The Walking Dead Episode 1: A New Day Review

Had enough of brain dead games and want to sink your teeth into a meatier, darker game? Well look no further than The Walking Dead. This nail biting action gem is an episodic game from Telltale games. The Walking Dead is a downloadable episodic series that has started with episode 1; A New Day, the episodes will be released monthly thereafter to a total of 5 games and a plethora of tense situations.

The Walking Dead started as a comic book back in late 2003 and gathered a cult following who fell in love with the gritty storyline and dark tone. Since then the comic book has shot to fame with a TV series and now a game.

Unlike both the comics and TV series, The Walking Dead focuses on a different group of survivors. More specifically the game focuses on one man in particular, Lee Everett. Lee is a convicted criminal on his way to the state penitentiary until an accident leaves him stranded in the woods amidst a the coming zombie apocalypse. Lee looks for shelter and finds a small girl by the name of Clementine who set out and try to survive in the new harsh world forming around them. The story is strong and you feel invested in the outcome of every situation, you will feel yourself struggling to put the remote down and will go back for more once you have seen the first set of outcomes.

 

Graphically the games is what every comic book fan dreams of. Although the game is not in black and white the cel-shaded art style and almost hand drawn feel brings the game to life. You will find yourself in awe of the zombie lying on the ground in front as you mash it’s brains to tiny pieces with a blunt object and stunned by the atmosphere that is created just by the visuals alone.

The atmosphere is enhanced by the astounding dialogue and the realistic soundtrack. You will find yourself hard pushed to accept the game hasn’t been made by Robert Kirkman himself. Each conversation weighs heavy on your conscience and you will start to form alliances with your favourite characters along the way.

The game is reminiscent of Telltale’s Jurassic park game (which has unfortunately not made it to XBLA yet) in which the majority of it is made from point and click adventure and dialogue choices. That’s not to say there aren’t any quick time events but most of the game will be based in the exploration of story and the perfectly dramatic choices you are forced to make.

 

The Walking Dead is a great experience for those who are massive fans of the franchise and a great point and click adventure for those looking to try something different on the XboxLive Marketplace. You will find countless hours of fun acting as the hostile convict or the wrongfully accused while crossing paths with some very familiar faces. Great things have yet to come for The Walking Dead and for a price of 400msp there really is no reason to not pick up such a unique and exciting game.