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THE WALKING DEAD: EPISODE 1 REVIEW (Xbox Live Arcade)

The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series

ESRB Rating: MATURE with Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network, PC and Mac in April 2012.

“A New Day” Episode 1 of Telltale’s new The Walking Dead game sets in motion an experience that will be tailored by the decisions you, the player, make; though you’ll have to wait for the four future installments to see how or if they actually pay off in the long run.

Being an Adventure game, it’s essentially an interactive cel-shaded cartoon you point and click your way through, solving simple puzzles and chatting up the supporting characters to learn their backstories which may or may not be useful when it comes to deciding who lives and who dies later on.

Now I’m not the most enthusiastic Adventure gamer.

Don’t get me wrong, in the past I have enjoyed the genre; “Day of the Tentacle,” “Sam & Max,” “Full Throttle,” but it’s not where I currently am in my old age, leaning toward RPG or blowing shit up type fare.

That being said, I always appreciate a good story. And one certainly seems to be brewing here.

It’s well put together and will have you feeling like you’re trapped inside an actual issue of the comic (or TV show for that matter). And while it does feature some familiar faces, you play as Lee Everett, the emotional core of the game who happens to be a convicted murderer being transported by local law enforcement right as the proverbial crap hits the fan.

And in a twist of fate, find yourself on your own in a world brimming over with “Walkers,” Kirkman speak for the undead.

But you’re not alone for long, becoming the surrogate father for precocious little girl lost, Clementine. And pairing up with fellow survivors, you’ll hop from location to location, taking on a leadership role that occasionally forces you to make life or death decisions.  Which will have you wishing you were anywhere but here.

As the tried and true, man with a past, Lee’s storyline is fairly engrossing and will most likely have you itching to purchase the next episode (coming soon) to see how things turn out. Coupled with a timed decision-making mechanic that demands you pay attention – (which is a good thing, especially since I found myself drifting every and then dreaming of a Walking Dead RPG Shooter) – it’s compelling stuff.

And Telltale has done a fantastic job of immersing you in Kirkman’s world.

Clocking in at about 2 to 3 hours it’s a short but sweet trip.

(There’s also 100 Achievement Points to be had simply by playing through
the game and completely the individual chapters within the episode.)

Bottom line: If you’re a fan of Adventure gaming and/or a disciple of “The Walking Dead,” this is a no-brainer (unintended Zombie pun, sorry).

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