The Walking Dead Episode One Review

Game Reviewed: The Walking Dead: The Game Episode One

Release Date: April 27th, 2012

Developer: Telltale Games

Publisher: Telltale Games

Platform: [Reviewed: Xbox 360], PlayStation 3, PC

Genre: Adventure

Rated: M for Mature

The Walking Dead is just about every zombie-lover’s favorite television series. Robert Kirkman’s thoughts have come to life through his comics, and now rewritten for gamers to interact with thrilling interactive moments. The Walking Dead is developed by Telltale Games, the same studio that released Back to the Future and Jurassic Park, just to name a few. Presented as an episodic adventure, this is part one, “A New Day.”

After completing Episode one of the Walking Dead, my brain still cannot step away from the excitement! In the Walking Dead, you play as Lee Everett on your way to jail for murder when all goes to hell. After being knocked unconscious from a car wreck and coming to your senses, you encounter your first walker. Upon killing the walker, hearing the sound from a distance, is 8 year old Clementine.

As far as arcade titles go, I’ve never felt as drawn into each character as I did in the Walking Dead. There’s literally more suspense than the AMC TV show itself. Lee grows throughout the story keeping friends close, but Clementine closer. You also have to make some serious, game-changing  choices throughout the episode. For example, choosing whom you’d rather help survive, knowing that you just lead the other to meet their maker.

In addition, you  have to be cautious of what you say and who you say it to. Witch each decision that’s made, other characters tend to remember. Make sure that it’s a lasting impression, as decisions and choices made will stretch over to the upcoming episodes. It’s signs of similarity from Heavy Rain or Indigo Prophecy from Quantic Dreams where the direction of the story is ultimately affected based on actions.

Graphics look straight from a comic book, with an on-edge experience to compliment. Audio was extremely believable with the perfect music score defining the story as it progressed, whether the scene was intense or calm and mellow.

Controls couldn’t be any easier as all that is required is the navigation or left analogue for movement and your d-pad/face buttons for decision making. The right analogue helps you migrate over characters and objects.

Replay value is incredibly high with the fact that any decision entirely changes the stories final outcome. You can completely lie to cover your story or be a hard ass to everyone you interact with (if choices allow that is).

There is truly an unprecedented amount of fun to have playing the first episode of the Walking Dead. Just knowing that it came from Telltale means that great things are to come. A lot of dedication went into the development, and shows to have paid off. These has to be by far their biggest title ever. Anyone familiar with the series or just wanting to play one of the best games available right now on XBLA, PSN or PC, this is a true investment.

The Scores

Gameplay: 4.5/5

Visuals: 4.5/5

Audio: 5/5

Controls: 4.75/5

Value: 4.75/5

Overall Rating: 4.75/5