Batman: The Enemy Within: The Review

*Note: Updated in June 2025 in an effort to remove AI-generated content from the blog.

Overview

Batman: The Enemy Within is a step up in every direction from its predecessor. The story, the characters, the dynamics, and villains all shine brighter than ever in one of Batman’s best stories told in video games – and in media in general. The main attraction is the relationship between Bruce and "John" (also known as the Joker), which is a fresh and thought-provoking take on Batman’s most infamous villain. Choices feel the most impactful and morally grey that they have ever been, making this a story that challenges the player into creating their own versions of good and evil.

Score: 9 out of 10

The Positives ✅

Batman: The Enemy Within takes its story to a new level in every direction, but it’s Bruce Wayne, not Batman, who takes center stage this time around. As he goes deep undercover into The Pact, a criminal crew made up of Harley Quinn, Bane, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Catwoman, and “John”, the game does something risky: it puts the cape aside for a while. But somehow, it works. By focusing on Bruce’s internal struggles rather than his father’s legacy, this season delivers one of his most personal and complicated stories yet.

Let’s not kid ourselves though, "John" (aka the Joker) absolutely steals the show. This isn’t your usual “agent of chaos” version of the character. Instead, Telltale takes time to let us know him. Across both seasons, we get to watch John and Bruce develop a genuine bond, which makes every choice involving him carry a ton of emotional weight. He’s unstable, yes, but not cartoonishly so — he’s vulnerable, manipulated by everyone around him, and pushed further and further toward the edge. It’s one of the freshest, most layered takes on the Joker we’ve ever seen.

The rest of The Pact isn’t just window dressing either. Mr. Freeze comes off as tragic and compelling, driven by love rather than destruction. Harley is clever, unpredictable, and far from the sidekick role she’s usually boxed into. Bane might be the least fleshed out, but he still hits hard (pun intended). And The Riddler? He kicks everything off with a bang, making it clear from the start that this story isn’t messing around.

Pacing is also significantly better this time. Gone are the filler-heavy segments from Season 1 — every episode keeps things moving and builds momentum. The plot threads feel tighter, the tension never really drops, and the cliffhangers? Chef’s kiss.
Amanda Waller and The Agency add even more moral gray areas, constantly forcing you to pick between calculated pragmatism and Batman’s idealism. It’s messy. It’s complicated. And that’s exactly what makes it work.

And then there’s Alfred. His arc in The Enemy Within hits like a gut punch. Watching him grow increasingly concerned for Bruce’s mental and physical well-being adds a layer of emotional gravity the game never lets go of. The final choice — give up Batman or give up Alfred — is brutal in the best way. It’s not just one of the game’s best moments, it’s one of Telltale’s best choices across all their titles.

Even the side characters leave a mark. Lucius Fox’s sudden death sets everything in motion, and Tiffany’s arc gives us a compelling look at legacy, responsibility, and grief. Her evolution feels earned, and her choices matter — not just to Bruce, but to the bigger picture. Whether she stands with you or against you feels like a payoff built on real emotional groundwork.

The Negatives ⚠️

Batman: The Enemy Within still has a few visual glitches here and there — mostly when you're inside cars or around reflective surfaces — but honestly, it’s a big step up from Season 1’s rougher spots.

Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, is largely forgotten this time around and takes a major back seat to the story. Unlike the first season, she’s not as central to the plot — unless you go down the romance path, in which case she pops up a bit more. But otherwise, she feels like she was shoehorned into this story.

The Experience 🎮

Batman: The Enemy Within is better in every shape and form compared to the first game. If we already loved our experience throughout the first season, then we were absolutely obsessed with The Enemy Within, especially the dynamic between Bruce and John. It took us about 14 hours to complete and platinum the game, however, we are sure that we will definitely come back to this story in the future! We are adding Batman: The Telltale Series: Season 3 to our "impossible dreams" list.