The company Telltale Games is known for their storyboard-like games for damn-near all platforms: mobile & consoles. They're known for previous titles like The Walking Dead, Game Of Thrones, and The Wolf Among Us. This time around the game is Batman. Yes, everyone's favorite superhero & DC's cash cow.
Enter Episode 1 of the Batman titled Realm Of The Shadows. Featuring familiar & unfamiliar voices like Troy Baker, Travis Willingham, Erin Yvette, Enn Reitel, Murphy Guyer, Richard McGonagle, and Laura Bailey. I have been traveling and finally got a chance to play it and complete Episode 1. With that said, let us dive into our take on the Telltale version of Batman.
As far as the story goes, they don't spend too much time on Bruce's parents getting murdered again which I'm sure were all tired of seeing at this point. This won't be the standard batman story as this takes place early in Batman's career. You'll still have access to all of the high-tech gadgetry you would expect from the bat.
Don't expect the same old Batman story you've seen before.
Harvey Dent is still a DA and running for Mayor against the corrupt Mayor Hill w/ Carmine Falcone trying to finance Dent's administration. James Gordon is only a Lieutenant, Oswald Cobblepot is an old childhood friend of Bruce and hasn't risen as The Penguin yet, and Harvey is dating a new visitor to Gotham: Selina Kyle: Catwoman. Definitely, an interesting dynamic the game has laid out.
For starters, don't expect the realistic graphics & hardcore elements from the Rocksteady Batman. If you're used to any other Telltale Games, it is done in a similar fashion. It plays like a visual comic book w/ action scenes as Batman. You're also not the average Bat-game of beating up henchmen all-day to progress the story - for once. Also a first, you get to play equally (if not more) as Bruce Wayne over Batman.
This offers the perfect balance of playing as both Bruce Wayne & Batman.
This is more of a choice-driven game dealing w/ more dialogue that than actual Batman-action. For example, you have the option to arrest a sniper or brutalize him. If you go w/ option A, Gordon will begin to view you as an ally. Option B, you'll be viewed as a vigilante menace as the Gordon and the rest of the city will see you as such.
"Think of this as the Batman done Fable-style where your choices that affects the story & outcome."
TG 2 Cents
Man, it feels like forever since we've done an actual video game review. I think Halo 5 & COD: Advanced Warfare was the last 2 games we played for an actual review. Although I have only dabbled w/ telltale Games only once before w/ The Walking Dead series for Android. I definitely enjoyed myself playing this Batman game more than I thought I would. Think of this as the Batman done Fable-style where your choices that affects the story & outcome.
The game is already available on consoles since August 2nd and will arrive on Android & iOS devices on September 13th. It will cost you only $30 for the Season Pass of all 5 episodes. We actually played about 90% of the game livestreamed on Twitch. You can watch it in (just about) it's entirely below.
