Batman: The Telltale series – Episode 4: Guardian of Gotham Review

Episodes 4 of Telltales’ Batman series adds a small amount of tension to an already dramatic series, but doesn’t quite progress much of the story while doing so. Besides episode 3, it’s probably one of the most forgettable episodes yet.

Picking up after episode 3’s cliffhanger ending, Guardian of Gotham starts us off bits of exciting, anxious tension from beginning to end, but it almost throws that away internally before you reach the end of the first act. The episode opens with a not so impressive Telltales version of The Joker who unfortunately has no relation to any of the conflict that I’m devoted to. He’s a character that I should have been excited about but instead felt like a brick wall standing between me and the characters I’ve spent hours building relationships with. It might be a bit of a let down but to its credit Telltales’ Joker series trend of presenting unexpected versions DC’s popular characters keeping even the most dedicated fans on the edge of their seats.

Aside from the disappointing pacing issues, this episode even points out how Gotham civilians feel about Bruce Wayne’s roller coaster controversies — it gives the city a whole other voice which also plays a role to finalizing my decision-making. The finale parts of this episode make what seem like possibly one of the most impactful decisions in the series so far, with some pretty shocking consequences that I’m just anxious to see unfold in the series finally. On the other hand, while episode 4 doesn’t the same frame rate problems like they did in episode 3, there are several random instances with combat, and a few cut-scenes where there is just no audio to go with it.

It makes it a little difficult to really be batman when you’re kicking someone in the teeth and it doesn’t even make a sound until after they hit the ground, or even deal in investigation sequence and not be able to hear any dialog between batman himself or with another character, luckily there are subtitles, but it makes the senses less enjoyable as I have to constantly go back and forth between sentences and scenes and some times missing some information because you can’t hear whats going on.

The fighting animation however are still entertainingly choreographed and environments are dense and varied, but returning detective modes are painfully slow despite them being so simple. They feel more like a drawn out game of “connect the dots” than the actual detective work properly fits batman.

Although this one of the weakest episodes take first place ahead of episode 3 my eager investment in the unpredictable, multilayered plot has not fated.

REVIEW CODE: A complimentary Microsoft Xbox One code was provided to Bonus Stage for this review. Please send all review code enquiries to press@4gn.co.uk.