Batman: The Telltale Series - Episode 1: Realm of Shadows

 PC
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 237 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 129 out of 237
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 237
  3. Negative: 63 out of 237

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  1. DBPirate1129
    Oct 28, 2016
    8
    A great introduction to Telltale's latest venture and perhaps their best one yet. Thankfully, they did not fall into the trap of following the same old, same old Bruce Wayne--Batman origin story. They have thrown in a couple of twists while also somehow making Bruce Wayne more interesting than Batman. I hope that in future episodes, they help evolve Batman as a character, but there'sA great introduction to Telltale's latest venture and perhaps their best one yet. Thankfully, they did not fall into the trap of following the same old, same old Bruce Wayne--Batman origin story. They have thrown in a couple of twists while also somehow making Bruce Wayne more interesting than Batman. I hope that in future episodes, they help evolve Batman as a character, but there's certainly nothing wrong with having Bruce stand out.

    Some of the actual gameplay, such as a part in which Batman is solving a crime scene, is extremely boring and can get old fast. I know some people like to bash Telltale games because of their lack of gameplay, but in my opinion, the game would be a lot better if it was JUST choices, as opposed to choices with some poorly designed Arkham-inspired crime solving in there.    … Expand
  2. Yahiaheni
    Jan 9, 2017
    10
    Wow this really is Telltale's masterpiece
    And I've played all of their games since TWD
    But this one really nailed it because of the risks it took of not sticking too much to the source material, I actually like their villain and the origin story they created Choices were not like some other Telltale games where a lot of them are being either cruel or kind I found myself pausing    Wow this really is Telltale's masterpiece
    And I've played all of their games since TWD
    But this one really nailed it because of the risks it took of not sticking too much to the source material, I actually like their villain and the origin story they created
    Choices were not like some other Telltale games where a lot of them are being either cruel or kind
    I found myself pausing countless times to decide on what to choose
    They handled the balance really well between being Batman and Bruce
    The character development was also great especially for Harvey, of course it all dépends on your choices
    I had some technical issues but they were Nothing big and I experienced a few of them on the first episode only. I actually think it runs pretty smoothly on my potato so don't listen to the butthurt players over this small issue
    All in all this game really exceeded my expectations and was Worth every penny.    … Expand
  3. TudorelU
    Aug 31, 2016
    10
    One typical game of Telltale. Amazing. They've made Bruce and Batman exactly how they are in comics or movies. The story is good, but what's even better is that you make your story depending on the choices you make. The first episode had a good part of story, and i am sure the rest of the episodes will keep it good.
    Also, i am expecting to see the Joker. :)
  4. Batmanfanboy97
    Aug 2, 2016
    10
    Telltale have shown they really understand the Bruce Wayne character and the Batman character from personality to skills the story is very interesting seeing Batman more early on in his career tackling crime from meeting catwoman for the first time to the personal life of Bruce Wayne supporting his freind Harvey dent and the villain being crime boss carmine falcone. The gameplay itselfTelltale have shown they really understand the Bruce Wayne character and the Batman character from personality to skills the story is very interesting seeing Batman more early on in his career tackling crime from meeting catwoman for the first time to the personal life of Bruce Wayne supporting his freind Harvey dent and the villain being crime boss carmine falcone. The gameplay itself is through choice and quicktime event's and the main highlight for me being this detective segment the voice acting is amazing also troy baker did a great job as Batman i highly recommend this if you are a batman fan.… Expand
  5. Dukay66
    Aug 3, 2016
    8
    After the great Walking Dead Season One, I felt like Telltale Games has offered more of the same for many more stories over the last couple years and it's gotten very old. I haven't played much of their stuff since, but luckily Realm of Shadows breathes new life into the developer's very niche set of games. While the formula isn't new here, it's the refined experience and intriguing storyAfter the great Walking Dead Season One, I felt like Telltale Games has offered more of the same for many more stories over the last couple years and it's gotten very old. I haven't played much of their stuff since, but luckily Realm of Shadows breathes new life into the developer's very niche set of games. While the formula isn't new here, it's the refined experience and intriguing story that makes their take on Batman work.… Expand
  6. KnightFire919
    Aug 9, 2016
    8
    I'm not really a fan of TellTale games but I really enjoyed this one. I thought if looked and felt like I was in a Batman comic book. It certainly was more enjoyable than the last Arkham game.
  7. Troublewalking
    Aug 11, 2016
    8
    I have this for XB1 and unlike the PC users, there were no real issues on the console. The game is a visual novel/choose your own ending game, which is typical of Telltale games. It does a solid job with the Bruce/Batman switches. It seemed to have more choices than the Borderland episode 1, I recently played. I bought the first episode, and it is so short, that I would recommend buyingI have this for XB1 and unlike the PC users, there were no real issues on the console. The game is a visual novel/choose your own ending game, which is typical of Telltale games. It does a solid job with the Bruce/Batman switches. It seemed to have more choices than the Borderland episode 1, I recently played. I bought the first episode, and it is so short, that I would recommend buying the entire thing. Though I think 15 bucks would be true value for the entire season. I didn't feel it was 100% true to batman, with the Cat Woman story arc, and Cobblepot's and Dent's relationship with Wayne, not sure though. I could be confusing movies with actual cannon. Certainly worth a play if your into these types of games.… Expand
  8. TheLewdOne
    Aug 4, 2016
    8
    I'm giving this series the benefit of the doubt so far. I'm a fan of TT games but even I rolled my eyes when I heard they were going to tackle Batman next. Between the Nolan trilogy, the newest Snyder film, the Arkham series and The Killing Joke movie I was a bit worried Telltale might have thrown in with the wrong franchise this time around. However, this ended up being a lot better thanI'm giving this series the benefit of the doubt so far. I'm a fan of TT games but even I rolled my eyes when I heard they were going to tackle Batman next. Between the Nolan trilogy, the newest Snyder film, the Arkham series and The Killing Joke movie I was a bit worried Telltale might have thrown in with the wrong franchise this time around. However, this ended up being a lot better than I expected. Not great, mind you, but good in my eyes and worth checking out.

    Fans of the Caped Crusader will most likely enjoy living out their favorite Batman archtypes and dancing through conversations with fan favorites like Harvey Dent and Commissioner Gordon. Although these characters have been beloved by generations, this is one of the first products to my knowledge where you don't just get to watch the characters, you get to interact with them through dialogue. Most other popular Batman games in particular follow the beat em up or stealth formula, even games as brilliant as Arkham Asylum.

    This is very much a TT game however and if you have a history of disliking this style of adventure game don't expect this one to change your mind. There was a grand total of one new gameplay bit that I would call fresh and interesting, the rest of the gameplay is the standard Telltale affair. Performance wise I had no problem save for a frame stutter during a transition scene, though I will state that a vocal majority seems to have a lot of issues with this game performance wise. It's always difficult to tell if this is true for the actual majority of players since those with performance issues rate much lower than those without in general.

    In summary, this game surprised me with how much I ended up liking it. I'm not burned out on Telltale just yet but I thought I was certain I was on Batman, and this game proved me pleasantly wrong. A good start for a new series with some interesting ideas for the IP that has me excited for the next episodes.

    JUST DON'T MESS IT UP LIKE YOU DID WITH GAME OF THRONES    … Expand
  9. Darrenlikemovie
    Aug 6, 2016
    9
    its great thats all i got to say its just amazing. gives us a great Bruce Wayne story and being batman is amazing. also you really get to do some detective work as batman which is great
  10. kfenix
    Aug 22, 2016
    8
    Batman: The Telltale Series is one of the best Telltale games I have played. It takes a familiar IP, makes it it’s own, creating an entirely new story while respectful of the source material. In that respect, it is the exact opposite of Zack Snyder. It is also really different playing as Bruce Wayne for most of the game. Different in a great way. In most mediums now, Batman is the know allBatman: The Telltale Series is one of the best Telltale games I have played. It takes a familiar IP, makes it it’s own, creating an entirely new story while respectful of the source material. In that respect, it is the exact opposite of Zack Snyder. It is also really different playing as Bruce Wayne for most of the game. Different in a great way. In most mediums now, Batman is the know all and end all, but the game being in the early years, he is still establishing and still relying on Bruce Wayne to do work in the light. It is a refreshing perspective to play as Bruce and one I think only Telltale could pull off. When you played as Bruce in Arkham City, you were basically suited-down Batman. Minor bugs aside, the story is compelling and the gameplay is engaging enough to make 3 hours disappear faster than a nap. Also, seeing how fast some of your decisions pan out will make you want to replay it instantly. Overall, Batman: The Telltale Series is a great game for both fans of Telltale Games and Batman.… Expand
  11. Furkan5218
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    optimization problem solved for me, and now i love that game. Graphs, or fight scenes better than telltale games' other games, i like that. Waiting for other episodes. Also The Wolf Among Us :D
  12. Scottish_Church
    Nov 20, 2016
    10
    I was put off from checking out this game because of the Cinemassacre review and the lukewarm scores on this site, but hooooly crap was I wrong. If you're a Batman fan, then this is the best Batman story told since Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight. Maybe my opinion will change once the next two episodes come out, but I couldn't be more impressed by the first three. Give it a chance, makeI was put off from checking out this game because of the Cinemassacre review and the lukewarm scores on this site, but hooooly crap was I wrong. If you're a Batman fan, then this is the best Batman story told since Chris Nolan's The Dark Knight. Maybe my opinion will change once the next two episodes come out, but I couldn't be more impressed by the first three. Give it a chance, make two save files so you can see how the different options truly effect the story, and have a good time.… Expand
  13. Godxon
    Aug 15, 2016
    10
    itz gut, meijn frieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeendddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddssssssssss
  14. Batman2752
    Oct 16, 2016
    10
    Utterly fantastic. Telltale really understand Batman. And the updated engine really shows, the loading times are much faster and there is a lot more detail. I have high hopes for the rest of this series, and I have a feeling Telltale won't let me down.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
97
#97 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 11, 2016
    80
    A beautiful and dark interpretation of the early years of Batman starts promisingly, but eventually relies too much on traditional Telltale mechanics that are starting to show their age. [Sept 2016]
  2. Games Master UK
    Oct 3, 2016
    70
    Telltale delivers action and intrigue, but the Caped Crusader's greatest enemy is an uneven script. [Oct 2006, p.71]
  3. PC PowerPlay
    Oct 2, 2016
    60
    A disjointed first episode that makes Bruce a monster and Batman a button mash. [Issue#255, p.64]
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