Wednesday, December 19, 2012

I Played This: The Walking Dead


Lee Everett, convicted of murder, is on his way to incarceration when his ride hits someone - or something - on the highway. When he recovers, he discovers the world isn't what it once was, now that the undead are trying to hunt him down at every turn.

Seeking refuge in a suburban home, he meets Clementine, a young girl who's parents are likely never coming back. Together, they seek to survive the zombie apocalypse with new friends against new enemies, both living and undead, in a world full of commendable or horrifying choices that are neither good or bad - it's up to you, the player, to decide.

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If you've been following the blog, you'll know that I've been playing this game, and I just finished the last episode. Yeah. This game comes in episodes. And while I'm not the heavy gamer I used to be, of the ones I have played, I'm stamping this with my official approval seal-thingy. It's heartfelt, scary, and puts your morality to the test.

I'll give you an example (spoiler alert): You're held captive in a meat locker with fellow survivors. One of them has a heart attack. In this world, if you die, you become a zombie, whether you're bitten or not. The man's daughter asks you to help her save him while your new best friend argues that they have to smash his head in or become zombie food themselves. And that, my friends, is the tamest of many gut-wrenching choices you have to make throughout this game.

You also don't do very much - it's like watching a choose-your-own-adventure movie with zombies, which means great replay value. Even then, there are moments that make you angry, chill you to the core, warm your heart, and make you sob like a baby (I cried like a mama's boy at the end - don't judge me). My only miniscule complaint was I thought the language was a bit over the top, or rather, it makes up for the language you don't hear in the TV series. At the same time, there's little to no sensuality in the game, unlike the TV series. What do both have? Nothing short of gnarly zombie-fighting action.

So, unlike games like Halo, this single-player survival fest is rated M for a reason. I wouldn't recommend it for chill'ns, young or teen, but if you have nerves of steel and the constitution of Thor, then by all means, hammer into The Walking Dead. Be sure to choose wisely ...

I'm David, and for Clue #7, find a fallback spot on "higher ground."

22 comments:

  1. Sadly I think I've only played three games since buying my XBox. I'm more of a PC gamer.

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  2. This game got a few awards on X-Play's Game Award show episode. It even won best writing because the hosts said the writers accounted for so many different scenarios. I'm a big fan of the movie and would love to play the game one day. Thanks for sharing David.

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  3. I'm such a wimp when it comes to zombies. There. I admitted it. I couldn't even get through the first episode of Walking Dead. *hides head in shame* I liked the Forest of Hands and Teeth series, though. And I'm over halfway through Warm Bodies and really liking it, so...maybe reading about eating brains is easier than watching about eating brains? Idk. That game preview really pulled at my heart strings, though.

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  4. I haven't played episode 5 yet, but I love the game through number 4.

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  5. I love the game and cried too. In the first episode, even though my boyfriend had played it moments before and I knew what to do, the first zombie encounter made my heart jump into my throat.

    I tried to play as a good person and ended up with several characters hating my guts. Will play it as a horrible person someday (Except for Clem, I can't be mean to her).

    (possible spoiler)

    Oh and the end... who woud've guessed that miniscule detail had such an effect on the end. Most players probably went straight back to play it differently.

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  6. So do you do anything other than pick which choices? That would seem pretty lame.

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    1. There's some walking around, like a click-adventure game, and timing spots where you have to respond just right, like during zombie encounters. :)

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  7. Now I want to play it. Lol

    I'm not a big gamer, but I can see how one can get addicted.

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  8. You should read "The Walking Dead: The Rise of the Governor." I gave it five stars. It literally kept me on the edge of my seat. Especially the part that takes place in downtown Atlanta. Holy cow.

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  9. The only game I play is Skyrim and I'm currently closing in on level 30...I have enjoyed playing Left for Dead with my brother - when he can tear me away from Skyrim :)

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  10. I've never seen the show, but now I want to!

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, David. I'll see you next year:)

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  11. I think this game is too intense for me. *grin*

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  12. I'm not a gamer - so I'll live vicariously through you. Have a good one!

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  13. My boys are into the halo games on Xbox. They'll like what they got for Christmas.

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  14. Stuck in a meat locker with a corpse-about-to-turn-zombie.... maybe I've been desensitized by the show, but that's no choice for me. That's a definitely brain-smashing about to happen, crying daughter or no crying daughter!

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  15. I haven't played a game since Play Station 1. Haha. Though I loved my Final Fantasy :)

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  16. This sounds like a difficult game. I'm sure I'd die in the first episode. :P

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  17. I have seriously not played "Games" since a) Dungeons & Dragons was played with paper and pencil and b) Zork was the way you got eaten by grues.

    Sigh. Sometimes I miss my game playing days, but until I give up teaching, writing, or sleeping, I don't think I'll have time for gaming.

    When does the rest of the Walking Dead season begin????

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  18. I'm a hardcore fan of the show, but I didn't get the game because my laptop is aging and doesn't run games well anymore. Instead, I watched the gameplay on Youtube, played by a popular dork my kids love called Tobuscus. Man, I cried. GOOD story, and it's a pretty awesome game.

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  19. I'm not a gamer - at all. I mean, I've played some, here and there, but not enough (a handful?) to say I play.

    I'm going around to all of the wonderful blogs I follow to wish you a Merry Christmas (and they're ALL wonderful, otherwise I wouldn't follow). Have a safe and happy holiday, David!

    Peace,
    ML

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