LogFAQs > #920988978

#33: The Walking Dead

Parenthood (and let's be honest, more specifically, fatherhood) has slowly emerged as a major theme in gaming. I suppose this is reflective of the average gamer as time marches onward. Telltale's The Walking Dead was the first I experienced that honed in on this theme. It was their first breakout hit, as well as the lightning in a bottle the studio tried to recapture until its dying day.

Summarized and abbreviated, you play as the most reasonable, yet practical, man in the universe caring for his adoptive daughter in the zombie apocalypse, and I'll let you fill in the blanks as far as what that entails. the game certainly isn't afraid to take emotional cheap shots. But not everything is cheap- the game builds your relationship with the other character/s naturally, and the scenarios are fairly grounded while being almost fairy-tale worthy. The humor is muted and good, a rarity in gaming.

They did have one eyeroll-worthy misstep early in the final chapter, but I suppose it just goes to show how well everything else was written.

The Walking Dead was the first successful 'modern' adventure game- that is, a glorified choose your own adventure book. There's nothing in the way of gameplay aside from some rushed decisions and scenarios, and I suppose that's fine. I've complained so many times about stupid puzzles or 'moon logic', and thankfully, that's not here. Somewhat unfortunately, they couldn't replace it with anything better than quicktime events, semi-timed 'pick up the item and use it' and 'help A or help B' scenarios.

It's a good thing all of the above is amazing, because the engine is absolutely awful. The PS3 would chug and fail to render basic quicktime events, and the graphics weren't even good for the time! I'm lucky to have played it on PC, where my comparatively high-end hardware was able to chug along and overpower the engine's core weakness.

The choices don't affect as much as you expect, so I could see someone being disappointed. But if you go in realizing people aren't going to make 2^36 endings for a game you'll enjoy the ride.

And do NOT look up spoilers. Do NOT look up sequels. I kind of dislike how that can influence peoples' choices, especially on a first playthrough. It'll be fine. Just play it and come back later.

Realize that they made multiple direct sequels (seasons 2, 3, maybe 4?) that weren't very good, and what little they sold was purely nostalgia for the first season.

I debated how to order The Walking Dead and Life is Strange, but not for very long. LiS is miles ahead technically and the time traveling gameplay meshes well with understanding the ramifications of choices as a teenager, but TWD hits harder and brings gravity by tying choices well with the responsibility of parenthood. For some reason that feels like it elevates the game. Everyone should play TWD S1 once.
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You did indeed stab me in the back. However, you are only level one, whilst I am level 50. That means I should remain uninjured.