Season 1: Review
Some people could look at this game and say that the mechanics of interacting with the world are not that engaging as you just move around and talk to people. Some also say that ultimately, you have the illusion of choice, as all the possibilities just converge to some point. But even then, I would say this game is a 10/10 because its plays to its strengths so well, and that strength is the story.
Robert Kirkmans walking dead comic opens with a short essay mentioning how he wishes to create a story about how the protagonist rick is going to change and mature. In essence, the same applies not to you, the player who controls Lee Everett or Lee himself, but rather it applies to Clementine. Your actions through Lee will effect her, and this makes all of what you do feel so impactful. Even if it is an illusion, it feels real. Its why everyone who plays this game says the ending made them tear up. It certainly made me. It even got me at some of the simple things, when my Lee is trying to explain some event and says "There is no way to explain what happened. Its horrible." and clem just says "Yea it is". It just works, and it sticks with you for a every long time.
Like I said, 10/10. I wish Lee was my dad.
Season 2: Review
Following a 10/10 game is no easy feat, but I feel like Season 2 stumbled a bit more then it should have. Don't get me wrong, I still think its good, but there are some things that I feel are noticeable. For one, Im pretty sure the game is much more locked in then season 1 when it comes to exploring your environment. Season 1 had plenty of opportunities where Lee is dropped in an environment and could interact with it, especially when it came to dialogue trees with NPCs. I think Season 2 has less environments to explore, and the ones that it does has less meaningful interactions. Some people don't even have dialogue trees sometimes. Also I think the illusion of choice is a bit more obvious in this one
I think the Narrative, while not reaching the heights of Season 1, has good enough moments. This idea of "how do broken people survive the Apocalypse" seems to be at the forefront of this game, and its explored through Kenny, who is amazing as a character, and other people like Sarah, Jane, Rebecca, etc. Though the central relationship between Kenny and Clem starts midway through episode 2. I think thats the wrong call, imagine if Lee met Clem 2 episodes in. Also Michael Madsen as Carver makes for such a good villain. He is such a great, hateable bastard.
7/10. Has its problems, but I enjoy it for what it is.
Still playing lol.
