Sulphur on 4/9/2012 at 08:39
I'm of the opinion this deserves an actual thread, not to be dumped in the gloppy stew of 'What Are You Playing' where it's given a cursory glance and left behind.
For the uninitiated, it's an episodic release based on the Robert Kirkman comics and not the reportedly mediocre TV show, which I have no interest in watching. It's not a re-telling of the comics, though - it's based in the same universe, but the story is new. We're up to three episodes now, each one lasts about 2-3 hours, give or take. Keep in mind that these are ostensibly adventure games, but only with the occasional puzzle, nothing too taxing. It's all about navigating the story, really. And also the choices you make, some of which have ramifications across the episodes; it's a through-line that's visible across the entire narrative. I'm a bit too tired right now to rewrite what I've already written about it, so allow me to quote myself:
Quote Posted by "Sulphur"
To wit, I am incredibly happy that I bought Telltale's take on The Walking Dead. Just started on Episode 1. The writing is good, which is the most important part. I find I've come to care about Lee and the characters around him, and it's been a long, long, looooong time since a game's been able to do that for me. It helps that most of these people seem to be written as people, including a child who's written as an actual child, not some idiot's shallow perspective of kids as experienced at Walmart when they're as horrifically annoying as nails scraping on chalkboard.
It's unflinching in subject matter, and it's thoughtful in terms of small details; it's not brave, but it's well-put together. It's a bit buggy and the controls are shonky in terms of action elements and otherwise, but the story really is the biggest draw. I'm finding myself compelled to keep playing.
The same is true of Episode 2, which was well-written but lacking in the small moments that made the big ones such a punch to the face when they happened. Episode 3, though, is on par with 1 so far, probably even
better in many respects. I said Episode 1 wasn't brave; well, 3 proves me ever so slightly wrong. The story's twists and turns are executed with deft writing and almost perfect voice parts for the principals. Some might think it's a bit too on the nose or overly dramatic in places, but I think the tone's just right.
Like Angel Dust said in our perennially popular megathread, it's really hard to believe that this is from Telltale, who've been doing family friendly and bland for so long. No one would have believed they had the stones to do grim and unflinching along with real character writing until this came along. I'm bloody impressed.
I wish there were a PC demo, but it's only out on the PS3 and 360 so far. Suffice to say if you're interested in narrative-led experiences, you should take the plunge. In my opinion, it's been worth the money we've paid for it already.
Briareos H on 4/9/2012 at 09:02
I agree with your perception of the episodes so far. The story of Episode 2 was exciting and more visceral than Episode 1 but too confined and the gameplay too linear for its own good. Episode 3 strikes the perfect balance of story, emotional investment and exploration mechanics (plus a manshooting mini-game) from both episodes. More of this please. It was really funny to see people arguing and agreeing on the TTG forums that Ep.3 was the worst because they didn't want X or Y to happen, meaning that the game was absolutely successful at writing believable human interactions, polarizing and involving players in ways I didn't expect. Besides the fact that the monthly delivery which was promised at first never came -- which is absolutely no surprise considering this is telltale -- I've been consistently surprised and entertained by the series.
Muzman on 4/9/2012 at 10:08
Quote Posted by Sulphur
For the uninitiated, it's an episodic release based on the Robert Kirkman comics and not the reportedly mediocre TV show
My interest depends on it being far superior to both, which most impressions I've encountered have led me to believe. That's still true right?
Thirith on 4/9/2012 at 10:32
I've bought the pack on Steam but will wait until they're all out.
Angel Dust on 4/9/2012 at 10:38
Heh, I was just about to make a thread for this myself because it really is fantastic and it's quietly becoming a true game-of-the-year contender. Great writing, voice acting and direction, it's only really let down by technical issues like the animation being a bit clunky and hot spots detection being a bit spotty at times. I don't see the fact that the puzzle/game elements are on the light and easy as a negative; I've got plenty of games to play with deep, meaty game play so it's nice to kick back and enjoy a 3 hour chunk of absorbing narrative. I would say that Episode 3 was the best yet, with its putting the focus back on the group dynamics. Some shocking developments and it's really upped the stakes for future episodes. I love how Telltale have let Ben live; having a character that pitiful and useless live when so many more worthy have died, is the kind of ballsy move we don't often see in game writing.
Overall, the way the series has approached narrative choice is the smartest I've yet seen in a game and I like that it's not always about choosing what happens. You're just one man, in a group of strong and varied personalities, so you don't have God-like control over everything that happens but you can always choose how you respond to what does, with this having a lasting impact on how characters, most importantly Clem, view you. Three episodes in and my feelings for characters like Kenny, are pretty damn complicated.
I've also not watched the TV series or read any of the comics so don't let that be a barrier to you.
Sulphur on 5/9/2012 at 05:00
Quote Posted by Muzman
My interest depends on it being far superior to both, which most impressions I've encountered have led me to believe. That's still true right?
I've only read the first issues, and I can safely tell you that it's a whole lot better than the strangely paced 28 Days Later rip-off the first volume seems to be.
henke on 5/9/2012 at 05:16
Quote Posted by Sulphur
the reportedly mediocre TV show
Where do you get your info from? Dethtoll? Because pretty much everyone else thinks the show is good.
I don't wanna read too much of this thread, cause I don't want even minor spoilers for what's about to come. Just played the first episode for an hour and a half or so last night, made it to the pharmacy. I love how the characters are modeled, painted and animated. It gets across feelings and emotions in a way that games trying to go for photorealism often fail at. The dialogues are also often pretty tense, but they don't feel like a minefield the way LA Noire, for example, does. You can always sorta guess how people will respond to your comments/answers.
june gloom on 5/9/2012 at 05:18
if everyone else jumped off a bridge, etc.
Sulphur on 5/9/2012 at 05:43
Quote Posted by henke
Where do you get your info from? Dethtoll? Because pretty much everyone else thinks the show is good.
Heh, just the general comments in CommChat and elsewhere. It isn't just dethy. I also have a friend who's a pretty reliable gauge of shallow crap: everything he likes, I generally don't. He seems to think The Walking Dead's okay, so... welp.
yes i'm a jerk, can we get on with talking about the game instead
henke on 5/9/2012 at 08:47
First off, I don't mind shallow crap as long as it's entertaining(watching True Blood right now), but Walking Dead really isn't shallow crap. There's some great character development in it, and characters often come into situations where there's really no right way of dealing with the situation. It's pretty much the same things that make the game good that make the tv show good.
