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The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - Season Two
PC (Steam)
Growing Up Fast, Harsh Lessons in a Dead World
4/5 stars
When Telltale Games released the original Walking Dead in 2012, it was a success - both in terms of the attention it received (numerous game-of-the-year awards and such) and in terms of how it resonated with gamers - including myself. While it borrowed elements, mostly from the graphic novel (including a few characters common to TV show and comic), it was very much its own story. Lee Everett, a man facing a troubled future after a crime of passion, is saved from jail only to find himself in a world overrun with the living dead. But he finds a reason to live when he comes across a girl named Clementine, left behind after her parents go on vacation and her babysitter becomes one of the many walking dead. They encounter many people - good people, bad people, people trying to survive - and they themselves must make some difficult decisions. That is why the game worked - it didn't sugarcoat things, this was a dark, emotional journey - you connected with both the characters and story - and that's is something I don't find in nearly enough games.
Of course there was a sequel announced - but how could Telltale followup such a tour de force - while Walking Dead: Season Two may not quite reach the stratospheric heights of the original, it still has that punch - and the emotional journey continues. If you played the original, this sequel is a worthy successor and will leave you with that same feeling - the world is dangerous, dark and often quite evil place... but there is always hope.
Presentation: Like the original, Telltale uses a semi-comic feel, like a living graphic novel. The style worked the first time around and this time it feels just a bit more polished. And (as far as I know) this time around there aren't any game-breaking bugs - so that's a step in the right direction.
The vocal talent is just as good this time around as well. With the focus firmly planted around Clementine, Melissa Hutchison is put through the paces - but she does an excellent job. She's a year older, and, thanks to the use of a well-timed flashback, you can tell the difference she put into her performance form a rather innocent and somewhat naive/sweet girl into a more jaded, grounded and even adult character. That's what happens when you are forced to grow up - and it shows. The rest of the cast - both newcomers and some old friends - likewise do a great job. The script is still quite strong, and the vocal case does an excellent job selling it.
You also have to hand it to Telltale - both the music which closes each chapter, the sound effects (especially the various zombies) and even the ambient stuff all works - for essentially an adventure game (with a few quick-time elements), you could easily skimp on the extraneous stuff, but they do the opposite - and it shows.
Story: (SOME SPOILERS AHEAD) The game picks up a few months after the events in the Walking Dead. The supplementary "400 Days" add-on serves as a bridge (and the characters to carry over - most in simple cameo appearances, but one, Bonnie, has a pretty significant role). Clementine is the focus of this season and, at the beginning, she is with the only two survivors from her original group - the perpetually happy Omid and his obviously pregnant wife Christa. But by the time the opening credits roll, this group is broken - Omid is gone and Christa, sans child, looks like she's a hairsbreadth away from giving up - her only hope is to head to the cold North, where Wellington is - a community that survives while the cold staves off the dead... supposedly. But even this group finds itself split when bandits arrive. Clementine finds herself with a new group - one with some major trust issues - and after a vicious dog bite, she is locked up, to make sure she isn't about to turn. Thus begins her new journey - the story isn't simple.
A man named "Carver" has history with the group - not pleasant, and it a hovering threat. When they decided to head North, in hopes of escaping him, they come across a ski lodge - and Clementine runs into an old friend she thought dead. But this reunion is likewise short lived as Carver catches up with them and takes them all back to his base (A Home Depot-esque store-turned fortress/jail). Carver runs things with an iron fist and isn't afraid to get his point across with murder, beatings and such. Escape is the order of the day - and eventually the group, a few members heavier, makes a plan - a plan which, of course, does not go off without a hitch. But with Carver behind them, the group has a new issue - each other - one of their group is pregnant, another is a young girl who can barely function, you have female loner who is strong but may leave the group at any time as she sees fit and several people who are injured. The group is fractured, leading to some questionable decisions - some which will have major repercussions and the gut-punch of an ending, while not quite as momentous as the original game, still leaves you with an incredibly tough choice. All in all, the story is solid - injecting some very light and even humorous moments but still making you decide on some very heavy subjects.
Gameplay: I stand by my description that this a "choose-your-own adventure" for adults. The choices you make will often decide who lives or dies - some short-term, some with lasting affects on the entire game. Other decisions (including staying silent) will paint a much different picture of Clementine. You can make her out to be a sullen, and downright mean and jaded almost too-adult - or you can make her a (somewhat) more cheerful and trusting character. That's the route I went, and I'm fine with that. The game offers the same quick-time events the first had - mash button A to get away/hold off/stab that guy - move left, right, down or up to escape certain death. And, on occasion, fire your handgun to hold off an impending zombie horde (for a bit). You also have a few areas where you can explore - look around, examine various objects, talk to people - I don't think there are quite as many as the first game (at least it didn't feel that way) but there were enough of each of these type of experience to give the gave the same varied and never dull experience as the original game.
Replayability: Lots - differing people to save, different dialogue choices and even a whole different ending if you choose. If this game carries over (and why wouldn't it) this is one that would be fine to redo - each episode takes about an hour, so it wouldn't be tough.
Overall: A great followup to one of the most satisfying and emotional games this generation. It's just not possible to reach the same level as the original, but Telltale should be happy they even got close and I can't wait to see what they bring for Season 3 (coming 2015 - not soon enough if you ask me).
Presentation: 4/5
Story: 4.5/5
Gameplay: 4/5
Replayability: 4/5
Overall (not an average): 4/5
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