Walking Dead Episode 3: “Long Road Ahead” Review

Game Reviewed: The Walking Dead: The Game Episode Three

Release Date: August 27, 2012

Developer: Telltale Games

Publisher: Telltale Games

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

Genre: Adventure

Rated: M for Mature

It’s natural to believe that episodic games will start off good, maybe progress a bit later and eventually fall off the rocker. But it’s fair to say that TellTale has figured out a way to continuously dodge that bullet as they soar above all with the Walking Dead Video Game.

Episode three, the “Long Road Ahead” takes another bizarre turn, where some people can’t be trusted. The group that you’ve grown to love and hate at the same time has a thief resting among the pack. How can you handle yourself and the “Long Road Ahead?”

This episode kicks off with an insane decision of letting a girl die by zombies or your bullet. She’s been bitten already, so it simply questions your compassion. It only goes up from there with more twist than the first two seasons of AMC’s Walking Dead.

There was a moment in this episode where I literally trembled based on the rash decision I had to make. There’s also plenty of Holy Moly situations, but this one just takes the cake.  One will continue enjoy how each character holds on to your every decision, causing it to bite you on the butt if you don’t remember what you’ve said since episode one.

One difference that must be expressed is the gunfight between you and a couple of bandits. Well technically more than a few. Here and in a few other key moments the game begins to freeze up or lag. It was the first time I also raged, as I felt I’d get shot from the continuing audio and voiceovers but freeze up of visual gameplay.

Another off portion was where Duck was in his mom’s arms. He disappeared and she kept form. Duck coughed here and there, but there was no Duck. But just thinking of a mother’s bond with her child and where it go in this story is beyond any game most have played in the past several years.

You’ll meet a few people along the way and even watch Clementine squeeze a  few rounds off as you continue to move towards safety and Clem insisting on her parents being found.

I really don’t know how TellTale is doing this, but I’m always on the edge of my seat with each and every episodic release. This is truly a title worth more than its price point and that could extend beyond the planned 5 episodes and not lose a single member within its fan base.

If for some reason you haven’t played episode one or two, both previously the best on XBOX Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, you’re sadly missing out.

The Scores

Gameplay: 4.75/5

Visuals: 4/5

Audio: 4.5/5

Controls: 4.75/5

Value: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Click Here to Read Episode One: “A New Day” Review

Click Here to Read Episode Two: “Starved For Help” Review