Release date Apr-25-2012
In the zombie apocalypse, we'll all be human resource managers. We'll
need to make harsh critiques on the value of one human against another
in a post-apocalyptic scenario. At least, that's what the first episode
of Telltale's
The Walking Dead adaptation has taught me
In the first of five episodes, you take on the role of Lee Everett, a
man who may or may not be a killer. About the time Lee is getting
transported to prison, the zombie apocalypse starts and gives him a "get
out of jail free" card. For the next two hours, it's up to you to keep
Lee alive and able to protect Clementine, the first grader in his care.
Here's the launch trailer for The Walking Dead: Episode 1, available now
on PlayStation Network, PC and Mac, and will release very soon on Xbox
LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360.
Episode
one of a five-part game series set in the same universe as Robert
Kirkman’s award-winning series. Play as Lee Everett, the convicted
criminal who has been given a second chance at life in a world
devastated by the undead. Experience events, meet people and visit
locations that foreshadow the
story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes. A honed game experience in which
actions, choices and decisions you make will affect how your story plays
out across the entire series.
The game is essentially a point and click adventure, in the same vein as PC classics Grim Fandango and Monkey Island,
however there are tense and exciting quicktime style zombie survival
moments which are reminiscent of Heavy Rains action segments. These
quick time style battles work well enough, however they are not the
focus of the game, the down time between zombie attacks are, and this is
where the game excels.
Telltale have managed to get some amazing writers on board and they
really make you feel for the protagonist Lee and his new lil sidekick
Clementine. The game could easily grow boring with its lack of action,
but the writing is so good that you will dread zombie attacks and want
to interact with other survivors learning their stories and building
relationships with them, which in turn help to define your character
through your dialogue choices. Choice is a huge part of this game, you
have mere seconds to decide whether to save one survivor or another, or
how to intervene in situations, and there is a definite desire to return
to chapter one and play it differently to see what could have happened.
The promise that these choices will affect later episodes is also
intriguing, and I wonder if it even might have affected the ‘Next time
on The Walking Dead’ preview that is shown at the end (which looks equally fantastic I might add).
It may only last for around 2 hours but because it plays more like a
movie than a traditional game at $5 you are definitely getting bang for
your buck.
The Walking Dead’s strength is the writing and the
characters, the game does a great job of building tension and creating
emotional investment with the characters. It is less of a game and more
of an interactive story at times, but that works incredibly well with
The Walking Dead
property which has never simply been about zombie killing. Set in the
same universe as the comics you are quick to see some familiar faces
which is a nice little nod for fans. All in all I can’t wait for episode
two of this. If you are a fan of
The Walking Dead in any medium then this is definitely worth your time and money. Simply put, it's fantastic!
My Comment
This
game is amazing for anyone who love the Zombie genre. I haven't played a
point-and-click game in a while, but it's amazingly easy and it feels
and looks natural at most times. I love the fact that you have to make
tough choices, who you want to save from death, to tell the truth or
not. You get emotionally attached to most of the characters, and you
would want to see this through. You can tell the game is developed for
consoles, because of some graphical glitches, audio glitches and the
controls. Don't fret! I could look past those tiny imperfections,
because everything else is awesome! If you love zombies and an engaging
story, you'll absolutely love this game. I can't wait for the next
episodes. This game receives a 9/10 from me because of the story,
comic-style graphics, music and characters. The game is very much worth
its price too, that's good. It does not receive a 10/10 because of a few
tiny bugs and some audio-glitches. Apart from that, I recommend it
highly!
8/10
