The Walking Dead: Episode 2 Review
[spoiler name="The Walking Dead Information"]Developer(s) By: TellTale Games
Publisher(s) By: TellTale Games
Rated: “M’ for Mature
Price: 400 MSP, $5
Release Date: June 27, 2012 (XBLA) Jun2 19, 2012 (PSN, PC, Mac)
Platform(s): XBLA, PSN, PC, MAC [/spoiler]
Well, after surprising us with the awesomeness that was “A New Day,” can TellTale keep up the action in episode two, “Starved for Help”? Let’s pull up a chair and find out what is in store for Lee and company in the second episode of The Walking Dead Game.
Episode two opens three months after the end of episode one with your party now doing what they can to survive both physically and mentally. With supplies running short, the group must now hunt to get what they need. Unfortunately on this particular hunting trip, things go a bit off the beaten path. Once again, decisions made in this episode will influence how other characters act towards you in the following episode. This time, TellTale lets you know early that the kiddy gloves are off once again and aren’t likely to be back, ever. We must also take into perspective that this is only the second part of a five part narrative. As such, we will be waiting with baited breath for part three, “Long Road Ahead” to find out what happens after the storm passes (figuratively and literally).
Once again, the control setup is the same as before with context-sensitive usage of the controller face buttons and much more frequent use of action sequences as the fight to survive against the odds becomes much more frantic. However as usual, you will find the lack of camera control a bit frustrating as the game’s pathfinding does sometimes leave a bit to be desired when it comes to getting Lee around the screens.
In the graphics department, the game continues to hold true to the comic book style from the first game while at the same time ratcheting up the blood and gore meter this time to 11. From chopping off body parts to crushing skulls, the viscera looks great and makes you almost wish for instant replay, even if it is gory as Hades. The sound department even stepped up to the plate to give these visuals the extra audible punch (or crunch, as it may be) that they need to drive the story home and even pull you deep into the scene. Even the aforementioned storm feels like you are standing out in the rain as the thunder rumbles around you. Once again, the voice acting is top-notch, giving the characters the emotional range that drives the story home.
If this series is a roller-coaster, episode one was that first hill that launches you after giving you your first good look at the rest of the track from the inside, and episode two can only really be described as the “loop-de-loop” that ties your stomach in knots (sorry, minor spoiler there!) but still leaves you rushing towards the next trick on the track that is episode three. Can TellTale keep the great pace of this story running as we hit the next episode? Only time will tell, so stay tuned, Adventure Fans!
This review was based on the PSN version of the game. A review code was provided.
About the Author
Charlie Johnson I’ve been gaming since the NES days and have played a huge assortment of games over the years. I play all sorts of games, especially RPGs (I’ve played EVERY Final Fantasy game made, even Mystic Quest). I’ve pretty much owned everything from the NES up to the latest generation of systems. I even play PC games! It’s a wonder sometimes that things get done around here at all! Geez, I think I even LOOK like a true nerd! In all seriousness though, I’m here to have some fun doing what I love and giving you good folks the most honest reviews that I can.
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