After tackling such popular series as ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Sam & Max’, Telltale Games have brought ‘The Walking Dead’ to consoles, PC and Mac. 
 
In the past, Telltale’s ‘series-based’ games were more centered around nostalgia and fan-service, then progressive story-telling. Back to the Future’ focused on familiar characters and plot-lines as they brought back the beloved series for old and new fans alike. With ‘The Walking Dead’ Telltale brings a new cast of characters and some surprising game-elements into their latest title. In fact, Telltale made me break my first two rules of ‘Surviving a Zombie Outbreak’, I cared for the people I met and I wanted to help them. Admittedly I would not be a good person to team-up with if such an outbreak ever occurred.
 
Setting, tone and atmosphere have played a major role in both the original work by Robert Kirkman and the popular television series. In the opening minutes of the game you are introduced to the main character ‘Lee’ who is the protagonist during the first episode. Although it is quite clear that Lee has had some trouble in his past (you start the game handcuffed in the back of a police car) the story unfolds so that you know as much as Lee does about the outbreak, but not as much as Lee knows about his own past. As for Lee’s past, as well as the story of the outbreak, the details are told to you with the same pace, drama and twists that the title’s television counterpart creates for its viewers. I felt connected with Lee, the choices that are offered during the narratives are natural choices. There is no ‘badass Lee’ or ‘boy-scout Lee’ each decision is an actual response or conversational choice that people would take, given the situation.
 
If I could tell you one word that struck a chord with me in the ‘choice narrative gameplay-mechanic’ its this….remember. When choosing a narrative choice, the characters you meet along the way “remember” what you told them. It instantly made me regret lying for the first time in the game. I didn’t feel bad because I didn’t get what I wanted, they believed me without question then carried on the conversation without harassing me, just like a stranger in that situation would. I felt bad because I doubted someone that turned out to be a friend. In previous games that I have played, the ‘narrative choices’ I chose were aimed at goals or directions. I wanted to gain access to something that I didn’t have or I didn’t feel like doing the side-quest the hard way. In this title I lied because I didn’t trust the people that were with me at first, even though they didn’t do anything wrong. It was my own insecurities (or doubt in the goodness of mankind) that were making me choose my actions. The word ‘remember’ made me realize that my choices weren’t going to affect my immediate actions but my long-term relationships with the people around me and I felt horrible for choosing something I knew was wrong. That is what a good ‘choice based game should do’.
 

 
A limitation to the game is how quickly the characters have to be introduced. The game is a series and even though Lee’s story has a nice arch that you slowly follow, the game doesn’t have that much time to develop some of the characters you meet along the way. This gives some of these characters a ‘one-dimensional’ appeal. Something that can be fixed as you play through the series, if they are introduced again, but it is worth mentioning.
 
The story-line is one of survival, redemption and loss. The plot points and details are very well written and should not simply be read in a review. The first episode will leave you with unanswered questions, loose-ends and all the relationships you forge won’t be neatly wrapped up in each episode.
 
It will take time to see if my exact choices will result in a dramatic difference in the outcome of the game but the first episode made me want to keep playing, to know more about Lee and the other survivors I met. The first episode of a series has a lot of responsibility, it has to forge a connection to the players in a very brief amount of time. It has to introduce gameplay-mechanics and pacing, all while keeping the audience entertained and attentive. Episode one captured all of those goals and would be enjoyable for both true fans of the series and fans of the genre as well.
 
Graphic Design 9: The comic stylings of the game give the title a unique look. Though some animations may appear to be blurred around the edges, the game created an immersive setting for the story.
 
Gameplay 9: Telltale Games focused on easier controls keeping the story and gameplay more fluid and allowed for an interactive experience with the story.
 
Presentation 9.5: A terrific story told with a small cast of developed characters.
 
Replay 8.5: The choices allow you to play the game through different perspectives, though adding onto each episode is where you will find the most fun.
 
OVERALL RATING: 9.0/10