Batman: The Enemy Within: The Review

Batman: The Enemy Within: The Review

Score: 9 out of 10

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" (aka Joker) which is a fresh and thought provoking take into Batman's most infamous villain. Choices feel the most impactful and morally grey that they ever been making this a story that challenges the player into creating their own versions of good and evil."

Note: The review does contain some spoilers so if you haven't played the game yet, we recommend to do so and only read the review afterwards.

The Positives

• Even more than in the first game, Batman:The Enemy Within brings the spotlight into Bruce Wayne as we go deep undercover into The Pact, the criminal group composed of Harley Quinn, Bane, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, "John" and Catwoman. The story does feel like it puts Batman onto the sidelines for a large portion of its runtime and that could represent disaster in most Batman games but, The Enemy Within knows exactly how to pull this off in one of Bruce Wayne's most challenging tales where, instead of dealing with his father's demons, he is now facing his own personal dillemas;
• "John" aka Joker is the highlight of this criminal cabal (maybe the highlight of the game) by creating this new and fresh dynamic with Bruce Wayne. We are allowed to know and befriend John throughout this entire season (plus some episodes of Season 1), which allows Bruce (and us) to build an attachment to the character. This feels like one of the most complex takes on the character which doesn't make Joker feel like a lunatic for the sake of being insane, he's built as a flawed character with issues that is pushed around by pretty much every character he encounters, making him go a little bit more closer to the edge every time. 
• The voice acting and performances are also on the top of their game, with a strong cast that brings the characters to life, particularly in terms of making John Doe both sympathetic and menacing and making Bruce Wayne dive deep into his complex dynamics;
• The remaining villains of the crew also get their time to shine with unique and creative takes on each of them: Mr. Freeze is a sympathetic and complex character that is fueled by the love for his wife; Harley is presented as a smart and cunning villain with several layers of her personality shown throughout the story; Bane is probably the least developed of the bunch but nonetheless his portrayal is still enjoyable enough that it doesn't shine down in comparison to the rest of the group, and The Riddler is shown as a calculate and vicious villain that acts as the first domino into this large conspiracy;
• Compared to the first season, the pacing in The Enemy Within is more refined, with fewer slow moments and better integration of story beats. The narrative flows more smoothly, with fewer filler scenes, making it easier for players to stay invested from episode to episode. The stakes feel high throughout the season, keeping tension alive in every episode;
• Amanda Waller and The Agency add complexity and moral ambiguity to the story. Waller’s tough, pragmatic approach to justice often clashes with Batman’s moral code, creating an interesting dynamic where the player must decide whether to trust her. The Agency, though morally questionable, plays a crucial role in tackling the rogue factions of the Pact and SANCTUS, forcing Batman to navigate uneasy alliances with both sides of the law;
• Alfred's storyline in Batman: The Enemy Within centers around his growing concerns (and "illness) for Bruce’s mental and physical health due to his Batman persona. In the fantastic final choice, players must decide whether to give up Alfred or give up Batman. This decision adds a tremendous emotional weight, as it forces Bruce to choose between his duty as Batman and Gotham and his relationship with Alfred, making this one of the strongest and hardest choices in Telltale's arsenal;
• Lucius Fox's unexpected death in Batman: The Enemy Within adds emotional weight to the story, deeply affecting Bruce and his allies. Tiffany, Lucius's daughter, is thrust into a difficult position, facing the fallout from her father's work and her own relationship with Bruce. Her development is impactful as she decides whether to help Bruce or align with the Agency, giving players a sense of the personal consequences of their choices​.

The Negatives

• Once again, Batman: The Enemy Within does face some visual glitches, mostly when we are inside cars or near reflective surfaces, however it is greatly improved over the performance in Season 1;
• Selina Kyle does feel more of an afterthought in the latter episodes. Unlike Season 1, she not as integral to most of the story this time around (unless you focus on a more romantic path with Selina where she ends up showing up a bit more).

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 into our "impossible" dream list.