QCF: Batman: A Telltale Series Episode 1: Realm of Shadows

here’s always one quality that the Dark Knight has consistently shared with the Man of Steel that has carried on through the ages—their respective civilian identities were the actual alter egos, and not the heroic personas they portray. The reasons behind their conflicted points of identity couldn’t be more different though; Clark struggles to make himself more human in order to seek acceptance from the race he seeks to protect, but Bruce views it as a lost cause, something that he lost that night at the age of eight.

As such, it isn’t often that you’ll see a whole lot, if any focus on Bruce Wayne other than a necessary foil at times to his life as Batman and nothing more. The idea of that part of his life being the focal point of a video game sounds even more absurd when you factor in the notable lack of punching his real life counterpart deals with than his bat-one does.

This is what makes Telltale’s trademark choice-driven gameplay so intriguing towards the conceit of the Billionaire Playboy side of the Caped Crusader, because it actually attempts to humanize the character of Batman though Bruce Wayne, in a way that doesn’t jeopardize the charm of his larger-than-life heroism. If the first episode is any indication to how well this departure will go, than it could be one of the best franchises to be done by the studio yet.

While there are several points of the vigilante’s career that were more harrowing than others, Telltale sets up a natural stage for Wayne to shine by brilliantly starting the narrative off closer from the start of his crime fighting escapades, and a still very green bat as well, which stills gets its fair share of attention in the premier episode. The usual theme encountered out the Studio’s titles where the player’s choices affect the impressions you leave among the supporting characters gets a unique spin this time around, as you now manage the reputation of two main characters instead of one.

Players will have to choose carefully which course will secure the most ideal perception from the Gothamites, with a contrast that shifts between the political influences that Bruce can garner for Harvey, or how much intimidation is the Batman going to need to dish out in order to serve the sort brand of justice that he’s looking to establish. The hook not works well to refresh the all-too familiar decision-based formula but it works to add some depth as the choices made between the two can have intertwining effects for both lives.

While the presentation is spot on, Telltale went the extra mile and threw some new mechanics that work well integrating dynamics that identify with the diagrams of Telltale and Batman in the most authentic way that it could.

Typically, the puzzle design is barely discernible from one Telltale game from another, but the studio was able to throw in a few subtle twists that expand upon the Hero’s role of being the World’s Greatest Detective in a surprisingly engaging way. There will be times where the Dark Knight will canvas a crime scene where you’ll be able to search specific areas of interest within the environment in detail, and by examining the particulars of each clue, you can piece together their connection with other clues, recreating whatever took place the further you advance the investigation. Sure, the “connect-the-dots” structure isn’t new territory for these adventure games, but the way its executed here is not only solid, and it’s some of the most delicious Batman fan service to be served in a game yet.

The action elements to the gameplay have also gotten a tweak, an effectively cerebral one at that yet again, is constructed around the strengths of the Dark Knight’s appeal. Instead of being thrown into a predictable sequence of Quick-time Events to take on a horde of enemies, you’ll be able to scout an area first, and actually prioritize a plan of attack. Say for instance, you have 4 goons, two of them are armed with guns, both across the room from another, and one of them being stationed around the corner of a pillar hidden away—the odds of how success for your one-man raid will significantly increase if you target this gunmen before any of the other three.

Even then, how effective your strikes will be, won’t just be calculated upon the arrangement you commence with, but the exact tactics you employ as well. Going back to that initial gunman behind the pillar, I had the option of either kicking him into the open concession of the dining area where the other henchmen were stationed and setting them off-guard, or quickly slamming his head into the very pillar he was next to, keeping the element of surprise for the next attack.

The biggest takeaway from my experience with Telltale’s approach to Batman is just how well they bring out the best in each other, especially in Telltale, considering the undeniable fatigue that was beginning to show in their trademark formula of gameplay up until now.

Realm of Shadows kicks the series off strong, and with a blend of faithful fan service and polished game design, the season of Bat is looking like it’ll be a good one so far—definitely a must-play for 2016.