Enemy Within: Spoilers: What kind of Bruce/Batman are you playing?
So, I've been obsessed with Telltales batman season 2. I think its amazing and I can't see my obsession lessening until the game has finished. So I decided to join in on discussions and wanted to know the type of Bruce/Batman people are going for. (Spoilers)
For me I played my Bruce as vengeful. He's out to avenge Lucius and Riddler's capture/death wasn't enough. So now he's taking it out on the pact and is doing whatever it takes to shut them down. Even being John's friend is just a ploy. He's also not taking sides with the Agency and Gordon, he thinks their both being stupid as they should really just work together and make his job easier. There's a slight lean towards Gordon but that's because Waller hasn't proven to be as reliable when it comes down to showing up. First with Riddler's hideout and then with getting Riddlers body. He was also very distant with catwoman despite having been on good terms with her from the first season and refused to let her help. He then ratted her out as the mole. (Mostly because it seemed like a Tiffany vs. catwoman thing and he promised Lucius he'd watch out for his daughter.) He's on the road to destruction and burning all the bridges he can. He's gonna be a lone dog by the time this ends.
I've also got a much nicer, less violent Bruce, but my vengeful Bruce has actually proven to be a lot more fun. The only downside was upsetting Alfred and possibly pushing him further into depression. But, somehow, I loved the lectures I got from Alfred. It just really hits you in the feels because it makes you realize Bruce is always going to come first with Alfred.
One of the things I love most about this game is that its really going into the depth of a persons emotional state in each of their characters. Like, with Gordon feeling powerless and the Joker discovering himself and Waller trying to maintain control in an uncontrollable environment. Selina's vendetta temporarily clashing with Bruce's. And Bruce's moral code being pushed to its limits and possibly breaking. It's all so good.
So, I'd love to hear about how other people saw their Bruce/Batman. And also the details that really stood out to them as far as character relationships go. Just the typical geekin' out, basically.
Comments
My Bruce is constantly plunging deeper and deeper into darkness. Lucius' death in particular caused him to become much more pragmatic and more willing to bend the rules in his favor, he took the drive from Mori by force, beat up Willy and punched the crap out of Bullock, although he did that so John wouldn't take the blame. I guess all this also shows he and Batman are becoming more and more inseparable and it's taking greater and greater toll to keep his identity secret.
If anything, he's also began to take things way more personally than in Season 1 so Selina's games really pushed him over the edge - he's tired of her bullshit and won't let her manipulate him. He didn't warn her about Gordon mainly because he was still pissed at her and also wanted to beat her to the laptop (just like she challenged him). He did not want to hurt her physically but after she showed up at Wayne manor and heard her trying to guilt trip him, he stole the case from her (to give her a taste of her own medicine) and she tried to fight him. He was deeply upset but also firmly convinced about what to think about her. He didn't however rat her out because of his feelings about her, he let her take the fall to protect TIffany and all those innocent patrons at Bodhi Spa that have a much better chance of surviving if he's maintained his cover. Selina's simply not that innocent to put her first, although of course Bruce felt guilty, mainly because she actually didn't manage to steal the laptop.
Unlike with Selina, Bruce has become very comfortable around John and genuinely wants to help him become comfortable with himself. He never betrayed his trust and has always trusted John. So far he's the only one who hasn't tried to screw him over somehow. He told him to let his inner self out no matter how horrifying it is cause he knows how it feels to bottle down his true feelings and constantly pretend. He also intends to respect John's wish as Batman and let Harley slip assuming John never betrays his trust. He showed John how to handle a Batarang and let him keep it, for all he knows it might save his life someday. He didn't destroy John's phone even if he has some "incriminating" evidence on it, out of sympathy. He himself collects mementos, why should he take away John's? No matter how far John sinks, Bruce will protect him (from John himself and others) and help him in any way he can.
Waller is a new face in Gotham and so far it's been hard for Bruce to accept she's not his enemy although after what she did in Episode 3, he trusts her considerably more and if nothing else, at least owes her one. One of the many reasons why Waller and Bruce don't get along is Bruce's fierce loyalty to Gordon which has never wavered. Unfortunately if something doesn't change Gordon's behavior in episode 4, Bruce might have to clash with him, much to Bruce's disappointment.
Well if there's anyone Bruce would never be an asshole to, it's Tiffany. He promised Lucius he would take care of her and he's been completely honest with her. However he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if anything happened to her, which is one of the reasons he ratted out Selina. With Tiffany's technical genius, he also hopes she becomes one of his closest allies not just because of her skill, but out of respect to Lucius' blood as well.
Now if I had to say how he feels about the Pact, I'd say he feels surprisingly close to them and it kinda scares him. Just like Alfred said: "We are what we do." He's maintained his cover near perfectly which sometimes had him doing and saying some pretty messed up stuff. But deep down he knows what's right and will stay close to his one golden rule: Never kill. There's always another way, even for someones like the Pact. And being Bruce Wayne, he does enjoy the relationship he has with Harley and hopes to redeem her in some way so he could feel less ashamed of himself for becoming close to her.
Overall he's drastically changed from his season 1 self and I'm so thrilled to see how far Telltale pushes us. His after season rating won't be "compassionate" like in S1, that I know for sure.
One hell of a ride we have ahead of us.
lol I like your take on Harley. Most people will say shes misunderstood but in your scenario Bruce knows her as she is but somehow manages to grow an attachment and wants to steer her towards more redeeming qualities. Which I feel fits Bruce/Batman. I also think it makes sense that he'd grow close to the pact. He's undercover and like Waller said, thing's get blurry. He also just lost a very close friend, so it makes sense that he's a bit more vulnerable and clinging to what support he can. Especially in John's case whose not necessarily like the rest of the pact and has a higher chance of doing whats right.
One thing that surprised me about episode 3 was how much I started to like Bane. Its to bad we didn't get to interact with him more, the guy seems really observant. Kind of like how we know John is.
Siding with the Agency 90% of times, outright ordered Gordon out of my office, pretty much ignoring him all the time. I really hate Tiffany so I do not protect her and also got her out of my office. Also keeping it friendly professional with Selina and pretending to be Johns friend.
90's animated series Batman. Bruce is secretive and John's buddy. He doesn't flirt with Harley and acts like a self-entitled rich boy. Bruce flirts with Selina. Batman's a martyr and a jerk to John. Batman is cold to Catwoman. Chose not to tell Tiffany because she has to earn that and figure it out herself. I still think she'll find out before the season ends anyway.
Judging by the stats, most people aren't playing my Batman.
I love it when Bruce acts all high and mighty. The interactions are hilarious. He just has such a pompous attitude and its great.
My Bruce is a mix. He enjoys his time in the Pact and doing bad things. He has no problem bashing one of Bane’s men with a pipe, selling out Catwoman and Timothy, etc.
But on the other hand, he actually cares about some people. His friendship towards John is genuine and he cares about Gordon and Tiffany. He supports Gordon as much as possible, let Tiffany in on everything and always tries to make John happy and let John know that he enjoys his company. (Both as Bruce and Batman)
In S1 my Batman was Compassionate. The only time he really stepped over the line was breaking the perps arm and threatening the Mayor (who was dirty anyway). Besides that my Batman was all about helping people. I did let him go a little overboard while drugged though (because, why not?) He also told John he'd never get out of Arkham, so technically never made a promise, despite using the riot as a means to call Gordon. In Season 2 my Bruce/Batman is still trying to be the same guy, but he's being pushed by his circumstances. My Batman was 100% loyal to Gordon during episode 1, he was suspicious of Waller, and constantly backed up Gordon to the point where shtf Waller says "if you too weren't so busy gazing into each others eyes blah blah blah"
During the initial meeting with John, my Batman wants nothing to do with him. He pulled him away from Tiffany, but accepted his card and told him it was thoughtful or whatever. But besides that has no interest in meeting his friends until Riddler is mentioned. He trusts that John will return to him, so doesn't bother bugging him. Despite his compassionate nature, he tells Alfred that Riddler will suffer. He tells Tiffany he'll explain everything to her, but not at the funeral, and lies about the disc. Since I'm staying loyal to Gordon in episode 1, he approaches Mori as Bruce, pissing Waller off even more.
In episode 2 and since then, I'm playing a much more pro-Waller game for obvious reasons. I play John by telling him I like his company, and tell Harley I want to run Gotham like my father. I also tell Harley she has no reason to trust me, and that I feel sorry for John (which given my Batman's compassion, is partially true, though he's just trying to placate Harley in that moment). During the break in at Wayne Tech, my Bruce attempts to help the guard, but backs off and tells Harley we'll do things her way. He gets Harley to back-off Regina by saying it wont happen again, and during the Tiffany fiasco says he's with Harley. So really playing a "keep the peace" angle with Quinn, which wins her over. He tells Freeze that he can help Freeze as long as Freeze helps him, and that he thinks a love like that is rare, despite telling Harley that Freeze's wife would be horrified if she woke up. He is vicious against Bane's man, wanting to get on his good side. During the raid he does his best to minimize casualties while still protecting as many people as he can.
By episode 3, Bruce is all in keeping his cover and executing Waller's plans at all costs, to the point where he doesn't warn Selina about Gordon, and lies when she asks if I knew. Despite, or maybe because of that, he lets her into the Batcave and agrees to work with her. By this episode I believe my Bruce is legitimately becoming closer to John, despite having reservations about him (he tells Selina to be careful around him). But as Batman, he agrees to John's conditions, but tells him it all depends on what Harley does, and he mentors him and allows him to keep the Batarang. Earlier he also mentioned he doesn't think anyone is beyond help, so he tells John he has potential and to be good. Not sure if giving him the Batarang will bite me in the ass, but maybe John will surprise me. Tiffany isn't his biggest fan during this playthrough since I lied to her, but I give her the oppotunity to talk to me after the near arrest, and reveal that I'm Batman. During the interrogation, he allows Catwoman to take the fall (tbh, I thought you'd have the opportunity to warn her after XD), but tries to get them to spare her, saying she'd be valuable at the Black Site.
So overall my compassionate Bruce really is becoming The Enemy Within.
In the first season my Bruce was kind and compassionate to. I really love how this season gave you realistic circumstances to change up your character. If you decide to be a bit more ruthless it doesn't feel like its coming from nowhere. Its really fun watching Bruce having to adapt to the situation he's in and change with it. I also like how you can keep his personality the same as it was if you want.
I am all about being a bro to Gordon and flirting with Selina
I have probably made every single pro Selina choice in episode 3, I just cant help it, even if I know its probably a bad idea, I cant resist her feline charm
John is the most adorable little thing, although I made him sad because I didnt tell Harley that Selina was the mole
My Bruce/Batman is a bit complicated. Firstly he is very ruthless, doesn't hesitate to hurt criminals harshly and has little patience for the likes of Gordon and Montoya judging him. Despite how harsh he is, he does care about people. He can't help but hold back against those he cares about, like Oz, Harvey and even Vicki. However it's worth noting how emotional he is. He reacts to nearly every situation emotionally. So he was pretty interesting under Lady Arkham's drug.
Both Harvey and Oz were his best friends and both of them became his enemies. When he ended up in Arkham, he was in desperate need of a friend he could rely on, that's when he me John Doe. I love how John was introduced because their friendship makes so much sense this way. When John came into the picture, Bruce had just been betrayed by Harvey. John saved Bruce and got him out of Arkham in one day. They also had a bit of that inner darkness in common. I love this line from John that occurs after Bruce is venting about Harvey. "You need better friends..." it might sound crazy but John is literally the only friend Bruce has had that hasn't let him down. In fact Bruce is terrified that he'll be the one to let John down.
Batman has always butted heads with Gordon and it's only gotten worse since Waller showed up. Gordon isn't afraid to grill Batman about his methods and Batman isn't afraid to grill Gordon about his inability to get things done. Naturally Batman gets along with Waller great. She gets things done and actually approves of Batman's methods. It feels good to have someone on his side for once.
There's plenty more I can say but don't want my comment to get too long.