Batmans's many sidekicks have always had to play second fiddle to the Dark Knight, but Gotham Knights will allow Batgirl and some of the former Robins to lead their own adventure. However, one of those Robins may have more to bring in a solo adventure than the others.
Also known as the Red Hood, Jason Todd has certainly had one of the more varied character arcs in comics. This was a Robin who had taken Batman's views and twisted them and wasn't afraid to kill anyone in his way. However, Red-Hood has progressed from villain to the anti-hero of the Bat-family. His complicated life and relationships would be perfect for a stand-alone game.
Jason Todd arguably has one of the most complex character journeys of the Robins, at least in terms of morality. He has been both murderous and controlled, having killed before, but is actively trying to reign in his more murderous intentions. This would allow a game based on him to focus on something that is rare in a Batman game: the option to take a life. Batman, as a character, does not kill. Jason Todd, however, can walk both sides of the moral coin. This could let players make a choice when dealing with foes. For instance, would a player choose to use rubber bullets, and what effect would that have later in the game?
In terms of combat ability, Jason is no slouch. Red Hood has been trained by Batman, the League of Shadows, the All-caste and a host of other trainers that all worked to make him the best fighter he could be. His combat is often more violent than Batman's and somewhat less refined. Red Hood doesn't just use his fists, though. While he doesn't have the full lists of gadgets Batman has, he usually has several more down-to-earth pieces of kit. A game based around him could let players work with what they can find or purchase anything from guns and knives to some of the more alien weaponry Red Hood used as part of the Outlaws.
Jason has had a somewhat difficult relationship with the other members of the Bat-family. Sometimes he works with them, but often he is in direct conflict with them. From trying to kill Tim Drake to an almost romance with Barbara Gordon, a game could find a lot to work off of. Does the player try to work with the other members, or do they ignore them for the most part but try to stay on their good side, or do they directly antagonize them? There could be benefits and drawbacks to both options that directly affect the game.
Red Hood's actions in Gotham also allow for a variety. Originally Red Hood planned to control the crime in Gotham by becoming the number one crime lord in the city. A video game based around trying to rise in Gotham's criminal underbelly and control the worst of the excesses by force and intimidation would be interesting, but it is by no means all the options. Jason has also been a hero for hire, and that concept would fit in very well with a mission-based game structure. This variety would give players a chance to try different things, maybe even a mix and match, at least compared to the formula of only fighting super-villains that often appear in most superhero games.
Batman has arguably had one of the most successful conversions to the video game format, and the franchise has so much more to give. Red Hood could be a part of a fantastic game due to his combat skills, questionable morality and general relationship with the DC universe. Hopefully, developers look to the excitement about Gotham Knights and use it to start to explore the other characters.
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