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.
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!
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.
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).
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!
