Gotham Knights takes place in a separate universe from the Batman: Arkham series, meaning many characters will boast different backstories, personalities, and abilities, including Robin, the Boy Wonder. Though Batman: Arkham took some creative liberties with the characters, Gotham Knights will also depart from DC's comic canon with Batman and his Bat Family. Each change sets Gotham Knights apart from Batman: Arkham and crafts a unique universe with its own intricate lore and stories. Robin is an integral part of Batman mythos, and any change made to his character could affect the entire universe.
Gotham Knights takes place after Batman's death, when Gotham City falls into chaos without its Caped Crusader to protect it. Players choose between Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, or Robin and protect Gotham City from the Court of Owls. Other Batman villains like Mister Freeze and Penguin will also appear, although it's unclear how significant a role they'll play in the game's story. As the Bat Family, players will venture through an open-world that evolves as the story progresses, and will conduct their operations out of Gotham City's Belfry.
Gotham Knights' Robin is Tim Drake, the third person to adopt the mantle in mainstream DC continuity. In the comics, Tim Drake earns his spot as Robin after uncovering Batman's true identity. Following Jason Todd's death at the hands of Joker, he became Batman's new partner. Unlike Dick Grayson, who excelled at acrobatics, Tim Drake's greatest strength is his mind. He is considered the smartest of Batman's Robins and was even deemed an equal by Ra's al Ghul. This new Tim Drake's backstory is currently unknown, but WB Games Montréal will likely reveal more information as Gotham Knights' release date draws nearer.
Tim Drake experienced several changes to his overall design and backstory in the Batman: Arkham series. His shaved head and more mature appearance were a result of the horrors he puts himself through in his spare time. Unlike Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, who enjoyed a history that prepared them for the physical side of crime-fighting, Tim Drake only began with his detective skills. As a result, he frequently participated in cage fighting rings to hone his abilities in increasingly violent ways. This hobby is an extreme departure from the quiet, intelligent child DC usually portrays Tim Drake as. Robin's brutal skills and intelligence made him one of Batman's most formidable superhero allies throughout the Batman: Arkham series.
Robin's backstory in the Batman: Arkham games is largely a mystery, but it's already easy to see how Rocksteady's version of Tim Drake differs compared to the one seen in Gotham Knights. The Batman: Arkham universe is dark, both aesthetically and tonally, with Robin's cage fighting roots exemplifying that approach. However, Gotham Knights has already given Tim Drake a more hopeful outlook by confirming on the official website that, "[Robin] is motivated by the conviction that Gotham City needs a hero rather than by personal loss." With luck, Tim Drake can become the hero Gotham City needs and deserves and distinguish himself from some of the darker characters present in Gotham Knights.
Though WB Games Montréal has shown little of Gotham Knights' combat gameplay, the few snippets its provided of Robin has illustrated the character is taking a different approach to combat than his Batman: Arkham counterpart. His profile on Gotham Knights' official website proves Batman's final protégé employs some questionable tactics the Dark Knight himself utilized. Despite the destruction of the Batcave, Bruce Wayne left several safe houses and technology caches at his successors' hands. These gifts range from weapons to uniforms to Robin's astounding ability to teleport by connecting to the Justice League's satellite.
Batman: Arkham also employed high-tech gadgetry, but Gotham Knights seems to be going further, with Tim Drake's move-set typifying the new approach. Additionally, it seems Robin uses some of Batman's darker tricks, such as psychological, fear-based warfare. Batman ruled Gotham City through fear, utilizing stealth tactics and brutal interrogations to obtain information. Robin has already been shown to use some of these tactics, though it's unknown how merciless Gotham Knights' superheroes will be in its open-world.
Batman: Arkham's Robin failed to acquire these unique abilities in Rocksteady's series, possibly due to his place as Batman's sidekick and because of the fate of his predecessor. Though Nightwing went on to protect his own city and enjoy a more independent crime-fighting career, Jason Todd died and became a warning for Batman never to let his guard down again. Jason's death resulted in Bruce taking extreme precautions with Tim, going so far as to lock him up to keep him out of harm's way during the events of Batman: Arkham Knight.
Batman and Robin frequently worked independently, as shown in Batman: Arkham City's Robin DLCs and its sequel, Batman: Arkham Knight. Due to Bruce Wayne's role as the family's primary crimefighter, Tim Drake didn't receive many of the gadgets shown in Batman's arsenal. Time apart also ensured Tim Drake's personality and methods weren't quite as brutal as his mentor's.
The Batman: Arkham timeline changed many aspects of DC's comics continuity, with Rocksteady studios developing its own take on the DC Universe. However, some events from the comics remained largely the same, such as Barbara Gordon's paralysis and Jason Todd's defeat and 'death' at the hands of the Joker. The timeline of these losses ensured Tim Drake would never meet or work alongside every member of the Bat Family. Barbara Gordon's career as Batgirl ended in Batman: Arkham before Tim Drake became Robin, and Joker kidnapped Red Hood in the Batman: Arkham timeline before the next Robin entered active duty. Bruce and Tim's failure to locate Jason Todd before his escape, and Jason's later resurgence as the Arkham Knight, ensured that the two adoptive brothers never truly interacted or bonded with one another.
Gotham Knights has allowed Tim Drake to reconnect with more members of the Bat Family, forging new bonds in the wake of Batman's death. Most notably, Tim Drake's Robin can now interact with Jason Todd's Red Hood and fight alongside Barbara Gordon's Batgirl. Though Red Hood and Tim Drake's Robin often butt heads, due to the latter replacing the former after his death, their cooperation in Gotham City's defense could soothe old wounds. Additionally, though Batgirl is different from Batman: Arkham's version, Tim Drake's Robin can now experience a crime-fighting career alongside her. In Batman: Arkham, Barbara had already been paralyzed and removed from active duty. Fighting beside Batgirl and Red Hood allows Robin to learn from mentors other than Batman and shape his identity outside of Bruce's shadow.
Gotham Knights is very different from Batman: Arkham due to Batman's death and other character changes. Subtle changes to each hero and villain, as well as Gotham City itself, should ensure that WB Games Montréal's interpretation of Batman feels distinct compared to Rocksteady's. Robin is one of several characters who exemplify the contrast between the two series, boasting a brighter aesthetic, and a new backstory.
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