After the excellent first episode I couldn't have been more hyped for the second instalment in Telltale's episodic series 'The Walking Dead', and after playing through episode 2 'Starved For Help' (in one sitting, which is about four hours) I am convinced that we've got a real gem of a series in out hands. Not only does the second episode match my lofty expectations, it surpasses it. In fact, I dare say that that was the most riveting four hours of my life.
Whereas episode one was very much a 'pilot' episode (and a great one at that) episode two doesn't have to introduce the main players or set-up the terrifying post-apocalypse, so instead it plunges you right into the action from the get-go. Set three months after episode one, it starts with Lee completing another satisfying zombie kill (don't expect to see many of them this episode) and a brief introduction to new character Mark before all hell lets loose once again. You're confronted with a very grisly predicament (of the limb-shearing kind) and once again your decisions could quite literally mean life or death for quite a few characters, or in this case, death followed by more death. Yes that's right, whatever you decide to do you're going to lose anyway, which is one of the main themes of this episode. Yes you can side with this person or that person, decide to save this guy over that gal but ultimately you're just delaying the inevitable, and Telltale makes it clear that there is no 'wrong' or 'right' choice, simply your opinion of things. This episode tests your morality in very harsh ways, in one segment you only have four 'food items' for a group of ten people, and you're the one that has to hand out the rations. At the time I thought I did the right thing but started to doubt my choice an hour down the line. I loved that feeling, like you had done something wrong but made the best out of a bad situation. And then you have to deal with the emotional baggage, which is hard. Several elements scattered throughout the first three hours also made me doubt the people I was with. I felt paranoid, a sense of dread was starting to accumulate in my stomach. So I spent the whole episode waiting for that dam to burst, for that balloon to pop, for that one moment where the supposed safe haven that the characters find themselves in (I won't divulge further than that because of SPOILERS) suddenly collapses under a pile of horror and despair. I was not disappointed, and I loved every second of dread and suspense that the episode threw at me. Just be warned, this episode is not for the faint of heart (for those who have played the episode, you'll get this sentence immediately!). The fact that a video-game could produce such a range of emotions in me is astounding, and I applaud Telltale for their work at crafting such an intricate and well thought out story. The cast of main survivors Lee, Kenny, Larry, Lilly, Carley/Doug, Clementine, Katja and Duck continue to be interesting and superbly voiced (with the exception of Duck who is a bit of an annoying brat), the actress who voices Clementine in particular should be given an award for most realistic child in a video-game ever, if it wasn't for her performance then a lot of the emotional impact in the episode would be missing. Lee Everett continues to be the well-wounded everyday man, who's likeable even when you choose some of the *COUGH* *COUGH* less moral decisions. So yes, I'm happy to say that the Walking Dead's main strength, it's story, is still on fine form here: 10/10.
Gameplay in episode two has been drastically reduced this time around. That's if you consider 'walking forward for a few seconds' gameplay, because it really isn't. With only one (extremely simple) puzzle halfway through Ep 2, there is literally nothing here except for a few quick time events and the choose your dialogue wheel. It's simple granted, to the point where I wouldn't even call it a game of such, more like an interactive graphic novel or choose your fate T.V show. I'm not complaining per-say, I'm just saying that there's a very good reason why it isn't called The Walking Dead: The Video Game: 3/10 (don't come here if you're looking for zombie slaying action).
The presentation and sound isn't that amazing this time around. The Xbox 360 version in particular is prone to bugs a hiccups that makes the experience feel really unpolished and rough as nails. I find this odd because episode one didn't have any of these issues. One scene in particular was ruined by a few audio glitches and the game froze for a few seconds which made me reaaaly anxious. The sound and voice acting remains top-notch nonetheless, and the game still retains it's comic-booky style that is pleasing to the eyes: 4/10
Overall as an experience this series remains outstanding, I can't praise this game enough. And with it being available on PC, 360, PS3 AND Mac there is really no excuse for you NOT to go out and get it: 10/10. Just make sure you fix the glitches Telltale, or next-time I won't be so forgiving...
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