The writing between the various choices is also uneven. If you forgo getting certain information, you still can get it later down the line. For instance, some seemingly life-or-death choices are less important than they appear. That being said, these are only minor changes in the main arc, leaving plenty of room for improvement. I ran two different save files during my playthroughs, and was pleased to see variations in the characters, dialogue, and options depending on my decisions. Telltale factors your choices into the story much better than in previous Walking Dead seasons. Watching teenager Gabe mature and get more resourceful is also a highlight, alongside his crush on Clementine. I also enjoyed seeing Javier's complicated relationship with his brother unfold, even though David gets a little over-the-top in the finale. Episode four evoked these familiar feelings the most with its crazy choices and unexpected outcomes. Overall, the season still had some engrossing moments, and at times it captured what made me fall in love with The Walking Dead in the first place. She's a beloved character, but her overuse is making her lose some of her appeal. That being said, it feels like Telltale relies on her too much to keep things entertaining. Not many games let you watch a character grow up before your eyes, and I've enjoyed seeing her development. Season three deals with her growing up and learning to accept others, even tackling puberty. Clementine's experiences have hardened her, which is a nice change of pace. You get some flashbacks to see what happened to her since, but they aren't satisfying because they don't consider your past choices. Sadly, season three doesn't factor much of those previous decisions into the narrative, which is disappointing. Season two ended with Clementine being in different places depending on your choices. Rival groups cause you distress, allies betray you, and you must choose between protecting those you love versus doing what's best for the greater good.Ĭlementine offers the most interesting development, as a lot has changed since we last saw her.
Even his brother David, a hothead who's struggling to control his temper, reminds me of past characters like Kenny. Javier feels like a protagonist we've seen before – a man with a troubled past and a heart of a gold. Seeing these threads surface repeatedly makes them less surprising and intriguing with each iteration, and this problem shows the most in season three. We've reached new settlements, met corrupt leaders, and watched alliances break over the course of this series. The result is mixed on the one hand, the season's focus on a family and what it means in this dark world is intriguing, but it is also brought down by recycled plot lines and inconsistent writing. In season three, we step into the shoes of Javier, a completely new character who crosses paths with Clementine. Season two made an interesting shift by putting Clementine in the spotlight, giving us the perspective of a young girl.
Telltale's approach felt new and exciting, packed with tough choices and a focus on characters and story. Lee and Clementine's adventure was an emotional roller coaster. The first season of The Walking Dead set a high bar.