How long is Batman: Arkham Origins? Game Length Breakdown

Batman: Arkham Origins is the third installment in the popular “Batman: Arkham” video game series. Players step into the shoes of a younger Batman, navigating the challenges and encounters of his early career. But how much time should players anticipate investing in this game?

Whether you’re diving into the main story, exploring side missions, or aiming for a full 100% completion, this article will provide a breakdown of the expected playtime for each approach.

How long is Batman: Arkham Origins?

Main Story (Casual Playthrough):

For players experiencing the game for the first time and focusing primarily on the main story, on average, it would take around 12 to 14 hours. This includes the time it takes to engage in combat scenarios, navigate through the game’s narrative, and interact with key characters.

Main Story + Some Extras:

For those players who decide to complete the main story and tackle some side missions, engage with some of the game’s collectibles, and explore more of Gotham City, the gameplay duration would be about 20 to 23 hours.

Completionists (100%):

Players who aim to achieve 100% completion—collecting all the Riddler challenges, completing all side missions, and acquiring all upgrades—can expect to invest 39 to 42 hours.

Main Story (Speedruns):

Speedrunners, who aim to complete the game as quickly as possible using a variety of strategies and exploits, have different categories for their runs. As of writing, the world record stands at 37 minutes and 1 second.

Factors that Influence Playtime in Batman: Arkham Origins:

While the primary storyline offers its own set of time demands, the game’s multifaceted design introduces a range of factors that can significantly influence how players experience its duration. Let’s delve into the specifics:

1. Difficulty Level: The game offers various difficulty settings. Playing on a higher difficulty can significantly prolong the game, as enemies are tougher, and players might need more time to strategize.
2. Side Missions: Arkham Origins includes several side missions apart from the main storyline. Engaging in side missions such as the Anarky bombs, tracking down Deadshot, or investigating the Penguin’s arms dealings can extend playtime.
3. Collectibles: The game is filled with collectibles, most notably the Riddler’s data packs. The pursuit of these can take up a considerable amount of time, especially if a player aims to find all of them.
4. Exploration: Gotham City in “Arkham Origins” is expansive. Players who take the time to explore every alley, rooftop, and interior will naturally spend more time in the game.
5. Player Skill Level: A player’s familiarity with the “Arkham” series or action-adventure games in general can influence how quickly they progress. Veterans of the series might navigate challenges more quickly, while newcomers might need more time.
6. Combat and Stealth Approaches: Some players might opt for a direct combat approach, while others might choose a stealthier method to take down enemies. Depending on the approach, the time spent on each encounter can vary.
7. Upgrades and Gadgets: The game offers various upgrades and gadgets. Some players might spend additional time earning XP to unlock specific upgrades or mastering the use of new gadgets, which can affect overall playtime.
8. Engagement with Story and Characters: Taking the time to listen to all dialogues, watch all cutscenes, and engage deeply with the narrative can add hours to the playtime for players who wish to immerse themselves fully in the story.
9. Replayability: Some players might choose to replay certain sections to achieve better results or to experience different outcomes based on their choices, adding to the total playtime.

Criteria for 100% Completion in Batman: Arkham Origins:

Achieving 100% completion in Batman: Arkham Origins requires more than just finishing the main story. Players must demonstrate a thorough engagement with nearly every aspect of the game. Here are the key criteria for a complete experience:

1. Main Story: Complete all main story missions, including every boss battle and narrative-driven sequence.
2. Side Missions: Finish all side missions, which involve various antagonists and additional storylines. This includes missions related to characters like Anarky, Deadshot, and Mad Hatter, among others.
3. Collectibles: Gather all of the Riddler’s data packs scattered throughout Gotham. This also includes solving any associated puzzles and challenges linked to these collectibles.
4. Upgrades and Gadgets: Acquire and fully upgrade every gadget available to Batman. This entails earning enough experience points (XP) to unlock every skill and gadget upgrade.
5. Challenges: Achieve high scores and meet the criteria for all combat and predator challenge maps. This might include specific tasks like using certain moves or achieving a particular combo count.
6. Most Wanted: Complete every ‘Most Wanted‘ entry, which entails tackling some of the game’s most notorious villains outside of the main storyline.
7. Crime Scenes: Investigate and solve every crime scene available as part of Batman’s detective work.
8. Enigma HQ: Solve the necessary Riddler challenges to locate and infiltrate the Enigma’s secret headquarters.
9. Character Profiles: Unlock every character profile in the game by encountering and learning about each individual.
10. New Game Plus: For the truly dedicated, completing the game on its New Game Plus mode, which introduces harder enemies and changes some gameplay dynamics, might be considered essential for 100% completion by some players.