Batman: The Enemy Within

A strong story, excellent performances, and some welcome gameplay improvements make Batman: The Enemy Within another great addition to the Batman canon.

92%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

94% User Score Based on 5,160 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

Batman: The Enemy Within is a single player open world action adventure game with mystery and violence themes. It was developed by Telltale and was released on August 8, 2017. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

In this latest chapter, both Bruce Wayne and Batman will be forced into precarious new roles. The Riddler has returned to terrorize Gotham City, but his gruesome puzzles merely foreshadow an even greater crisis. With the arrival of a ruthless federal agent and the return of a still nascent Joker, Batman must navigate uneasy alliances while Bruce Wayne undertakes a perilous series of deceptions. Wh…

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Play Modes

Single-Player

+14

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94%Audience ScoreBased on 5,160 reviews

story1.2k positive mentions

stability51 negative mentions

The story is deeply engaging and emotionally complex, especially the relationship and character development of John Doe/Joker, allowing player choices to significantly impact his transformation.
The game improves upon the first season in every major aspect, including better graphics, smoother gameplay, more meaningful choices, and strong voice acting.
The reimagining of classic characters like Harley Quinn, Bane, and the Riddler adds freshness and depth, while the narrative explores Batman's dual identity and moral dilemmas effectively.

Some story elements, pacing, and character motivations feel forced or inconsistent, including an abrupt ending that leaves certain characters' arcs unresolved.
Gameplay remains limited to Telltale's formula of dialogue choices and quick-time events with little mechanical depth; some puzzles and detective sequences are simplistic or frustrating.
Technical issues such as occasional bugs, crashes, stuttering, and save problems affect the experience, and some choices do not always produce clear or significantly different outcomes.

story
2,754 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
Batman: The Enemy Within delivers a gripping and emotionally complex narrative that deepens the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Joker, with player choices significantly shaping character dynamics and story outcomes. While some find the story a fresh, darker take on the Batman mythos with memorable twists and meaningful moral dilemmas, others critique occasional plot inconsistencies and a somewhat linear progression despite branching paths. Overall, it stands out as one of Telltale's best works, praised for strong storytelling, character development, and replayability through its impactful decisions.
- “The story is phenomenal and driven by exceptional dialogue choices that hold real weight without ruining any plot surprises.”
- “This season elevates the interactive drama to unprecedented heights, delivering a gripping, psychologically complex story where player choice carries more weight and consequence than in any other title from the studio.”
- “The story is fantastic—a fresh take on Batman, his allies, and his enemies, yet still deeply respectful of the original lore.”
- “And Bruce's story did not feel like a proper Batman at all either; there were multiple times the story developed in such a way where I kept thinking "he wouldn't do this."”
- “Lazy story writing, everyone knows Bruce Wayne is Batman including the Joker, and I can see why this company went out of business.”
- “Has more plot holes than an Australian rural road; every decision the game outright gaslights you into thinking you're a bad person, and the game no matter what route you go, the story should end in chapter 3 of episode 5.”
gameplay
449 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
74%
4%
The gameplay in "Batman: The Enemy Within" largely follows Telltale’s established formula, focusing on choice-driven dialogue, quick-time events, and simple puzzle-solving with limited interactivity. While improvements over the first season include smoother pacing, refined combat sequences, a new relationship mechanic, and slightly more varied gameplay, the overall mechanics remain basic and can feel repetitive or restrictive for those seeking deeper gameplay. However, these gameplay elements effectively support the strong narrative and character-driven experience that most players find engaging.
- “The gameplay mechanics seamlessly blend exploration, puzzle-solving, and intense action sequences.”
- “Dialogue remains the core gameplay mechanic, and it’s here where the game excels, giving you tough choices that shape not just the story, but relationships and character arcs.”
- “Gameplay is refined, with smoother quick-time events and more dynamic action, but detective mechanics and gadget use remain underdeveloped.”
- “Felt like a large waste of time; there are things that aren't followed through. I spent so much time trying to get Joker on the right side—literally erased three hours of gameplay thinking that I had messed up, but no, you can't save him no matter what you do.”
- “I liked the take on the villains, the reverse role of Joker and Harley was particularly interesting. My only complaint is they overcomplicated the gameplay mechanics for the Riddler, and there's a part of the game where you fail a simple quest multiple times because the controllers just don't work.”
- “The gameplay elements are the usual Telltale non-game schlock: almost exclusively random quicktime events and rote connect-by-numbers.”
graphics
357 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
63%
2%
The graphics in "Batman: The Enemy Within" notably enhance the game's signature cel-shaded, comic book-inspired art style with improved lighting, textures, and character detail, delivering a visually striking, noir atmosphere that complements the narrative. While some reviewers noted minor animation stiffness and occasional graphical glitches, overall the visuals are praised for their polish, fluid animations, and fitting aesthetic, making this season the best-looking Telltale Batman game to date.
- “This selective color grading adds massive value to the cel-shaded art style, making it look like a living comic book.”
- “The art style remains the same, but with a polish that makes a difference during action scenes.”
- “The visuals retain the signature comic-book style, and the voice acting is stellar, especially for the dynamic between Bruce and John.”
- “The graphics feel a bit old.”
- “Even with its pretty art style, some backgrounds are lacking details and visual effects could use an overhaul, but that applies to all Telltale games this generation, not just this one.”
- “The graphical glitches seem not to happen anymore and it runs superb now, but the graphics are generally a bit outdated compared to modern standards.”
emotional
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
Batman: The Enemy Within delivers a deeply emotional and morally complex narrative that significantly enhances character development, especially the relationship between Bruce Wayne and John Doe (the Joker). Players face tough, often heartbreaking choices that lead to meaningful emotional payoffs, making the game a gripping and thought-provoking experience. The strong writing, voice acting, and soundtrack all contribute to an immersive and emotionally charged story that resonates long after completion.
- “It forces you to make impossible decisions between your mission and the people you care about, leading to an emotional payoff that feels earned.”
- “A short but meaningful review for Batman: one of Telltale’s most mature, well-written, and emotionally charged games, standing out for its impactful choices and excellent character development.”
- “Decisions carry heavy emotional weight, especially regarding your evolving relationship with John Doe — one of the most fascinating and unpredictable interpretations of the Joker ever seen in gaming.”
music
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The music and soundtrack generally receive praise for effectively enhancing the game's dark, tense atmosphere and emotional beats, with several standout themes and memorable compositions. While some note occasional issues such as inconsistent sound mixing, lack of dynamic variation, or less memorable tracks compared to prior installments, the overall score reflects a strong, fitting musical experience that complements storytelling and gameplay well.
- “The soundtrack, too, is a masterclass in mood, amplifying every twist with strings that tremble and synths that hum with menace.”
- “The music score is perfectly tuned to match the game’s pace, heightening tension during action scenes and adding emotional weight to quieter moments.”
- “The atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the game's tone, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “However, while the music enhances the mood during key moments, it never quite stands out as a memorable element.”
- “Like its predecessor, the soundtrack does just enough to underscore dramatic scenes and action sequences, but doesn’t elevate them to anything more impactful.”
- “The music came nowhere near 'Batman' sounding songs/ambience and honestly just sounded like instruments being played randomly.”
optimization
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
45%
23%
Batman: The Enemy Within shows a significant improvement in optimization compared to its predecessor, delivering smoother performance with fewer stutters, reduced frame drops, and minimal glitches. While some minor technical issues persist, especially on older hardware, the overall experience is much more stable and polished, making it Telltale's best-optimized title to date.
- “Optimization is stable overall; smoother than the original series.”
- “Previous game had optimization issues, this one has no such issues!”
- “The game looks visually better with more crisp quality, more vibrant colors and better optimization.”
- “The original game (not shadow version) does not suffer from random stuttering bugs like its predecessor, so that's a plus.”
- “Low performance optimization: while a major upgrade from the first Telltale Batman game in the performance department, I would not go as far as to say that this game is anywhere near properly optimized for PC.”
- “From stuttering framerates to game-breaking bugs, The Enemy Within is plagued by performance problems that detract from the overall experience.”
replayability
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
Replayability in this game is generally praised due to its branching choices, multiple endings, and impactful story decisions that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some reviewers note limitations like repetitive pacing or constrained narrative divergence typical of Telltale games, many highlight strong replay value especially for those interested in exploring different outcomes and character interactions. Overall, it offers substantial replayability, particularly compared to previous titles in the series.
- “Character investment is increased by interactions between Bruce Wayne and John Doe, while replay value and dramatic tension are produced by a variety of gameplay features such as branching endings and quick-time events.”
- “The choices feel weightier, and the branching narrative offers replayability as your decisions dramatically shape the characters’ fates.”
- “The major set pieces are probably very similar, but the events in them can often spin in odd directions, even which side Batman is on in a battle between groups, offering real replay value.”
- “And while it suffers from the same lack of true branching storyline and lack of replayability that all of Telltale's output does (spoiler warning: no matter your choices, Joker ends up back at Arkham, and you are forced to choose between Alfred leaving you forever, or basically retiring from being Batman), it definitely does a fantastic job at making you feel like your choices matter either way.”
- “This one might have more replayability, but with how it's programmed it's tiresome with how slow everything moves.”
- “On the plus side, there's replay value in Telltale games, but having to sit through a 9 hour cut scene to possibly get a tweak in a story doesn't feel like an entertaining prospect.”
character development
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
50%
4%
The character development in this game is widely praised for its depth, emotional complexity, and impactful player choices, with particular emphasis on the evolving relationship between Bruce Wayne and John Doe (the Joker). Reviewers highlight the mature storytelling, nuanced portrayal of characters, and how these elements significantly elevate the narrative beyond typical superhero tales. While character designs receive mixed feedback, the writing and voice acting consistently enhance the immersion and connection to the characters.
- “The character development is exceptional, particularly with John Doe's transformation into Joker, where player choices significantly impact the outcome.”
- “One of Telltale's most mature, well-written, and emotionally charged games, standing out for its impactful choices and excellent character development, especially the Bruce–Joker relationship with real consequences depending on your choices.”
- “The game's narrative depth and character development elevate it beyond a mere superhero tale, offering a compelling exploration of power, consequence, and identity.”
- “I wish Two-Face was introduced a little earlier; I felt the character development was a little slow.”
- “Plot: story inconsistencies and out of character development hurt.”
- “But I cannot say that the story and character developments were solid.”
stability
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
4%
89%
The game's stability shows notable improvement over previous Telltale titles, with fewer glitches, crashes, and freezes reported overall. However, users still encounter occasional bugs, minor performance hiccups, animation glitches, and some problematic sequences—particularly in episode two—that can disrupt gameplay but generally do not overshadow the story experience. Stability varies by platform and hardware, with some running smoothly while others face more frequent issues.
- “Runs great on Deck.”
- “If you're looking for a great story and a bug-free experience (no stress), please, move along.”
- “No bugs, no glitches, no nothing.”
- “Had issues with handheld mouse for quite a few of the quicktime events and had to keep troubleshooting the annoying Riddler trap because of it.”
- “However, the game's technical performance did sometimes falter, with noticeable animation glitches, minor framerate dips, and occasional lag between scene transitions.”
- “If you pause frequently in this game it will either cause the game to crash, stop responding, or in one odd scenario, the game will only continue while you are paused (the audio continued to play), and when you unpause it freezes (experienced once during the Lucius Fox funeral scene).”
humor
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is praised for its blend of believable drama and surprising comedic moments, particularly centered around the Joker's character, who is often highlighted as both hilarious and multifaceted. Players find many scenes genuinely funny, from witty dialogue to unexpected jokes and campy moments, contributing to an engaging and emotionally rich storytelling experience. While some find the humor corny or unintentional, the overall tone successfully balances humor with darker, tragic themes, enhancing the game's narrative appeal.
- “My buddy and I were crying laughing by the end of episode 4.”
- “I had no bugs, no continuity issues, and the characters had me engaged and genuinely laughing at some of their dialogue.”
- “I particularly loved most of the scenes with him, it was so funny like the part where they're about to vote if you're in or nah in their villain group, the joker suddenly starts talking about how handsome Bruce is and even forgets what he was talking about, that was too good hahaha.”
atmosphere
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
31%
8%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dark, noir-inspired, gothic portrayal of Gotham, enhanced by moody lighting, immersive environments, and a cinematic, comic book-style visual design. Strong voice acting, a fitting atmospheric soundtrack, and intense action sequences further deepen the immersive experience, making players feel like they are part of a gripping, cinematic Batman story. Overall, the atmosphere effectively captures the tone and themes of the Batman universe, engaging players throughout with its emotionally rich and suspenseful mood.
- “Atmosphere & direction: a noir tone, cinematic scenes, and well‑crafted action sequences capture the essence of Batman.”
- “Gotham City is brought to life with atmospheric environments and moody lighting, creating a noir-inspired backdrop for the dark and gritty narrative.”
- “Telltale has always done a good job with that, but this game is just next level with their stunning atmosphere.”
- “Atmosphere is an improvement over the other Telltale games, though not by much and not something you'd praise.”
- “The world is expanded with richer, more diverse settings, enhancing the game's atmosphere, while visuals and sound design build incrementally on the previous title without significant leaps.”
- “Love the atmosphere of the last few episodes... there are a few plot holes though.”
grinding
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
61%
30%
Grinding is generally minimal and mainly affects players aiming for 100% completion, with no hidden or excessive requirements. However, some users feel that certain aspects, like repeated quick-time events and puzzle retries, can become tedious. Overall, grinding is not a major issue but can be a slight annoyance for completionists.
- “Grinding requires a significant time investment, almost like having a second life.”
- “The amount of grinding is so extensive, it feels like you need another life to complete it.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You’ll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You’ll need a second life for grinding.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users perceive the monetization as primarily profit-driven, suggesting the game felt like a cash grab rather than a genuine passion project, especially given it was developed amid significant layoffs at Telltale.

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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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11h Median play time

9h Average play time

7-11h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Batman: The Enemy Within is a open world action adventure game with mystery and violence themes.

Batman: The Enemy Within is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iPhone, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 9 hours playing Batman: The Enemy Within.

Batman: The Enemy Within was released on August 8, 2017.

Batman: The Enemy Within was developed by Telltale.

Batman: The Enemy Within has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Batman: The Enemy Within for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Batman: The Enemy Within is a single player game.

Similar games include The Walking Dead: Season Two, Batman: The Telltale Series, The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead, Life is Strange 2 and others.

Batman: The Enemy Within

Platforms

story

gameplay

graphics

emotional

music

optimization

replayability

character development

stability

humor

atmosphere

grinding

monetization