The Walking Dead – Season Two Episode 1 – All That Remains Game Review
By Christopher Jester
Developer: TellTale Games
Publisher: TellTale Games
Distributor: Skybound Entertainment
Writer: Nick Breckon
Engine: TellTale Tool
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Playstation Vita
Release Date: December 17, 2013 (PC), December 18, 2013 (PS3, Xbox 360)
Several months have passed since Clementine set out on her own after the end of TellTale’s The Walking Dead Season One. With the first season coming to an emotional climax, the story picks up with a prologue that leaves the players just as morose, as it paints a picture of the world that Lee was preparing Clementine for. That is what “All That Remains” stand for. There is little left but a desolate battle for survival. This first episode begs to ask, is this what it means to live in this world now?
In “All That Remains” players control Clementine, the young girl from season one is now the protagonist and many of the lessons learned from that season carry over into this season. She remembers her experiences and many of them have shaped her to become the tough survivor that is displayed in this particular episode. While some of the choices from the previous season are obvious, it is the subtle hints in some of the dialogue choices that showcase that those decisions does and will have an effect on the ongoing story.
Gameplay does not change much from its predecessor. It is still a graphical point-and-click adventure, and it works just like season one. For newcomers this interactive adventure gives a brief overview of the controls which is simple but effective for this type of game. What is so interesting about The Walking Dead is that combined with its excellent storytelling, the limited variability of controls does not restrict how much the player feels like they are in control. It could be because TellTale forces the player to make choices that seemingly matter. With only a few seconds, in some instances just moments, these quick time events are nail biters and harrowing when in the context of life and death.
The theme of The Walking Dead is still ever apparent. There are numerous threats, and it is not just from the walkers. Ironically, this time as Clementine, the player has to decide whether to keep her innocence or follow the lessons that Lee attempted to teach her from the previous chapters. Instead of just forcing you to adopt Lee’s teachings. TellTale still gives the player a choice on whether to begin anew or to follow the path that Clementine had been coached. What makes this so interesting is the number of challengers she faces. Not only is there the danger of walkers, but with very few friends, Clementine is forced to trust in new characters whose motives are unbeknownst to her.
Therein lies the mystery. While some may criticize “All That Remains” from being a bit too subtle in the motives of the new characters, the point is there has to be some things that are unknown. In a world such as this, everyone has some secret or a past that haunts them. Revealing everything too early would spoil the overarching plot of this season. This may hinder the theme of this episode in some ways, but it already feels evident that the payoff will be worth it in a few episodes into this season.
In the end it is Clementine’s story this time around. The decisions the player make will shape the world around her and how other characters feel about her. Do not get it wrong however. While this is about a young girl, the game itself is very adult in nature. Gore gets quite heavy quickly in this season, as there are a couple of moments that are cringe-worthy and for those who are weak of the stomach, they may have to perform a gut check.
But at the end of the day, The Walking Dead is most profound because of its writing. It always has been, and in the case of “All That Remains” it succeeds. It does not succeed by a wide margin, but likely because this is only the first episode; they have to save some of the goods for the last few episodes. Yet, the exhilarating part about The Walking Dead is how it makes you feel as a player. Does deciding on performing a mercy kill make you feel bad or does it make it feel sad? Does giving hints to a mean character that you know her secret a sense of mischievousness or one of guilt? Now that is where The Walking Dead succeeds the most. And if this is the just beginning of what they are bringing, players will sure have a lot to look forward to.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While The Walking Dead may not have broken into a new story that is exciting and ground-breaking yet, it does continue the journey of Clementine with enough fervor to not disappoint fans of the series. The strength still remains in the choices made by the player and how it resonates onto you as that player. The world is just as daunting and frightful, but pulls the player along with the interest of knowing what will become of their beloved Clementine. The Walking Dead, Season Two: Episode 1 – All That Remains is a good first episode that is just the appropriate prologue to what could become a great season.
PunchDrunkGamer.com Score: 8 out of 10
[hana-flv-player video=”http://videos.punchdrunkgamer.com/videos/The_Walking_Dead_Season_2_Episode_1_All_That_Remains.flv”
width=”560″
height=”420″
description=”The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 1 All That Remains Trailer”
player=”4″
autoload=”true” autoplay=”false”
loop=”false” autorewind=”false”
/]
Follow Christopher “sLapDatSuCKa” Jester on Twitter @sLapDatSuCka
Post your comments directly below! You can also discuss the latest MMA and Video Game News in the PunchDrunkGamer Forums and don’t forget to Follow PDG on Twitter @PunchDrunkGamer and Like the PDG Official Facebook Page!
