How Long Does it REALLY Take to 100% Batman: Arkham Asylum? – Let’s Break it Down, Detective.
So, you want to explore the asylum? Not for fun, I assume. You aim to clean up Gotham’s mess. You might wonder how long this journey will take. Especially for that 100% completion. Grab your Batarangs. We will break down the playtime of Batman: Arkham Asylum and its sequels.
Cracking the Case: Arkham Asylum Completion Times
Let’s get to the facts. You want to know your time in Arkham. Here’s the info, from the Bat-computer and avid gamers:
- Main Story Blitz: If you focus on the main story, it will take about 11 hours. Picture a long night in Gotham. Intense and filled with gargoyles.
- The Completionist Chronicle (100%): So you wish to do it all. Respect. For 100% completion, include riddles and side quests. It takes about 25 hours. Enough time to feel like Batman or need a rest in the Batcave.
- Achievement Hunter’s Hourglass: Trophy hunters, listen! Getting every achievement in Batman: Return to Arkham – Arkham Asylum takes around 15 to 20 hours. Focus on 100% completion without obsessive riddle-solving.
- Speed Demon’s Sprint: The fastest completion of Arkham Asylum is 1 hour, 18 minutes, 23 seconds. Done by speedrunner “Nivlak” on “Easy.” Don’t attempt this in your first playthrough unless you want to miss a lot.
- Story & Riddle Roundup (84%?): If you finish the story, grab all Riddler trophies, and complete Arkham’s Spirit quest, you will reach about 84% completion. Plenty left without challenge modes.
Venturing Beyond the Asylum: Arkham City, Knight, and Shadow
The madness doesn’t end at Arkham Asylum. The Arkhamverse grows, and so does the playtime. Let’s see how long you’ll spend battling in the sequels and DLCs:
- Arkham City – The Urban Sprawl Completion:
- 100% City Sweep: Arkham City is larger, tougher, and requires around 57 hours. Gotham’s projects take time.
- Main Story Marathon: Just the main story? That’s about 13 hours. Who ignores side quests in Arkham City?
- Arkham Knight – The Batmobile Bonanza:
- 100% Knightfall Protocol: Arkham Knight has the Batmobile and a large city. It demands around 59 hours for completion. Driving that tank consumes time.
- Main Mission Mayhem: Focus only on the main story? That takes about 16 hours. Though much of the city needs… liberation.
- Premium Edition Pacing: Batman: Arkham Knight – Premium Edition extends the main playtime to around 21 hours. More content means more fighting.
- Harley Quinn’s Revenge (Arkham City DLC) – The Clown Caper:
- Main Story Hijinks: This DLC is shorter but still chaotic. The main story lasts about 1-2 hours. It depends on if you savor the chaos or speed through.
- Balloon Bursting Bonanza (100% DLC): To complete everything, including popping all Harley’s balloons, add another 1-2 hours. Popping balloons takes time.
- Arkham Shadow Story – VR Venture:
- Shadowy Story Length: If you enter VR with Arkham Shadow, expect about 10 hours. This is if you ignore distractions. VR crime-fighting needs substantial time (and Quest 3 recharges).
The 100% Checklist: What You’re Signing Up For
What exactly do you do for those 100% stats? It’s not just about beating goons (though there’s plenty of that). Here’s your checklist:
- Main Story Domination: Beat the main storyline. No shortcuts.
- Side Mission Subjugation: Gotham has side quests everywhere. You need to complete them.
- Riddler Riddle Rampage: Collect all Riddler trophies. Prepare for detective work.
- Arkham’s Spirit Quest: Discover the mysteries of Arkham’s history. It boosts your completion percentage.
- Achievement/Trophy Triumphs: Unlock every achievement or trophy. Show off your skills.
- Harley’s Balloon Hunt (DLC): In Harley Quinn’s Revenge DLC – find and pop all balloons. It’s oddly satisfying?
- Season of Infamy Saga (Arkham Knight): Want more in Arkham Knight? Finish the Season of Infamy DLC for a total of 120% completion. After all, 100% is for amateurs.
Arkham Asylum: Not Quite Open World, But Still Wild
Let’s discuss Arkham Asylum’s design. It is different from its sequels. It’s not an open-world like Arkham City or Arkham Knight. Think of it as a Metroidvania with Batsuits:
- Interconnected Spaces, Not Open World: You can explore Arkham Island to an extent. But it feels like a series of connected areas instead of a vast city.
- Linear Progression with Exploration: The story moves linearly. You can explore as areas unlock, Metroidvania-style, inviting backtracking to find secrets.
- Combat & Stealth Focus: Gameplay emphasizes combat and stealth. Use gadgets and the environment to survive. Less Batmobile chases, more stealthy encounters.
- Memorable Indoor Mayhem: Arkham Asylum’s charm lies in its unique indoor settings. Each place is distinct, creating a memorable experience unlike later games.
Arkham City and Arkham Knight embraced the open-world style fully. As for Arkham Origins? It expanded on Arkham City’s structure, receiving mixed opinions.
Arkhamverse Timeline Tidbits: Batman’s Age and Game Order
If you like to track your Bat-facts, here’s a rundown of the Arkham timeline and Bruce Wayne’s age:
- Arkham Origins – The Prequel Punch: Takes place eight years before Arkham Asylum, making it the start.
- Arkham City – 18 Months Later: Set 18 months after Arkham Asylum. Gotham’s planning fell apart.
- Batman’s Birthday Blues (Age in Arkhamverse):
- 27 in Arkham Origins: Young and already fighting crime.
- 32 in Arkham Asylum: Older, wiser, and likely tired.
- 37 in Arkham City: Nearly 40. Still active.
- 38 in Arkham Knight: Officially middle-aged for a superhero but still saving Gotham.
You now know how much time to invest in the Arkhamverse. Whether for a quick ride or a complete odyssey, you’re ready. Now go forth, detective, and bring order to chaos. Don’t blame me when you realize a week vanished into riddle trophies.
