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The Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 1 review: Oh, damn it all
The Walking Dead isn't a roller coaster of emotions; it's a seesaw. On one end sits the golden halo of the human spirit, strengthened by trust, dignity and love. On the other end slumps the shadow of death, mutilation and irrational violence. The kind of emotions that make someone lock an injured, ailing little girl in a shed in the middle of a storm, offset by the compulsion to give her a decent meal and tuck her into bed. Perched in the middle of this seesaw is Clementine. She is the balance, representing everything worth fighting for, worth decapitating for. Worth dying for. Clementine is the humanity in all of us – but in the premiere of season two of The Walking Dead, when we take direct control of Clementine, she's also humanity's inherent, grey-tinted truth. We're not all good. We may not even be mostly good. The apex of a seesaw is a precarious place. One hard twitch on either lever could tip Clementine to salvation or destruction, compassion or killing, life or death. After playing episode one, All That Remains, I don't know whether Clementine is soaring up or falling down.
The Walking Dead season 2 premiere trailer throws a lot at Clementine
The second season of Telltale's The Walking Dead kicks off on Xbox 360 next week and, based on this premiere trailer, it looks like it's going to be a heart-wrenching episode full of death and despair. Clementine looks like she won't be all alone throughout the entire episode as players once again struggle with keeping her safe. The first episode of the second season, All That Remains, will be available on the Xbox Games Store on December 18 for $5. A season pass will also be available alongside the first episode for $15. Telltale has not announced a launch date for other platforms, though the Steam listing for the game says All That Remains will be available on PC and Mac on December 17.
Daily iPad App: The Wolf Among Us turns the comic into a "choice and consequence" game thriller
If you enjoyed Telltale Game's masterpiece (and 2012 Game of the Year) The Walking Dead, you're going to want to check out its latest "choice and consequence" game thriller, The Wolf Among Us. Like The Walking Dead, The Wolf Among Us is not an original property. It's also based off of a comic book by DC/Vertigo called Fables. And like The Walking Dead, the game's brilliance lies not so much in its action or gameplay, but in the choices one is forced to make and the consequences that result. In The Wolf Among Us you play Bigby Wolf, the sheriff of Fabletown, a fictional city much like New York except that characters from classic fairly tales live among normal human beings in a disguised form. In a game where the story matters leagues more than the game mechanics -- not to mention the story changes based on the choices you make -- it's hard to talk about the plot without ruining it for those that haven't played it. Given that, let me just tell you that the game starts with Sheriff Bigby being called to a run-down apartment by Mr. Toad because something is going on in the upstairs apartment of the Woodsman of Little Red Riding Hood fame. Then things get weird... The game eschews 3D graphics for cell-shaded animation that works perfectly in this creepy world where things just aren't quite right. But it's the voice narration on the writing that make this game a serious contender for Game of the Year. The Wolf Among Us, again, just like The Walking Dead, is not a one-off. The entire game will consist of five episodes, the first of which is called "Faith" and is available now. The remaining four episodes: Smoke and Mirrors, A Crooked Mile, In Sheep's Clothing and Cry Wolf will be made available on a sequential basis throughout 2014. The Wolf Among Us is a universal app and costs US$4.99 for the first episode. Each following episode will cost another $4.99 via in-app purchase, or you can buy the Multi-Pack purchase which includes Episodes 2-5 for a total of $14.99, or 25 percent off the individual price.
Clementine's life is in your hands in The Walking Dead season two
Sweet, darling Clementine. She wasn't the main protagonist in season one of Telltale's The Walking Dead, but she stole the show for many players – including us. Season one wasn't about staying alive to fight another day or to wrack up the most zombie murders; it was about keeping Clementine safe and helping her grow into a strong person, even if that meant seeing disappointment in her cel-shaded eyes. In All That Remains, the first episode of season two, protecting Clementine is still important, but there's a twist: She's the main, playable protagonist. Her life is at the mercy of your fingertips. All That Remains director Dennis Lenart tells Joystiq that this is a unique, emotionally charged position for players. "We're all coming in still being really protective of her, and now that the controller is in your hands, there's a weird thing where half of you is playing as her, and then half of you is also still kind of protective of her. It's a really interesting thing. It's so hard usually to get people to really care about the characters they're controlling, as far as getting them injured or killed, because you can just go to the restart screen. So far it's been really cool – people feel that she's in genuine danger and feel very protective over her. It's still kind of a similar thing [to season one], except now the controller is directly in your hands, protecting her," he says.
The Walking Dead Season 2: Episode 1 - All That Remains dated for Xbox 360
Season 2 of The Walking Dead premieres December 18 on Xbox 360, according to an update posted by Xbox spokesmajor Larry Hyrb today. That means Episode 1: All That Remains will be available on the Xbox Games Store next week, priced at $5. A season pass is due on the same date, priced $15, likely comprising access to the next four episodes. Developer Telltale Games hasn't confirmed any release dates for the opening episode, but its Steam listing notes it as available on December 17. The zombified adventure is due on PC, Mac, iOS, and "home consoles" this month, and will bite into Ouya at some point too. Hyrb's post also notes there'll be a Walking Dead sale on the Xbox Games Store around release time, in case anyone needs to catch up on Season 1. Episodes 2-5 of the opening season will be discounted by 66 percent between the 17th and 23rd of this month.
Familiar character returning in The Walking Dead season two
Telltale Games took to Twitter to tease the return of a familiar face in the opening episode of The Walking Dead's second season. The episode, titled "All That Remains," is expected to launch this month. Telltale already broke the news in July that Clementine, the leading lady of the adventure game's first season, would be a part of the second season in some capacity. As for the other character, we've placed the original screen Telltale tweeted after the break to account for those that consider it just a little too much of a spoiler. No, the image above does not indicate that Kitten McFluffykins is returning in All That Remains, but that would be pretty unexpected, wouldn't it?
The Walking Dead: Game of the Year Edition seeks whatever fresh brains are left
Having sold more than 21 million episodes, Telltale Games' phenomenal adaptation of Robert Kirkman's graphic novel The Walking Dead has inevitably been collected in a Game of the Year Edition. Available now for $30 on either Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC or Mac platforms, the Walking Dead: GOTY includes all five episodes released during Season One of The Walking Dead as well as the DLC episode 400 Days. Inside the package players will also find "access to behind-the-scenes content and the emotionally-charged score from our long-time friend and composer Jared Emerson-Johnson," according to Telltale CEO and co-founder Dan Connors. Those planning to buy the PC or Mac versions of The Walking Dead: GOTY should know that you can earn a 10-percent discount on the game by pre-purchasing Season Two of The Walking Dead. Today's announcement offers no new information on those upcoming episodes of the series, but we can rest assured that Telltale still plans to launch Season Two "later this year."
Walking Dead GOTY Edition official, over 21 million episodes sold
A Game of the Year Edition of The Walking Dead is due in North America sometime next month, not that it's much surprise after it was rated and listed by retailers this month. To recap, then, the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC compilation includes the first season's five episodes, the 400 Days DLC released this summer, the soundtrack and a behind-the-scenes video, bundled together at a price of $30. The official word comes as part of today's Season 2 reveal, as does a new sales tidbit: Telltale's graphic adventure series is now past the 21 million mark for individual episode sales. The new figure likely includes the 400 Days episode, given the series was at 17 million-plus back in June when it was revealed. In any case, what really matters is that a whole lot of people saw a whole lot of other people get eaten.
It's a little girl versus the world later this year in Walking Dead Season 2
The Walking Dead rise again soon, after Telltale Games confirmed the second season of its graphic adventure is due on PC, Mac, iOS, and "home consoles" later this year. A new teaser name-checks the PS3 and Xbox 360, but Telltale said additional platforms are to be announced at a later date; the dev previously said the second season is coming to Ouya. Spolier Central: Those of us who guided a certain lady to the end of season one won't just be reunited with the cherubic heroine. Clem's story will continue with us playing as her for the first time, with the young child apparently left to her lonesome following the dramatic conclusion to the first season. We'd say she looks, ooh, around 400 Days older. If you skipped that bit, open your eyes again (or however that works). So, the second season consists of five episodes once more, with the final episode due some time next year. A season pass for the PC and Mac versions is up for pre-order on Steam and Telltale's store as of today, granting access to all five episodes at a 10 percent discount of $22.50. Our rudimentary grasp of maths tells us that each episode is priced $5 regularly. And if this really is your first stumble upon The Walking Dead game, we heartily advise you go back and check out the first season. Telltale's adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic book series took third place in our Top Ten of 2012 vote, its gut-wrenchingly tough decisions breaking our hearts sweetly, oh so sweetly.
PSN Tuesday: Halloween sale, Rocksmith 2014 and free Hotline Miami for PS Plus
In addition to the new PlayStation 4 titles up for pre-order, this week's injection of PlayStation Store content brings Rocksmith 2014 Edition, while Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West Premium Edition remind us what gaming was like many, many (read: two-ish) years ago. PlayStation Plus subscribers get a free copy of Hotline Miami added to their collection, and further discounts on games included in Sony's ongoing Sale of the Dead, which lasts until November 4. Spooky-ooky games marked down by the sale include The Walking Dead, The Last of Us, Resident Evil 4 HD, Dead Rising 2: Off The Record, Dead Island Riptide and a bunch of other festively appropriate software.
Walking Dead: Game of the Year Edition rated by ESRB [update]
Whether or not to pick up a GOTY version and relive all those horrors again; that may be the next heart-wrenching choice for The Walking Dead fans to make, going by a recent ESRB rating. The listing notes a Game of the Year Edition that's apparently headed for Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and Mac. We've reached out to Telltale for comment. The Walking Dead was one of our favorites from last year, placing third in our Top Ten list after winning and subsequently breaking our hearts. The zombified adventure continued via the 400 Days DLC this summer, and we'd expect that to be included in a GOTY version. As for the second season, Telltale is teasing more news on that later this month. Last we heard, the next batch of difficult decisions is due sometime this fall. Update: Reliable Xbox-hound @lifelower unearthed a GameStop listing that has it going for $30. According to that, the GOTY edition includes the 400 Days DLC, the soundtrack, and a behind-the-scenes vid.
The Walking Dead Episode 1 free on XBLA, PSN
Patient zero is free: The Walking Dead Episode 1: A New Day now costs absolutely nothing on XBLA and PSN. It's free worldwide on XBLA and just in North America on PSN. There's no word on when The Walking Dead's second season begins, but when it does Telltale promises it will involve Clementine and Kenny in some fashion. The Walking Dead season one launched on Vita in August, complete with the 400 Days DLC. As far as add-on content goes, 400 Days is an extra-emotional festival of painful interpersonal interaction. Which is to say, we enjoyed it.
Campo Santo studio formed by former Telltale Games, Klei developers
A new San Francisco-based video game studio called Campo Santo has formed, and is composed of former Telltale Games and Klei developers. Namely, The Walking Dead designers and Idle Thumbs Podcast hosts Jake Rodkin and Sean Vanaman joined Mark of the Ninja lead designer Nels Anderson and artist Olly Moss on the team. Vanaman noted in the studio's announcement blog that Campo Santo's first game will be "both backed by and made in collaboration with" Portland design studio Panic, Inc.
Steam weekend deals: Walking Dead, Fez, Mars War Logs
Some good deals are lurking in the Steam weekend sale section. Telltale Games' The Walking Dead headlines this weekend's deals, offering up its entire first season for $6.24. The 400 Days DLC is also half-off during this promotion, bringing it down to $2.49. Polytron Corporation's Fez has also slashed its price in half: The standard game is $4.99 while the bundle including the soundtrack is down to $7.49. Rounding out the weekend discounts are select games from Focus Home Interactive, including Mars War Logs for $10, The Testament of Sherlock Holmes for $10.19 and Game of Thrones, available on its own for $7.49 or in a bundle including a bunch of DLC for $10. All weekend deals are available until the Steam store updates on Monday, September 9 at 10am PT.
The Walking Dead migrates to Ouya this winter
Telltale's The Walking Dead is making its way to Ouya in 2013. The full first season, along with the self-contained 400 Days add-on chapter featuring five different stories, will make its debut on Ouya later this year. The first episode of The Walking Dead's first season will be free for all Ouya owners to download. The second season, which is set to launch this fall, has also been confirmed for Ouya. Not much is known about the second season, though Telltale Games has confirmed that Clementine will return.
PSN Tuesday: Saints Row 4, Divekick, The Walking Dead on PS Vita
The weekly PlayStation content update has downloads of Saints Row 4, The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, Splinter Cell Blacklist and Divekick. On the PS Vita side, The Walking Dead makes its platform debut. PlayStation Plus subscribers can snag a free pair of games today: Star Wars Pinball and Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower. Rounding out this week's update is the public multiplayer beta for Killzone: Mercenary, the PS Vita installment in Guerrilla's glowy-eyed shooting gallery.
Clementine 'definitely a part of' The Walking Dead Season 2
Telltale Games CEO Dan Connors told San Diego Comic-Con panel attendees that The Walking Dead darling Clementine "will definitely be a part of" the game's second season. Likewise, the fate of another character, Kenny, "will be explored." Further details concerning Season 2 were not offered. The Walking Dead: 400 Days was released this month and served as a short bridge into the next season.
Free for All: One Walking Dead MMO, please
One of the best gaming experiences I've had in recent memory has got to be the time I've spent in The Walking Dead series by Telltale games. OK, OK, so you might not agree that the titles are a series of "games;" they're more like a choose-your-own-adventure that is peppered with the occasional quick-time event, so let me clear the record in order to move on: I don't care what we call them. They are simply a fun experience. I can't believe that there are people who want to argue this point, but then again I had to witness people actually fight about games being art or not. So however you feel about the The Walking Dead, uhm, experiences, you cannot deny their popularity. The series took the market by storm and showed just what a powerful medium gaming can be. Not only that, but Telltale received deserving praise not only for the gameplay and story but for the fact that it produced something that could run on almost any device or setup. (Well, except Android.) How would The Walking Dead translate to an MMO, though? Could it be done? Don't worry; I am going to do my best to avoid any spoilers. So are my readers. Right, readers?
The Walking Dead 400 Days review: Take five
The most terrifying thing about The Walking Dead "400 Days" DLC isn't the shuffling, blood-soaked zombies desperate for your flesh, nor is it the reminder that gas used to cost $1.98 – it's the characters themselves. The ones you play as and the ones they interact with, those whose relationships you can shatter with one errant press of a button, an itchy dialogue finger or shaky gunshots. It's the words that Telltale forces into your mouth and the actions that you can't stop. Living people who love, hate, kill and conquer are the most horrifying thing in The Walking Dead because, chances are, they won't be living for long – and 400 Days stars five of them.%Gallery-191351%
The Walking Dead: 400 Days trailer tells new tales from the zombie apocalypse
Five harrowing tales of post-apocalyptic survival collide in 400 Days, a new episode in Telltale Games' The Walking Dead series premiering this week on iOS, PC, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. Choices made in previous episodes will carry over into 400 Days, and Telltale revealed that starring characters – the ones who survive, anyway – may appear in The Walking Dead's upcoming second season.
