I procrastinate. There, I said it. Although I always deliver whenever there's an official deadline, I have found myself putting things off till the next day a number of times.
That changes now - I am about to write about the first episode of Batman : The Telltale Series - that's about, well, Batman - minutes after completing it.
(I can write stuff like the sentence above, because I'm pretty sure no one's going to be reading this)
It was really sad to hear about Telltale, though. Man, it feels like forever since I played my first Telltale game (The Wolf Among Us) and did it leave an impression. I was new to the Telltale style, and it was a mind-blowing experience - I believe everyone would say this of their first ever Telltale game. So, in a way, Batman : The Telltale Series is me saying goodbye, but not really (because there are still a few Telltale titles I am yet to experience). It breaks my heart to think of the The Wolf Among Us and Game of Thrones sequel we'll (possibly but hopefully not) never receive.
So, here we go. I'll try my level best not to make this sound like a review.
First off, the time period. It's held in the era when Batman encounters Catwoman for the first time. When Harvey Dent wants to be elected the next mayor. When Batman is not all that close to Jim Gordon. You get the idea.
Is it just me or do you have problems too adjusting to a completely new image of the same character? I mean, it's just so weird seeing this new-looking Harvey Dent in the game (spoiler alert?) after I'm used to seeing him in a totally different way from the Arkham games. And pre-Two Face Harvey Dent always brings back Aaron Eckhart to my mind. It's just the way it's wired in my head. So yeah, it was kind of weird seeing these new guys who acted like they were Bruce Wayne and Harvey Dent and Alfred.
The way it began - Batman taking down goons (Whoa. Spoiler Alert.) - well, I'll be honest; it didn't really impress me. We've all seen it a million times - in film, animation, comics (the Arkham games immortalized it) - but I'll have to admit; it never gets old. I found myself tapping my foot at the end of the sequence (something I do when I'm excited), so it wasn't all not fun.
But then - just when I found myself thinking that I wasn't really enjoying this as much as I'd hyped myself for it - things got interesting.
Okay, I've got to stop and say this - (MILD SPOILERS AHEAD)
The Waynes are accused of consorting with organized crime (read: the Falcones) dating back to Thomas Wayne's time. So, are the Waynes corrupt? That's a relatively new angle compared to other Batman-saves-Gotham stories and it has certainly piqued my interest.
From here on out - (SPOILER FREE ZONE)
Another feature I liked was the ability to interact with members of the high-society as Bruce Wayne at (a fundraiser?) event held at the Wayne Manor to support Harvey Dent in his bid to be elected the next mayor. That's actually the only thing missing from the Arkham games - but hey, I am not complaining; they gave us the Batmobile.
So far, the first episode (Realm of Shadows) has set up the stage for an interesting revelation regarding the Waynes' history. I'm waiting to see what it leads to. I'll update this as soon as I play the next episode.
P.S. I think I have been deeply, subconsciously (unconsciously?) affected by the Arkham games.
Also, new policy - I write a post as soon as I finish the game.
* * *
Thanks for reading. Mean comments allowed if and when I make grammatical errors in the post.
Later.
UPDATE (4:20 pm Tuesday)
EPISODE 2
I played it last night. That's about it.
No, wait. There's a bit more.
Okay. The second episode builds on the first one, focusing on the big question I wrote of above, questioning the Waynes' integrity.
And does it pull it off?
Well, at this moment, I feel that the second episode settled into being an average experience unlike the first one, which had clearly defined cliched (how do you type out the ` symbol?) moments and its own thrilling moments.
That's not to say that the second episode isn't enjoyable.
It introduces new characters (read:villains) and takes the story forward (duh). I'm very interested in reading about the new villainous outfit introduced in the second episode. Mainly, is it canon? I think it would be, but then again, if this is actually all Telltale, then I would love to see where they take it. I just don't want to risk spoiling anything and so will refrain from reading about the in-game events on the Internet.
Later.
(SPOILER ALERT?)
PS: If you're just wondering what this "villainous outfit" is and are never gonna bother with the game, it's in the title of the episode. Google it.
UPDATE:
EPISODE 3
So I just finished Episode 3. It was definitely a notch higher than the previous one.
But, in light of the recent developments (SPOILERS AHEAD) - like Vicki Vale is the leader of the Children of Arkham - I am dying to know whether all of this is canon or just Telltale's take on one of the caped crusader's early adventures.
I hope they have a good explanation for why Vale is leading the Children.
The stage is now set for a fulfilling explanation. I hope I am not let down.
Also, what is all this about Harvey Dent developing a split personality disorder after being elected mayor? Why have I never heard of this?
Later.
P.S. IS THIS CANON?
P.P.S. I am starting to think it's not. Because if it were, Vale would have been in the Asylum in at least one of the Arkham games, right? There should've been some mention of this incident in any one of the Arkham games. I don't remember coming across any.
UPDATE: (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)
Just completed the last episode. Took me a week to get back to it (exams) and I hate to say this, but I was never once bothered by me not having played the last episode before the exams begun.
Not that I was distracted by work - I probably gave more thought to GTA V than multiple integrals, but...I don't know. This last episode turned out to be exactly how one would imagine a last act - the faithful companion kidnapped, a daring rescue, caverns collapsing, falling debris...the works.
Overall : Not a bad ending, not a bad game; but certainly not something that'd make you go "Whoa!" after a week of exams.
I hope Hellblade makes me go "Whoa!"
So yeah - next up : Hellblade-Senua's Sacrifice.
Now I'm gonna go watch Rear Window.
Later.
Comments
Post a Comment