As a cooperative action game with gear, levels, and other RPG systems, "Gotham Knights" seemed destined to become yet another live-service game, but this one doesn't seem to follow any one trend. You'll be able to punch your way through Gotham's criminal underworld without worrying about your next battle pass or how many Bat Bucks you have in your utility belt. [Producer Fleur Marty told IGN]." Each character will have a different ability tree, different gear to craft, and so on to choose from, but that doesn't mean this is a game as a service."

producer Fleur Marty told IGN.

Gotham is an open world, allowing you to roam freely. You can play the whole thing alone, and you won't be locked out of missions just because you're playing solo. In other words, you don't even have to be online.

"We think teaming up and living a dynamic duo fantasy can also be a really great experience for players," Marty said, "but we won't force it."

If you team up with a friend, you can both play the same character. However, there are variations in build as well as cosmetic customization, depending on gear and abilities. Every bat pal has a different suit style that can be tweaked with different accessories. That would be horrifying.

You don't have to overshadow your friends when you play with them. Each patrols his or her own area of responsibility and can decide for himself or herself whether or not to join a mission with his or her crime-fighting colleagues.

"You can come and go in and out of Gotham," Marty told GamesRadar, "and of course, you can bring your own character with you when you visit other people's Gotham City. And you can actually have unbounded co-op play, so if you want, you can be in two completely different parts of the city and meet up at some point to take on a specific mission."

"You can also bring your own character to visit other people's Gotham City," Marty told GamesRadar.

You are not tied to a character, so if you want to change your mind, you can jump back to Belfry. It's the gang's hideout, where during the day they stay in touch with Alfredo, analyze clues, and immerse themselves in some of the most exciting crafts in crime fighting.

A release date for Gotham Nights has not yet been set, but it is expected to appear next year.