Luke Kalamar: The Walking Dead is easily one of my favorite shows on television. The still continuing source material is the only comic series I actually follow on a monthly basis. A figure of Rick Grimes is even firmly placed on my desk at work. To say I’m a fan of the entire Walking Dead lore is clearly an understatement. I’m not blind to quality though. I have not forgotten that massive, steaming dump that was last year’s The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct. I didn’t buy it and I have absolutely zero intention to do so. The same can be said about the final two books of The Governor focused novel series, which were actually one book split up. I was on board for the first two but negative reviews kept my wallet firmly shut for the conclusion.
So when I say that The Walking Dead: Season Two (PS3) was my favorite game of the year, that’s not coming from my well-documented like of the franchise. It’s coming from my love for a well-crafted story, engaging characters, tense situations, and tough choices, all things that Season Two had in spades.
Clementine (Melissa Hutchison), the main protagonist of the games, is by far the biggest reason why these last five episodes were incredible. She provides a perspective that is never seen within zombie fiction, which is that of a child hardening into a legitimate survivor. The decisions she makes are similar to what an adult would but are saddled by her own physical limitations. That’s the harsh truth of it all. A horrific outbreak like the one that The Walking Dead focuses on would cause everyone to age mentally. Those who can handle it, like Clementine, continue on while those who don’t die. Far too often Clementine is forced into a physical situation and she almost always loses simply because she’s not strong enough. Of course, that makes her survival all the more harrowing and gives us a much richer game.
The game also absolutely delivers with the promise of crafting your own story. After what is easily the most intense moment of this series, we leave Clementine in one of three very distinct situations. I have no doubt that the next season will show that all of these lead to the same place, because that’s usually what happens with these malleable games, but I love the thought that my own adventure is unique compared to others. And if this season is any indication, the games will only get better and better. I absolutely cannot wait for the third season to come next year.
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