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Park Row was a district in Gotham City. Located in Old Gotham, it was one of the poorer districts in the city by the time of Batman's operations. Park Row was made part of Arkham City by Hugo Strange, alongside the Amusement Mile, the Bowery and Industrial Districts.

History[]

Park Row was once one of Gotham's most properous districts, being visited by various citizens alike. This changed, however, when Thomas and Martha Wayne were killed in an attempted mugging. In the years to come, the district would fall into disrepair and crime became rampant. The alleyway where the Waynes were murdered would become known as "Crime Alley" amongst many of Gotham's populous.

By the time of Batman's operations, Park Row was often patrolled by the vigilante. The Dark Knight would often visit Crime Alley, sometimes paying respects to his parents. On Christmas Eve of his second year, Batman visited Park Row to investigate the eight assassins hired by Black Mask (actually the Joker). During the night, two of Bruce Wayne's friends, Horace Riley and Clarissa Rodriguez, are murdered at Crime Alley by Ian Chase. The murder serves as the final Crime Scene that Batman investigates that night.

During the Arkham City incident, Hugo Strange and his TYGER guards were able to gain control of Park Row and its surrounding vicinity to build the Arkham City prison. Though greatly opposed by Bruce Wayne and other citizens, they were successful through Strange's influence on Mayor Quincy Sharp. The district was initially controlled by Penguin, though other villains like Mad Hatter and Calendar Man had various hideouts through the area. The Arkham City Medical Team, led by Aaron Cash, set up in the old church, due to its central location in Arkham City and fortification opportunities. Park Row was later taken over by Two-Face some time after his arrival.

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Crime Alley during the Arkham City incident

During the Arkham City incident, Park Row was visited several times by Batman and Catwoman. The latter used its sewer systems to break into the TYGER Vault hidden in the outer walls. Strange also left a set of flowers and a taunting message to Batman in the Crime Alley area to When TYGER's Protocol 10 was activated, Park Row was heavily hit by the forces and attacks from Wonder Tower, with historic landmarks such as the Solomon Wayne Courthouse being damaged in the attack. After Batman foiled it, Joker took control of Park Row through his men, setting up a final confrontation with Batman at the Monarch Theatre. After its climatic end, Batman brought Joker's body through Park Row, showing that Joker had died to the world.

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Crime Alley hallucination during the Arkham Island incident

Despite overcoming the trauma, Crime Alley and the night of his parent's murder continued to haunt Batman. On at least three occasions (two of which under the affects of Fear Toxin), he imagined the location and his parents' bodies left there. The first was after apprehending Joker for the first time. The second time was on Arkham Island prior to his second fight with Scarecrow, where he experienced the night of his parents' murder. The third and final time was during his surrender to Scarecrow, where he saw his parents' bodies and was attacked by an army of hallucinatory Jokers.

Locations and Landmarks[]

Challenge Map[]

In both Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham Knight, Crime Alley serves as the main setting for a DLC challenge map. Unlike the main game, this version (based on its appearance from Asylum) is a long decrepit alleyway with looming buildings and fences. Batman will fight a series of thugs at the alleyway in both versions. In Arkham Asylum's version, the goons will be endless and will end after Batman's defeat.

Notes[]

  • Park Row, specifically Crime Alley, is the only location to appear in all four Batman: Arkham games.
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