Remote Hideouts

Arkham City is a sprawling, dangerous urban prison, and within its walls, numerous factions vie for control. Scattered throughout the district are various "Remote Hideouts" – fortified locations controlled by these gangs. These are not merely combat arenas; they are strategic points, often housing valuable intel, resources, or even key personnel. Successfully infiltrating and neutralizing these hideouts is crucial for disrupting enemy operations, gaining experience, and contributing significantly to your overall game completion.

Each hideout presents a unique tactical puzzle, demanding a blend of combat prowess, stealth, and environmental awareness. Expect to encounter diverse enemy types, environmental hazards, and sometimes even mini-boss encounters. Clearing these locations not only rewards you with XP and often a small amount of Arkham City currency but also provides valuable insight into the city's criminal underworld and the machinations of its various power players.

General Strategy for Remote Hideouts

Reconnaissance is Key: Before engaging, always use Detective Mode (press LB/L1) to scan the area. Identify enemy types, patrol paths, environmental hazards (explosive barrels, weak walls), and potential vantage points or cover.
Prioritize Threats: Snipers, armed thugs, and enemies with specific equipment (e.g., Jammer devices) should be dealt with first, ideally from stealth.
Utilize Gadgets: Batman's arsenal is your best friend. The Batclaw can create new entry points or pull enemies off ledges. Smoke Pellets offer quick escapes or opportunities for silent takedowns. The Disruptor can disable firearms or enemy equipment.
Stealth vs. Combat: Most hideouts can be approached with either a stealth-first or direct combat strategy. Stealth often yields higher XP bonuses and is safer, especially against heavily armed groups. However, some scenarios might force direct confrontation.
Environmental Takedowns: Look for opportunities to use the environment to your advantage. Dropping gargoyles, smashing through weak walls, or using explosive objects can thin out enemy numbers quickly and efficiently.
Post-Clearance Sweep: After neutralizing all enemies, always do a thorough sweep of the area in Detective Mode. Many hideouts contain hidden collectibles, Arkham City Story items, or even Riddler Trophies.

Featured Remote Hideouts and Walkthroughs

1. The Penguin's Iceberg Lounge Storage (Industrial District)

Faction: The Penguin's Crew
Location: Located in the southeastern part of the Industrial District, near the docks. Look for a large, dilapidated warehouse with a prominent "Iceberg Lounge" sign.

Challenge: This hideout is a multi-level storage facility heavily guarded by armed thugs and a few enforcers. The primary challenge is navigating the tight corridors and avoiding direct confrontation with multiple armed enemies.

Walkthrough:

Entry: Approach from the rooftops. You'll find a weak point in the ceiling or a high window that can be opened with the Batclaw.
Initial Recon: Drop down onto the catwalks. Immediately activate Detective Mode. You'll see at least 5-7 armed thugs patrolling the ground floor and upper levels. One or two will likely be carrying Jammer devices.
Neutralize Jammers: Your top priority is to disable any Jammer devices. Use the Disruptor from a safe vantage point. This allows you to use Detective Mode freely.
Silent Takedowns: Utilize the gargoyles and structural beams to move silently above the enemies. Pick off isolated targets with inverted takedowns or drop-down takedowns.
Armed Thugs: For groups, consider using explosive gel on weak walls to create distractions or take out multiple enemies simultaneously. Alternatively, use smoke pellets to disorient them and perform quick ground takedowns.
Enforcers: If enforcers are present, prioritize them. They are heavily armored and require specific combat techniques (cape stun + beatdown) or environmental takedowns.
Final Sweep: Once all enemies are down, search the area. There's usually a small stash of Arkham City currency and sometimes a collectible audio log detailing Penguin's operations.

Rewards: Experience Points, Arkham City Currency, potential for a Riddler Trophy.

2. Two-Face's Courthouse Annex (Park Row)

Faction: Two-Face's Gang
Location: Situated in the northern section of Park Row, adjacent to the main courthouse. It's a smaller, more contained building, often identifiable by graffiti or Two-Face's distinctive symbol.

Challenge: This hideout often features a mix of armed and unarmed thugs, with a strong emphasis on close-quarters combat. Two-Face's men are known for their aggression and willingness to use improvised weapons.

Walkthrough:

Entry: The most common entry point is through a ground-level door or a broken window. Be cautious, as enemies might be visible immediately upon entry.
Initial Engagement: This hideout often forces a direct combat encounter. Be prepared for a brawl. Focus on building your combo meter quickly.
Weapon Users: Prioritize disarming enemies with firearms or melee weapons (baseball bats, pipes). Use the gadget quick-fire (e.g., Batarang stun, Batclaw pull) to interrupt their attacks.
Shield Thugs: If shield thugs are present, use the Redirect (jump over them) or the Batclaw to pull their shields away.
Environmental Hazards: Look for opportunities to use the environment. There might be explosive objects or weak structural elements that can be exploited.
Mini-Boss (Optional): Occasionally, a "Lieutenants" type enemy (stronger, unique combat animations) might be present. Focus on dodging their heavy attacks and counter-attacking.
Post-Combat: After clearing the room, check for any evidence or intel related to Two-Face's plans. There's often a small safe or desk with Arkham City currency.

Rewards: Experience Points, Arkham City Currency, potential for a character bio update.

3. Joker's Amusement Mile Outpost (Amusement Mile)

Faction: Joker's Henchmen
Location: Found within the dilapidated structures of Amusement Mile, often in a condemned funhouse or a section of the Ferris wheel. Look for Joker's signature "HA!" graffiti.

Challenge: Joker's hideouts are notoriously booby-trapped and often feature a higher concentration of armed enemies, including those with electric prods or body armor. Expect unpredictable elements.

Walkthrough:

Entry: Access can be tricky, often requiring the use of the Line Launcher or Batclaw to reach higher platforms or bypass electrified floors.
Trap Detection: Immediately use Detective Mode. Joker's men love setting proximity mines, tripwires, and electrified surfaces. Disarm mines with the Disruptor or avoid them.
Armed & Armored Thugs: This hideout often features a higher number of armed enemies. Prioritize silent takedowns from vantage points. For armored thugs, use the Explosive Gel on their back or a heavy beatdown after a cape stun.
Electric Prod Users: These enemies require a specific counter (jump over them to attack from behind). Isolate them if possible.
Environmental Chaos: The environment itself might be a hazard. Be wary of unstable structures or objects that can be dropped on you. Conversely, use these to your advantage.
Strategic Retreats: If overwhelmed, use Smoke Pellets or the Batclaw to retreat to a safe vantage point and reassess.
Intel Gathering: After clearing, search for Joker's "diaries" or other pieces of intel that shed light on his plans. These are usually found on tables or in small, hidden rooms.

Rewards: Experience Points, Arkham City Currency, potential for a Riddler Trophy or character bio.

Common Pitfalls and Missables

Rushing In: The biggest mistake is to charge into a hideout without proper reconnaissance. Always plan your approach.
Ignoring Alarms: If an enemy spots you and triggers an alarm, reinforcements may arrive, making the encounter significantly harder. Prioritize silencing alarm-triggering enemies.
Forgetting Gadgets: Batman's gadgets are not just for show. They are essential tools for crowd control, stealth, and environmental manipulation. Use them!
Missing Collectibles: Many hideouts contain Riddler Trophies, Arkham City Story items, or character bios. Always do a thorough sweep in Detective Mode after clearing the area. Some might require specific gadgets to access.
Underestimating Enemy Types: Different enemy types require different strategies. Don't try to punch an armored enforcer head-on without stunning them first.

By systematically approaching each Remote Hideout with careful planning and utilizing Batman's full arsenal, you'll not only contribute to Arkham City's liberation but also hone your skills for the greater challenges that lie ahead.