Developer: Telltale Games
Publisher: Telltale Games
Rating Guide: How I Review Games

Review:

The Walking Dead Episode 1 A New Day was easily one of the best Xbox Live Arcade experiences I’ve had on the Xbox 360.  For 400 Microsoft Points, it was beyond a great bargain.  Telltale Games managed to capture what millions of fans love about the hit AMC series, The Walking Dead.  It’s something new that the console has needed and I’ve been excited to see what’s to come of the series.

Now because Telltale Games is doing The Walking Dead game in a series of episodes, I felt like the remaining reviews should focus on what new elements each has.  So reviews of Episode 2-5 won’t be a complete breakdown.  The gameplay and technical mechanics should all remain the same for the most part so I’ll focus on what Episode 2 Starved For Help does to continue that.

Narrative Continuation

Episode 2 Starved For Help has a few scenes in which references to Episode 1 is made.  It wasn’t quite the continuation that I thought it would be but you do get a few lines from Lee, Kenny and the other characters concerning your decisions from Episode 1.

I didn’t get the sense that those decisions had any altering circumstances though.  The crew still ended up where I believe they’d always end up which is at the motel trying to survive.  Most of my choices in Episode 2 didn’t seem to carry as heavy a burden as those in Episode 1.  I wasn’t faced with any life or death situations where I had someone I essentially cared about hanging int he balance.

The story itself was done rather well even though it was a bit more predictable this time around.  You pick up three months after the events of Episode 1.  You’re low on food and there’s a conflict brewing between Lilly and Kenny.  Lilly’s Dad Larry still hates you and Clementine is still your responsibility.  In the first few minutes of the game you get to take an ax to the head of a zombie and an ax to the leg of some poor guy.

Further into the story you come across the dairy farm, a barn and a family that has an interesting taste in meat.  It was creepy yet predictable.  I enjoyed it though.  So far I’ve wanted to keep going with every turn no matter where it takes me.

The game’s main character Lee sees a bit of growth in his leadership or rather you’re given the choice to increase that role.  I chose to have Lee stand out and take charge more.  I guess that’s the beauty of the game .. choice.

Technical Changes

I noticed quite a few instances where the game would stall and the characters would glitch.  I’m not sure if it was just my Xbox but there were definite moments when I experienced some technical issues.  In some spots the game would have a slight delay in the action.  It wasn’t as smooth throughout.

Conclusion

Episode 2 Starved For Help was a very good continuation of the series.  Although the choices from the first episode didn’t have as “in your face” consequences as I’d hoped, it was still fun to play.  Again, I don’t think you’ll find a better bargain in the Xbox Live Arcade.  You should invest in this series of games because The Walking Dead is doing episodic content the way it’s supposed to be done.

Stay tuned for my look into Episode 3 Long Road Ahead.

8.0
“Standout”