Hello ladies, gentlemen and those of a non-binary nature, my name is Daibhi and this is the Gamerhub community. My most sincere apologies for the absence, but I’ve not been all that well. My life has been pretty hard to deal with as of late, and whilst I adore writing you these reviews to try and get you to play new games, and those of days gone by, my mental health will always be my priority. Burnout isn’t something I can afford to happen, and I’ll happily put some websites and phone numbers that you can contact if you find yourself needing someone to talk to. Please stay safe, and know that no matter how dim the light of your life seems to be, there is plenty of light and warmth here among your Gamerhub community.

I’ll be honest, even thought the source material that inspired this game was written in English, I first picked up the first volume of Robert Kirkman’s masterpiece in Spanish. The reason why is that I was working for a now-defunct travel agency and working in Mallorca at the time. I have no problems in telling you that I found Rick’s psychological issues gripping whilst trying to survive the zombie apocalypse and keep a community of survivors together and alive. In a lot of zombie fiction, the main antagonist is all too easily the walking dead or the environment around them. What the source material did is subvert that. The antagonists are real people, and often far more deadly than the deceased trying to turn you into them. You can thus imagine my surprise then, when I booted up Telltale’s first Walking Dead game to find exactly none of the characters I read about or saw on screen. Gotta hand it to Telltale games, that was a ballsy move. Anyway, I’ve bleated enough in this update, on with the review:

Introduction

In the post-apocalyptic world of “The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season” by Telltale Games, survival is your primary objective. You could even say (and I would) that it is paramount. In worlds such as the one that The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season takes part in, the line between right and wrong gets a bit blurry. As with nearly all Telltale games, this one has an episodic nature and offers gamers an emotionally charged and immersive experience that only Telltale can provide.

The Opening Act: Meet Lee Everett

The journey begins with the introduction of the protagonist, Lee Everett. Lee’s in a bit of trouble, namely that he’s a convicted murderer on his way to the clink (in other words, prison). This isn’t your average main character in a video game, but this helps set the tone. The moral ambiguity starts from the very beginning, and things will only get murkier as the game progresses. In this world where societal norms have crumbled to the point of near non-existence. Your choices through this game determines Lee’s fate and the fate of the other characters he encounters.

For example, in the first episode called “A New Day” (yes it is), gamers find themselves thrown into the deep end of the zombie apocalypse as Lee escapes the prison transport and finds an abandoned house. Inside, the player is given the first of many difficult choices: Save the wee girl called Clementine, or leaver her to fend for herself. This is only the beginning of the game, but this is also the beginning of a series of morally complex decisions that will haunt players throughout the game.

Characters and connections

The Walking Dead, as a franchise, isn’t just about really hungry reanimated corpses; it’s about the human connections that form in the face of dire adversity. Throughout the game, the core of the decisions are based around Lee’s connection with Clementine. As a guardian and protector (with more than a hint of “The Last Of Us”), Lee’s decisions will profoundly impact Clementine and the brilliance of this game is that as a player, you feel the weight of your choices as you attempt to guide Clementine through this perilous hell-scape. Clementine’s vulnerability and innocence are a stark contrast to the harsh reality of this zombie-infested world, making her a character that it’s hard not to genuinely care about.

The cast of characters in this game that you encounter along the way are truly diverse and memorable. From the mysterious yet resourceful Molly, to the pragmatic Kenny, each of these characters have their own intentions and challenges. How you interact with each character will help shape your relationships with them and create more of the narrative. The writing and voice acting are top notch, and they really do feel like real people, trying desperately to survive.

Choices and Consequences

One of the game’s defining features is the emphasis on choices and their respective consequences. Each decision has a ripple effect which becomes nigh-on impossible to predict, often impacting the fate of each of the characters and the overall narrative. The complexity in the narrative is superb for a video game as old as this one, and I’m here for it. The dynamic storytelling keeps gamers engaged and invested in the world of the game, as you never quite know whether a seemingly small decision will come back and damn your party to becoming the latest feast for the zombies.

Without spoiling too much, there’s a pivotal moment early on in the game where you can choose to save one of two characters. You have to do this knowing full well that the one you don’t save is about to meet a particularly sticky end. This choice affects the group dynamics and leads to serious and significant repercussions later on. This moral ambiguity forces gamers to confront their own values and priorities, blurring the line between right and wrong in a world where the main goal is simply to survive.

The episodic format of this game helps add to the rising tension and excitement. Each episode ends on a cliffhanger, making you want to play just the next episode, eager to see what comes next. The format mirrors the pacing of the TV series and has the visual appeal of the comics, which I think was an extremely smart move. In a world where Telltale have now done the expanse in stunning photorealism, this was a canny move, helping fans of both the comics and the TV series get attracted to the game. This really does feel like an interactive episode of the TV series.

The Art of Survival

Speaking of the visuals, The Walking Dead adopts a visual style that’s rather unique. The cell-shaded art is distinctive and resembles comic books more than the TV series, but as I said before, this helps fans of both the TV series and the comics get emotionally invested. It really does pay a beautiful homage to the source material and adds a unique layer of immersion. The characters and environments are brought to life with a comic book aesthetic, making it feel as if you’re playing through the pages of a graphic novel.

The use of colour in this game is both deliberate and extremely effective. The zombie-infested world is often depicted in muted tones, emphasising the hopelessness and bleakness of the post-apocalyptic setting. The blood red highlights punctuate the violence and danger that seems to lurk around every corner, serving as constant reminder that this world is perilous, and an extremely hungry reanimated corpse is nearby and only too happy to have you on the menu.

Suspense and Horror

While The Walking Dead is a narrative driven game primarily, this game doesn’t skimp on the suspense and horror elements. The threat of the extremely hungry shamblers is extremely pressing and ever-present, creating this sense of foreboding and unease. In fact, whilst playing through this game for my review, I found myself repeatedly on the edge of my seat. Whether sneaking past an undead horde or desperately trying to fend them off, this game’s pace keep your adrenaline pumping. Who needs Red Bull to get your heart racing when you are nearly constantly trying to avoid getting turned into a mindless resident of the undead?

The sound design is my absolute favourite highlight in this game. It’s often said that nearly 65% of what we experience comes from how sounds make us feel, and Telltale didn’t skimp out on this aspect. The atmospheric score plays a crucial role in creating this uneasy atmosphere we find ourselves trapped in. The moans and shuffling of the walkers, along with eerie silence that almost deafens in abandoned locations all contribute to the sense of dread. The game’s soundtrack complements these elements with haunting melodies that enhance the emotional impact of every scene.

Technical Performance

I can tell you that I completed this game using my trusty Xbox One X, as I wasn’t entirely sure how this game would have played on my laptop, despite me having Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. I’m glad I did. As with many Telltale episodic games (until The Expanse recently) the technical performances can vary, but overall, this game runs quite smoothly. There are a few moments where the game seemed to freeze a little bit, only for the game almost seeming to notice it, and goes back to working properly. I encountered minor graphical glitches at different points (mercifully rarely) and frame rate drops were infrequent, despite being extremely frustrating.

This game is available on multiple platforms including the PC for you master racers, PlayStation, Xbox and a whole host of other platforms. For example, I borrowed my mum’s kindle to give this a bash on her kindle, and whilst I strongly advise following in my footsteps here (I’m an idiot), it is technically possible. The controls are intuitive no matter the platform, ensuring that gamers can easily navigate the game’s world and make choices without frustration. Well… almost. You’ll find yourself going round in circles at some points as this game doesn’t really do anything in the department of holding your hand. Prepare to ape a Glaswegian dockworker and turn the air blue. I actually had to Google how to get past one particular moment which really annoyed me.

Legacy

This game was a groundbreaking title when it first dropped, earning numerous awards and critical acclaim. The success spawned multiple sequels in this world, as well as other intellectual properties getting this treatment (like the Batman game I reviewed recently). By the time Telltale stopped making this style of game, absolutely tons of intellectual properties had been given this treatment. From Jurassic Park to Game Of Thrones, Telltale had made tonnes of these.

The game’s emphasis on choice and consequences influenced countless other titles (such as Until Dawn), encouraging develops to explore the potential of branching and overarching narratives. It also reinforced the idea that video games can elicit deep emotional responses from players, further blurring the line between interactive entertainment and traditional storytelling.

Conclusion

In “The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season”, Telltale delivers a frankly unforgettable journey through the end of the world, where morality is dubious and survival comes at a steep cost. With a gripping narrative, morally complex choices, and memorable characters, this game is a testament to the power of interactive storytelling. As Lee Everett, gamers have to grapple with their own humanity and face the harsh reality of a world filled to bursting with zombies. The emotional impact of this game is undeniable, as it explores themes of sacrifice, trust and the lengths some people will go to in order to protect those that they care about.

This isn’t just a game; it’s an experience likely to stick with you long after the game has been completed. Whether you read the comics or you love the TV series, this game should be on everyone’s playlists. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, our choices define us and show us that in some way, even in a horrifying way, humanity can and will endure.

If this sounds like your sort of game, prepare to embark on a journey where every small decision matters, and the undead hordes are the least of your worries. Will you make the tough decisions necessary for your survival, will you cling to your humanity when it seems as though you’re the last one left, or will you simply be an absolute bastard (because everyone has done this once with a Telltale game)? The fate of Clementine, Lee and the group rests in the palm of your hands. Good luck out there, and may you all find hope in the midst of the apocalypse.

Joystick rating 4.1/5

For the Gamerhub community, I have been Daibhi, and you are all legends.

Try not to get eaten by a zombie.

If anything in the first two paragraphs have affected you, the number for the Samaritans in the UK is 116 123, and in the USA, the number for Mental Health America is 1-800-985-5990. If you feel like you need help, reach out to someone.