The Walking Dead Review

by Matthew Johnson

Episodic gaming is something that has attracted a modest amount of attention over the last few years.

Having a small slice of a big gaming pie delivered in easily manageable portions is an interesting concept that has good points and bad points. With the games being produced piecemeal the developers can cut production costs and feedback from the earlier episodes can improve later interactions. But with this comes uncertainty as if the first episodes relieved are badly received they whole series can be cut short prematurely.

This brings me onto The Walking Dead which is an episodic game brought to us by Telltale Games which is the same studio that gave us The Sam & Max and Wallace and Gromit adventure games. Just like those this is an adventure game with point and click elements, some slight action sequences and an organic story based on player choice.

It starts before the events of the original comic books the whole series is based on and even includes guest appearances from characters such as Glenn and Hershel but staring an all new character called Lee Everett.

Graphically the game is very striking with a cell shaded comic book art direction that does not interfere with its adult setting. I do not want to use the words basic or functional to describe it as this might put it in a bad light. I will only say that the graphics are only as good as they need to be nothing more. It does not pull its punches in the gore department either so people beware it’s not for kids.

The story does an excellent job of being interesting, funny and most importantly realistic in portraying how people might act in an unrealistic situation. I found myself identifying with and relating to some of the characters which make me want to know how the story plays out in the end.

It also evolves depending on choices made by the player which affects not only other characters feelings toward you but has consequences felt throughout the whole series. This adds great replay value to the series in wanting to see what different choices will change the story in new ways.

At time of writing only two of the five episodes have been released so far with the company announcing that a sequel series is planned after this one is finished but I for one cannot wait for the next episode.