In this Batman game, you choose whether the Joker becomes a hero or villain

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Telltale Games' 2017 title Batman: The Enemy Within reimagines the iconic rivalry by placing the player in control of Bruce Wayne's relationship with John Doe. Through branching narratives and moral dilemmas, you decide the Joker's path, creating a complex, grey origin story that critics have hailed as a series highlight.

Released in 2017 as a sequel to the 2016 Batman: The Telltale Series, this episodic adventure game allows players to navigate the dual lives of Bruce Wayne and Batman. The gameplay is evenly split between the two personas, utilizing investigation sequences and quick-time events to resolve conflicts. A central mechanic is the branching narrative, where player choices—including those imported from the previous game—drastically alter the story's trajectory and the fates of key characters.

The plot centers on the arrival of the Agency, a government organization led by the ruthless Amanda Waller, and the emergence of a criminal group known as the Pact. Bruce Wayne is blackmailed into infiltrating this group, which includes figures like Harley Quinn, Bane, and Mr. Freeze. A pivotal element is the player's evolving friendship with John Doe. Depending on the player's decisions, John eventually emerges as the Joker, either as a twisted vigilante or a vengeful villain. This dynamic was widely praised for its moral complexity, with reviewers noting that it offered a fresh, compelling take on a character often considered overexposed.

The game faced notable production history, including the 2018 closure of the original Telltale Games and the subsequent acquisition of its licenses by LCG Entertainment. In December 2019, the game was rereleased as part of the Shadows Edition, which featured graphical upgrades and a noir-style filter. The title also saw controversy when the second episode was recalled and edited after it was found to have used a photograph of the murdered Russian ambassador Andrei Karlov. Despite these hurdles, the game earned multiple award nominations, including recognition for its writing and Debra Wilson's performance as Amanda Waller, cementing its reputation as one of Telltale's most acclaimed projects.

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