This video was recorded and edited directly on my Playstation 4 with SHAREfactory.

Episode 2 – The Pact

Foreword

Batman: The Enemy Within is an episodic story based game by Telltale Games. This episode builds on the previous chapter, The Enigma, which I rated as a Good Episode. For more details you can read my review of that Episode right HERE.

Stumbles Out of the Gate

As I started Chapter 2 I was hit with a massive story bug. During the final fight against Riddler in episode 1 I had a choice of saving either Agent Blake or Agent Avista. I saved Avista and watched as Blake was decapitated in Riddler’s trap. So when Agent Blake comes to talk to me in the opening moments of episode 2 I was more than just a little taken aback. He also mentions Avista being in the hospital with what could be permanent hearing loss. That never happened in my episode 1 playthrough either. The whole thing left a sour taste in my mouth for the rest of the episode. The one and really only thing Telltale games offer is immersive storytelling. To have that destroyed in the opening sequence doesn’t bode well for the rest of the series. Fingers crossed it’s a one off.

My other main gripe was actually downloading the Episode. For some reason it seems my game doesn’t recognize I’ve purchased the season pass. So it wouldn’t allow me to download it from the in game episode screen. The only option that worked was to go into the Playstation store and manually search for episode 2 and download it. I’m wondering if this has something to do with why Blake is still alive in my episode 2 not being able to see I have the season pass and all. Either way it was a pain in the ass. Considering other games will download new episodes automatically it’s just unnecessary. Seeing that Telltale Games only releases episodic content you’d think this should be a priority for them. You know they’ve been doing this for years so this should already be all buckled down.

In the Absence of Consequence

As I had noted above the consequences of my decisions lost any apparent weight. Blake is alive after I watched him die. Avista is in the hospital and maybe deaf forever even though she was alive and well and helped me take down the Riddler. It’s clearly a bug and not intended but Telltale doesn’t get a do-over, it’s too late. I don’t think I’ve ever, or ever will, play a Telltale game a second time. I enjoy the story the first time through but not enough to play it again. So this bug is a big deal for me. If it happens again in future episodes I’ll definitely wait to buy any future Telltale games until all the episodes are out and the game is discounted.

It’s also hard to say just how important my decisions were in this episode. They didn’t seem to offer the same level of big consequences. I’m thinking if I would have slipped Bane some anti Venom at one point the shootout scene may have had a different outcome. Regardless I still feel the results would be the same with Bane being pissed at me and the rest of the gang for letting me in. The other choices that were irritating me were the ones with Harley Quinn. Every time I was just trying to go along with her plan it ended up coming off as flirty and John Doe was getting jealous. I almost would prefer a Dragon Age style icon beside the text which denotes if the option is intellectual, flirting or strong arming. It should be clear and it just wasn’t here.

The Bat is Broken

Batman: The Enemy Within episode 2 picks up immediately after the events of the first chapter. Amanda Waller knows your secret and wants to exploit it to take down the rest of Riddlers gang. You decide to use your friendship with John Doe as a way in. You don’t get much time to talk as an explosion goes off in downtown Gotham. Gordon says there are multiple attacks and the GCPD armory is under siege. You head to the armory where you encounter Bane. You get the upper hand in a massive brawl until he doses himself with an injection and hulks out. On more than one occasion he holds Batman over his head making me think he was going to break his back and because Telltale had been doing crazy things I thought anything was possible. But no, he just beats the piss out of Batman.

You return to the Batcave in really bad shape. Amanda Waller has sent over information on the other attacks and it appears Mr. Freeze and Harley Quinn where responsible. They attacked a Biotech company and a brokerage house. So now they have biotech, money and guns. There’s still no clue how they connect so it’s time to go see John. This requires you to go in as Bruce Wayne risking some significant exposure. When you meet up John tells you he’s in love and needs your help to impress her, Harley Quinn. I was super excited to see Telltale’s take on her as she was really fun in both the Arkham games and the Suicide Squad movie. Sadly she disappointed here. She’s more mean spirited and less fun than I can recall and it’s weird having her at the head of the power dynamic with John.

Become a Monster To Catch One

To earn her trust she has you steal an important piece of hardware from Wayne Enterprises. It’s essentially a skeleton key that can crack any electronic lock in Gotham. When retrieving the key Lucius Fox’s daughter catches you. She already blames you for her dad’s death but now she sees you working with John and Harley. You tell her that her father was working with Batman and ask her to trust you and she does. But John catches her talking to you. You make a promise to him and exchange for your help with Harley he won't say anything about Tiffany. After this interaction there seems to be hope for repairing your strained relationship with her.

Having earner Harley's trust it’s now time to meet the rest of the gang. Neither Bane nor Mr. Freeze trust you but it only takes a few quick conversations before you’re thick as thieves and they bring you along on an armored car job. A shootout in the street ensues and you retrieve a large coffin sized container from the target vehicle. During the shootout Bane is left behind and it seems likely he'll hold a grudge against you and the gang who escape the area. Back at the hideout Harley uses the stolen key from Wayne Enterprises to open the container. Inside they find the Riddler’s body. Just as the credits are about to roll a familiar voice can be heard as a familiar acquaintance happens to drop in.

Bottom Line: Poor Episode

Honestly I was very disappointed with this episode. I’d feel bad recommending anyone to purchase the season pass at this point. In these episodic games the quality from episode to episode fluctuates understandably. This is why I refuse to give them a final rating until the whole season has been released. There was very little detective work in this episode and far too much time spent with a far too annoying Harley Quinn. The sheer number of villains on the go now is also overwhelming and guarantees most will barely get a word in edge wise. These games don’t need a rogues gallery to be interesting. Just one good villain and a superb storyline. Both of which are lacking in Batman: The Enemy Within Episode 2.

If you'd like to see how I've rated other recent games please visit Rebel Gaming Canada’s GAMES LIST.

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