Last week we saw the release of the newest addition to Telltale Game`s library, and it comes in the form of the 3rd season of the Walking Dead. We`ve seen so many great seasons be released, and when it comes to Telltale, boy do they know how to pull off a game. I`ve played near enough every season they`ve produced. From our first story with Clementine and Lee in Walking Dead, to being a Forrester in Game of Thrones, to most recently, jumping into the corrupt city of Gotham in Batman. But, 3 years after we saw the last full season of the Walking Dead following the story of Clementine (Not counting Walking Dead: Michonne that released earlier as that was a side off story that didn’t follow Clem or any of the previous characters), we are back with a brand-new story and Clem is back, for Season 3, of The Walking Dead.
Now, for me, The Walking Dead is probably the standout game for Telltale and the game that stands out for them. It was one of the first seasons released 4 years ago, and since then we have seen many other seasons produced, such as The Wolf Among us, Game of Thrones, Batman, Tales from the Borderlands, and we`ve more coming in the future, with a Guardians of the Galaxy set for early next year, as is a 2nd season of Game of Thrones. But the Walking Dead was the season for me that stands out across any of the others. It was the first game that I`d been driven by the characters and the story, and it`s something that Telltale does incredibly well across all their games. The story telling is fantastic, and it`s something that is probably standout across any other game of any developer. I truly believe that Telltale offer some of the best story telling you`ll find on a gaming console.
The Walking Dead Season 3 launched last week, with the release of two episodes. It`s the first time we`ve seen two episodes released at the same time, and not a standard first episodic release, followed by the 2nd episode a month or two down the line. It`s a five-episodic story, and we should see the next chapter released early next year.
Upon entering the game, you have the option to take two methods. If you have played any of the Walking Dead Season 1 and 2, you can have some of the choices that you`ve made from previous games carry over. It adds another dimension to the game, knowing that some of the choices that you made from a few years ago, could now take effect in the next season. Or, you have the option to start completely afresh and play the game as a brand-new game, with no consequences carrying over. Of course, if you haven’t played any of the previous series before this one, then this is the route to take.
So, we`re thrown into the first Episode, Ties that Bind Part I (The 2nd episode is called Ties that Bind Part II so you could look at it at one overall episode split into two sections) and we`re introduced into some new characters. Javier “Javi” Garcia, is our main antagonist for the game, and he is the guy we`re going to be controlling throughout the season. Javi`s dad dies after being bitten by a walker, and with the zombie apocalypse rising through the city, Javi`s brother, David, decides to try and take his dad to the nearest hospital for medical attention. Splitting up into two cars and heading to the hospital, Javi ends up splitting with Kate (David`s wife) Marciana and Gabe (David`s kids). The next time we see them they are driving in a van towards a scrapyard, and it`s un-clear in what has happened to Dave and his dad. Upon searching through the scrapyard, they are ambushed by a group of branded man, and Dave is captured and thrown into a van driven by the ambushers, before half a mile away being attacked and ambushed by a tree that has been pushed into the road. The van veers off course, and after escaping the van, Javi is given the first decision to make into whether to shoot or let the capturer escape. After deciding to make the decision to let him escape, we`re then introduced to Clementine, who was behind the tree falling. Grown up and appearing more fierce now, Clem explains that she`s just after a ride to escape, and agrees to help Javi find his family who are hiding at the yard. Before heading back, they run into a small community called Prescott, where we`re introduced to a few more characters. Tripp, Eleanor and Conrad are the standout members who will join us on our road to safety. Convincing Tripp to drive them back to the yard, they are ambushed again by the same group that ambushed Javi and his family the first time, although this time it results in the death of Marciana. A twist right at the end of the episode, which of course Telltale love, and it`s something that you could tell was coming.
Moving onto Episode 2, and it very much follows on from the first episode. Heading back to Prescott, the group are ambushed again by the same attackers, who are later revealed to be known as A New Frontier, and invade Prescott after ramming their vehicle into the entry doors (It`s also a pick up van that happens to have loads of Walkers in the back which results in their escape once inside). Not safe and having to move on results in Javi, Clem, Gabe, Kate (Who has been heavily wounded after being shot at the same area as Marciana) Eleanor, Tripp and Conrad to split into and drive on towards Richmond, where Clem says there is a group there that are a small community that will have warm water, beds and a hospital for Kate. Along the journey, they come across a small fly-over that is blocked with abandoned cars. Javi manages to find a wrench and using a tow truck that has been left in a garage, they get the car moved and the road clear. But when the Walkers attack the group, Eleanor and Kate (Who are in a car together while the others explore) drive off and the others escape to high route to avoid the walkers. They meet another survivor called Paul, who friends refer him to as Jesus, and they take a train route that had been abandoned since the outbreak, and the route will lead them straight into Richmond. Upon arriving into Richmond, they come across the community that Clem said. However, Clem has headed off, as she reveals to Javi on the way to Richmond that she is branded and was one part of the New Frontier group, and that it wasn’t safe for her to go back there. It becomes clear that The New Frontier occupy the community, and pleading for help, Javi and his group kneel before the doors open and a load more frontier members appear. It`s then revealed right at the end of Episode 2, that David, Javi`s brother and Kates wife, is part of the New Frontier Group. The credits then roll and we are left with a tease for what`ll happen in Season 3.
I must say, Telltale do a tremendous job at the stories. They really, really do. They are so gripping and really can attach you to some of the characters. They always like to leave their episodes on a cliff-hanger, and it`s something that they do every time fantastically well leaving you wanting more!
If you haven’t played any of the other Telltale games, then the Walking Dead is the place for you to start. We`ve been introduced to some quite unique characters, and I can’t wait to see what`s in store for them in the rest of the season.
A huge thank you to Telltale Games for providing us with a review copy of The Walking Dead Season 3.
Game: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 1 and 2
Genre: Graphic Adventure
Developers: Telltale Games
Publishers: Telltale Games
Price: £24.99 (From Xbox Store and for Episodes 1-5 Season Pass)