The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episodes 1 & 2 - Ties That Bind Reviews
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier's second episode has stronger moments than the debut, but also treads too much familiar ground by reusing story beats that Telltale has already explored.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episode 1: Ties That Bind Part 1 is more bizarre than anything. The soft reboot is disappointing, to say the least, but it isn't nearly as bad as it could have been, and Javi's fresh eyes give the episode some much needed excitement. The biggest thing Telltale needs to remedy going forward, though, is the balance between Javier and Clementine. They have a good dynamic overall, but they only seem to get in the way of each other's development instead of playing off one another and growing together. It's entirely possible Telltale is saving that for later episodes, but right now A New Frontier start off with a shaky opener that breaks down the illusory wall of choice more than ever and relies too much on the franchise's past good will to generate interest.
A New Frontier, despite its name, really is sticking with what’s worked before, and it’s not made to convert.
A New Frontier was able to deliver the first two episodes beautifully and gracefully, and although it may have some issues regarding its gameplay, it still has its fair share of plot twists that’ll surely leave you surprised, and your jaws hanging...
The second chapter of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier follows the great path of the previous one and Telltale Games delivers a brilliant story that will be seen in the next chapters of the game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
As a re-introduction into Telltale's Walking Dead world, A New Frontier does just about everything right.
If "Ties That Bind" is any indication of the level of acting, pacing, and writing to be seen this season, fans can rest assured that The Walking Dead will remain high atop their must-play lists.
It’s pure agony at this point that they’re re-running the exact same bloody plots yet again for a third five-part series, as if they weren’t miserably worn out before even Telltale scooped them up off the floor and blew off the crust and fluff.
The first episode of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier is the strong start that the series desperately needed.
A return to form for Telltale and their most notable series. A few of the usual problems still exist, but the world-building and character development is very strong. Based on this two-part season opener, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier is shaping up to be an emotional, visceral ride.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier begins with a very powerful double chapter and Telltale Games makes clear why they are the masters of their own genre. Dynamic, spectacular and fresh are the adjectives that describe this new adventure.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier – Episode 2: Ties That Bind (Part Two) maintains the opening episode's great pace with a more action-heavy instalment. The new characters continue to compel, even if you'll see the closing twist coming a mile away. Telltale's definitely getting better at directing these narrative-centric experiences, and while the creaky engine still sticks out at times, the production values in this particular instalment are above and beyond anything that the developer's done before.
I don't know if Telltale has lost their magic or if their adherence to this formula has just worn thin on me, but it's becoming increasingly difficult for me to get excited at the prospect of playing another episode. The halcyon days of season one are long gone.
Ties That Bind Part I was the perfect way for The Walking Dead: A New Frontier to start. It reintroduced us to grown-up Clementine, provided ample time for us to get to know Javier and the rest of his group, and gave us plenty of moments for us to decide what kind of a guy we wanted him to be.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier is off to a great start with Episode 1 & 2, "Ties that Bind".
Ties That Bind Part II was exactly what was needed following the chaotic events of the first episode. It established the group, laid the foundations for some interesting character dynamics, and ended on a tense closer that has a number of significant consequences attached to it.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier deserves to be played by everyone that enjoys a well-written plot.
"Telltale is still in master form with the story telling and character development. Old characters help lift up the narrative and new ones bring a breath of fresh air to the emotional tale. The plot itself will keep you engaged (as always) and you'll want to play until the drama ends. Which, for the most part, never does. The only thing holding back episode 1 and 2 of A New Frontier are the classic technical problems that have plagued these games from their inception. The Walking Dead Season Three is shaping up to be the pinnacle of the series and I would do anything right now to play the next episode."
A strong opener and weaker follow-up chapter, but the third season is certainly heading in the right direction, narratively at least.