Main Story Missions
Welcome to the comprehensive guide for Batman: Arkham City's main story missions. This section will walk you through each critical objective, providing detailed strategies, item locations, and enemy encounters to ensure your success in navigating the treacherous streets of Arkham City.
Remember to use Batman's full arsenal of gadgets and his Detective Mode frequently to identify threats, discover hidden paths, and solve environmental puzzles. Stealth is often your best ally, especially against armed opponents.
The Master Thief (Catwoman Episode 1)
Your journey begins not as Batman, but as the enigmatic Catwoman. This introductory mission serves as a tutorial for her unique combat and navigation style.
- Objective: Retrieve stolen loot from Two-Face's hideout.
- Location: The Courthouse, specifically the main courtroom.
- Walkthrough:
- Start by navigating the rooftops of Arkham City, using Catwoman's agile movements and whip to traverse gaps.
- Upon reaching the Courthouse, locate an entry point. There's typically a skylight or a less guarded window you can exploit.
- Inside, you'll encounter Two-Face's thugs. Catwoman's combat is faster and more fluid than Batman's; focus on quick combos and evasive maneuvers.
- Proceed through the Courthouse, using your whip to swing across chasms and climb walls.
- In the main courtroom, you'll face a larger group of armed thugs. Prioritize stealth takedowns from above or behind cover. Use your Caltrops to incapacitate groups or create distractions.
- After clearing the room, locate the vault containing the loot. You'll need to solve a simple environmental puzzle to access it, often involving a pressure plate or a switch.
- Once the loot is secured, a cutscene will trigger, transitioning to Batman's story.
- Key Items: Catwoman's Whip, Caltrops.
- Strategy: Catwoman excels at hit-and-run tactics. Use her speed to your advantage, especially against armed foes. Don't be afraid to retreat and re-engage from a different angle.
The Arrest
Batman's introduction to Arkham City is less than ideal. You're immediately thrust into the heart of the conflict.
- Objective: Escape from the processing center and investigate the situation.
- Location: Arkham City Processing Center.
- Walkthrough:
- After the initial cutscene, you'll find yourself disarmed and in a holding cell.
- Use Detective Mode to scan your surroundings for weaknesses. You'll notice a vent cover that can be pulled off.
- Crawl through the vents to bypass security.
- You'll eventually retrieve your Batarangs and Grapple Gun. Use the Batarangs to hit distant switches or stun enemies, and the Grapple Gun for vertical traversal.
- Navigate through the processing center, encountering unarmed thugs. This is a good opportunity to re-familiarize yourself with Batman's combat system, focusing on counters and special moves.
- Your path will lead you to a confrontation with Quincy Sharp and Hugo Strange.
- After the encounter, your next objective will be to reach the top of the processing center to gain a better vantage point of Arkham City.
- Key Items: Batarangs, Grapple Gun.
- Strategy: This mission reintroduces core Batman mechanics. Practice your combat flow and efficient use of the Grapple Gun for quick movement.
Saving One of the Nine
With a clearer understanding of the chaos within Arkham City, Batman must now act to save a key figure.
- Objective: Locate and rescue Commissioner Gordon's daughter, Vicki Vale, who is being held captive.
- Location: The Church, specifically the restricted area within.
- Walkthrough:
- From the top of the processing center, glide and grapple your way towards the marked location of the Church on your map.
- The exterior of the Church will be heavily guarded by armed thugs. use your Grapnel Boost (if unlocked) for faster traversal and to reach high vantage points.
- Enter the Church through a high window or a less guarded entrance.
- Inside, you'll face a Predator encounter. This means multiple armed enemies in a complex environment. Use your Detective Mode to tag enemies and identify their patrol routes.
- Perform silent takedowns from gargoyles, floor grates, or by using environmental hazards. The Inverted Takedown from a gargoyle is particularly effective.
- Work your way through the Church, disarming enemies and rescuing hostages if possible.
- Eventually, you'll reach the area where Vicki Vale is being held. You'll need to defeat the remaining thugs to secure her safety.
- After the rescue, a new objective will appear, directing you towards the Sionis Steel Mill.
- Key Items: Batarangs, Grapple Gun, Grapnel Boost (upgrade), Disruptor (useful for disabling enemy firearms).
- Strategy: This mission emphasizes stealth and tactical combat. Patience is key in Predator rooms. Don't rush in; plan your attacks carefully.
Sniping at Church
While still within the Church, a new threat emerges that requires immediate attention.
- Objective: Neutralize the sniper threatening the Church.
- Location: The bell tower of the Church.
- Walkthrough:
- Immediately after the previous objective, you'll be alerted to a sniper.
- Ascend to the upper levels of the Church, using your Grapple Gun and environmental elements.
- The sniper will be positioned in the bell tower. You'll need to approach cautiously, as they have a clear line of sight.
- Use cover and your Smoke Pellet to obscure their vision if necessary.
- Once you get close enough, perform a stealth takedown on the sniper.
- After neutralizing the threat, you'll receive further instructions, likely related to the Sionis Steel Mill.
- Key Items: Grapple Gun, Smoke Pellet.
- Strategy: This is a quick, focused encounter. Prioritize stealth and a swift takedown to avoid taking damage from the sniper.
Sionis Steel Mill
The trail of evidence leads Batman to the heavily fortified Sionis Steel Mill, a stronghold for one of Arkham City's most dangerous factions.
- Objective: Infiltrate the Sionis Steel Mill and gather intelligence.
- Location: Sionis Steel Mill, Industrial District.
- Walkthrough:
- Approach the Steel Mill from the exterior. It's a large, imposing structure. Look for less obvious entry points, such as ventilation shafts or weakened walls that can be breached with Explosive Gel.
- The Steel Mill is a sprawling environment with multiple levels and enemy patrols. Expect both armed and unarmed thugs, and potentially new enemy types.
- You'll need to navigate through various industrial areas, including foundries, assembly lines, and storage rooms.
- use Detective Mode extensively to identify enemy positions, structural weaknesses, and potential pathways.
- Expect several combat encounters, including both open brawls and Predator scenarios.
- Your goal is to reach a specific area within the Steel Mill to gather critical information or confront a key individual. The exact path will be marked on your map.
- Be prepared for environmental puzzles involving machinery, steam vents, or electrical conduits, which may require gadgets like the Remote Electrical Charge (REC) or the Line Launcher.
- Upon completing your objective within the Steel Mill, you'll likely be directed to another location or given a new lead.
- Key Items: Explosive Gel, Remote Electrical Charge (REC), Line Launcher, Batarangs, Grapple Gun.
- Strategy: The Steel Mill is a challenging environment. Master your gadget usage, especially for environmental navigation and crowd control. Be ready for varied enemy encounters.