The Walking Dead: A New Day/Starved For Help, based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book and the popular AMC television series, are the first two of a five part downloadable episodic game series. Developed by Telltale Games, The Walking Dead is an interactive story game much like Telltale’s previous games such as Back To The Future. This series is decidedly more adult oriented however with gore, profanity, and darker subject matter.
The Walking Dead game features an original story and brand new characters including it’s protagonist Lee Everett, an escaped convict. Zombie games are extremely common these days, but The Walking Dead focuses on something very different from the usual gore fest. Choices and character relationships play the biggest role. Depending on how certain characters are treated they can become trusted allies that go beyond the initial episode, as long as they don’t become zombie food during the game’s more tense moments. Choices are at times presented in which only enough time is given to save one of two possible companions. Be warned as this will change the outcome and experience of further episodes.
Graphically the game resembles the cel-shaded comic book style of such games as Borderlands, which seems to suit it’s comic book roots. A New Day is a great first episode and hooks you with it’s like-able, very human characters and heart wrenching moments. Episode two, Starved For Help, continues the story in similar fashion with less of a focus on zombie action and even more on the human element. The Walking Dead episodes 1 and 2 are available for download for $5 each and are currently free with PlayStation Plus at the time of this review.