Batman: The Telltale Series - Episode 3: New World Order (PlayStation 4) Review

It took two rather slow episodes to establish the premise, but now the story is all setup and all the pieces are in place to play out this new 'Year One' story for the Caped Crusader. The last episode established how Bruce's parents were not the paragons he thought them to be. They were in bed with the mob and the crooked mayor, not to mention Thomas Wayne was performing inhuman experiments inside the walls of Arkham. With this information being revealed to the public, Bruce Wayne's good name was ruined and everyone began to distance themselves from him, including his best friend and mayoral candidate, Harvey Dent. He was making friends in other places to make up for it, though, as a budding romance blossomed between him and Selina Kyle. There is just the small issue of her knowing his secret identity, oh, and that she's dating that best friend of his…

Those relationships were put to the test as the Penguin and the Children of Arkham had Harvey and Selina in potentially fatal situations, and the finale required deciding which of the two to save. Those who chose Selina saw Harvey have a stage light smashed over half of his face, whereas choosing to save Harvey saw Selina shot and escaping with a reproachful glance at Batman.

This episode picks up with the Children of Arkham being seen by the public as basically the same as Batman - vigilantes fighting back against the corruption of the city. The general populous seemingly forgetting how they have been holding up events at gunpoint…

Right off the bat, this episode takes many of the best aspects of the previous and it's great to see them back in action. Batman again flexes his detective muscles during forensic investigations, and there are some smart dialogue moments. The best part of this episode, though, is the fight scenes; there are some great combat moments, including one in particular where Batman finally throws down with Lady Arkham that is highly enjoyable.

The problem with this episode is that it feels like the decisions made in the previous ones are pointless. Regardless of saving Harvey or not, the mayor develops his demented villainous persona, although with a little less epidermis if he wasn't saved. The romance between Selina and Bruce also continues to develop even if Bruce let Selina get shot! Telltale had an opportunity to majorly branch the story here - have Bruce alienate either Selina or Harvey, have a villain in either Two-Face or Catwoman.

The impact of the choices may be disappointing, yet the characters in this tale are anything but. This representation of Two-Face is great, especially so in the scarred Harvey incarnation. The split personality arguing amongst themselves, and the clear cracks in his psyche deliver a fantastic villain. Similarly, Selina is superb, and a great representation of this strong female character who takes no crap from Bruce or the villains unlucky enough to cross this black cat's path.