Telltale Games garnered significant acclaim for its adaptation of The Walking Dead, which is now in its second season. The game distinguished itself through well-developed characters and morally complex choices, generating a level of tension rarely experienced in the television series.
The same narrative-driven approach is now applied to Bill Willingham’s comic book series Fables (published by DC Comics / Vertigo), a property that may be unfamiliar to some. The premise involves classic fairy tale characters—such as Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf, Ichabod Crane, and Beauty and the Beast—who have fled their original realm and, utilizing magic known as “glamour,” have integrated into New York City in human-like forms, residing in the district of Fabletown. The Wolf Among Us, as the title suggests, centers on Bigby Wolf (the Big Bad Wolf), the town’s sheriff, a whiskey-drinking, chain-smoking character who isn’t averse to employing brute force. An initial apartment altercation between Woody the Woodsman and a prostitute escalates into a dark and brutal descent into the shadowy underbelly of the fairy tale world.
The aesthetic design of The Wolf Among Us is remarkably stylish. This is partly due to a preference for cel-shading graphics, and also due to the game’s successful capture of the graphic novel’s distinctive visual style. The sound design is executed with precision, and the voice actors, while not widely known celebrities, deliver passionate and committed performances. The audio mix is well-balanced, and the surround sound is implemented effectively, enhancing player immersion. The entire production demonstrates a high level of quality, offered at a reasonable price point. The game comprises five episodes, all of which have been released and are available on multiple platforms. We tested the game on Mac (via Steam, where it is also available on PC) and PS3, noting a consistent experience across both. It is also available on iOS, among other platforms.
The gameplay mechanics in The Wolf Among Us may be a point of discussion. A significant portion of the game involves engaging in dialogues and observing conversations that drive the narrative forward. Players are presented with choices—often four distinct dialogue options—or, during action sequences, two critical decisions. Each selection influences the subsequent course of the game. For instance, choosing to eliminate a character will have repercussions, as will the decision to spare them. Each episode incorporates action sequences primarily consisting of quick-time events (QTEs), requiring timely button presses to inject moments of heightened intensity. However, prospective players should be aware that The Wolf Among Us functions more as an interactive graphic novel or film than a traditional action game involving extensive button inputs, platforming, or ranged combat.
The initial episode is captivating, yet disturbing. The Wolf Among Us is not intended for young or sensitive audiences. It presents a gritty, profane, and often intensely violent and graphic world. The game evokes a sense of dark, twisted fairy tales as if conceived by a collaboration between David Lynch and Hunter S. Thompson. Themes of sex, lust, betrayal, and moral conflict are prevalent, forcing players to confront difficult choices. While the overall concept may lose some momentum towards the latter stages, and the narrative may introduce an excessive number of plot twists, the experience remains highly engaging. Similar to a compelling novel, the game proves difficult to disengage from, underscoring the advantage of playing after the full season’s release.
The Wolf Among Us provides a high-caliber storytelling experience and is a compelling choice for comic book enthusiasts who appreciate narrative- and choice-driven games. Reminiscent of the role-playing gamebooks of the 1980s (where readers were directed to specific pages based on their decisions), The Wolf Among Us encourages multiple playthroughs. Replaying the game and making diametrically opposed choices to observe the resulting narrative divergences is a prospect that holds considerable appeal.
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