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The first season of Batman: The Telltale Series delivered a strong start but faltered as the narrative approached its conclusion. Despite its shortcomings, Telltale Games undeniably presented a fresh and unique perspective on the iconic Dark Knight. Batman: The Enemy Within – Episode 1: The Enigma continues this tradition, launching the second season with the familiar Telltale strengths.

Batman: The Enemy Within – Episode 1: The Enigma – Review

The previous season concluded with several villains meeting their fate, Lady Arkham presumed dead, and either Harvey Dent or Oswald Cobblepot behind bars. However, unresolved plot threads lingered, particularly the enigmatic John Doe, with his pale skin and green hair, claiming Bruce Wayne still owed him a debt. Other key figures lurked in the shadows, mirroring the caped crusader himself.

A New Enigma Emerges

This lingering threat gives way to a new challenge centered around the Riddler. The Enigma focuses on his intricate games played against both Batman and Amanda Waller’s clandestine Agency, a powerful force in the DC universe.

Similar to Oswald Cobblepot in the first season, the Riddler, Edward Nigma, undergoes a slight backstory alteration. His activities began much earlier, predating Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman, coinciding with the criminal network run by Thomas Wayne, Carmine Falcone, and Hamilton Hill. The Riddler’s notoriety was such that even these Gotham power brokers avoided crossing him until his sudden disappearance led many to believe he was dead or eliminated.

His return, mere months after the Children of Arkham incident, is strategically timed. He targets arms dealer Rumi Mori, setting Batman a series of challenges through elaborate puzzles and traps.

The Enemy Within and Shifting Alliances

The episode’s title, The Enigma, hints at the central theme of the season: the enemy of your enemy is potentially your ally, but also possibly a greater threat. Amanda Waller and the Agency obstruct GCPD, Bruce Wayne/Batman, and James Gordon. The Riddler targets the Agency, with Gotham becoming collateral damage. John Doe walks a precarious line between friend and foe, especially with the Riddler not being Gotham’s sole villain.

Batman: The Enemy Within – Episode 1: The Enigma – Review

Bruce Wayne faces additional pressure as Batman’s true identity risks exposure, not only from his adversaries but also from those closest to him, who remain unprepared for the revelation. The game explores how these supporting characters react to Bruce Wayne and Batman differently, a recurring motif from the first season, further developed in The Enigma. Agency operative Iman Avesta exemplifies this, exhibiting open hostility towards Bruce Wayne while simultaneously respecting and assisting Batman.

A new relationship system replaces the tired “character X will remember that” notifications, effectively conveying the shifting perceptions of supporting characters towards Bruce Wayne/Batman. This system offers ample opportunity for Telltale to develop a compelling cause-and-effect mechanic in future episodes.

While incorporating the Riddler’s signature puzzles, the gameplay remains simplistic. Connecting clues allows Batman to reconstruct crime scenes, streamlining investigative segments.

Familiar Foes and a Potential Misstep

The Enigma cleverly introduces the Riddler as the primary antagonist, only to reveal him as a catalyst, similar to Carmine Falcone in the previous season. The true villains remain shrouded in mystery, hinting at the return of familiar Batman foes.

Batman: The Enemy Within – Episode 1: The Enigma – Review

While the prospect of encountering iconic villains like Joker, Harley Quinn, or Bane might excite some, it raises concerns about relying on well-trodden territory. The hope is that John Doe’s Joker avoids retreading Harvey Dent/Two-Face’s path from the first season. Utilizing lesser-known villains like Scarface, Reaper, or Killer Croc could offer more compelling narratives.

Conclusion

Batman: The Enemy Within – Episode 1: The Enigma sets a solid foundation for the second season. The intriguing dynamic between Batman, the Agency, and the Riddler, combined with the evolving relationships and the mystery surrounding the true antagonists, promises a compelling narrative. However, the reliance on familiar villains poses a potential risk of retreading old ground. The success of the season hinges on whether Telltale can deliver fresh and innovative storytelling rather than relying on established tropes.