The awaited sequel to arguably Telltale’s best ever work ‘The Walking Dead’ has finally arrived in the form of The Walking Dead: Season 2. Again released in an episodic format, we now control Clementine and are thrust once more into a desolate, bleak and almost hopeless world where moral choices are amplified to great consequences.
The game kicks off with Clementine in the partnership of her former comrades, Omid and Christa. The concentration is heavy on narrative and even from the very get go there are strong consequential events that occur. Choices play a crucial role in where the story will go, much like the last game. This time how ever Telltale seem to be making an attempt at pushing that power ever forward. Decisions are tough to make even in the opening sequences and they don’t ever really die down. You’ll be faced with multiple instances of decision making and you’re only given seconds to choose. To some this may seem a tough thing to overcome, especially those who like to experience everything a game has to offer. For those I say, try to ignore that urge and simply go with the flow – embrace that approach and the game will reward you greatly.
Story-wise the game lays the groundwork to what will hopefully be an interesting tale told in the coming episodes but for now it’s a little short on context and big on setup. After the opening events the episode takes us on a journey through the open woods. Simmering with that ever present feeling of danger the Walking Dead always manages to instil on it’s audience. This presence is made ever greater with the fact that you are now controlling Clementine on her own. In a way you feel a little helpless while also feeling like you could dart off into the nearest bush hideaway at the slightest hint of danger. It’s a different feel to the first game where guns were always at the wayside and in a way it’s a more engrossing feel. We follow the story of Clem on her lonesome struggling to find food, supplies and anything else that may help her. This first half of the game really creates a sense of total desperation.
The second part of the game introduces us to a host of new characters, some recurring from the ‘400 Days’ add on of the first game. I’m not 100% sure if the characters change based on how you played that episode but the game would certainly indicate it. Once again the game flexes its muscles in the strength of it’s characters. There’s a great Ying and Yang to all of them. Characters like the pregnant Rebecca seem to sit firmly on the ‘against you’ side of the fence although you’re never quite sure what way she is going to swing next. There is also a sprinkling of backstory to all who are here. The young Sarah a girl of around Clementine’s age seems to have been guarded against the horrors of the world outside leading to an interesting conversion with her father Carlos. This conversation sets the tone for how her father sees Clementine and despite her appearance as a young girl the underlying fear in the world can cast you a dangerous enemy to the group. The final conclusion to the episode sees us out with a few of the new group and plagues us with a massive moral dilemma once again not shying away from difficult choices.
Presentation wise the game looks great and very similar to the first one. It’s really incredible how much Telltale manage to make these game look like a comic book. Added to this is the great sombre soundtrack that underlies the whole experience. There isn’t much new in this department but on the whole there really doesn’t need to be. The action sequences are familiar but there are a few new inputs that now occur, it’s still pretty much a bunch of QTEs. There is also a nice stealth part to the game that switches the experience up nicely. It’s probably also a good time to mention that I experienced some glitches while playing the game, character models were statically in the rooms while I snuck around them which really takes you out of the experience.
Overall this opening to the game retains all that made the first one great and playing through this will probably take you around 4-5 hours depending on how in depth you go. It’s a great game that I’d encourage all fans of Adventure and The Walking Dead to get.
