Since being announced at The Videogame Awards back in December, Telltale Games has been pretty quiet in regards to their upcoming Batman: A Telltale Games Series. Like the titular hero, though, the studio came out of the shadows last night to unveil some early details on the episodic adventure.
During the panel, which was moderated by Kinda Funny’s Greg Miller, Telltale Games discussed several pieces of important news regarding the title. Pertinent to most, though, is the fact that the first episode of Batman will be available this summer. No specific platforms, or images from the title were revealed, but that didn’t stop the studio from opening up about the game.
Batman is the perfect character for the studio to explore in a Telltale series, giving the team the opportunity to dive deeper into the mind of the man behind the mask. Each night, Bruce Wayne chooses to change Gotham for the better. The team wants to explore what the consequences are of the player’s actions when decisions made as Bruce have a critical impact on his nightly crusade as Batman, and vice versa. Certain key situations will give the player the decision to approach a scene as Bruce or Batman, with consequences for both sides.
Fresh interpretation of the universe set in current times, not tied to any existing iteration of Batman in games, film, or comics. Story will focus on Bruce and Batman, not an examination of the extended ‘Bat-family,’ (Robin, Nightwing, etc.) Fans can expect certain series staples such as Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale, James Gordon, and Renee Montoya. Telltale is looking to keep the villains more tightly under wraps until closer to the premiere.
Certain characters will have a deeply personal relationship with Bruce in his private life, and decisions made as Bruce or Batman will affect their paths towards corruption or redemption.
The player’s actions will help shape the Gotham that Bruce deals with during the day, as well as the criminals that Batman faces at night.
Team is committing to a non-photorealistic interpretation of the universe, enhancing engine and technology to deliver a more seamless living comic book art direction. Taking inspiration from the works of over 75 years of artists such as Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, and Neal Adams.
Like some other Telltale series, the game will be landing at M (Mature 17+) rating, and the cinematic approach will feel more akin to an R-rated film.
I like the fact that the game will focus exclusively on Bruce Wayne, as the increased focus on the Bat-family has been something that has dragged the recent Arkham games down. I’m still waiting to see just how Telltale Games will incorporate the action of the Caped Crusader into their traditional formula, but the fact that the team behind this adventure also handled the excellent Tales From The Borderlands is more than enough to get me on board.
