The Walking Dead: The Game - Season 2

The Walking Dead Season 2 is a perfect example on how to make a game sequel. It captures the charm and appeal of the first game, while expanding the universe of the game, to create it's own unique story, having a completely different identity to the first season. The stakes seem to increase, and the ending has a lot more choice, which greatly improves the playing experience.

In terms of improvement to the first season, and an element which makes the 2nd season completely unique, is the choice Clementine has in terms of her loyalty to Kenny. In the first game, Lee is completely loyal to the group, and there was never a clear divide, so as a result Lee never took sides, whereas in the 2nd season there's a clear split between Kenny and the result of the group. Therefore, Clementine's loyalty is greatly tested. This makes for really interesting gameplay, as the player has to consistently choose between the 2 sides. As a result the player has more autonomy over the events of the story, something that is greatly improved from the first season. The theme of loyalty towards Kenny becomes a contentious issue, one that has the potential for a great deal of analysis.

This game's just as well made as it's predecessor. It leaves an emotional impact and the characters are well crafted and memorable. As a result the Walking Dead Season Two is a masterpiece, and one of the greatest video games on the market.

The Walking Dead season 1 was something special. A true masterpiece in storytelling and character development. It was a true 10/10, and the finale made me feel a sadness I've never before felt in a video game. So how does season two stack up in comparison?

In season one we played as Lee, doing our best to protect precious little Clementine. In the second season we play Clementine herself. The difference is that we are met with an older, more mature and independent Clementine. This season really cements her as a true protagonist, and a damn good one at that.

One of the biggest drawbacks in my opinion when it comes to the second season is that the majority of characters we meet feel like completely dead weight, unable to perform even the simplest of tasks. It seems ridiculous that a bunch of adults put all the responsibility on an 11 year old girl, but game has to game I guess. Not all characters fall into this catagory though. In fact, the second season hosts a multitude of amazing characters, that you will either end up loving or hating depending on how you play. In my opinion season two gives us THE most complex character in the entire universe, and I'm not talking about Clementine. It also has arguably the greatest villain in the entire Walking Dead universe.

The early part revolves around getting to know new characters, and being introduced to old ones as well. The later half of the game focuses on a sort of rivalry between different characters, and you as the player has to choose which side you are on. The ending (depending on how you play it) is again very emotional, and though it's hard to replicate the impact of the first seasons ending, in my opinion it got pretty close. I won't tell you which ending I got, but I will say that it involved a hard to swallow good bye that was absolutely excellent.

Season one introduced us to a young girl, that we would die to protect. Season two gave us a development in Clementine that is hard to accomplish. She is still a young little girl, but a fierce survivor that beyond all else tries to navigate the moral dilemmas she is faced with. It's hard to create a character that the player really connects with, but TellTale has gone beyond that with Clementine. I felt a responsibility and admiration I've never felt for a character in a video game ever. In my book Clementine is the greatest video game heroine of all time, and season two is pretty damn close to the masterpiece that was season one.

A "just about good" and particularly "dark" follow up to an unmatched emotional first season. Though it was no way near as excellent as its predecessor, but it wasn't as good as a die hard fan might want it to be. Maybe due to expectations or hype! Clem isn't a cheerful and innocent child any more, she is now a veteran survivor and a mature girl willing to make hard choices. It's understandable due to what she's been through for the first five episodes.

The group of survivors she meets on her way is very much similar to previous Kenny and group, so nothing new there. But these characters fail to be as memorable as the previous bunch. Maybe they will as the season progresses. This season promises to be even more darker, intense and brutal than the previous one.

All That Remains did feel predictable, maybe because we all know the format rather well by now. Yes! the build and story line is all very nostalgic, but one feels that the choices given are not fair as their could be other alternative. I better not spoil it by quoting examples, but I certainly can say that in Season 1 if one had to make a choice then the choices given to us are the most probable of what we would have actually thought. Whereas, the effect of our choices still remains good, as the major choices seem to; and probably will effect the future episodes, as one may relate from the Episode 2 trailer at the end.

Another Letdown is, the decisions from the previous season do not stand of least importance. Even if you haven't yet completed the first season, the game will generate your choices randomly. I am hoping that we see at least some impact of our decisions from season one and 400 Days in the coming episodes.

Coming to character development, well there wasn't much of screen space for anyone except Clem. Where the first Season had a high level of "Character Attachment" due to excellent character development and "character speech" options where we could interact with the character with a wide variety questions, this season clearly lacked it. But I am more than sure it will come i the coming episode. All that Remains was mostly about survival. Clem being the protagonist and the playable character has her character traits in our hand. The player might make her a heartless rather self catering young girl who trusts no one and will try to survive no matter what the cost, or one might shape her a kind but mature girl who wants to survive badly but cares for other living too. But in any case she is now prepared for anything.

The game does offer some good and shocking moments, the dog scene being my favorite and most shocking. Where Lee lead from the front and established himself as a leader of the group, Clem probably will have to fend off others.

Now the game-play, being a story based game, there isn't much for gamers. Just like the first season it is a "tailored by choices" game rather than a kill kill kill zombie game. Playing the PC version I missed the "Scroll" option which provided a lot of ease in selecting the action.

Direction/Animation/Graphics: Outstanding! Flawless.

Story/Screenplay: Great.

Music: Superb. To my surprise their is a nice credit song.

All in all a strong start to what is going to be a great season 2. Though extremely short, as I played it through one sitting. I'm pretty sure it is only going to get better!

The graphics, voice acting, character development, and sound are spot on. This is expected given the success of the first and increased budget.

The failing of this game is pacing and writing. Falling down or jump scares are cheap plot devices sprinkled throughout your gaming experience. Instead of just telling a good story you're forced into nonsense "action" sequences that are so clunky and poorly made it would make even Ubisoft cringe.

This is all in stark contrast to the first game. Which had clear cut game mechanics that were easy to understand and well explained when they weren't. You can really tell the devs dropped the ball on this one for the sake of cash grabbing.

Edit: Had to come back and really hammer home the poor mechanics. From one QuickTime cut scene to another the problem persists. They can't make the mechanics clear or change them so dramatically that you have to replay the same scene over and over.

Poorly made game. Devs should be ashamed of themselves for yet another abortion of a once great franchise.

After watching the release trailer of "In Harm's Way" I was expecting already an excellent episode considering the way the previous one ended and, damn it, I was completely blown away! Congratulations to Telltale for creating a great and credible antagonist. I was so angry and so frustrated with Carver that all I wanted to do was to make him suffer.

I always believed Clementine had always a small dark side inside her and this episode confirms my suspicious. The Walking Dead Season 2: Episode 3 - "In Harm's Way" can show you a darker and vengeful Clementine where we can witness it during her talk with Carver and the last scene with Kenny in the end of the episode.

Overall, don't lose this episode because this is Telltale at their best and the ending is so bad-ass that that it will make you want to play the 4th episode right away! It's a pity that we have to wait 1/2 month(s)