Back in April 2012 Telltale released The Walking Dead Episode One. It was a five-part episodic series that would release new episodes every couple of months. Being honest it was barely a blip on my radar, the big reason being is that I was tired of zombies and while the Walking Dead comic books were pretty good (from the small bit I read) the TV series seemed a little hit and miss. In Christmas of the same year, the season pass was on special and I thought, let's give it ago. I can quite honestly say I was blown away. The depth of the characters, the decisions you had to make, I was hooked. I have followed the series since then, naturally, I was really excited to see how the final season would end.
I like a chicken pot pie. It's full of chicken and veg and is oh so wholesome. While I like sides chicken pot pie is so good it doesn't need any and would almost spoil it. Whenever I have one I always feel so satisfied if not a little sad that it is finished. Playing the Final Season of the Walking Dead I found myself would I be left satisfied if not a little sad it was all over?
Story
The series has closely followed Clementine, I have seen grow from a small scared child to adult toughened survivor. It has been an amazing journey and was curious to see how it would all end. Sadly in 2018 Telltale Games announced that they would be closing their doors due to poor sales. It was a sad time not only for the studio and its employees but also for the future of the Final Season of the Walking Dead. It wasn't finished and there was a chance it would never have been. Luckily Skybound Games stepped in and helped finish it. I was obviously nervous as I am sure other fans were, would it feel right, would they do Clementine justice? The short answer is yes, yes they did.
The Final Season follows Clementine and AJ as they try and survive the zombie-infested world. They are on a road trip and that seems nice until it isn't. After a collision, you are knocked unconscious and are rescued by some kids living at a boarding school. It quickly becomes clear that this will be your new home, or will it? Clementine and AJ will have to fight to stay and protect their new home. The danger is everywhere and comes in the form of walkers, raiders, and people long thought dead.
Overall the story is fantastic and was the perfect end to the series. Skybound games did a terrific job of finishing the Final Season of the Walking Dead. I am sad that it is over for many reasons but am glad the series was able to have its much needed and deserved conclusion.
Visuals
Before playing another game called Borderlands I was unsure as to how I felt about comic book style graphic in games. I mean, I like them in comic books but wasn't sure if it would translate well to a game. I was misguided and wrong, it works perfectly. The visuals in Telltale/Skybound games have stayed relatively similar throughout the series. The visuals are certainly sharper than in previous seasons and there are more notable details, such as the state of decay of zombies, weapons and even smaller details such as cans, bottles, and the new inclusion of collectibles.
Overall the game is a visual work of art and perfectly captures the darkness and the small glimmers of hope in the world.
Music
The series has a penchant for using a melancholy sound, which considering the story suits it perfectly. The final season focuses on this more than usual, most likely as it was the end of the series. The score is penned by American composer Jared Emerson-Johnson; who worked on; Telltale The Walking Dead and Wolf Among Us. There is music by, The Be Good Tanya a Canadian Folk Music Group, First Aid Kit and Swedish Folk sister duo and Alela Diane an American singer-songwriter. All of who have produced a slew of albums.
The soundtrack is quite short at under half an hour, but sometimes less is more. This is certainly the case with this soundtrack, every song is important and really helps draw out your emotions. A perfect example of how video game music can be just as important as the story, visuals, and gameplay.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Telltale games has generally been quite simplistic, pick an answer to follow the quick-time event instructions. This has always worked perfectly and allows you a deeper connection with the story. This time around they have added a little bit more meat to the gameplay. This time around you can explore a little more than before and even get collectibles put in your and AJ's room. There is an increase in the number of quick-time events versus the others in the series.
The relationships and decisions made always made a difference in the series but in some ways even more so in the final series. Making everyone and happy can be hard and sometimes it's just not possible, all you can do is do what you think is best and hope it pans out. Similar to real-life sometimes it works others time you will fall flat on your face.
There are few weapons in the game but mostly Clementine will rely on her trusty knife to put an end to any enemies. Occasionally when you are really in trouble AJ will step in and help out which is great but you also feel concerned that such a little kid has to deal with this much darkness, but then again it has been the same for Clementine.
Overall the gameplay is stronger than ever and offers an even more engaging experience. I am already excited about the next time I play it and am really excited for when Nolls gets to play it too.
Final Thoughts
So, after twelve hours how did I feel? Happy and sad. Happy that the final series of the Walking Dead got to have its conclusion, sad that the series was over and that it was the last game that Telltale games will ever make. The credits sequence at the end was particularly tough watching AJ walk through the school, the wall covered with the people who worked on the game, it really (drilled, maybe should be a different word?) it home that this was the end. The story, visuals, music and gameplay were a perfect combination and was a perfect ending to such a great series. Overall this one gets a solid 5 out of 5
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