Telltale doesn't try to do anything out of its element with the return of The Walking Dead - it still plays the same and has that trademark look - but its switch away from Clementine as a main character is a confident and respectable move. It shows trust in the season from the very beginning, and while the game engine could still use some work, the narrative throughout is a fine distraction. Ties That Bind Part I opens the door for what could be one of the best pieces of material in the entire Walking Dead universe, so here's hoping that the remaining episodes can expand on what it already does so well.
With the end of episode two, it marks the finale of not only the second episode, but Ties That Bind as a whole. Really, it didn't feel entirely necessary to split it into separate parts - both felt drastically different and stood perfectly fine on their own. It could mean that the rest of the season is going to take an even bigger turn or shift in tone, however, and given how things leave off, it wouldn't be a surprise. Ultimately, the excellent pacing and satisfying climax here makes it a great follow-up piece that continues this harrowing story.
With a high-throttle ending leading to a satisfying conclusion for Thicker Than Water, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier finally heads back on track when it comes to finishing up the job. While another cliff-hanger, it's one that feels like it'll actually lead somewhere instead of predictability lingering at the forefront. Things are set up beautifully for the finale, and players will see if all the risks going into this season end up being worth it.
A New Frontier doesn't just refer to a part in the story - it works just as well as a metaphor to what the season eventually settles into. Coming into these five episodes, it was hard to imagine that it could live up to the quality that the first two seasons dished out, but it ends up as something far more ambitious and special than anyone would have imagined.
Although The Little Acre isn't reinventing the wheel in its genre, Pewter Games has made its presence known loud and clear with its debut offering. Despite its length and lack of extra details storywise, there's still room in gaming for time killers like these; ones that don't require hours upon hours of dedication and commitment. With content that can be powered through in a single sitting, the adventure at hand is one that shouldn't be missed out on.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episode 3: Above The Law continues its remarkable success with advancing the progression of main characters, their pasts, and their relationships, but what struggles as a result is a clearer picture of the season as a whole. Of course, like is seen in the first two episodes, things can change mighty quickly, and it's definitely possible that it ends up finishing with a bang. For now, though, Above the Law does its job ramping up excitement for the next instalment, but unfortunately not for the same reasons that the first two did.
Overlord: Fellowship of Evil tries something new compared to its predecessors in the Overlord series, but bugs, glitches, and unimpressive gameplay mechanics make it an easy title to decide to skip over.