PS4 Review: Batman: The Enemy Within – Episode 2: The Pact

The Batmobile may be cool, but I want to ride Joker’s Harley…

After the shock deaths of both Lucius Fox and The Riddler in Episode 1, I wondered just exactly who is safe in Telltale’s take on the Batman universe. Episode 2 picks up after the showdown with Riddler who was poisoned by an arrow from long-range and Batman talks things over with Waller who knows Batman’s identity. She says she’s going to keep quiet about it, but for how long waits to be determined…

Explosions start around Gotham, one at the GCPD arsenal where Bane makes his debut and nearly kills Batman before he escapes with the weapons. There were other raids, one by Harley Quinn and the other by Mr Freeze who also make their debuts. Batman knows he can’t take them on by force in his condition, so he texts John Doe (Joker) to meet his friends. After a quick meeting at a bar, then soon after Miss Quinn herself who makes quite the impression…

This version of the Joker/Harley relationship is interesting as it’s completely flipped on its head. Joker is smitten with Harley and will do anything to please her, but it’s clear to me that she’s just using him for her own gain. It’s a clever dynamic to the relationship and I wonder if Joker will wise up before it’s too late or if he’ll fall victim forever to Harley’s feminine wiles…he’s clearly jealous of anyone approaching her, even asking Bruce to make him good look in front of her, but even gets jealous of him if you pick certain responses…

To get into the organisation, Bruce has to steal some tech from Wayne Enterprises in the form of a key that unlocks anything as well as an EMP device. There’s a lot of tension as the theft happens, including Lucius Fox’s daughter hiding in the vault that holds the key. I made John promise to keep it to himself as their little secret and he agreed for now, though the security guard got whacked out and I had to make up a story about Harley and John in the elevator as fashion designers after Harley threatened Bruce’s colleague Regina.

After getting into the group, Bruce needs to convince them all that he is worth taking on the next mission…I agreed to help Mr Freeze help his frozen wife, I got Bane a drink and beat on a possible snitch before setting out on the heist undercover. They successfully steal the package and Bruce prevents any deaths by knocking out enemies before the team dispatch them. The package itself is a surprise, then follows an appearance by an old acquaintance of Bruce’s before the credits roll…

All in all, this episode really gets the series going in a huge way. The introduction of Harley Quinn and the rest of the Rogues Gallery is a home run, I love Telltale’s portrayal of Harley and can’t wait to see where they take her. She’s tough, insane but also there’s a vulnerable side of her that Bruce catches a small glimpse at. Joker’s infatuation with her is going to end badly, just how I don’t know…but there’s going to be destruction regardless.

The Verdict

I never wanted The Pact to end, it was such a strong episode and proof that Telltale can completely flip the lore of the series on its head. Let’s hope the wait for Episode 3 isn’t too long…

Score: 9.0