Side Quests & Activities

Beyond the gripping main narrative of Batman: Arkham City, the sprawling urban prison is brimming with a wealth of optional content designed to enrich your experience, deepen the lore, and significantly empower Batman. Engaging with these side quests and activities is not merely a diversion; it's an essential component of achieving 100% completion, unlocking powerful upgrades, and truly mastering the Caped Crusader's arsenal.

These optional endeavors range from intricate detective work and challenging combat scenarios to stealth puzzles and environmental riddles. Successfully completing them often yields substantial rewards, including valuable experience points (XP) for character progression, WayneTech points for unlocking new abilities and gadget upgrades, and even unique gadgets that open up new traversal or combat possibilities. Neglecting these opportunities means missing out on crucial enhancements that can make later stages of the main story considerably easier, and a deeper understanding of Arkham City's many dark secrets.

Why Engage with Side Quests?

• Character Progression: Earn significant XP to level up Batman, unlocking new combat moves, health upgrades, and armor enhancements.
• WayneTech Points: Accumulate points to invest in Batman's extensive skill tree, improving gadget effectiveness, stealth capabilities, and overall combat prowess.
• Gadget Acquisition & Upgrades: Some side quests directly reward new gadgets or crucial upgrades for existing ones, expanding your tactical options.
• Lore & World Building: Delve deeper into the backstories of iconic villains and the tragic history of Gotham, enriching your understanding of the Arkhamverse.
• Challenge & Mastery: Test your skills in diverse scenarios, from intricate detective puzzles to demanding combat encounters, pushing your abilities to their limit.
• 100% Completion: Essential for unlocking all achievements/trophies and seeing everything Arkham City has to offer.

Prominent Side Quests & Activities

Arkham City features a diverse array of optional content. Here are a few examples of the types of challenges you'll encounter:

Riddler's Revenge (Riddler Hostages & Challenges)

The most expansive and demanding side activity, Edward Nigma, the Riddler, has trapped several innocent civilians throughout Arkham City. To save them, Batman must locate and solve hundreds of Riddler Trophies, breakable objects, and environmental riddles scattered across the entire map. Each set of successfully solved challenges unlocks the location of a hostage, leading to a complex rescue scenario.

How it Works:

1. Collect Riddler Trophies: These green question mark collectibles are hidden everywhere. Use Detective Mode frequently to spot them.
2. Solve Riddles: Scan specific objects or locations with your detective vision that match the Riddler's cryptic clues.
3. Destroy Objects: Locate and destroy green question mark objects, often requiring specific gadgets like the Remote Electrical Charge or Explosive Gel.
4. Interrogate Informants: Green-glowing thugs in groups often possess Riddler data. Subdue them last in a fight and interrogate them to reveal trophy locations on your map.
5. Hostage Rescues: After collecting a certain number of collectibles, the Riddler will reveal a hostage location. These are elaborate puzzle rooms or combat arenas designed to test all of Batman's skills.

Rewards:

• XP: Substantial XP for each trophy, riddle, and hostage rescue.
• WayneTech Points: Earned upon completing each hostage rescue.
• Gadget Upgrades: Some gadget upgrades are tied to Riddler progress.
• True Ending: Completing all Riddler challenges and rescuing all hostages is crucial for the game's 100% completion and unlocks a unique ending sequence.

Strategy Tip:

Prioritize interrogating Riddler informants early on. The more locations revealed on your map, the more efficiently you can sweep areas for collectibles. Don't be afraid to leave some trophies for later when you have more gadgets unlocked.

Identity Thief

A chilling serial killer is at large in Arkham City, leaving behind meticulously staged crime scenes. Batman must use his forensic skills to piece together clues and identify the culprit before they strike again.

Walkthrough:

1. First Victim (Park Row): Located near the entrance to the Museum. Scan the body, then use the Forensic Scanner to follow the blood trail. This leads to a specific location where you'll find a clue.
2. Second Victim (Industrial District): Found on a rooftop. Repeat the scanning process, following the blood trail to another clue.
3. Third Victim (Bowery): Discovered in an alleyway. Again, scan and follow the trail.
4. Confrontation: After analyzing all clues, Batman will deduce the killer's identity and location. Head to the designated spot for a final confrontation.

Rewards:

• XP: Significant XP for solving each stage of the investigation.
• WayneTech Points: Awarded upon successful completion of the quest.
• Lore: Uncovers a dark secret about Gotham's past and a new villain.

Common Pitfall:

Ensure you fully scan each crime scene and follow the blood trails meticulously. Sometimes the trail can be faint or lead over rooftops, requiring careful navigation.

AR Challenges (Augmented Reality Training)

These optional flight and combat challenges are designed to hone Batman's skills and mastery of his gadgets. They are accessible from specific points in the city or via the main menu once discovered.

Types of Challenges:

• Flight Challenges: Navigate through a series of rings within a time limit, testing your glide and dive bomb maneuvers.
• Combat Challenges: Face waves of enemies in various arenas, aiming for high scores based on combos, variety, and speed.
• Gadget Challenges: use specific gadgets to overcome environmental puzzles or combat scenarios.

Rewards:

• XP: Earned for completing challenges, with bonus XP for achieving higher ranks (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
• WayneTech Points: Often awarded for achieving Gold ranks in specific challenges.
• Combat Mastery: While not a direct reward, these challenges are invaluable for improving your combat flow and gadget integration, making the main game easier.

Strategy Tip:

For flight challenges, master the dive bomb and pull-up technique to maintain speed and altitude. For combat, focus on building long combos, using environmental takedowns, and gadget attacks to maximize your score.

Other Notable Side Quests

• Watcher in the Wings: Investigate a mysterious figure observing Batman from afar, leading to a unique encounter and lore expansion.
• Cold Call Killer: Answer ringing phones around Arkham City to track down a new villain who taunts Batman with cryptic messages.
• Shot in the Dark: Investigate a series of sniper attacks, requiring careful detective work and stealth to locate the shooter.
• Remote Access: Disable jammers placed by the Penguin to restore communication and unlock new areas.

By dedicating time to these side quests and activities, players will not only extend their enjoyment of Batman: Arkham City but also transform Batman into an even more formidable force, ready to face any challenge Arkham City throws his way.