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.

What I'm Playing 29/04/12

It has been a while since my last update to the plethora of games that lay before me incomplete. So I thought it was about time that I gave a little insight to the laundry list of games I aim to complete relatively soon.

First up is the latest instalment to the Elder Scrolls Franchise, yup Skyrim. Although it has been out for several months I haven't quite mustered up the courage to plunder the depths,dungeons and ditches of Skyrim. It might be a bit too late to capture the inital excitement of setting up my own little trading business in alchemy but hopefully the DLC will bring a breath of fresh air and entice me once more.

Next up is yet another popular RPG. I have recently bought The Witcher 2 and I am totally engrossed in the story. I feel it is definitely one of the few games you can truly believe the hype with. Every choice has its consequences and you are pulled between tough choices along the way. I really look forward to delving right in and see how dark the story can be.

Slowly dragging myself away from RPGs with japanese grindfest may not be the best idea but the allure of another "Warriors" game is just too great. On the plate this time around is the ever so appetising Warriors Orochi 3. I personally feel that these games combine the best from Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors without compromising either playstyle. With a step up in story and a lot more characters I have found myself dedicating far too much time to the slaughtering of thousands of snake like warriors.

I've also got Armored Core on back up in case the countless hordes of warriors doesn't quite satisfy my need to grind. This is where I can indulge in even more grinding and with endless customisation to boot. So far ACV is the best looking in the series and has loads of online possibilities from creating a clan of Mecha-Warriors to help in your missions or fight 5v5 in an all out robo-war.

Next up is Skullgirls, a charming fighter from Reverge Labs. As it is only an arcade title you wouldn't expect the game to have such a massive impact on what I have been playing but it has and in the best of ways at that. I cannot tell you how much fun I have had with the game, it is best played with friends but if you can convince them to buy it is a lot of fun. With slick visuals and a unique cast it has been a delight to lose countless hours in first to 50s and play in to the wee hours of the night. 

And finally the newest edition to the collection is The Walking Dead. The game truly sticks to the feel and art of the comics, with interesting dialogue and truly human decisions it begs for countless play throughs. Although I can't give much insight as of yet I can't wait to fire it back up and start to develop my own zombie survival plan.

So that is the long and short of what I am really playing just now but as with any gamer there is even more anxiously fighting for some screen time in my pile of shame. I guess they might just have to wait a little longer.