one didn't age very well

[@joshcordes9430]

just finished arkham shadow and not gonna lie I think camouflage outsmarted us all with the dent twist

[@motor4X4kombat]

9:45 well that aged poorly

[@TheForgottenTainted]

Yeah lmao

[@quietchap]

“Lose the act, Joker, I know it’s you.” *Joker takes of the mask and scoffs* “Oh come on, Bats! Don’t tell me it was THAT obvious! Do you know how hard it was to resist calling myself ‘Ratman?’”

[@Conrad-sh8pw]

"And I, I am Steve"- The Rat King.

[@HOTD108_]

I can't believe they got Jack Black, my favorite KZbinr, to cameo in Arkham Shadow.

[@onthemoonjk]

“This guy is such a toolbag” - Batman

[@PK-Radio]

The Rat King reveals himself to actually be named Bryan And Batman is all like “You were suppose to be the hero Bryan!”

[@SaphirePage9500]

Imagine when Rat King is unveiled it is actually the Joker 😭

[@Foxes763]

Fool me once

[@Sixsix12]

I would love it

[@dailydoseofsunshine2319]

I'll go ape shit if they actually do that

[@seasonembrace3624]

@@Sixsix12 As popular as Joker is. Gosh is he such an overused Batman villain. It's like I get he's popular but so are the other's like Ra's Al Ghul or MR Freeze as examples. And they should also be focused on not just solely the Joker. It sucks it feels like DC has only been focusing on him or Harley.

[@Sixsix12]

@@seasonembrace3624 I know but I just love joker I could never get sick of him idk maybe just childhood thing but I much prefer a joker focused story rather than let’s see a poison ivy story

[@LukeCandelaria]

The rat king is probably an organization, considering a real rat king is a collection of rats

[@samtinkle9076]

Good point; Wikipedia defines a rat king as "a collection of rats or mice whose tails are intertwined and bound together in some way." But if they go for that route, the three options are still there: a collective including someone we already know, a collective including someone unimportant before the game, or a collective that actually includes someone new (and the secret fourth option being that the Rat King is a whole new collective ofc).

[@LukeCandelaria]

@@samtinkle9076 yeah, but it would be an original twist on an old form of reveal

[@toastercannon7941]

I was thinking the same thing, they’re probably more than one person, their talking points are kinda like Anarky’s so either Anarky is one of them or they were inspired by him

[@boogusscoogus614]

That's... Actually a really cool theory.

[@KingKlear]

The Rat King is obviously Anarky, Joker, Jason Todd and officer Balls.

[@evanwirth7881]

What if they like… don’t make it a twist. Just reveal his identity immediately, have it not be important at all what his identity is and just not someone we know and we just like know who it is not care about who it is

[@HOTD108_]

That would be great, but we know it's going to be a twist because they wouldn't be going out of their way to hide who the Rat King is otherwise. Every other character in the game has had their identity confirmed before release, with Rat King being the only one left a mystery. They wouldn't be doing that if they weren't planning to do a big reveal.

[@Harper_Onions]

You mean pull a Columbo?

[@thexplodenator3007]

@@HOTD108_ I thought it was that one black dude

[@Relichunters01]

​@@thexplodenator3007 that's ratcatcher, different guy

[@RDSC_]

I thought anarky was to much of an insignificant character to be ratking but after watching this it makes perfect sense to the arkhamverse

[@kwayneboy1524]

It also could be Wrath

[@Sharkfowl]

@@kwayneboy1524 Lol y'all were both wrong

[@JP-1990]

"Now to reveal Rat King's secret identity..." >lifts mask "I have no idea who this is."

[@Qloworm]

I don't know why they didn't just use the Ratcatcher, a character that people have been begging for since Arkham Asylum.

[@Storkshark]

@@Qloworm ratcatcher is in the game tho. They both are!

[@chriscormac231]

Penguin got to ratcatcher in City, dragged him into the lounge

[@generalmcterror2718]

@@StorksharkI’m pretty sure he’s talking about the prior games I’m sure he’s well aware that he’s in this game.

[@j.t.lawler608]

aged well, i thought it was amazing twist being two-face

[@jediman6166]

16:38 Anarky was also the secondary antagonist of Arrow season 4

[@Jack-sy8mr]

“I’m Hush, lol” -Rat King

[@nahthanksno8299]

@@Jack-sy8mr I actually LOL’d at your comment

[@deepvoicedude4749]

Still better than how he was treated in Arkham Knight.

[@georgeandrews9427]

Watching this after Shadow and him mentioning that it can't be Two Face... Oh, clown puncher you were truly fooled 😂

[@leonardosa_a]

It's a new character? I thought it was just a new take on ratcatcher lmao

[@RacingSnails64]

They specified in interviews that Rat King and Ratcatcher are different characters, but I'm pretty sure they're linked, as Ratcatcher in the gameplay trailer says "I can take you to him"

[@leonardosa_a]

@@RacingSnails64 watching the video i had this idea that could be awesome as a plot-twist: What if Ratking and Ratcatcher are the same person? They just are different personalities of the same dude

[@soulkingethan9667]

I thought the same thing lmao. I was so confused to hear ratcatcher is also gonna be in the game

[@kwayneboy1524]

Seems like they are just gonna be father and son

[@Onezy05]

Guys, I think the Rat King might be Alfredo, the kid chef from Ratatouille.

[@KayOnZe]

Cant wait for the reveal that Rat King is actually Batman and we're just playing as a 10 year old harley quinn in a batman mechsuit

[@Backfisch5927]

I hope the twist isn't that it's a pre-existing character, but that it's multiple people, since a real ratking is made of multiple rats

[@celtic19]

That’s actually what I wanted Arkham knight to be. Play into all the fan theories within the story itself. I thought it would be cool if Arkham knight publically revealed his identity as Bruce Wayne (hush) but when we track down hush we get attacked by another Arkham knight leading us down the path of Jason Todd and then after he is defeated deathstroke enters like he does in og game but as a third Arkham knight revealing some of the previous times we saw the knight it was him sometimes too. Would also add another layer to bats decision to give up to scarecrow and let him reveal his identity.

[@aidchoe6558]

That reminds me of the Mystery of the Batwoman animated movie, I really liked the twist by having multiple people being Batwoman

[@Arkhambatpro564]

I think the only time a twist where an existing character is the new villain worked was in batman telltale with lady Arkham, however that worked because it was a completely new universe they created! So the fact that this not only a pre existing universe, but a well known one that has been combed through and through by fans for lore, it would be really hard to surprise us if it's a returning character! Plus the fact that this game is a prequel also limits which characters they can make the rat king because they can't be someone that appears in later games because them being the ratking is a big plot point that is never mentioned!

[@DarkScherzo94]

Well about that...

[@Arkhambatpro564]

@DarkScherzo94 yeah my statement didn't age quite so well😅😅😅

[@noir-214]

I've just finished, and from the start, I already knew who the rat king was a voice changer isn't gonna hide one of the most famous voice actors in the world

[@teo_the_riddler]

No you didn't 😂 You most definitely can't tell Troy Bakers voice through that voice changer

[@SK5KSK]

Yk it could be the riddler. Ryan was asked if Riddler was in the game or not and he was very hesitant on answering

[@Jam-og1km]

Anarky may be a really good twist, because you can sneak exposition into characters wondering where he is, since it's only 6 months after Origins

[@928studiosinc06]

Maybe the Rat King isn't a single person. Maybe it's a ruse to frighten Gotham. It could be a highly advanced artificial intelligence. Only time will tell, but if I had to pick a single person, it would probably be Ratcatcher.

[@iceomistar4302]

Like Brother Eye or Hardac?

[@928studiosinc06]

@@iceomistar4302 Yep.

[@PosthumanHeresy]

@@iceomistar4302 With the Fallout-style screen stuff going on with the Rat King, Brother Eye would actually be a good concept.

[@bakacdaz]

Not just Arkham Knight. But also Talia from TDKR too. Nolan keep said that she’s the new character but everyone said she definitely Talia lol.

[@GreggNowhere]

2:39 tbh there's a third option. Create a new villain character who ISN'T a twist reveal. Make flashbacks to the origin a part of the story of the game, so instead of mystery box twists, you're relying on character and themes for your drama instead. That does require a certain level of uh... (checks notes)... writing skills, though.

[@isabaig6665]

If it’s the joker. I’ll just laugh.

[@HOTD108_]

You're laughing. The Arkham series can't go one game without Joker and you're laughing.

[@amberstargames]

@@HOTD108_if it makes you feel better I’d laugh too

[@БогданКрименюк]

@amberstargames he's obviously referencing Murray's line from Joker 2019

[@RacingSnails64]

"That actually is...pretty funny!" *dies*

[@amberstargames]

@@БогданКрименюк I’m aware

[@MAMoreno]

I see Batman entering the Rat King's control room. Batman: I know that it's you . . . Anarky. Rat King hits a switch, and a nearby wall rotates to reveal Anarky tied up. Batman: But wait--then who . . . Rat King removes his mask to reveal the Clown Prince of Crime himself. Batman: [eyeroll] Sigh. Really? Batman throws a Batarang at Joker, taking him out instantly. Credits.

[@thebombspayloadisexposed]

6:58 OFFICER BALLS MENTIONED 🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥

[@armyofuno8196]

HAHAHAHAHHA - the jonker

[@Man_Aslume]

MANS TOGETHER STRONG

[@thebombspayloadisexposed]

@@Man_Aslume "You're... you are...."

[@Man_Aslume]

@@thebombspayloadisexposed yeah im man

[@Man_Aslume]

Yeah, im man ​@@thebombspayloadisexposed

[@leonardorivelorivelo9253]

A Rat King is a mass of different rats fused together, this is why i belive its not one person, instead a small group acting as one person. With that out of the way i belive its Officer Balls, Jonkler and Man.

[@noahdecker6650]

What if Batman pulls the mask off and it’s just a bunch of rats stacked on top of each other controlled by the ratcatcher

[@senior_sakuga]

I can’t believe the rat king was the original Arkham asylum Batman model! That waxy face had rata alada written all over it

[@boogusscoogus614]

I find it really interesting that Tyger is involved. Makes me think that Strange has some stake in this.

[@hgjgf-d2n]

I got into Batman thanks to the Arkham games and I even I figured out that Jason Todd was the Arkham Knight. It was excruciatingly obvious.

[@williammcguire130]

Camoflaj Studios really got the better of this video with a great twist on the identity of the Rat King and sneaking in an even bigger surprise in the third act

[@gavininman6578]

I'm calling it ,it's the old man sitting next to the Vintrelequist in the gameplay trailer.

[@stevenstemmler7573]

I have a theory that is Dr Meredith AKA Merrymaker. We know Wrath is in the story and Merrymaker was a part of that series of comics. What is interesting is the look of the rat mask is similar to The League of Smiles... Mind you, I also think the Rat King might be Riddler - I would love to see him have a good villain story in an Arkham game - kind of switching the roles of Joker and Riddler (have Joker collectables while Joker is locked up and have Riddler out on the street... although after watching this video I have to agree that Anarky makes the most sense)

[@Ch0pp3rGunn3rX]

I was pretty excited to see Arnold Wesker and Scarface in this game! I always found the Ventriloquist an interesting batman villian after watching The Animated Series and always wonder how he would play out in the Arkham games. Really look forward to it!

[@ycarusgamer5187]

Well could it be we have the origin of Victor Zas,Harley Quinn,Two Face,Catwoman,Killer Moth,Ivy Poison,Riddler and Clayface in this game? It would be awesome to see the origins of these villains and I'm glad to see Scarface/Ventriloquist,Harvey Dent and Scarecrow here I'm just sad that this game is VR and not a normal open world game like the others who knows maybe this game could get a regular game version for consoles in the future and I'm glad we have a sort of Arkham Origins 2 My dream kind of came true after many years of waiting like and Bye!

[@ratenthusiast6763]

The rat king is probably just the rat catcher.

[@plaidchuck]

Pretty much was a problem in each game other than Asylum. Arkham City was just Ra'as Al Ghul pulling the strings the entire time, Origins was Joker. Arkham Knight they basically did it twice since Scarecrow was second fiddle to the Knight most of the game and Knight was of course Jason.

[@thereseemstobeenanerror1219]

It feels like most writers aren't really clever enough to pull off a twist to villain.

[@thewanderingcreative7173]

“She’s an original character that’s revealed to be an established batman character. Creating a unique spin on the mythos!” Arkham Knight: “she just does what i do!” Lady Arkham: “But Better.”

[@cobaltcommanderx2026]

I'm hoping it's not Anarchy as the Rat King, I would prefer that he stays a lil guy with a cool hoodie.

[@adamnielson42]

6:57 I'd say Dr. Penelope Young counts too, arguably more so than Officer Boles/Balls. She's in Arkham Asylum, and a heavy part of the A Matter of Family DLC from A:Knight, and she's responsible for creating titan, the driving force behind each game in the trilogy.

[@HOTD108_]

6:50 Only two? What about Ricky 'Loose Lips' Lebenic from Origins? A minor character for sure but I'd argue he's at least tied with Official Balls in regard to story relevance, probably more so honestly given that Ricky leads Batman to Penguin and also provides the Disrupter later on. Since Arkham Shadow is basically Origins 2, it's not out of the question that Ricky would be involved in the plot. Edit: Also Dr. Young from Asylum, who created Titan and has a huge impact on the entire series (being indirectly responsible for Joker's death technically). So, there are at least FOUR story significant characters that didn't exist before the games, not just two.

[@b.u.l.1734]

Dr. Young is also a new character.

[@HOTD108_]

​@@b.u.l.1734Oh yeah, how could I forget! She literally created Titan, and thus is arguably one of the most important characters in the whole series!

[@ClownPuncher139]

Okay, that's on me being an idiot. Still, the point stands. They are relevant to the plot, but more so the background actions that we don't see playing out. Loose Lips is just a random thug, so he barely matters. And Dr. Young did create Titan, but then she dies halfway through Asylum, so it doesn't feel like she contributed anything. Titan is more Joker's creation by the end of the game.

[@HOTD108_]

​@@ClownPuncher139Yeah definitely, but they still did more than Officer Balls. Yeah Ricky is just a thug, but without him Batman wouldn't have found Penguin on the ship, and thus wouldn't have been directed to Lacey Towers by Penguin, so thug or not Ricky does play an important (albeit small) role in getting the plot in motion. You're definitely right that Titan is very much Joker's operation, but it's still made clear that the formula only exists because of Dr. Young's involvement. Without Dr. Young there would be no Titan, so even if it's overall Joker's thing I'd still say Young was instrumental to the whole thing. Again, you're right that these aren't major characters, but from a plot perspective they're anything but unimportant.

[@Samuel152]

​@@ClownPuncher139 I feel like Ricky being the Rat King is plausible since Batman traumatized him - and the fact he shows up three times in the entirety of Origins (twice in main story and once in Cold Cold Heart). He might be a somewhat good pick, but yeah, he is very insignificant since he's just a thug.

[@Miguel-uw5bn]

I think the rat king will be a made-up figurehead created by a deeper organization, like maybe Hugo Strange and Tyger (which appears in the trailer) creating chaos to further justify re-opening Arkham Asylum and eventually City (every game always comes back to Asylum lol, even Origins). Maybe it’ll be a new force, but either way, great video!

[@andrewdeluca7352]

Here me out, what if it's Talia Al Ghul? I don't see a lot of people mention how Origins retconed the league of assassin's plan in Arkham City. In city, we have no idea how long they were planning their plan to cleanse Gotham of crime with protocol 10. It could have been a spur of the moment thing brought on by the fallout of Joker's takeover of the Asylum, or some grand plan they had in the works for years. Origins reveals that they were already planning this, possibly, before Batman even entered the picture. They were already setting up Sharp to campaign to reopen the Asylum, so that he could use it as a stepping stone to becoming their puppet mayor. Based on mad hatter's interview tapes in City, this all happened before Strange started controlling Sharp. Odds are Strange began to control Sharp shortly after the asylum reopened, and the league found out. They likely tried to kill Strange, but he managed to save himself by revealing that he knew Batman's identity. Seeing this impressed Ras' enough to let Strange live, and make him a part of the protocol 10 plan. What if the Rat King & his revolution is just a plot by the league to get Arkham reopened? Another incident that Sharp would argue wouldn't have happened if Arkham Asylum was still open. Talia could be the person behind the Rat King, being the only person her father would trust with a mission so important to their plan. This ties Rat Catcher into the existing lore, let's them be someone we've already met who plays a significant role, and gives a neat backstory to how Arkham Batman & Talis met.

[@JBMReaseBurner]

Plot Twist “Man” is the Rat King

[@GamerSlyRatchet1]

I think it’ll be Roland Daggett or some industrialist as a Scooby Doo-style scheme.

[@Jokerzmadhouse28]

At this point I'm wishing for Prometheus. I know it's highly unlikely but he was such a insignificant easter egg in City. As the Opposite to batman my guy DESERVES at least a side mission. But I think he would make an amazing main story villain as well. Especially with this game taking place in between Origins and City. Maybe something happens in this game that damages Prometheus so much he goes into hiding permanently. He could have a serious psychotic break that causes him to go underground and thats why we only ever get a wanted poster in City and why he doesn't show his face again. Idk, I just think he is long over due for his own story arch

[@Arkhambatpro564]

I had a random thought while in the shower, what if they introduce a brand new character and build them up to where we think they are going to be the rat king but instead reveal him to be some one else entirely, like have us spend time with someone in possibly Harvey's D.A. office who approves of the rat king's actions because of their results and then end up revealing the rat king is ratcatcher or anarky! It could work!

[@master0fthearts894]

There is one way that I think they can go to sidestep the issue: They play it like the Tinkerer in Miles Morales. Yes, it’s technically a character from the comics, but it’s so different than the version it’s practically an original thing. How they solved the issue is that the whole “Who is ___” was just a hype train. The actual identity got revealed early on, so they had the entire rest of the games plot to develop her as a villain. And Phin could have been more interesting, but that wasn’t because she was revealed early on. Even still, The Tinkerer was a good villain for a good game. If Arkham Shadow goes this route with finer writing, it could be a hit.

[@VinGog7656]

One thing they could do to with an existing character is that make it someone like Deacon Blackfire or any other small villian from the games and change their backstory to fit in with the Rat King and then make it so Batman never figures out who the Rat King was cause he was given a choice of saving Gotham or some civilians vs chasing after the Rat King. It's cheesy and might make Batman seem more incompetent but it's better than making an entirely new character or having a AK like reveal. Maybe they show who he is to the player like in a post credit scene or something to reveal to us who he is but not to Batman?

[@TheHeroHaven]

“You were supposed to destroy Arkham… but now… you just live in it’s shadow” -Rat King

[@morse_code_guy]

rat king could be hush, or maybe could just be rat catcher

[@starhound9354]

What if it's.... a time traveller? Someone who survived Brainaic's attack to go back and... mess with batman? Yeah that's stupid.

[@noneedtoknow-yv2tu]

@@starhound9354 stupid is the motive post ssktjl

[@KobKobold]

Who knows, said time traveler just needs to also drop a file about Brainiac and then it would retcon that turd of a game. That'd be a public service far outweighing the terrorism.

[@Foxes763]

Are they stupid?

[@Ethfan]

Anarky was also a recurring villain in Season 4 of Arrow. One of the best parts of that season, in my opinion

[@malaywastaken]

@@Ethfan yeah I was gonna mention that

[@keithjelleyman3236]

Great video! For awhile I was thinking it was going to be Jonathan Crane before he adopts the mantle of scarecrow. Using masks of fear toxin on people and then letting them loose in the city. But now after hearing the modulated voice, I'm thinking it's Quincy Sharp.

[@cryingpsycho]

I am the fat king

[@ycarusgamer5187]

It would be awesome to see Killer Moth and Victor Zas in the game and some quick reference or participation from Ivy Poison and Clayface still human before becoming villains It would be amazing I hope they show up in the game or they come as story dlcs 🤔😭😌✌️🙏🙏 like and Bye!

[@OfficerNorth69]

Interesting theory. Lots of strong points for Anarky. As a huge Arkham fan, I'd love that. However, I think Camouflaj is doing exactly what Rocksteady did with the Arkham Knight, making the Rat King an original character, and then throwing that character in your face during the story. I hope I'm wrong, but we shall see!

[@kwayneboy1524]

Gotta ask why is thay bad?

[@Samuel152]

​@@kwayneboy1524 For the Arkham Knight, it's because they lied to us saying that the Knight was an original character.

[@kwayneboy1524]

@@Samuel152 and you people really bought that? Dude I was 12 and even I knew that was Jason and even still from a narrative standpoint it's weird to have a mystery villain with their secret identity being some rando. Plus all the speculation from the fandom still seemed to view it as a new name and not a new character.

[@rayyanfarooqi2167]

Wouldnt be surprise if Joker plays a part in Shadow (dudes is in every arkham game)

[@iceomistar4302]

Also because Harley has a big part in this game

[@umtic]

I hope he appears as cameo like the Calendar Man in Arkham City rather than playing a major role

[@ninjaned1000]

The best option is probably just having an all new character with ties to a more established character so we still have an original character with their own story but still keep true to the comics in a way. With the Rat King already being based on the Ratcatcher, it seems this is already the route they're going but I think tying in a character like Riddler, Scarecrow, Commissioner Gordon, Vicki Vale, Ra's al Ghul, Alfred, or even Bruce Wayne himself into the Rat King's backstory is the best way to go. Assuming the Rat King has control over rats like Ratcatcher, maybe they could tie the origins of his powers to one of those established characters. Personally I would like to see Ratcatcher having some tie to Ra's or Talia al Ghul so both of them could make a return to the series.

[@SupercatTheBazingalinga]

What if the Rat King is just a giant intelligent rat connected to a computer who controls all the rats, and you need to have a final boss fight in the sewers to defeat it.

[@isabaig6665]

The most likely in my opinion is that it’s not a twist. He’s just a nobody that people will be introduced to when we take the mask off.

[@HOTD108_]

Why are they hiding who it is then?

[@b.u.l.1734]

@@HOTD108_ Because they aren't going to show the unmasked character in the trailers, even if it's a new character, lol. That would be like showing John Doe in the trailers for Se7en.

[@kwayneboy1524]

​@@HOTD108_what's the point of a mystery if your not gonna hide it?

[@isabaig6665]

I think it will be like Anarchy where there is not a lot of attention is given to the identity but more so the motivation and plan.

[@oofiethetroll2059]

What if they never reveal it? What if Rat King doesn’t necessarily win, but isn’t found, and Batman doesn’t catch him? That would be a twist!

[@oofiethetroll2059]

Nah never mind

[@edviza1935]

I actually think Quincy Sharp is an amazing twist villain since the game didn’t announce him as one. He’s just another random side character until you find out he’s actually maybe the biggest scumbag of them all

[@darkebuddha]

The Rat King: "I... am going to take over Gotham." The Rat-Catcher: "I... am going to sue you for copyright infringement."

[@rudysarmiento8700]

My suggestion on how to set up Anarky is doing small hints mesh with other characters, like have his file along with the rest of origins villains, have charecters mentioned him and his stunt but also other criminal's stunts like the 8 assassins going after the bat, and visit his cell but also others that may have broken out at that time

[@iseeundeadpeople9]

If this Rat King is not two or more conjoined people, i will be dissapointed.

[@kwayneboy1524]

Don't talk like that while I am eating mate.

[@moonlightostrich3690]

spoilers, kinda

[@bad-knight]

The rat king’s probably 30 rats in a trench coat.

[@honoramongscars649]

With how (I forget which fan interview) the devs mentioned they're taking a lot of ideas from Long Halloween + his last audio tape in Arkham Origins. It doesn't help the unmodulated voice you posted sounds a like like the voice he puts on for Sionis in his last audio tape. I honestly do feel like it's just gonna be Alberto. I do think Anaraky would make the most sense like you mentioned, but I have a feeling like they are gonna go down the Alberto Falcone route. The other, much worse, options would be it being Joker again (due to the 4th of July lore story) OR it all being just a misdirect by Scarecrow doing something really really dumb. Kind of like taking the "shift" of Batman Terror where he hijacks another villain's plan, but changing it so it is just Scarecrow playing everyone in order. With Scarecrow's voice actor still being kept a surprise alongside them not confirming Joker is in the game despite Troy being on the cast + Harleen being a big focus.... I think they could also be possible.

[@gilbertaswell]

i think im just slow cause i dont really remember thinking aarkham knight was jason todd and i think thats because i just thought the jason stuff was the joker trying to break batman down mentally so he could take control easier and i was just happy to see him as a character and in the verse, i dont think i was ever really interested in who the arkham knight was or really remembered he was supposed to be aa secret character i just didnt give it any thought so im probably the only person who has ever played the game and been mildly surprised, and then immediately saw how obvious it was

[@wintersoldier164]

i hope they reveal that is just somebody. not even someone batman knows, just some guy

[@johnpaulpomfret5032]

As much as I’d love Anarky’s return, I genuinely think Alberto Falcone is a much easier character to not only reintroduce, but set up in general. Due to his main relationship being with his father, I could totally see a world where we finally get Arkham Carmine as a major threat, only to realize that the sniveling suck up he calls a son actually plans to destroy his criminal empire. Plus, especially remembering that dent became two face due to Maroni, just like the comics, I’d be shocked if we didn’t get some Maroni/Falcone crime drama, especially this early in the timeline

[@LoneHermit]

Could be Batcow, think about it.

[@Ch0pp3rGunn3rX]

I 1,000% agree with your theory. Anarky HAS to be Rat King. There’s no way it couldn’t be him

[@Ch0pp3rGunn3rX]

Either that or it could be Lock-Up

[@Thederanged1]

Hell Rat King isn’t even an original villain name. It’s the name of a TMNT villain too.

[@LowQualContent]

Another idea for his identity could be Deacon Blackfire. Very similar motifs to Anarchy, taking in the undesirables of Gotham. Biggest knock against was Deacon specifically targeted the homeless and also sort of brainwashed batman in the comics (Batman the cult) but it'd be cool to have this more as the origin of Deacon and then he returns later in knight.

[@Tommedian]

What if it’s Joe Chill? Think about it, he’s basically a clean slate in the Arkhamverse, but Batman’s origin story is so iconic that any Batman fan would recognize him and he’d arguably be the most personal villain in the series

[@hotcocoabomb_]

Its officer balls

[@Jam-og1km]

What I thought would be cool for the Arkham Knight is if we was Hugo Strange's son. It would make sense of hating Batman and knowing everything about him, and fits with Scarecrow's plan of Cloudbursting the city, which killed tons and tons of criminals. Maybe the Rat King can be a similar case, where they are a new character who is related to a character we already know, like Anarky's father or something

[@jimblojo]

batman and the gcpd are trying to find out who rat king is, batman finds out that its actually multiple organisations, he finds the location of where the brodcasts are coming from and goes there but has to stop a few riots along the way, he then meets anarchy after a few predator encounters and small fights, a cutscene plays of one of his followers bringing out the original anarchy who says "you wont get away with this", batman is confused and says "if your not anarchy, then who are you" the fake anarchy responds with "the names joe, joe kurr".

[@bourbonnaissance]

there's a recording in the game, of leslie talking to falcone, and she admitting she is the rat king, though. even though two-face is born, doesnt mean we wont hear from the rat king again

[@eggdotpng]

i genuinely think i can hear matt mercer in that rat kings voice which would make anarky make sense

[@eggdotpng]

i also think they could possibly set him up by having him explain his backstory alluding to being a small time vigilante/criminal beforehand and establishing he has heen stopped by batman before without explicitly stating he is anarky until the end, that way new players would get the rundown and old players would be able to connect the dots as he explains.

[@eggdotpng]

anarky is my favorite character in origins though so i hope its him

[@brantheo]

If it’s the joker I swear to god.

[@Higgo0202]

I think Aaron Cash could be a good character to be a twist villain (maybe not for this but in general). Just have him be a villain before asylum and at the end of the game have him have change of heart and go to work for asylum to keep others that were like him in the asylum so they can get help. Basic but this is off the dome so idk

[@Luna-light212]

This game looks really interesting sucks that i and a lot of others won't be able to play it. Because i don't intend to buy a vr headset for one game

[@Nidal_69]

Call me crazy, but i think the Rat King will be arkhams most difficult to beat boss villain Electrocutioneur, would be a crazy twist at the very least.

[@theofficialbatmanofgotham]

Batman: Who are you? Rat King: It’s me… Clayface! Or should i say.. the Joker! Or better known as… Jason Todd!

[@dumba5535]

I get the point but honestly, I’m just pretty happy for a new akrham game and the fact it’s a vr but with actual gameplay this time it’s pretty cool

[@DuncsDomain]

I really agree with this if they do the joker, everyone complains, but if there is someone like the Arkham Knight everyone also complains

[@HOTD108_]

Which would be a valid complaint. Arkham Knight is infamous for having one of the weakest twists in gaming history. Even if you love the game, you can't deny how poorly handled the identity of the Arkham Knight was.

[@fanaticzulu3836]

@@HOTD108_yeah well most people probably hadn’t watched under the red hood 10 thousand times before playing Arkham knight

[@seasonembrace3624]

@@HOTD108_ Blame the writer's not Jason. It's NRS's fault for there poor handling of Jason/Arkham Knight. So I don't see how that invalidates a new villain taking the reigns for the major bad. While Joker is an overused character in general media even if his story dynamic with Batman is still good stuff. Honestly If the writer's are good enough I feel like they can make the Rat King a good villain.

[@HOTD108_]

​​@fanaticzulu3836 I sincerely don't know what that is, but I assume it's something with a similar plot to Arkham Knight? It doesn't matter though because I literally didn't even know who Jason Todd was before playing Knight and I still knew it was him like 10 hours before the reveal because the flashbacks make it so painfully obvious. Rocksteady clearly didn't plan Knight's plot in advance and had to slap something together in a hurry after the lead writer for Asylum and City (Paul Dini) didn't return for Knight, which is why Jason got almost zero setup before Knight leading to Knight having to force all those awkward flashbacks that might as well be a giant flashing neon sign that reads "IT'S JASON! JASON IS THE KNIGHT!". That's why they how poorly handed the "mystery" was.

[@HOTD108_]

​@@seasonembrace3624I am blaming the writers... Jason is a fictional character, and so it would be silly for me to blame him. Jason Todd doesn't exist outside of what the writers decide to write.

[@Victor-qx3vx]

I really wouldn’t like of Rat King turned out to be Anarky. Anarky should be Anarky. There is no need for a second identity if the rest (his message, his methods, etc.) will stay the same.

[@comicfan1324]

You know, crazy thought here, but what if instead of making the Arkham Knight Jason Todd they instead went the route of making the persona of “The Arkham Knight” and identity held up by a band of nameless henchman who blame Batman for the downfall of their lives at the hands of the legal system. From there, they ally themselves with scarecrow and the other villains to take down the Batman. And since this this persona is actually multiple people working in tandem, they can use their collective experience of going up against Batman to recognize some of his tactics and adapt to them. (Also to give them even the slightest chance, let’s just say they all have military background.) Also, from a gameplay perspective, you could have multiple encounters with the Arkham Knight before revealed that there are multiple people under the mask, but you could have subtle hints that they aren’t the same person. Sure they might have a voice modulator to make them sound the same, but the way they move and fight could all be different. Some of them may prefer going hand to hand with Batman with multiple henchman to back them up. Others may prefer to take a sniping position, Batman will have to sneak up on them. Of course, Batman beats one of them and takes the Knight into police custody but then realizes there’s another one running about he realizes there is more going on than just a single costumed lunatic. And maybe once you beat them and talk to them in the prison, they could monologue about their first encounter with Batman with each of them, referencing one of the games in the series so it plays into the theme of legacy. And then during the attack on GCPD, all the Knights could break out of their cells and Batman is forced to take on all of them at once in an intense combat on the counter with them stating “We Are The Arkham Knight”. Don’t get me wrong I think Jason Todd was the better option, but I would’ve applauded this creativity to make a bunch of random henchman into a single super villain, and as long as they emphasize that Scarecrow is the big threat I think they could’ve worked as essentially high ranking henchman.

[@boogusscoogus614]

That is the single best alternative Arkham Knight idea I have ever seen. "We are the Arkham Knight" gives me chills dude.

[@Samuel152]

This is like my Arkham Knight rewrite where the Knight was someone who blames Batman. Except for mine, it's a woman who's been tortured and experimented by Hugo Strange, and she was named Protocol 11 (the same protocol Strange uttered before his death).

[@luizurquidi9968]

Funny thing is that there are things called “rat kings” with are 3-30 rat tangled together by the tail so that would actually fit.

[@neeco5708]

you missed another option: we could never find out who the rat catcher is; there may be new characters or people we think it is but in real life not every mystery is solved. you don’t always get closure and that could be the theme of the game

[@thedisabledviking]

To be fare about the Joker Twist in origins, he was showen in a gameplay demo before the game came out, but then again when i first saw that i thought that meant he was be one of the assassin's and not the main villain