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

Rock Paper Shotgun

Alec Meer·Aug 3, 2016

Critic—

Agreement—

I should not feel bored in a Batman game, but bored is what I felt for most of it.

GameSpot

Tamoor Hussain·Aug 2, 2016

Critic80/100

Agreement—

Telltale begins breaking down Bruce Wayne with a strong first episode.

Polygon

Susana Polo·Aug 2, 2016

Critic—

Agreement—

Batman: The Telltale Series is still packed, like any of the developer's games, with conversational social roleplay choices. This episode alone asks you to give a press conference and multiple speeches. And though the game begins with kicking butt as Batman, the front half of "Realm of Shadows" does drag a little.

IGN

Alanah Pearce·Aug 2, 2016

Critic75/100

Agreement—

Telltale’s Batman is an unpredictable, multi-faceted adventure told through Batman the brawler, Batman the detective, and Bruce Wayne the politician. The three almost entirely separate characters and play-styles keep the familiar Telltale formula feeling fresh and inviting. While some of the dialogue does feel overly expositional, it’s hopefully only there to provide concrete padding for future episodes, and the gorgeous, high-action combat sequences and creative detective work provide the right amount of contrast.

Game Informer

Andrew Reiner·Aug 2, 2016

Critic70/100

Agreement—

A few points of political intrigue are quickly washed away as the story adopts a greater mystery. Many of the sequences are surprising slow with little in terms of character or plot development

Push Square

Sammy Barker·Aug 2, 2016

Critic50/100

Agreement—

When it's obsessing over the broken politics of Gotham, this alternate take on DC's most famous franchise promises plenty – but lacklustre heroics and writing inconsistencies really drag it down. There's reason to be excited by some of the fictional deviations that the developer's taking, but they're yet to manifest themselves in any meaningful way, and the overemphasis on tired series tropes will draw many a groan. It's obviously too early to determine where this story is going to go, but our biggest concern right now is that Telltale isn't entirely sure either.

PC Gamer

James Davenport·Aug 2, 2016

Critic68/100

Agreement—

Realm of Shadows indicates that it might tell an interesting Batman story, but takes time to get there and suffers from Telltale’s tired design and engine limitations.