Day 41, Game 41 - The Walking Dead

It's no secret to anyone that knows me that I am completely and utterly enthralled with The Walking Dead universe. Ever since the first pilot episode debuted on AMC on Halloween night a couple of years ago, I have been glued to this franchise. After falling in love with the show, I went on to start reading the comics, and now, a third medium has finally opened up to tell amazing stories from this dark yet humbling world of zombies and little hope: video games.

Let me try to explain this as best as possible. First you have the comic book universe. Then you have the television show universe, which loosely follows storylines from the comics, but has made it quite clear they aren't attempting to recreate the comics, as they have several different characters and plots not seen in one another. Then you have the new gaming coming out soon called "The Walking Dead: Survival Instincts," which takes place in the realm of the TV show, but acts as a prequel to show, showing how Myrle and Darryl managed to survive the the beginning of the infection before they merged with the group we know them to be apart of.

Then there is TellTale's game that came out last year, also called "The Walking Dead," which doesn't necessarily take place in either the comic book world or the show world. It is a brand new, never before seen or read story from The Walking Dead universe, with an all new set of characters facing different trials and tribulations of trying to survive impending doom. Other than a couple guest appearances from well-known characters of the series, this is a complete stand-alone game. Judging from the state of which the player encounters these familiar characters, it's safe to assume this story takes place before, or almost parallel with the Rick Grimes storyline we all know and love.

And boy, what a story it is. This game has one of the best stories in a video game I have ever played, bar none. And I'm apparently not the only one to think that, as it won over 80 awards for Game of the Year from various outlets. It's game play roots make a point-and-click adventure game, but it is far - FAR - from being anywhere in the vicinity as far as other games in that genre. TWD is more about choice, and telling a story, and how your choices effect the story as it is told.

When I played through it the first time last year, it was weird because they released every episode (five in total) every two months or so, and with each one lasting about two hours each, it felt like just as you were getting into one episode, it was over before you knew it, and you would have to wait two months before picking up where you left off. That left remembering the story a little difficult, and maybe not the best way to play it. So now, I am going back and playing through it naturally, as it should be played, while trying to make different choices than I did before, just to see how different the game really can be and feel.

I could write about this game for thousands of words, but instead, I just implore you, good reader, to go check it out for yourself. It's available for Xbox 360, PS3 or PC, downloadable or on disc format. If you have any interest in the The Walking Dead (TV show, comic or "other"), then this game - nay, EXPERIENCE - is worth your time. Grab a box of tissue, too, because you just might need it.

Oh, and the reason I chose this game today? The mid-season premiere of Season 3 was on tonight, finally, and insatiable appetite  for all things Walking Dead was rekindle. Now go ... go play the game. I'm just going to sit here and wait for the other Walking Dead to come out, and hope it is even half as good as this one was. Fingers crossed!

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