Easter Eggs & Secrets
Batman: Arkham City is a treasure trove of hidden references, subtle nods, and elaborate secrets that reward diligent exploration and a keen eye. From deep cuts into Batman lore to playful pop culture homages, these Easter Eggs enrich the game's atmosphere and provide delightful surprises for fans. This section details some of the most prominent and intriguing secrets, offering step-by-step instructions on how to find and trigger them.
Scarecrow's Hidden Message & Hideout
One of Arkham City's most elaborate and well-hidden secrets is the chilling message left by Dr. Jonathan Crane, the Scarecrow. This isn't just a simple collectible; it's a multi-stage discovery that hints at future events in the Arkhamverse.
How to Find It:
- Locate the Barge: Head to the industrial area of Arkham City, specifically the large body of water near the Steel Mill. Look for a small, dilapidated barge floating in the water, close to the boundary of the playable area.
- Find the Code: On this barge, you'll find a small, interactive panel. Interacting with it will display a series of numbers: 2050 500 325. This is not a random sequence; it's a radio frequency.
- Tune Your Cryptographic Sequencer: Open your gadget wheel and select the Cryptographic Sequencer. Manually input the frequency 2050 500 325.
- Decipher the Broadcast: Once tuned, you'll intercept a disturbing audio broadcast. This message, heavily distorted and featuring Scarecrow's voice, contains cryptic warnings and hints about his survival and future plans. It's a significant lore drop for fans of the series.
- The Secret Hideout (Visual Confirmation): While the audio message is the primary Easter Egg, the barge itself is believed to be a makeshift hideout or staging point for Scarecrow, reinforcing his presence within Arkham City despite his apparent absence from the main narrative. The dilapidated nature and the hidden frequency suggest a clandestine operation.
Why it's an Easter Egg: This entire sequence is a deep dive into the lore, confirming Scarecrow's survival after the events of Arkham Asylum and setting the stage for his eventual return in Arkham Knight. It requires specific player action (finding a hidden object, deciphering a code, using a specific gadget) rather than being part of the main story progression.
Calendar Man's Date-Specific Dialogues
Julian Day, also known as Calendar Man, is imprisoned in the Solomon Wayne Courthouse. He offers unique, date-specific dialogues that are among the most celebrated Easter Eggs in the game. To hear all of his special conversations, you must visit him on specific real-world holidays.
How to Trigger Them:
- Locate Calendar Man: He is held in a cell in the basement of the Solomon Wayne Courthouse, the very first building you enter in Arkham City. His cell is directly opposite the main entrance to the basement area.
- Visit on Specific Dates: Calendar Man will have unique dialogue if you visit him on the following real-world holidays. You must physically go to his cell and interact with him.
- New Year's Day: January 1st
- Valentine's Day: February 14th
- St. Patrick's Day: March 17th
- April Fool's Day: April 1st
- Mother's Day: Second Sunday in May (varies by year, check calendar)
- Father's Day: Third Sunday in June (varies by year, check calendar)
- Independence Day (US): July 4th
- Labor Day (US): First Monday in September
- Halloween: October 31st
- Thanksgiving (US): Fourth Thursday in November
- Christmas Day: December 25th
- Birthday (Batman's "birthday" in the comics is often celebrated in April, but for this Easter Egg, it's not a fixed date. Some players report unique dialogue if they visit on their console's system date set to their own birthday, though this is less consistent.)
- The "Season of Infamy" Achievement: Visiting Calendar Man on all 12 major holidays will unlock the "Storyteller" achievement/trophy. This requires either playing the game over a full year or, more commonly, manually changing your console/PC's system date to trigger each specific holiday.
Strategy Tip: To avoid waiting a full year, save your game inside the courthouse, then exit the game. Change your system date to one of the holidays, relaunch the game, visit Calendar Man, listen to his dialogue, then save again. Repeat for each holiday. Remember to change your system date back to normal after you've collected all dialogues.
Why it's an Easter Egg: This is a highly interactive and time-sensitive Easter Egg that directly references Calendar Man's comic book gimmick. It rewards players who go out of their way to engage with the game's world outside of the main narrative flow.
The Titan Container in the Steel Mill
While seemingly just environmental detail, a specific container in the Steel Mill holds a significant Easter Egg connecting Arkham City to its predecessor, Arkham Asylum.
How to Find It:
- Enter the Steel Mill: Progress through the main story until you gain access to the Steel Mill area.
- Locate the Loading Bay: Head to the large loading bay area within the Steel Mill, where you encounter numerous thugs and heavy machinery. This is often an area with multiple levels and cranes.
- Find the Specific Container: Look for a large, distinctive shipping container that is heavily damaged and appears to have been ripped open from the inside. It's usually found on the ground level or a slightly elevated platform within this bay.
Why it's an Easter Egg: This container is identical to the one in Arkham Asylum where Bane was held. The damage pattern strongly suggests that Bane, empowered by the Titan formula, burst out of it. This visual cue serves as a direct, subtle link between the two games, confirming Bane's escape and hinting at his continued presence or influence within Arkham City, even before you encounter him directly. It's a clever piece of environmental storytelling that rewards players who remember details from the previous game.
Other Notable Easter Eggs & Secrets
- Azrael's Prophecies: Throughout Arkham City, you can find Azrael perched on various rooftops. Interacting with him triggers cryptic prophecies about Batman's future and the coming "fall of the Bat." There are five encounters in total, each offering a piece of the puzzle. These are often found in high, secluded spots and require careful observation or detective vision to spot.
- Killer Croc's Cameo: After defeating Ra's al Ghul, return to the sewers beneath the city. In a specific grate, you can briefly encounter Killer Croc. He'll make a menacing remark before disappearing back into the depths. This is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment that rewards exploration of the less-traveled paths.
- Black Mask's Identity: Early in the game, during the introduction sequence, you'll see a prisoner being processed who is clearly Roman Sionis, also known as Black Mask. He's distinguishable by his scarred face and aggressive demeanor. This is a quick cameo that establishes his presence in Arkham City.
- Hush's Operating Theatre: In the Medical Facility, you can find an abandoned operating theatre where Hush (Dr. Thomas Elliot) performed his gruesome facial reconstruction surgery. There are clues and medical equipment left behind, hinting at his dark work.
- Wonder Tower's Secret Room: Inside Wonder Tower, there's a hidden room accessible only by using the REC (Remote Electrical Charge) on a specific generator. This room contains various Riddler trophies and environmental storytelling elements, often related to Hugo Strange's experiments.
- Lex Luthor's Building: In the distance, outside the playable area, you can clearly see a skyscraper with "LEXCORP" emblazoned on it, a direct reference to Superman's arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor, and his company.
- Green Arrow's Bow: In the Museum, during the Freeze section, look closely at some of the display cases. You might spot a familiar green bow, a subtle nod to Green Arrow.
Exploring Arkham City thoroughly is key to uncovering these hidden gems. Many require detective vision, specific gadgets, or simply a keen eye for detail. These secrets not only add replayability but also deepen the lore and connection to the wider DC Universe, making the game an even richer experience for fans.
