Summary
- Telltale's recent struggles and layoffs have put the future of its games, including The Wolf Among Us 2, in jeopardy, but if the company can get back on track, a new Batman series could be a hit.
- Telltale's previous Batman games offered unique takes on Gotham's iconic characters, with players shaping their own Bruce Wayne and Joker. There is still plenty of potential for Telltale to explore in the Batman universe.
- Potential villains like the Court of Owls and Hush could provide intriguing storylines and psychological challenges for Bruce Wayne in a potential third season of Telltale's Batman. Further character development and the introduction of new love interests and sidekicks could also enrich the series.
After rebuilding itself following an unfortunate shutdown, Telltale’s future is once again uncertain, with recent layoffs hitting the developer hard. Possibly a result of The Expanse not taking off as Telltale had hoped, as well as a general industry-wide trend of developers losing their jobs, many were devastated to hear about Telltale’s latest struggles. While the company has ensured fans that The Wolf Among Us 2 is still on the way, many are understandably concerned that a second cancelation could happen. Assuming that it does not, and Telltale gets back on track, another entry in its Batman series could be a surefire hit after The Wolf Among Us 2.
Telltale has had several great series over the years, with longrunning heavy hitters like The Walking Dead being beloved by many and one-offs like Tales from the Borderlands being cult classics. Telltale’s Batman found itself somewhere in the middle, as it was a two-season affair full of unique takes on Gotham’s most memorable characters. Not only could players shape their own Bruce Wayne, but also their own Joker, with a number of memorable interactions between the two. Original characters like Lady Arkham also proved interesting, while Telltale’s quick-time events and limited exploration allowed for flashy fight scenes and detective work. Still, as good as it was, plenty of room was left for another series, something that could have happened had Telltale not disbanded. With the studio getting a second chance, so too should its Batman universe.
Telltale’s Batman Has a Lot of Ground Left to Cover
Potential Villains For Telltale Batman Season 3
Telltale's Batman offered some intriguing takes on the hero’s iconic rogues gallery, such as a version of Riddler that resembled Jigsaw from the Saw franchise, and it would make sense for a third season to continue that trend. Though there are a lot of Batman villains that have yet to appear in the series, such as Poison Ivy, Clayface, and Ra’s Al Ghul, there are a few other potential threats that would suit Telltale’s universe particularly well.
Considering the initial season’s focus on Gotham’s corruption, and Thomas Wayne’s involvement in criminal activity, the Court of Owls would be a terrific choice for Telltale’s next outing. Though they featured in Gotham Knights, the mysterious cult that runs Gotham from the shadows would suit Telltale’s style better than a co-op action game. In the comics, they shined as a mental threat for Bruce as opposed to a physical one, with a maze trap nearly breaking his mind. Solving a Court of Owls mystery would fit Telltale’s style, allowing for several twists along the way.
Alternatively, Hush would be nice to see in Telltale’s style, as just like with its version of Joker players could shape their own iteration of Thomas Elliot. Depending on how players treat Thomas in flashback and present day sequences, he could either love Bruce or despise him, taking on his appearance to ruin his life or in a sick attempt to be just like him. Similar to the Court of Owls, Hush would be able to get to Bruce mentally, perfectly suiting a game where dialogue is more important than anything else. With Hush wasted in the Batman: Arkham games, too, a good video game depiction of the character is overdue.
Another season of Telltale’s Batman could also bring back a villain like the Joker. Players only saw the unique vigilante version or classic villain version in The Enemy Within’s finale, so a full season of proper Joker would still feel fresh.
Potential Stories For Bruce Wayne in Batman Season 3
Obviously, as a third chapter in an ongoing series, further development for the main character would be important. With Telltale leaning into the suave, Bond-like version of Bruce, having him settle down in a romantic relationship would make sense. Introducing a new love interest while also bringing back Selina Kyle to continue the Bat/Cat romance would be ideal. Additionally, Bruce could take on a Robin in the final season, continuing the trend of each season letting players shape a specific character. Depending on whether players are kind or cruel, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, or another Robin could end up with those traits. Tiffany Fox could also return as a sidekick that players impact with their decisions. With so many options for new stories, hopefully Telltale finds itself in a position to continue its Batman series.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 49%
- Released
- August 2, 2016
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Telltale Games
- Publisher(s)
- Telltale Games
- Engine
- Telltale Tool
- Franchise
- Batman
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter the fractured psyche of Bruce Wayne and discover the powerful and far-reaching consequences of your choices as the Dark Knight.
In this gritty and violent new story from the award-winning creators of The Walking Dead – A Telltale Games Series, you'll make discoveries that will shatter Bruce Wayne's world, and the already fragile stability of a corrupt Gotham City.
Your actions and your choices will determine the fate of the Batman.
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
