Endings

SPOILER WARNING: THE FOLLOWING PAGE CONTAINS DETAILS, IMAGES, AND VIDEO OF THE GAME'S ENDINGS - READ ON AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

?Batman Arkham Knight contains two different Endings following the conclusion of the Main Story in the game. These endings can be accessed only once (though it is possible to keep playing after witnessing one or both endings) and require you to complete a certain amount of the games Side Quests - known as Gotham's Most Wanted except for the missions from the Infamy DLC. These endings take the form of the Knightfall Protocol.

Incomplete Knightfall Protocol Ending

The Incomplete Knightfall Protocol can be enacted only when Batman has apprehended at least seven of Gotham's Most Wanted - meaning you have to complete at least seven of the fourteen different side quests. Once complete, Batman will have a new mission objective to enact the Knightfall Protocol next to the Batsignal at the top of the GCPD.

What follows is an ending cinematic that shows Batman taking off his cowl for the last time, and flying out of Gotham with the Batmobile in tow. As he arrives back at Wayne Manor - dozens of reporters have already camped out waiting for the return of Bruce Wayne.

As Bruce lands the Batwing on the front lawn and heads inside, he confirms his desire to go along with the protocol. As the front door closes, explosions rock Wayne Manor, and the entire mansion goes up in flames - ending the game.

This is but a fraction of the events that happen in the Complete Knightfall Protocol however.

Complete Knightfall Protocol Ending

The Complete Knightfall Protocol can be enacted only when Batman was apprehended ALL of Gotham's Most Wanted. This includes defeating all of the Arkham Knight's militia - the Road Blocks, Watchtowers, Mines, and of course, the last leader of the militia - Deathstroke. You will also have to apprehend Riddler by finding all of the Riddler Trophies and other collectibles scattered around the map.

Once you have completed every side quest possible, Batman will again have the objective to enact the Knightfall Protocol at the top of GCPD by the Batsignal.

What follows is both the same and quite different from the previous iteration. Batman removes his cowl - but this time the Batsignal goes out with his departure. Before leaving Batman will also leave one final message for Jim Gordon, and Gordon in turn let's loose the GCPD to clean up what's left of the riots.

Bruce returns to Wayne Manor, and the same sequence plays out. However, after this sequence, a new one appears. Jim gives a monologue at the top of the GCPD, and looks at his phone at a message from Tim Drake, who is set to wed Barbara Gordon. As he drives through the city, several posters can be seen announcing Gordons new job as Mayor of Gotham.

As Gordon drives off, a scene similar to that of Batman's origin's begins to play out - with a wealthy couple and their son being accosted by criminals in a dark alley. However this time, a dark figure is watching from a nearby rooftop. As the two criminals begin to jeer that this new figure can't scare them - Batman being already dead - the figure erupts into fire and smoke, taking on a terrifying visage of a Batman born of nightmares. As the criminals scream in horror, the figure lunges at them

Theories and Speculation

The question still remains: who is the myseterious figure at the end of the cinematic? And what does this mean for the future of Gotham?

Potential theories are as follows:

• Jason Todd - The Arkham Knight, now know as the Red Hood, was never apprehended following the events of the game, and in keeping with his vigilante tradition, he may have taken up fighting villains in Batman's stead. It is even possible he obtained some of the fear toxin when working with Scarecrow, as the sequence appears to be fueled by fear toxin. There was a previous instance where Todd had taken on the persona of the Batman and went around killing to strike a greater amount of fear to criminals. This is part of a story arch called Battle For the Cowl which if I'm correct in saying follows the events of R.I.P. Batman, Which follows Final Crsis.?However, pretending to be Batman is not exactly Jason's style, and would likely prefer to be known as the Red Hood.
• Dick Grayson - As Tim Drake is just about to be married in this sequence, it's highly unlikely Tim would also be masquerading as The Bat. However Dick Grayon could easily trade in his life as Nightwing to become Batman, as he has donned the suit in the comics before. That said, it is again highly suspect that Dick would be employing fear toxin as his main weapon.
• Azrael - Azrael may decide to take up the mantle of Batman following his personal quest to become his own man after renouncing the ways of the order. Knightfall is also a comic arc where in Azrael took up the Batman mantle to fight crime when Bruce couldn't for a time, it should also be noted that this arc was also heavily influenced by Scarecrow. Although Azrael due to player decisions may have been imprisoned following the events of the game. There is the possibility Azrael escapes and realizes his dream of becoming the next Batman, even if Bruce himself was against it. It could also explain why this terrifying vision is unlike anything people have seen of Batman before, as Azrael would likely use new techniques. This of course, assumes that Azrael somehow escaped custody following what looks to be a relatively short timespan.
• Bruce Wayne - Bruce Wayne may have faked his own death in order to remain being the Batman, but in a very different way. Unable to show his face, he would likely have to remain a myth - a literal embodiment of fear, and could use the fear toxin gained from fighting Scarecrow. This way Bruce could still be the Batman, while keeping his enemies wondering if any of this was actually real - or hallucination.
• A New Character - Plain and simple, the identity of this person might never be known because it's someone else who has decided to keep Batman's image alive.