Review – Telltale’s Batman Episode 5: City of Light

After a very impressive start, Telltale’s first season telling the story of the caped crusader ended on an underwhelming albeit satisfying note. With many loose ends still hanging heading into the final episode, City of Light managed to tie them all up in an efficient if not epic manner.

Having taken down Oswald Cobblepot in the previous episode, City of Light first sees you deal with Harvey Dent, AKA Two Face. Having descended further into madness, Bruce is forced to put his cape and cowl aside as he attempts to reconnect with his former friend. Frustrated by Gotham, Dent takes hostages inside Wayne manor and you are forced to confront him. One of the most frustrating relationships inside the Batman universe for me, Telltale resolved this storyline as well as they could have as they allowed you to either hold onto hope or simply despair at what became of your once dear friend.

Another character Bruce and Batman needed closure with was Selina Kyle. Having provided Batman a fitting ally and Bruce a romantic outlet, both Selina and her alter ego Catwoman showed their true colours in City of Light. As someone that avoids intimacy at all cost, Selina tries her best in this final episode to push Bruce away and you are fittingly left to decide whether or not to let her.

With those two taken care of, City of Light then turns its attention towards the Lady of Arkham who we now know is Vicki Vale. One thing that bugged me heading into this episode was Vicki’s lack of reason for doing what she was and thankfully this episode provides some very disturbing justification for her actions which changes your own perception of the character.

That change in perception is pushed to one side however as in a last ditch attempt to harm Bruce Wayne, who she views as responsible for her past, Vicki kidnaps everyone’s favourite butler, Alfred. Hidden deep in the bowels of Arkham Asylum, Batman fights his way through a number of inmates before a final battle with Vicki that ends in a rather predictable fashion. Though this final battle ends as it was always going to, it must be said that Telltale have really mastered their quick-time events to make the battle itself rather satisfying.

After this final fight, you are shown Gotham picking up the pieces of the whole ordeal and also made to decide who Gotham needs more at that specific time; Bruce Wayne or the Batman. A common conflict for the comic book hero, it was pretty cool getting to make this big decision and it was one I found genuinely hard making.

Though a satisfying way to end the episode and season on, City of Light was a bit too predictable for my taste. Early on in the series it looked like Telltale were willing to tell a very different Batman tale and while they did mix things up occasionally, this ending on the whole lacked that daring originality.

Regardless of this disappointment, City of Light gave us real closure and even managed to peak my own excitement for a future season with a sneaky final scene. For a tale that’s be told so many times, credit has to be given to Telltale for an on the whole original and refreshing take on the dark knight, even if this ending wasn’t exactly what we deserved.

7/10

Posted in Blog, Games