Batman: The Enemy Within is an episodic graphic adventure game developed and published by Telltale Games. The game represents the continuation of the first season of Batman: The Telltale Series, and it consists of five episodes that were released between August 2017 and March 2018. As a fan of the comics and the previous game, I was excited to dive into this new adventure.

The plot of Batman: The Enemy Within revolves around the reappearance of the infamous villain the Joker in Gotham. The story explores complex themes such as trust, deception, and the fragility of human connections. As Batman/Bruce Wayne, the player must navigate multiple relationships with well-known characters from the Batman universe, including Catwoman, Commissioner Gordon, and John Doe, who is voiced by Anthony Ingruber and gives an excellent performance as the Joker.

One of the strengths of the game is the player's ability to shape the story through their choices and dialogue options. The choices range from moral ambiguity to life and death decisions, and they have significant consequences on how the story unfolds. This degree of player agency keeps the experience engaging and allows for a personalized playing experience. The writing is top-notch, and the plot is well-crafted with a lot of twists and intensity. The Joker's character arc is particularly compelling, and the game successfully portrays his descent into madness.

The gameplay mechanics are similar to the Telltale Games' previous works, with a heavy emphasis on quick-time events, dialogue choices, and environmental puzzle-solving. The combat scenes are relatively simple, and they consist of timed button prompts that lead to finishing moves. While the combat is not as sophisticated as in other Batman games, the focus is more on storytelling than action. However, there are moments of intense and thrilling action sequences that keep the pace of the game vibrant.

The graphics and art direction are stunning, and they capture the dark and gritty ambiance of Gotham City. The characters are well-designed and characterized, and the voice-acting performances are generally great, with a few exceptions where some lines are delivered awkwardly. The soundtrack adds to the immersion, with an atmospheric score that complements the narrative beats.

One of the things I appreciated about the game is its attention to detail and the nods to classic Batman lore. The game is littered with Easter eggs, references, and cameos from various characters and storylines. The game's interpretation of the Riddler is particularly refreshing, and it adds a new dimension to the character's motivations and personalities. The game also explores the relationship between Batman and his arch-nemesis, the Joker, in a unique way that subverts some of the tropes of the comics.

One of the weak points of the game is its occasional technical issues, with some bugs, loading times, and framerate drops. The game also suffers from pacing issues, especially in the last episode, where some of the choices feel rushed, and the resolution can feel anticlimactic. However, these issues do not detract from the overall quality of the game and are only minor annoyances.

In conclusion, Batman: The Enemy Within is an excellent addition to the Batman video game canon. The game showcases a unique and sophisticated narrative that explores the characters' emotional depth and challenges the traditional interpretations of the Batman mythos. The player's choices have a significant impact on the story, and the writing is superb. The game does have its technical and pacing issues, but they are easily overlookable in the grand scheme of things. If you are a fan of Batman or Telltale Games, I would highly recommend checking this game out. So, if you love story-driven games, this is a must-play, and if you're a fan of the comics, it's even better.

By JoJo | Copyright © Game Nook - All Rights Reserved