The Walking Dead: The Game - Season 1

Plot synopsis:
History teacher Lee Everett is arrested for allegedly killing a state senator sleeping with his wife. While leaving Atlanta with the police, the police cruiser he is in runs over a zombie - or walker, as they are referred to in the series - and crashes off the highway. After fighting off the police man (who turned into a walker after the crash), Lee meets Clementine, a young girl, as well as Shawn Greene. Shawn takes Lee and Clementine home to the farm of his father, Hershel Greene. Lee meets a family, consisting of husband-wife Kenny and Katjaa, and their son Duck. After failing to save Shawn from walkers, Lee, Clementine and Kenny's family are banished from the farm.The group heads to Macon, Georgia where they meet a group of survivors, led by a woman named Lilly, who save them from a herd of walkers and are situated in a drugstore which Lee's parents own. The group goes into a scuffle with Lilly's father, Larry, who quickly encounters a heart attack afterwards, and requires medication from a nearby pharmacy. Another member of the group, Glenn, decides to salvage for supplies in a motel, however he is stranded in the motel, leading Lee and news reporter Carley to rescue Glenn.Glenn decides to help a stranded survivor named Irene, however Irene is revealed to be bitten and commits suicide upon taking Carley's gun. Upon returning to the drugstore, Lee comes to the conclusion that his parents were killed by walkers. Carley tells Lee that she knows Lee's past, but keeps his secret. Lee and IT technician Doug head out to find the keys of the pharmacy. Lee is forced to kill his reanimated brother in order to retrieve the keys. Upon entering, the alarm sounds, forcing the group to leave the drugstore after giving Larry medicine. Upon leaving, Lee saves either Carley or Doug from walkers, and he is knocked out by a vengeful Larry. Lee is rescued by Kenny, and the group heads to the motel for shelter.Upon hearing Atlanta is overrun by walkers, Glenn leaves the group and heads for the city in order to rescue his friends left behind. Despite finding comfortable shelter and water, the group's glimpse of hope is short-lived when electricity is suddenly shut off, and a sneak peek of Episode 2 "Starved For Help." shows and then the ending credits roll after that and Episode 1 "A New Day" finishes.

Tags: violence, murder

Review:
First off i would like to put some context into what i'm about to say; that is that I very rarely get emotional at any kind of game or movie (only ones i will openly cry at are the first 20 mins of UP and the last 30 mins of Schindler's list), i don't say this to be macho, i don't care about that, I say it so that when I say the ending to this game made me bawl my eyes out you understand the severity of the situation.
Through the first four episodes I was drawn to Clementine, not because she was a child (a particular hate of mine is using a child as a plot device without adding any character; see the walking dead t.v series for how not to write a child) but because she was a brilliantly written character, i wanted to save her.
The bond was even stronger because my character (Lee) was able to mimic rather accurately what i was feeling about the girl, making them and by proxy us feel even more connected.Throughout the final episode the stakes are raised, and they are raised high; the writers have done a brilliant job of adding a sense of impending finality to the story, things move very neatly and rapidly forward and there isn't any of the standing around looking for really annoying little things that happened in the previous episodes episodes.
The "antagonist" fits in very well with the entire theme of the game, it actually made me regret a lot of the decisions i made, and not because of what was happening but because i felt genuinely guilty.Now the finale, and what i am certain is the best ending to a game ever (and ending is something or an art-form in my opinion, something only a few writers can do convincingly) Hell even my favorite books and t.v series could learn a thing or two from this.
I don't want to spoil the end but if it doesn't reduce you to tears you have a heart of stone.All in all this game is the best character driven game I have played and I would trade every shooter, rts and whatever other game-play driven game to get one of it's calibre again..
The story that plays out is very character driven, and it is more important to interact the right way with the right person than finding a Big F_cking Gun to mow down zombies with.The protagonist: As in many other games, it is not possible to make your own character - you play as the former university teacher Lee Everett, starting out on his way to prison.
This is in some ways a weak point - the game doesn't become so much of an RPG as an interactive film, but luckily, Lee is interesting enough so you don't loose interest in him.Gameplay: Playing the game on a PC is a breeze - a lot of effort has gone into making sure you only need the movement keys and the mouse to play the game - the inventory is only accessed when needed and everything is lined up in a very straightforward way, from responses to actions.Here I should also mention that people listens to what you say (or not say in some cases) and remembers it.
This is a quite simple way of getting the player involved, especially when people starts referring to what you have said earlier.Script: Since each episode provides about 2 hours of gameplay, here is the really great strength of the game: in a very short time, you get to know the people around you, and when something happens you CARE.
The voice acting could be a little better, but it works.All in all, this is a great game and the big shame is that the first season is only five chapters long.
Many of us are familiar with the Walking Dead franchise in at least one of its mediums, so you are probably aware of its premise of the Zombie Apocalypse and the way it takes its tole on the various survivors.
You've crossed paths with numerous characters, some who've lived, some who've died, and some who simply moved on, but all the while it's been you, playing as Lee, and young Clementine keeping each other safe and whole.
This 5th and final episode of Season 1 is a such a beautifully told tale, such a perfect ending to this first season, that you will be mulling over its emotional impact for days after you've finished it.
It very much deserves these awards and should be regarded as an industry-changing game in storytelling.Simply put it follows the story of Lee Everett - a convicted murderer - when the zombie apocalypse comes crashing down on the world.
He finds an 8 year old girl called Clementine and the story follows their fight for survival while finding other survivors to go on with.I have to give this game 9 stars overall as there are a few things that unfortunately make it a little less than perfect.
The Walking Dead's story is one of the best in the gaming world by far in my opinion, and you'll hear a lot of people saying the same thing.
A lot of people focus on the Lee/Clementine aspect of it, but I personally enjoy everyone's contribution to the story equally.
The game has a fantastic at at times very emotional score.It is a choice based game.
I particularly like how it tells you what percentage of people did the same as you at the end of each episode.Cons:On my PS3 disc version of the game at least it can run a bit sticky sometimes, especially if it's been on for a while.
It makes you invest emotionally in the characters,which makes all the tough choices all the more difficult, every episode had it's standout and unique moments, whether it is the farm, Crawford etc.This game had it's great share of calm and nail-biting moments.Ending of this game is one of the best that I've seen in any media and the soundtrack complimented it greatly, just like it did for the rest of the game.In the end, this game gets easily in one of the best games I have ever played.If you like good stories, apocalypse or zombie stuff, then I highly suggest this game.
The Walking Dead is about Lee, a university professor and convicted murderer, trying to survive in a zombie-infested world.
You really start to care about these guys.Other than characters, this game also has a huge focus on choices.
But, a game like Life is Strange where your choices do matter is nowhere near as good as this.
Released at a time where the TV show The Walking Dead was the ne plus ultra, the homonymous PC/XBOX/PlayStation game didn't have an easy task with making itself a name aside of the AMC drama.
Telltale Games' used the apocalyptic world of Robert Kirkman's comic book series as the basis for their story (different characters, though) and created an unexpectedly engaging, dramatic, and relatable survival story that may not always involve great gameplay, but succeeds on so many other layers that really make it an outstanding gaming experience.Aside from three exceptions in the supporting cast, The Walking Dead has original characters with the convicted murderer Lee Everett being the one through whose perspective we play the game.
Their perilous journey also leads them to farms, drugstores, mansions, and schools while traveling per train or trailer.As you'll soon find out while playing it, The Walking Dead has its primary focus on a good story, character development, and a lot of interactions and not that much on the usual action and splatter moments.
What makes the game stand out from the mass is that it is very good in both matters and could even entertain people that are totally uninterested in video games since its style really resembles that of a TV show – we even have "Previously ons" and credits after each episode.
I do believe that the choices you make aren't resembled often enough later on, but most of that is compensated by a great story (on the same level as the TV show, I'd say, but much more engaging considering you're the protagonist) and all different kinds of intense action sequences.The game's design is very gritty, obviously to resemble a comic book look, and with that, the designers did a nice job.
Again, there is the argument that plot and characters were more important to Telltale Games and I get that, however, some stuff, i.e. slicing through a crowd of zombies in the fifth episode, was definitely too easy.If you lay more focus on gameplay, design, or sound, then you should really lower your expectations before starting to play The Walking Dead.
BUT, you should definitely start to play The Walking Dead since it really gets you hooked and invested in all the characters while never loosing the thrill a zombie apocalypse would bring with it.
Just like the comics and TV series of the same name the emphasis is on character interaction and human emotion with a backdrop of a zombie apocalypse.
While the storyline was great, and I can't wait for the next episode to become available for that very reason, the game play was nothing short of timed button mashing, and really lends very little to the overall gaming experience.
Nearly everything you say to other characters can be remembered by the person, and may present itself later in another situation, there are even times when you may have to make a choice on whose life you intend to save, it adds to the complexity of the game and in my opinion, puts the game over the edge from being a slightly above average game, to a solid "good" game.
It took quite some time before Telltale Games got their act together and fixed this, and overall, this soiled an otherwise spotless reputation, and an in other regards excellent game.The episode is in itself a good and entertaining piece, but so far actually the weakest.
The surprises are there as they should, and it is another emotional investment, but - in this episode, the game becomes a little more action oriented than previous episodes.This is not necessarily a bad thing, but shooting zombies by the dozen is nothing new - frankly, I would have preferred to keep the zombies as scares instead of enemies to kill.Characters come and go, and more so in this episode, and I think that's another low-point - TTG seems to not take care of characters properly in this episode, and that is a crying shame, especially since the characters we meet always has a personality that makes one care about them one way or another.It is however a little unfair perhaps to judge the entire franchise after four episodes - instead, it would be better to look at all the episodes together, and look at the game how it is when all the pieces are there..
The ending to this episode of The Walking Dead video game was quite possibly the most emotional and intense out of all of them.
In my honest opinion, though, it was possibly the most emotional out of any video game I have ever played.
The final episode of this season was full of many shocking events, such as Lee having the wrist of his left arm chopped off by Krista, and the emotional situation of Ben (and perhaps Kenny.) dying an over-whelming death.
Overall, Telltale Games made yet another astonishing video game, following the story of the last episodes.
Never before have I found myself so desperately caring about what happens to video game characters.
The actual ending of this game must be one of the most powerful and believable, heart-rending and shattering conclusions of all time.
I can only recommend not watching that and playing The Walking Dead in the same evening, because when it comes time to turn the lights out, you'll probably cry yourself to sleep.
Like many of the Walking Dead series (TV or Game) they always leave you wanting more and every single episode is filled with action packed events and dramatic decisions which make you think "how can they top this in their next episode" but magically they do, but if you think hard enough how will they ever make a climax to this series, an ending which will linger in our minds for time to come.
For this whole episode I felt like a hero, making sacrifices and brave decisions which could put myself in danger, I aided my friends when they were in dire need and shouted with sadness as they made sacrifices, I was split up from the group and walked as a lone man to my objective.
The whole scenario leaves the player feeling like they have left a legacy behind that you know is the one you have moulded yourself from the beginning of the game and is sad when you have to let go.
Bravo TELLTALE GAMES, this was a great final which I hope many other people can experience.
There are bad things to say like all games but some are best left unsaid as they are only minor and didn't effect my gameplay at all.
The game comes with a different set of characters to the TV show and for me that was a bonus in itself as it takes away the preconceptions that would of been there if they had used those characters.The story moves along at an easy pace with just the right amount of action to cut scene ratio to keep it interesting.Another thing I really enjoyed about episode 2 is that its not just about getting past the walkers like the 1st episode was.this had a more emotional storyline compared to the first.
But their time finally came when they created The Walking Dead.
The Walking Dead you play Lee Everett, a man who is only focused on keeping a little girl called Clementine alive.
Unlike previous incarnations, The Walking Dead offers choices that can heavily affect the game's narrative and your relationships with other people.
This game is filled with heart break and real fear as you try and survive the world of The Walking Dead.Overall this is one of the best games that has ever been released and makes us demand more from Telltale Games..
you guys have seen the walking dead TV series .and if you want to become the part of that story here is the choice .you want to feel how its like if the out break happen.this game will give you great feeling.
the graphics are amazing .give you actual looks and feel of reality .this is the game if you play for 5 minutes then you will completely hook with it .
Just like in its counterparts, the action of the video game takes places in a fictionalized version of the US-American state of Georgia.The story eventually begins with Lee Everett, university professor and the game's protagonist, sitting on the backseat of a police car and being about to be transported into a close-by prison.
In the course of action, the unequal duo comes upon more survivors and it also becomes obvious that Clementine more and more becomes the moral centre of the video game, while Lee Everett is obliged to make grave decisions that not uncommonly end up in the passing away of a popular or not so-popular character.Last but not least, the group of survivors successfully manage to reach the city Savannah, the actual vacation spot of Clementine's parents.
The video game's story finally ends up with the Lee, Clementine and the others facing the local dangers and by doing so the game kills off much-liked characters without the slightest qualm.Critique: After playing through the first of five episodes, it becomes obvious that The Walking Dead: The Game is no ordinary video game, thus not being a rather one-dimensional first-person shooter like Left 4 Dead for example (I am just drawing a comparison here as I definitely do not dislike Left 4 Dead.).
Just like in these games, gamers of The Walking Dead are able to influence the plot by making serious and sometimes unethical decisions.
In addition to that, the decisions only alter the plot on a short-term basis.It is also noteworthy that Telltale Games did not try to provide a game with high-end graphics.
All in all, these circumstances make it easy to empathize with a lot of characters.The Walking Dead's gameplay is quite simple and makes the game feel like a playable movie.
Consequently, The Walking Dead: The Game contains a gameplay that is simple and easy to operate.
The Walking Dead: The Game also proves that survival horror video games do not necessarily need a plethora of blood and overloaded action sequences.
My only point of criticism is that the decisions you make within the game do not drastically change the plot and eventually lead to a single ending.
Nonetheless, I can highly recommend this game to every gamer who enjoys playing through a really gripping and emotional story.Note: This review was originally written by me in German in 2014 - prior to the game's second season.
Being the huge walking dead fan I am (of both the comics and the tv show.) I was interested in this game when it came out, I played the game after all 5 episodes came out so I didn't have to wait.Episode 1
Overall this game is amazing all 5 episodes are good length with high quality voice acting and characters this game as far as I'm concerned is the best thing to come out of The walking dead franchise.
Only real complaint is your choices don't matter but the story makes up for that..
The best story telling video game ever.