Developer(s): Telltale Games
Publisher(s): Telltale Games
Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac, iOS
Review Platform: Xbox 360
Release Date: November 20, 2012
You learn a lot about the human condition when you play through Telltale's The Walking Dead: The Game. Even up until its penultimate moment, you are driven through the single most entertaining and heart-wrenching episode of the series yet in "No Time Left". Lee and Clementine's journey through Kirkman's zombie apocalypse stands out as one of the gaming's best examples of innovative storytelling in 2012. Not only did Telltale Games revitalize the point-and-click adventure genre, they weaved a story that will raise the dead, fans, and critics until the release of Season 2.
- Expertly crafted and well-written story
- Comic book art style
- Part of "The Walking Dead" canon
- Survivors we care about
- Truly badass moments
- Ties together all of your decisions throughout all episodes
- Satisfying ending
- Some clipping and floaty movements
What
a long, strange trip it's been. The Walking Dead is my generation's Dawn of the
Dead. The zombie franchise that can do no wrong. From the original comic series
to a television show that rivals the top-notch action, drama, and ensemble cast
of Lost, Kirkman's geeks were missing out on one media outlet where it
could truly shine. A video game. Telltale Games stepped up to the plate.
Right
on the heels of their Jurassic Park downloadable title, it was anyone's guess
whether Telltale would live up to The Walking Dead's reputation. They not only
succeeded, but passed all of my expectations as a fan of all things zombies.
Game developers can learn a lot from this model of episodic content. At five
dollars a pop, each piece of content is affordable and well worth the initial
asking price. You will be re-playing these episodes to explore making different
decisions and see what the consequences of those decisions could yield for you
and your group of survivors.
The
final episode of the season takes a decidedly more cinematic approach to
unfolding the story. This is the way games in a saga should end. Enough loose
ends are tied up, but it still leaves you wanting more. Telltale Games deserves
every Game of the Year award they will undoubtedly win for this brilliant
quintology. The storytelling alone sets the bar high, not only for Season 2,
but for all future games in the genre.
There
are no shortage of revolutionary moments in "No Time Left" that are
sure to tug at some heart strings and maybe some of those other vital internal
organs those pesky zombies have been drooling over for the past four episodes.
The game ends, but it is done in a way that you won't expect and isn't cliché.
All of your decisions come back to haunt or help you in some way, shape, or
form, which makes the entirety of this episode deep and meaningful in
correlation to the gameplay and choices you had made previously.
The
Walking Dead game is an example of how a franchise can be given respectful
treatment to the source material, while standing alone as a great achievement
in modern gaming. Not only did Telltale breathe new life into a dying genre,
they innovated the model in which gaming content can be released and the quality of
each of those different and affordable experiences. The future looks bright.
Even in the wake of the zombie apocalypse.
| Final Score | “Innovative Piece of Video Game Art” | 9.0 |
| Graphics |
The graphics are pretty unique for a downloadable title. They match the feel of Kirkman's original comic books.
|
8.5 |
| Gameplay |
The tried and true gameplay mechanics from the first four episodes works just as well this time around.
|
9.0 |
| Value |
The one that you've been waiting for. The final episode of The Walking Dead delivers so many ways to end the adventure. Demands multiple playthroughs.
|
9.5 |
| Sound |
Solid voice acting, great ambient sounds, and best of all – zombie moans! It's all here and it sounds great. Music to my brains!
|
8.5 |
Review by Michael Engle
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Raised on punk rock and video games, Michael Engle
remembers a time when Mario was on his second birthday cake and when game
reviews weren't biased and contrived. Engle hopes to bring his love of
nostalgia and gaming honesty to you. He co-hosts his own video game news
podcast, All Your News are Belong to Us. He loves games, writing, music, and
not sleeping. All Articles by Michael.
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