![]() Anyone who knows me even the slightest bit knows I am very passionate about all things nerdy, geeky, and content with a compelling story. But there are three things in particular that I value above almost anything in those categories; anything and everything Batman, a powerhouse story from TellTale Games, and enticing, well-rounded character development. So, naturally I was over the moon with the announcement of TTG's reveal of the second seasons of their Batman series and, even more so, The Wolf Among Us (so stoked). Batman: A TellTale Games Series made a very deep impression on me and I couldn't give it enough praise if I tried. Every episode left me wanting more and feeling strong emotional ties to characters that defined my childhood in new, profound ways. It took a franchise that is so near and dear to my heart and gave it a refreshing breath of modern life with a dark, stoic look at one of the lesser focused on sides of the Dark Knight - Bruce Wayne. This is a Bruce existing long after the Bat has become an icon, what it does to his psyche and just how much exhaustion and mania takes its toll on him. We were introduced to a suave, smooth Penguin that actually posed a threat. A unique origin story for Two-Face and the deep, political bounds of his friendship with Bruce. The evil side of the Waynes and the underbelly of Gotham that is so rarely touched except in some more overshadowed lore. Not to mention a lot of screaming and groaning at every poorly made decision. It brought a realistic and macabre tone to a beloved pop-culture icon that also touched on the human side of Bruce and his peers. All this to say that, naturally, myself and every other gamer who got their hands on it welcomed the game with open arms and critical acclaim. So it was no surprise that its second season would hit the ground running and provide a powerhouse opening that could not disappoint. And MAN it did blow my mind, and I am still ticked about that cliffhanger. ![]() (Some spoilers for the main story and some optional branches of Batman: The Enemy Within (A TellTale Games Series)): It was refreshing to step foot back into the Batsuit once again, a year after the events of the first season concluded. One of the things I love about TellTale Games is how every action is carried over from season to season, so it felt personal seeing MY Bruce again - the one that was so deeply devoted to Alfred and called him father, the one that's missing a chunk of his ear, and so happy to be working in tandem with the GCPD both in and out of the cowl - all very small but powerful details that changed how my season began. The best part of this next installment? The Riddler (a long-time personal favorite) is back in town, and he is a WICKED Riddler - he's an OG Gotham criminal, one with a stark reputation that actually strikes fear into the hearts of those he threatens. Attacking a big time casino mobster, he makes his return with a bang and threatens the well-being of a very specific group of 'enemies' that did him wrong. He brings chaos, destruction, and a radical government group simply known as The Agency along with his return and things take a drastic turn in mere seconds. Sparks are flying between the GCPD (specifically Gordon), The Agency, and Batman as tensions begin to rise once again in Gotham. John Doe, our friend from Arkham, has been released into the world and he's calling in that favor you promised. Alfred is on the verge of a mental breakdown from the PTSD caused by Lady Arkham, and a freak accident causes the heartbreaking and shocking death of Lucius Fox (it's powerful, one of the most powerful moments in all of TTGs history). Needless to say, Bruce is angry, and it sends him on a mission to bring down The Riddler. As a longtime Batman fan (and as mentioned in my review of season one, click the TellTale tab on the right hand-side to find it) it is so easy to get wrapped up and emotionally invested in this version of Gotham, the empathetic voice acting and relentless storytelling drags players in with force and doesn't let go until you're regretting every decision you've ever made until this point in your life. The goal is simple - find out what The Riddler is scheming and take him down before his plans come to fruition and before innocent lives are mercilessly taken in an act of utter vengeance. ![]() The season has some variations in the play style which creates a smoother play-through with more fluid movements and controls. Every action has the possibility of drastically changing your 'relationship status' with another character such as Gordon or Lucius' daughter, Tiffany. It's a very clever and subtle feature that enhances the play-through and puts weight into every choice you make while conversing with the world around you. Stats at the end of the episode actually break down what your actions did to influence key characters and what emotion stands strongest upon the conclusion. You have to be cunning but empathetic, because the events from season one that brought the shining reputation of Bruce Wayne down to near non-existence will cause everyone's gaze to be cast on you in doubt. Each branch of conversation risks your identity coming to light and risks your strongest allies turning on you in an instant with just one poorly chosen click of a controller or mouse. The team has created a tenseness that just sort of lingers with every new dialogue branch you choose, which is one of the reasons why the Batman series is one of the most enveloping of the dev's projects to date. I'm not afraid to admit I panicked and restarted full chapters due to one wrong decision because it weighed on me so heavily, which is a powerful testament to the writing and storytelling aspects of the game. It gives a heaviness to the game when the realization hits you that lives can be lost on your journey, the blood entirely on your hands, and one wrong step could turn you into the villain The battle sequences have new options and QTEs that allow you to semi-customize your battles, giving you the sweet satisfaction of finishing off your enemies your way. On top of these new additions, an easier to manage 'clue link' system allows for a smoother sweeping of crime scenes to recreate the havoc brought on by The Riddler (less glitchy, more fluid). Overall it's a very well produced TellTale Games season that is emotionally charged, beautifully written, and has one of the best cliffhangers I've seen in a long time. There are some powerful death scenes, heart-breaking moments, and plenty of options for you to continue your streak as either a brawler or a businessman to create the best Batman experience for each player. I can't commend TTGs on their incredible games enough and for anyone who loves a powerful story and claims to be a Batman fan, it's worth nabbing the season pass and gearing back up for another round in the Batsuit. ![]() Written by Alycia D. (MaybeMockingbird ) All pictures are copyright TellTale Games, in-game pictures taken from my personal play through. Batman: The Enemy Within is out now on Steam for Mac and PC platforms, XBOX and PlayStation 4 systems.
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AuthorJust your average geek chic gamer chick into all things ghostly and geeky (and vice versa) Archives
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