In the TV series Lost, we see a character named Desmond Hume residing in an underground facility, driven borderline insane by the monotony of his daily routine. Desmond is required to regularly enter a series of numbers on a computer every 108 minutes. While nothing as redundant occurs in The Bunker, the game’s tone, setting, and non-linear storytelling feel directly inspired by a show like Lost.
The Bunker, developed by Slendy Interactive in partnership with Wales Interactive, begins in a post-nuclear war era with the birth of our protagonist, John. He’s born in an underground shelter that houses less than 60 people. However, we quickly flash forward 30 years later to find John alone with his mother. Thus the central mystery reveals itself: what happened to everyone else?
An Alarm Sounds
What separates Slendy Interactive’s first outing from other titles is its aesthetics: everything is live-action. With a runtime of roughly 90 plus minutes, you essentially have yourself a movie. Now the industry hasn’t mastered manipulating a real human being completely. The Bunker is simply a point-and-click thriller, but is still impressive for a developer’s debut game. Unless you’re slow to select the next location and make John stand around looking clueless, the gaming experience itself doesn’t distract from the cinematic quality.
Adam Brown’s John looking rightfully terrified
In the midst of John’s daily routine, an error message indicates a system failure somewhere in the facility. This is where the conflict and John’s unease begins. He hasn’t traversed from his floor with his mother much, if ever. Visiting other floors to resolve a mechanical problem sets his nerves off. Actor Adam Brown‘s performance, especially his facial expressions, effectively communicate John’s dread with his predicament.
Repressed Memories
As you take John along on his mission to repair the electrical and air filter systems, Brown moves timidly along each darkened hallway. With each floor you explore, a seemingly repressed memory rears its ugly head. We begin to see what unfolds with the shelter’s previous occupants via flashback, culminated in the game’s final moments. It’s as disturbing as it is gratifying.
Actress Sarah Greene plays John’s mother and she covers every range of human emotion fathomable by the game’s end. However, I’m intent on avoiding spoilers, so I’ll reference these specifics no further. If you ever throw up your hands during The Bunker‘s story, which can take a stretch to get into, be assured there’s absolutely a pay-off.
Lesser Demons
Outside of our two leads, the minor characters deliver their lines in a most uncomfortably wooden fashion. Then at certain points where John is simply standing in a hallway, the musical score swells as if hinting at a big reveal or jump scare, but nothing comes.
John’s mother portrayed by Sarah Greene
Mechanically speaking, the game is ultimately not intended to be any sort of challenge. It’s rather unfortunate though, as glimmers of a Quick Time Event (QTE) appear all-too briefly. However, the average gamer will pass these QTEs with flying colors and then some.
Despite any criticisms I levy against The Bunker, the story and high production value compel you to forgive them. This feels like a full-fledged Hollywood production but occasionally the actors arbitrarily stop and wait for a button click. They even filmed this in a real decommissioned bunker. This pays off as it makes your environment feel legitimately previously occupied.
It might be too early for declarations, but I’m predicting this title could see the same success as last year’s live-action mystery game Her Story.
Grade: B
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I readily admit my American ignorance when it comes to international history. More specifically, my familiarity with the Iranian Revolution of 1979 was minimal. Then you encounter a developer like iNK Studios with a brave director like Navid Khonsari to provide you that much-needed history lesson with 1979 Revolution: Black Friday.
As a video game, 1979 Revolution is a lesser Telltale Games experience, mechanically-speaking. This is expected when a developer doesn’t possess as many resources as a juggernaut like Telltale. However, the story has all of the gravitas and emotion as any Telltale title. Instead of a full-fledged review, I felt it more necessary to discuss the game’s importance in storytelling.
The Revolution
A man wears images honoring lives lost during the Revolution
Before we dive too deep, historical background is essential for this discussion. For those that might need the information, the Iranian Revolution stems from the civilian population’s frustration with the sitting regime’s corrupt and oppressive actions. The end result of the revolution isn’t the focus of the game, but be assured the Shah and his aforementioned regime was subsequently replaced.
Instead, 1979 Revolution centers on the experiences of an aspiring photojournalist, Reza Shirazi. Reza returns home to Iran to find his home country on the brink of a civil war. Reza’s friends and family already chose sides, which forces Reza into compromising moral dilemmas. Thus we have the basis of the entire gaming experience Revolution offers.
Hopelessness
Hopelessness is a recurring motif of Revolution. When a tyrannical government is this powerful, you start sensing your choices matter less and less as the outcome is inevitable. “They” have armies, other countries, and even a few groups of citizens backing them. “You” have your ideals and the ability to organize protests. In the context of the game alone, the conclusion seems predestined based on the lop-sided battlefield.
Although, this absence of hope isn’t just a numbers game, but a moral struggle. A prime example involves when Reza returns home for a family dinner with his parents and his brother (who works for the current regime in law enforcement). Reza’s Dad sympathizes with the protesters’ cause, while Reza’s mother questions why things should ever change. Considering his occupation, Reza’s brother is of course pro-Shah.
Needless to say, none of your dialogue selections in this awkward scene feel right. For Reza, this is his family who he loves unconditionally, yet people are dying on the streets for merely speaking freely. This dinner scene along with the ending scene (which I won’t spoil) are the best illustrations of helpless despair during this tumultuous period in Iranian history.
The Risks Involved
Outside of the gameplay, the developers and lead director at iNK Studios took a gamble in even telling this story. Director Navid Khonsari lived in Iran during the revolution as a child but left shortly after its ending. He used what he saw with his own eyes as a template for many sequences in 1979 Revolution. The team also interviewed about 40 Iranians who resided in Tehran during this era, and gathered as many images and sounds as possible from related documentaries, speeches, and press clippings.
You can opt for pacifism or violence
Regardless of this hard work, a conservative movement in Iran still exists that condemned this title. After Khonsari was accused of espionage, he deemed it too risky to even return to his home country. Other members of the development team also either fled Iran for their safety or now use aliases. When 1979 Revolution approached release this year, Iran’s National Foundation for Computer Games banned the game’s distribution and sale, declaring the content a poison on the minds of today’s youth.
Even in reality, this recurring motif of hopelessness is mirrored. Fortunately, we gamers in other countries have the privilege to play this title and to educate ourselves in the process, which I highly recommend you do at your earliest convenience.
1979 Revolution: Black Friday is now available on PC, Android, and iOS devices.
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As I opined in a previous article here, Telltale Games continually impresses me with their titles. This absolutely includes Telltale’s latest, Batman: The Telltale Series. My first write-up details my experience making mostly wise decisions as Bruce and Batman. However, out of pure curiosity and entertainment value, I played Batman: The Telltale Series‘ first episode again, but executing antagonistic dialogue choices and actions instead. You can see me play this entire episode as “jerk” Batman on the Sub-Cultured YouTube channel. Here, let’s dissect how these contrasting playthrough experiences differed, not excluding SPOILERS.
The Handshake
In the opening city hall heist sequence, Batman’s actions changed very little. I stopped the thugs and encountered Catwoman, but this Batman chose different words when conversing with her. I made Batman inform Catwoman that he wears the suit for the thrill, instead of any honorable intention. In true Telltale fashion, the game only states “Catwoman will remember that,” without revealing those consequences in this episode.
Bruce Wayne: shaking criminal’s hands without a care
After the heist, which ended in Batman still recovering the stolen hard drive from Catwoman, Bruce proceeded to the private fundraiser being held for his friend Harvey’s mayoral campaign. This fundraiser, occurring in the Wayne Manor, gives many diverse dialogue options with the varying guests. I portray Bruce as rather dodgy with a fellow famous rich family, instead of inviting. When I encounter Vicki Vale this time, I tell her to leave. She surprisingly understood and walked away as criminal overlord Carmine Falcone crashed the party.
In this instance when Falcone offers his hand to Bruce, I shake his hand, disregarding every single eye watching me. Once Falcone and Wayne talk privately, the conversation nevertheless unfolds similar to my “good guy” playthrough. Falcone ends with some combative statements, to which Wayne promptly kicks him out.
The Press Conference
After the fundraiser concludes, Bruce meets an old friend, Oswald Cobblepot, at the once-prestigious Cobblepot Park. During this verbal exchange, I make Bruce respond to Oz’s veiled threats with threats of his own. Telltale again says “Oz will remember that,” but we do not see how in this episode. After this reunion, Bruce co-hosts a press conference with Harvey regarding the new Arkham Asylum building, where you’re presented an opportunity to verbally spar with the press.
When the press reveals Bruce’s parents had connections with the mob, I chose the more affronted dialogue options for Bruce. He slammed the press for believing flimsy sources, then still left abruptly after hearing the police are searching his mansion. When arriving at Wayne Manor, Bruce again confronts Lieutenant Gordon, but regardless of how argumentative Bruce is with Gordon, Gordon responds with calm “I’m here to do my job” replies.
Vicki Vale again intrudes in Wayne Manor uninvited, and again I have Bruce respond coldly to her presence. Bruce calls her out on her consistent trespassing and I refuse to give her a quote when asked. Before leaving, Vicki still offers words of encouragement, which befuddles me since this Bruce has constantly rebuked her.
The Warehouse
Bruce pays Harvey a visit at a restaurant, where I play Bruce as accusatory, stating Harvey withheld information about the search warrant. Harvey claims not to know, but I have Bruce refuse to believe that. When Selina Kyle approaches, she and Bruce recognize each other as their costumed counterparts due to their battle wounds. Harvey steps away and I continue Bruce’s streak of snark as he insists he’s a “better person” than Selina/Catwoman.
Batman: stopping criminals one broken arm at a time
Selina suggests Bruce could help her, and I have Bruce refuse to work with the likes of her. Nonetheless, Selina still discloses a warehouse where a chemical weapon exchange was occurring. Once again, the lack of consequences Bruce’s bad attitude has to the story puzzles me.
When Bruce as Batman arrives, the warehouse remains in bloody disarray, just like my first playthrough. After the game requires ace detective work, you find the nearby sniper who killed everyone. Instead of simply intimidating, I opt for Batman to break the sniper’s ribs with a pipe then break the sniper’s arm after obtaining the necessary information.
Because my Batman doesn’t give a damn, I stay when Gordon finally enters, who sees the damage I did to the sniper and responds with disgust. The cop with Gordon threatens Batman more than my “good guy” run, which is a nice touch. When the cop claims she’ll shoot me, I have Batman reply “I dare you.” This is probably the most gratifying, fun response I gave the entire “bad guy” playthrough. However, nothing comes of that right now, as I inform Gordon that the chemical weapons belonged to Falcone.
The Luxury Suite
The stolen hard drive again decrypts at this time, which is evidence on Falcone’s criminal empire. I still choose to provide this evidence to Gordon, although I admit I should have given it to Vicki since this was intended to be my “bad decision Batman” experience. When Bruce hands the drive to Gordon, Gordon emphasizes his intent to thoroughly investigate the Wayne family allegations. “Everyone has a price,” my surly Bruce replies.
Catwoman: cooperative regardless of Bruce’s attitude
After this scene, the finale occurs where Bruce as Batman raids Falcone’s luxury suite. After fighting through Falcone’s henchman, Batman comes face-to-face with Falcone, who accuses the Wayne family of being behind all the criminal activity lately. Despite this “confession,” I elect for Batman to brutalize Falcone by shoving his leg through an exposed pipe. A nearby news chopper and the police see the damage I’ve done, which surely influences them into thinking of the Bat as an unstoppable menace.
The episode ending remains unchanged, with Bruce returning to the Batcave completely shocked and repulsed by his family’s legacy being tarnished. This cliffhanger always sends chills down my spine in pure excitement for what’s to come in this series.
After 2 contrary playthroughs, Batman: The Telltale Series certainly includes enough disparate conversation choices, but could use more consequence. Vicki and Selina insisting on aiding Bruce regardless of my choices are baffling, yet the story couldn’t unfurl too drastically different for each player. There’s a concrete narrative Telltale intends on following, and it’s solid enough to currently hover in my top 10 games of this year, as long as the follow-up episodes deliver similarly.
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Telltale Games uniquely excels with storytelling in gaming. Based on player choices, your character journeys through diverging paths in an average Telltale entry. They also possess great dialogue writing abilities, and better than most gaming titles. You’ll find one of their best examples in the hilarious Tales from the Borderlands. Although taking a more serious approach in Batman: The Telltale Series, it is no deviation in quality.
Batman: The Telltale Series tells a completely unique Batman story which doesn’t exist in any medium. There’s no DC comic, poorly-acted TV show, or underwhelming movie containing this tale. Telltale CEO & Founder Kevin Bruner openly discussed their partnership with DC during this series’ creation. In the first episode of the related behind-the-scenes series Batman: Unmasked, it’s revealed that DC felt Telltale’s take does right by Batman. After completing the first Batman: The Telltale Series episode thrice, I say DC’s trust in Telltale is justified.
Instead of your typical review, I’ll dissect my differing playthrough experiences. If you need my usual grade for reference, this episode deserves an A-. For those that have yet to play this fantastic episode, this article includes SPOILERS, as we’ll divulge the results of my contrasting decisions as Bruce Wayne and Batman, starting with my “good” Batman playthrough.
PLAYTHROUGH 1
READY TO BELIEVE IN GOOD
The mysterious Catwoman
My first playthrough consisted of decisions a good person would make. The game opens with Batman (voiced by Troy Baker) attempting to prevent a heist at Gotham City Hall. Here, Batman encounters Catwoman (voiced by Laura Bailey). We end up fighting regardless of the words traded, Batman takes the hard drive she stole back from her, then she escapes. My familiarity with Telltale’s games aids me as I succeed in each Quick Time Event (QTE) here, and in the 2nd playthrough. Batman: The Telltale Series gives us the Batman action we know and love, but your actions’ consequences reside in your dialogue choices.
The first major dialogue choices in Batman: The Telltale Series occurs during a fundraiser for Harvey Dent’s mayoral campaign, hosted by Bruce Wayne himself. I navigate through various polite choices with influential guests, with Harvey Dent (voiced by Travis Willingham) at my side. Reporter Vicki Vale (voiced by Erin Yvette) shows up uninvited, but being the decent guy I am here, I tell her she can stay. Carmine Falcone (voiced by Richard McGonagle) also arrives uninvited, yet he’s a known crime boss. With all guests’ eyes on me, I refuse to shake his hand. Then we converse privately, where I insist on Harvey’s presence, and I further give Falcone grief for his methods. Time will tell how this rift impacts Bruce’s life.
After the fundraiser, Bruce reconnects with old friend Oswald Cobblepot, or Oz for short (voiced by Jason Spisak). I keep things cordial with Oz despite his veiled threats of overthrowing the rich (which includes Bruce). Post-reunion, Bruce heads to a press conference, co-hosted with Harvey, for the announcement of a renovated Arkham Asylum. Here, the press bombards Bruce with accusations of his parents’ involvement with the mob. Simultaneously, Bruce receives texts from Alfred notifying that the police are searching his mansion for evidence. I remain cordial and calm with the press, stand up for Bruce’s parents’ legacy, then race home.
A STORM’S COMING
Back at Wayne Manor, Lieutenant James Gordon (voiced by Murphy Guyer) confronts Bruce, and I have Bruce politely tell him how wrong these accusations are. However, Gordon will only believe what the evidence tells him. Then Vicki Vale intrudes again, but I’m inviting to her and give a quote at her request, calling the story on Bruce’s parents fabricated.
Batman traversing in a familiar fashion
After Vicki departs, Bruce finds Harvey at a restaurant, questioning if he knew about the search warrant signed by potentially-corrupt incumbent Mayor Hill. Harvey swears he didn’t, so I have Bruce believe him. Then Harvey’s girlfriend, Selina Kyle, walks up. She silently recognizes Bruce’s scratches as Bruce identifies the bruise on her eye. These two subtly acknowledge each other’s secret identity.
Harvey steps away for a phone call, which is where the real tension builds. I chose for Bruce to scold Selina’s criminal lifestyle, but when she offered help, I didn’t refuse. Selina then gives Bruce a warehouse’s address, where Selina was expected to deliver the hard drive mentioned earlier.
Batman suits up, finds the warehouse a bloody mess after a chemical leak and a shootout, then questions a nearby, poorly-hidden sniper. The options here are to physically maul the sniper or simply intimidate him. This Batman being honorable, I feigned beating him with a pipe, threatened to break his arm, and still obtained the needed information. I passed along these details to Gordon, which implicated Falcone as the responsible party. Gordon notices I didn’t maim the sniper and respects my restraint.
THE POWER OF FEAR
Bruce heads back to the Batcave as the stolen hard drive data is fully decrypts. The drive contains data that can take down Falcone and his empire, although it’s unclear from where the drive originated and why. Another choice reveals itself, as you either opt to share this data with your contacts in the press or the police. While condemning Falcone in the court of public opinion is a nice sentiment, I went with the obvious choice of handing the evidence over to Gordon.
Discussing the evidence with Gordon as Bruce presented a small challenge. Gordon sees your act of goodwill as a potential bribe. Still playing good guy mode, I assure Gordon the intentions are pure, which Gordon trusts. After separating, Bruce suits up as the Bat to start his own methodical takedown of the Falcone regime.
Bruce Wayne: a man at odds with his perceived legacy
Another commendable element of Batman: The Telltale Series is the detailed approach at choosing your attack plan. There are 4 armed guards in Falcone’s luxury suite, and you select which inanimate objects to beat them with. It’s nothing short of glorious. After this task, you corner Falcone and can either brutalize him or handcuff him. When a news chopper arrived, handcuffing was the less bloodier option I chose, which will play well with the viewing Gotham audience.
Falcone reveals to Batman that the Waynes are behind the entire mess Gotham is in. This sends Bruce in a tizzy. He returns home, violently removes his cowl, and demands Alfred to tell him the truth. This is our first of 4 expected cliffhangers Telltale delivers brilliantly. Now we have a story that’s equal part Batman and Bruce that we the fans can sink our teeth into.
My excitement for episode 2 is palpable but first, we’ll have a write-up and video playthrough of the “bad guy” version of Batman. He’s not so much a killer as he’s just mean and makes bad decisions. However, I suppose one could argue that’s the more fun version.
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