The Walking Dead
Season 2, Episode 1 – “All That Remains”
Online Game Code
DEVELOPER: Telltale Games
PUBLISHER: Telltale Games
RELEASE DATE: December 17, 2013 (Steam, PS3) l December 18 (Xbox 360, iOS)

Telltale’s The Walking Dead is finally back and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen to Clementine after the first season’s tragic ending. And now in season 2 you get to play as Clementine and the story really tests her innocence and what she is willing to do to survive. But will the first episode of season 2 live up to it’s incredibly high expectations? Or has it finally gotten old and we have just seen it all before?

The bulk of this story takes place 16 months after the final events of season 1. Clementine ends up with a survivor from season 1 but then gets separated. After that she has to fend for herself until she comes across a new group. The majority of the first episode is her interaction with this untrusting group. A few people in the group accept Clementine and want her to join. While others in the group want to turn her away. There is an interesting group dynamic here this season, but most of it is not revealed in episode 1. You get just enough to know a little about several characters, but not enough to know what has happened to all of them or to know what their goals or intentions are.

Most of what happens in this episode feels meaningful, although you may not know why yet because the whole picture is somewhat fuzzy. You do not get too many one on one opportunities with many of the group members and this leaves you somewhat in the dark about what the overarching story will be of season 2.

Gameplay:

The core game mechanics of season 2 are pretty much untouched from season 1 and Telltale’s other game, The Wolf Among Us. One thing that I did notice is that there didn’t seem to be as many technical issues with the game this time around though. It didn’t seem as choppy or glitchy. It seemed rather smooth with only a few things wrong here or there. I found it to be an improvement over Telltale’s other recent games.

But season 2 is the same type of point-and-click adventure with a few quick time action sequences thrown in. But what does feel a bit different is the intensity of the action. I never remember being on the edge of my seat from season 1 quite like I already was with episode 1 of season 2. Everything seems more dire and dramatic and this is because you are playing as Clementine. You are just a young girl doing these extraordinary things. Having to run away and fend off walkers. They have thrown Clementine into some gruesome situations that she never had to face in season 1 because Lee did most of the work. But it is interesting how you choose to play the game because your decisions will impact Clementine and you are shaping how she is growing up.

While a lot of episode 1 has you interacting with the group, the best moments of the game are when Clementine is alone. Clementine is thrown into situations I never knew she could manage and there are some of the most memorable scenes of the whole series already in episode 1. This episode has some incredibly gut wrenching and cringe worthy moments that are insane and really show how much Clementine can handle and how far she is able to go to survive.

But even when Clementine is with the new people, it is interesting what dialog choices you pick for her. You can play Clementine several different ways. You can reveal to the new people your past with Lee or you can be secretive and keep to yourself. There are snappy dialog choices along with more friendly or innocent choices. It all depends on how you want Clementine to be. Is she a hardened young girl who has been completely shaped by this crazy world? Or does she still have her humanity and some shred of her innocence?

It is a very intriguing dilemma but one you must consider because you are playing as an 11-year-old girl. It is a completely different experience from season 1 when you played as Lee. You didn’t have to worry about his innocence or how this world would affect him, you only thought about shielding Clementine and protecting her. But now that you are her, the decisions you make really matter and they seem even more important.

Summary:

The Walking Dead: Season 2 Episode 1- “All That Remains,” is a good first episode and a launching point for what is to come later in season 2. In episode 1 you never really know everything that is going on with the group. And while you might want a few more answers or a bit more backstory, I think there is enough here to stay interested. And having Clementine as the main character completely changes the game and how you might play. Everything seems more important and more dramatic with her at the helm. You are now forced to care about her more than ever before. I can’t wait for episode 2 and for the rest of the season to see what predicaments they put Clementine in and how it will affect her. But for now, episode 1 is a strong start, and if you are a fan of the series then you definitely have to check it out.

Final Score: 4/5

Trailer