Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 5: Same Stitch (Xbox One) Review

Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 5: Same Stitch opens with Batman seeking out information, and getting more than he bargained for. Waller has taken her creepy bureaucratic brand of villainy to a new level, and thrust Bats into a conflict he simply can't win on his own. Fortunately, or not, John returns to save Brucie from his latest predicament, and to show off the work he's been up to since the last episode.

Much of John's plot continues to boil at a low simmer, though. He still spends the first two chapters largely resembling Bruce's little brother, constantly pining for his approval and affection. The act is again wearing thin, so when it gives way and John finally reaches his full potential, it does manage to feel remarkably satisfying. Say what you will about the slow burn approach, but when it works, it works well, and Telltale definitely nailed it here. It makes earlier gripes from past episodes feel less important in retrospect, like how even complaints from yours truly way back in Episode 3 may have been jumping the gun.

Waller's plot line, however, feels less rewarding at its climax, although why will be explored in a moment. It's largely condensed down into some quick resolution, yet she does get to be privy to the third chapter, which is some of the best work Telltale has ever done, full stop. Not only does the chapter resolve in some pleasant ways, and even carries some interesting moments that keep the satisfaction level at its peak, it also brings one of the best moments in Batman canon. At the end of the act, Telltale gives a remarkably bleak and terrifying vision of a character who, despite many iterations, feels fresh and remarkably good.

Choices do matter here, and they carry a weight that is often promised but never realised in narrative-driven gaming. However, some of the choices result in conclusions that feel weak, like the aforementioned issue with Waller's ending. It definitely shows the danger that comes with choices actually mattering, because it can lead to some moments that are much less interesting than others. It also feels like the most important choices are still the ones where only two choices are made available but, even then, the arc holds up and leads to some exciting prospects for next season.

Combat is largely the same, and it's difficult to tell if Telltale has gotten better at implementing it or if one has just gotten used to it. The only moment that the game failed to recognise input during review came during an early combat sequence, but it doesn't seem to have rolled over to the rest of the game, and could easily have been just a singular instance that others won't experience. This season of Batman has definitely shown off Telltales continued efforts to make its titles run better, and Same Stitch nails that even better than previous moments in the season.