The first chapter of Batman: The Enemy Within had started off on the right foot, with some adjustments to the gameplay formula and above all different elements of the plot that immediately involved us: a new personal loss for Bruce Wayne, the arrival on the scene of new characters, hard choices to make for the sake of Gotham and its inhabitants, and a twist in the finale. This second episode agitates the plot and prepares it for future twists, but seems to take a break from the more interactive elements of the gameplay, focusing on the plot.
NB Being the review of the second episode of Batman: The Enemy Within, there will be SPOILERS regarding the previous chapter, “Episode 1: The Enigma“.
The Pact begins immediately after the events of the previous chapter. Batman does not even have time to clean up from his latest effort that Gotham immediately undergoes a new attack by the mysterious organization of which the Riddler was part, and of which we will finally get to know closely.
From the events narrated it is clear that this season Telltale does not want to dwell further on the torments of Bruce Wayne's past, but rather prefers to involve new antagonists for our hero, even three.
New so to speak of course, given that they are old acquaintances; but while the colossal Bane and the tragic and ruthless Mister Freeze are almost within the familiarity of their roles, the figure of Harley Queen and her with John Doe (the future Joker) represents the real surprise of this chapter, and embodies the ever-present and active willingness of developers to re-interpret roles in the Batman universe.
Forget the crazy doll that hangs from the lips of the Joker, Telltale's Harley Quinn is indeed reckless and violent, but also calculating and authoritarian, and above all it is she who emotionally controls the inexperienced John Doe. Seeing the future clown prince of crime in this capacity is sure to be odd to purists, but it's a chance to see the iconic antagonist in a different, more human light.
Overall the chapter focuses on Bruce Wayne trying to infiltrate the organization, no trace of detective sessions or fight planning, but mostly QTE and only one puzzle to solve. The focus is almost entirely on the choices we will have to make to succeed in our intent, choices that will often push us to renegotiate the principles of right and wrong.
This will happen not only in dealing with the antagonists of the game, but also in having to choose whether to seek the support of Gordon or Amanda Waller, two characters on the same side but profoundly different in methods and ethics.
Despite the implications of the events that this chapter shows could be interesting especially in the future, the situations in which we find ourselves find it difficult to be convincing, and often force us to suspend the logic behind certain behaviors. There is some mystery about the antagonists' intentions, but being so close to them lacks the sense of dark threat that the Children of Arkham had created.
To this we add the fact that in general there is a certain variety of action in the two hours or so of its duration, and unlike the previous chapter, there is no real “lock” that leaves us satisfied.
The Pact is a very different episode from its balanced predecessor. Short but intense, it hangs between somewhat forced narrative gimmicks and some effective moments, particularly when we find ourselves forced to make difficult decisions. The "new" Harley Quinn could prove to be central to a story that seems to accompany us on that thin line between heroes and villains, as well as heralding interesting implications for the future Joker. The end, however, comes too soon to truly appreciate such potential, leaving us with the hope of a more substantial next chapter.
