A City in Shadows
Location: Nanda Parbat, League of Shadows
Playable Character: Young Bruce Wayne
Boss: Ra's al Ghul (training encounter)
Overview
The Prologue serves as the tutorial chapter, introducing the game's core mechanics through Young Bruce Wayne's journey to Nanda Parbat. You'll learn combat fundamentals, stealth techniques, and basic gadget usage. This chapter sets up the story and establishes the League of Shadows as a key element in Bruce's origin.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
1. The Mountain Ascent
The game opens with Young Bruce Wayne climbing a snow-covered mountain. Follow the linear path upward:
- Climb: Press the action button near climbable ledges (marked with white handholds)
- Swing: Use grapple points to swing across gaps — aim and press the grapple button
- Balance: Walk slowly across narrow ice ledges. Sudden movements cause slipping
- At the summit, Bruce collapses and is found by Ra's al Ghul's scouts
2. Training Grounds
Bruce awakens at the League of Shadows compound in Nanda Parbat. Follow Ra's al Ghul through the training grounds:
- Basic movement: Run, jump, and climb across the obstacle course
- Wall jumping: Jump between close walls to reach higher platforms
- Swinging poles: Swing on horizontal poles to cross gaps
- Swimming: Swim through underground passages (press action to dive/swim faster)
3. Combat Training — Basic Attacks
Enter the combat arena for your first fight lesson. Ra's al Ghol explains the basics:
- Light Attack (X/A): Fast punches. Chain 3-4 for a combo finisher
- Heavy Attack (Y/Triangle): Slower but stronger. Use to break enemy guard
- Jump Attack: Jump + attack for aerial strikes. Effective against shielded enemies
- Combos: Light-Light-Heavy performs a knockback. Experiment with sequences
- Enemy types: Start with basic training dummies, advance to moving targets
4. Combat Training — Counter & Evade
Next, learn defensive techniques:
- Counter (B/Circle): Press when enemy flashes white. Perfect timing stuns them
- Evade (RT/R2 + direction): Roll to avoid area attacks and ground slams
- Block (LB/L1): Hold to block basic attacks. Does not block unblockable attacks (red flash)
- Practice: The training has a series of waves. Complete all to pass
5. Stealth Training
Ra's al Ghul teaches the art of the shadows:
- Crouch (LS click): Move quietly. Enemies have a detection meter — stay out of light
- Stealth takedown: Approach an enemy from behind and press the action button for a silent takedown
- Perch takedown: Position on a high ledge and press action when enemy passes below
- Distraction: Press the gadget button to throw a noise-making pebble
- Objective: Clear the training hall of all enemies using only stealth. Being detected = restart
6. The Trial — Boss: Ra's al Ghul
The final test. Face Ra's al Ghul in a non-lethal duel. This is a 2-phase encounter:
Phase 1 — Training Bout
- Ra's attacks are slow and telegraphed — designed for learning
- Attack pattern: 3-hit combo → pause → charged strike
- Counter his attacks to stun him, then land 3 hits before he recovers
- He blocks after each combo — do NOT button mash; counter first
- After 5 successful counters + follow-ups, Phase 1 ends
Phase 2 — Real Combat
- Ra's attacks faster and mixes in unblockable strikes (red flash)
- New moves: Teleport strike (evade), Sweep kick (jump over), Sword slash (counter)
- Use evade for red-flash attacks, counter for white-flash attacks
- When he disappears, look for the dust cloud — that's where he reappears
- After reducing his health to 25%, a cutscene triggers
Dark Knight Mode Differences: Ra's spawns shadow clones that attack simultaneously. Clones deal 50% damage and disappear after one hit. Focus on the real Ra's (he has a solid outline, clones are translucent).
Collectibles
After the first climbing section, look for a cave alcove to the right of the path. Use a grapple point to swing across. The Red Brick is on a pedestal.
Completion Rewards
- Achievement: "A legend, Mr. Wayne." (15G) — Complete the Prologue
- Unlock: Batman (first playable appearance in Chapter 1)
- Unlock: Basic combat, stealth, and traversal upgrades become available for purchase