The Walking Dead: Episode 2 ‘Starved for Help’

On April 25th Telltale’s released the first episode of their point and click adventure game, The Walking Dead. Instantly the game was a hit to comic fans as well as new fans of the television series. Combining both elements of Role-playing and Action-Adventure the game puts you in the shoes of Lee Everett, a former history professor turned convicted killer. In the first episode Lee found himself in the back of a police car on his way to his hometown. After coliding with one of the walking dead, he made his way to shelter where he ran into Clementine, a young girl who because of the apocalypse has been separated from her parents. Throughout the first chapter you ran into four characters who are from the comics. The most noticeable being Glenn. The second chapter of the game picks up three months after the events of Episode 1 “A New Day”. The group has secured themselves in the motel, but are now running short on rations.

The episode perfectly depicts the desperation of hunger as Lee is forced too chose who eats for the day, as there is simply not enough food to go around. Once again your actions dictate how you are perceived amongst the group, and will continue to carry over in future chapters. The second instalment focuses heavily on the character development between Lee and the other survivors. Mostly focusing on Kenny’s family, and Lilly along with her father. The player must decide who he trusts more, and who they are willing to essentially cast aside. The game manages to really pull of a great zombie survival surrounding, you feel the tension and anxiety of the characters. Where it falters, in this chapter, is the almost black and white perceptions the NPC’s have for Lee with his choices. An example would be, although I supported Kenny throughout 90% of the first chapter and70% of this chapter. Because of one choice I made, Lee and him are on longer allies. I won’t give away which decision it was, but I will say if you really examined it the reaction the character has is simply unrealistic. Mere seconds before the choice Kenny states, “Come on Lee you’ve always got my back.” Yet, afterwards Kenny states, “Not like you ever agreed with me on anything.”

Thankfully, that is just about the only flaw I could find in this chapter. The writers of this game continue to show their talent, as chapter two has a truly riveting story to tell. The chapter pulls away from the threat of the walking dead, and focuses on a constant theme of the comics, the threat of the living. Furthermore, the game unlike the television series manages to create truly diverse characters who are fueled not by the need for drama in the game, but by good character development. Even the jerk of the group manages to have some redeeming qualities, not to mention why he’s a jerk makes sense for the character. Overall, the second chapter continues to impress fans and prove a game doesn’t have to focus heavily on action to be great!