BATMAN - The Telltale Series - Episode 1: Realm of Shadows Reviews
Bolstered by a supped up engine, Batman: The Telltale Series' first episode, "Realm of Shadows," is their strongest opening episode in years, and the most engaging take on the Caped Crusader in recent superhero adaptation history.
Another great series from a veteran player in the story-driven narratives, Telltale Games treated Batman with respect by presenting the duality Bruce Wayne/Batman in a way that I never experienced before. It is highly enjoyable, and I can't wait for the second episode
The first episode of Batman: The Telltale Series sets a foundation that gives Bruce Wayne the same narrative importance as Batman. The game allows the player a lot of choice throughout the episode to determine how both characters will respond to the world and shape it through those responses.The new engine, the voice acting, music, and sound breathe life into a two dimensional Gotham. The graphics are definitely the best Telltale has ever produced, but there was a slight, but noticeable, judder in a couple areas. The story and dialogue are very good. This is only the first episode, but it promises great potential for future episodes.
This first episode of their Batman story is full of Bruce Wayne than Batman. Surely, it makes the others think that it wouldn’t be wise to have more Batman gameplay as it’s not an action-button smashing game, but I’d rather look to into a point of view where Bruce Wayne has started his journey as the Dark Knight and the origins of his arch-enemies. It’s a great episode to start, Realm of Shadows shows the potential of Telltale’s Batman story and surely the next episode is something we don’t want to miss.
Batman – The Telltale Series is a fun game and a great take on the Batman IP. I suggest everyone give it a look, casual and hardcore Batman fans alike.
Batman: The Telltale Series - Episode 1: Realm of Shadows allayed any concerns I had about how a character usually shown in video games as an action-packed superhero would be handled in a more story-driven format. I am happy to report that it was handled quite well overall, due in large part to a solid presentation (the visuals fit the comic book source material far better than they do The Walking Dead) and excellent voice acting (led by veterans Troy Baker and Laura Bailey), some new gameplay mechanics and a story that I am invested in.
Telltale begins breaking down Bruce Wayne with a strong first episode.
Batman: The Telltale Series is still packed, like any of the developer's games, with conversational social roleplay choices. This episode alone asks you to give a press conference and multiple speeches. And though the game begins with kicking butt as Batman, the front half of "Realm of Shadows" does drag a little.
Telltale wastes no time in establishing its Batman and the surprising thing is the studio is spending an equal amount of time on Bruce Wayne. The elements are familiar, but the focus is rarely this evenly split. An strong premise, sold takes on familiar characters, and great fight scenes bring this first episode to a strong conclusion. Looking forward to see what's next.
I would be remiss not to mention just how gorgeous this all looks. Tales from the Borderlands was a colorful delight, but the challenge here, to use mostly blues and greys, seems doubly impressive. A simple setting like a PR event in the park can feel lovely hosted by Harvey Dent and is both serene and ominous. This is the best first episode since Borderlands for Telltale Games. I can’t wait to see where Batman: The Telltale Series goes next.
There’s plenty of mystery and betrayal and a good, fun, and fairly brisk story that will leave you wanting more—even if the end isn’t really a massive cliff-hanger or anything (like some Telltale episodes are.)
Telltale’s take on Batman is fresh, and shows a side of Bruce Wayne most games shy away from, and that’s enough to make it interesting as we head into the rest of the season.
While the narrative is getting a juicy setup, the dialogue is altogether more whiffy, full of ‘sometimes you need a monster’ naval-gazing from pretty much everyone.
The production values of the game are excellent with character models and environments rendered in great detail.
In typical Telltale fashion, you’re delivered a fiendishly teasing twist at the end that already has me speculating about where the series can go in episode two. But the good thing is that this will not be a series where the crook just gets away at the last second. Rather than be a series where Batman always feels a step behind an ever-elusive bad guy, Telltale has instead opted to have new and intriguing foes to take on with each episode. A consistent political undercurrent tied to Bruce’s backstory, and how his parents weren’t all they seemed, adds further intrigue to the plot that I can’t wait to explore in episode two.
Batman: The Telltale Series may stumble a bit in the opening act, but it quickly hits a comfortable stride with a promising first episode as Bruce Wayne steps out of the shadows.
Telltale and Batman fans are well catered for in Batman: A Telltale Series' first episode, with a hefty dose of action and intrigue to set things up for the rest of the ensuing saga. We can't wait for more.
Telltale really knocked it out of the park on this one. I really hope that the rest of the season provides the same, refreshing look at Gotham that "Realm of Shadows" provided. They have introduced lots of interesting characters, and I am really excited to see where they take them all. Keep an eye out for episode 2, "Children of Arkham" releasing in September!!
It will be a hard wait. The cliffhanger that Realm of Shadows ended on frustrated me for a good few hours, the game’s narrative clearly sinking its hooks into me. For the first time in a Batman game, I feel like I know the person behind the mask, and while I can’t wait to don the cape again, it’s the mortal underneath whose future I’m more intrigued to see.
A slow but solid start to the series that should please fans of the movies.