The Walking Dead originated in 2003 as a comic book created by American author Robert Kirkman. Seven years later, the TV series The Walking Dead premiered, revitalizing the then-niche zombie genre. Setting a TV series within a zombie apocalypse provides ample opportunity for in-depth character development, allowing viewers to connect with characters before their potential demise (even if the series’ popularity has waned since its peak).
In 2012, the first season of Telltale’s The Walking Dead game series was released. Its compelling narrative and exceptional voice acting contributed to its rapid success. Now, several years later, I’m experiencing The Walking Dead: The Definite Edition, anticipating many hours of engaging gameplay.
As I noted in my December 2013 review of The Walking Dead Säsong 2, I remain more invested in the fate of the game series’ protagonist, Clementine, than in Rick Grimes and his group in the TV series. This game maintains its exceptionally high quality of writing, delivering numerous surprising and impactful moments. The creators appear to explore more daring narrative avenues in the game than in the TV adaptation. Moreover, the interactive nature of the game provides a different level of engagement. In contrast to passively watching Negan’s attack on Rick Grimes’ group (at the beginning of season 7), Telltale’s game allows players to actively influence events and make meaningful choices that shape the overall narrative. The consequences of these choices persist throughout the entire game series. Having played all episodes except the final chapter, I’m revisiting the entire series to ensure that all choices reflect my decisions, rather than being randomly generated due to previous playthroughs on different consoles.
The cornerstone of The Walking Dead: The Definite Edition lies precisely in player choices, determining companions, relationships, and rivalries. The gameplay mechanics are reminiscent of other Telltale titles such as The Wolf Among Us, as well as Detroit Become Human and, more recently, Man of Medan. Quick reflexes and sound judgment are crucial for navigating critical decisions and dialogue options. A single misstep can lead to dire consequences, and players should expect to face numerous challenges and deaths throughout their playthrough.
The game shares some limitations with the aforementioned titles. Exploration is constrained, with a linear structure that guides the player through a predetermined path. While The Walking Dead: The Definite Edition may create the illusion of freedom, the experience is tightly controlled through quick-time events and limited interaction options. Players cannot deviate from the core narrative events; instead, they can influence their outcomes and the survival of specific characters.
In conclusion, this definitive edition offers a comprehensive package, including all four chapters and bonus episodes. The updated graphics and refined game mechanics significantly enhance the experience, particularly in 4K resolution on Xbox One X and nearly as impressive on Playstation 4 Pro. This title is highly recommended. Hopefully, the new company that acquired Telltale’s assets following their bankruptcy will safeguard this valuable intellectual property and continue to develop compelling narrative experiences in the future.
