Season 1 was one of my favorite games of all time -- I played it on three platforms from start through the 400 Days DLC. Needless to say, I was excited for Season 2...
I don't want to say I'm disappointed with S2E1, but the linear game play in this episode reminded me that really these are interactive stories, not games, per-se. You get very little chance to affect anything in the story line, just enough to feel like you are interacting at some level and not just watching. Also, like any sequel, you miss 'discovering' the characters -- we didn't know Lee or Clem from a hole in the ground on S1E1, and obviously this time around we know Clem very, very well, and the bulk of the episode is spent with her.
Still, this episode still has an emotional punch, characters will some (still unexplored) depth, and just enough that I'll come running back for Episode 2.
The good:
- Strong protagonist
- As always, excellent voice acting, visuals, animation, and music
- The story has some strong emotional moments
The not-as-good:
- Very linear, even by Walking Dead standards
- On the shorter end, which I think was emphasized by the shortness
Overall, the game is still very much recommended for fans of the series.