The walking dead review

There are always one of two games in every gamers lives that make a lasting impact emotionally. From games like Mario to Resident evil or the final fantasy series each has made some sort of emotional connection with its player. For me that game was the amazing Shenmue series. That was until the walking dead.

Publisher telltale games said from the get go they aimed to make the walking dead a game where every choice made you think, grow attached to the characters, strengthen or destroy your bond with then from the choices you make throughout the game. Did they deliver? Damn right they did, if unfortunately a little slower than hoped.

This gap between release of episodes is the only bad thing i have to say about the whole walking dead experience, and it is just that an experience. Telltale had originally said they would be releasing episodes monthly, t was more two monthly. At first this was infuriating for many people, especially the European players as we had to wait even longer that our friends around the world. But you know what it was well worth the wait.

The game is no technical masterpiece, the graphics are the usual cartoon style you saw in back to the future, Jurassic park and quite similar to the borderlands games. Not amazing by any means, but to be honest the graphics go with the style of game nicely. The atmosphere is one of tension and suspense, towns swarming with walkers, dark enclosed buildings offering little shelter from the outside world.

The controls are easy and fluid, but at times can punish you if your not quite paying attention. The sounds also further the gloomy, impending doom atmosphere. the noise coming from a door being banged on or a shuffling of feet really makes you think about going close to it.

That's what makes this a special game, its not your usual run and gun tripe pumped out every other week. You don't run about blasting countless hoards of the undead with your ray gun and max ammo drops. There is no running through shopping centers with a chainsaw on a stick, decapitating zombie after zombie like Chuck Norris with roid rage. 

The game casts you playing as Lee Everett, on your way to jail for murder, when suddenly you are thrown into the middle of an Apocalypse. And not the good kind either, one where you have to make hard choices and sacrifices to keep you and your friends alive, or not so alive. Mainly a young girl known as clementine whose parents have gone away somewhere and not returned. Lee takes her under his wing, and its your job to keep her safe if you can.

The game is slow paced and often punishing, one slip of the tongue and your nice new shiny best buddy is getting chomped on like a pork scratching in a pub. Every choice you make has an adverse effect on group members, siding with one will often upset another. And that's where this game makes you develop a bond with the other characters. Are you the kill on sight, anything to survive kinda guy. Or are you compassionate and willing to forgive and give people a chance.

There are often a lot of shocking events throughout the course of the game. some as a direct result of you the player and some not. Many a time will you make a choice and instantly think i wish i hadn't done that. this gives the game a lot of replay factor. The main story of the game obviously stays pretty much the same but the choices made determine who will be with you at the end if anyone

The loss of characters you have grown to care about can at times be a heart wrenching experience and one that will stay with you through out the game and even after that. Your willingness to do whatever it takes to protect Clementine will grow as you're character changes through the decisions you make and people you save or lose. Ultimately as fans of the TV show will know anyone can go at any time so you always have to have your wits about you because you never know who might be next

In conclusion, while this game isn't a graphical powerhouse the atmosphere, emotion and sense of doom you have throughout more than makes up for that. The way it sucks you in and always makes you ask questions of yourself and your morals is second to none. The attachment you build to characters only to have it ripped away in brutal fashion leaves a lasting scar other games do not. If you like adventure a great storyline then you need to pick up this game........ASAP!!!!

Rating 92% The walking dead isn't just a game its an experience