Fresh Take on Zombie Games, Excellent Adaptation of Series

User Rating: 6.5 | The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series PS3
The Walking Dead TV show debuted on AMC several years ago, astounding viewers with the realistic portrayal of the tragedy of a zombie apocalypse. In this game, released as five separate episodes on PSN and XBOX, released here on one disc, the gamer controls convicted killer Lee Everett as he finds himself embroiled in a strange new world. The officer who is taking him to jail accidentally hits someone on the road, a walker, though you don't know it until after you crash. Surviving the crash, Lee is forced to kill the officer who has awoken after the crash, though should be dead. Lee finds refuge in a nearby house, discovering quickly that a small child is there, waiting for her parents. The two set off together, finding a group to join and try to find a way to survive in this new world.

The story is pulled from the show perfectly, a few cast members make appearances, Glen and Herschel. Neither stay long, but they move the story along and set the stage for what to expect. The game play is based on timed button presses, occasionally the game getting stuck, basically quick-time events. At times, the controls are frustrating. While I bought the game on disc, instead of the DLC, I found the audio would continue while the screen seemed frozen, as if it were loading without the loading screen. The first few hours of the game are confusing at times, though the controls grow on you, they do not become any easier, really.

The sound was consistent, the graphics melded with the sound could have stood some polishing. There were instances where people were speaking, but their lips were not moving, and it wasn't a thought-bubble scenario. The concept of the comic book come to life was quite well executed, bringing the roots of the series to life.

The crux of the game is in the story, and it is told beautifully, taking the gamer's choices into account at every turn. The decisions you first make come back to haunt you, quite literally, as you move forward. The game is masterful at this, evoking true emotion, as the series itself does as well. Though short, the game is well worth playing despite some visual inconsistencies and game play quirks.