The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episode 3 - Above the Law Reviews
This new episode of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier plays it far too safe. Those looking for the rich storytelling or the deep gameplay elements found in previous seasons best wait for future episodes to see how things progress.
Despite not bringing any shocking moment, Above The Law keeps the good quality of this season of The Walking Dead. We find out that the New Frontier is not only a bunch of ill-tempered tattooed armed thugs, they have quite a peculiar way of organization. The scenes with Javi and David keep the player tense in choosing the dialogues and take unexpected turns. The story has a good progress and keeps the player curious on how it will resolve over the next episodes. Luckily, we hope our choices make more of a difference to what comes next.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The action scenes in particular benefit from some improved sound design.
Telltale took a big risk when it comes to setting players inside a fresh season of The Walking Dead with a new protagonist and different focus. And the developer has, for the most part, succeeded in providing an interesting new roster of characters but without losing The Walking Dead's strong writing and characterization. However, "Above the Law's" weakness in terms of moving the narrative forward is noticeable, especially with only two episodes left in the season. Hopefully we'll get a satisfying sense of where the season is heading before it's over.
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.
Above the Law is a perfectly good episode with a few great quiet moments. It just lacks the oomph that the first two episodes brought and is being dragged down by a far too large cast of characters.
Above the Law presents some very difficult choices that can lead to grave impacts on your particular journey through Telltale's latest take on The Walking Dead. It's well worth playing if you're already invested in the series, but also if you're considering picking up the Season Pass.
A satisfying story can't make up for the lack of action and interactivity in Above the Law.
It'll be curious to see where the next episode of The Walking Dead: A New Frontier goes from here. The retread of similar plotlines from both the comic and TV show feels stale in Above the Law, even with the slight twist regarding the new characters. At the same time, the character development balances that out, and they remain as engaging as before. The last two episodes will determine if the season can pull through, but for now, prepare for some rehash.
"Above the Law" examines what family means to each and every one of its primary players so deftly, it's hard not to be in awe of what Telltale's writers have accomplished.
“Above the Law” is yet another strong installment in one of the most promising seasons Telltale’s had in quite a while. While it won’t win over anyone who’s become jaded by the lack of puzzles, and the romantic arc between Kate and Javi feels more forced than ever, it’s loaded with great action scenes and one of the best new characters the franchise has seen in awhile. If you haven’t picked up this season, now’s the perfect time to do just that.
The new cast of characters is what keeps A New Frontier going, which is something Telltale should be commended for as it was a much riskier proposition than continuing the story of established characters. It just seems like The Walking Dead as a franchise doesn't have many tricks beyond "we gotta do what it takes to survive," "don't trust anyone," and "something isn't right about this place."
Above The Law is a solid third episode for a strong season, and I can’t wait to see where Telltale Games takes the series for the final two episodes of the series. I’m having a great time, and I can’t wait to try the next episode. Season 1 might still be my favorite, but Season 3 is definitely getting there.
A New Frontier seemed like a gamble, but less so after a great premiere. Now this third episode has even managed to overcome Telltale's usual middle episode slump and provide some of the best, most affecting character moments the series has produced across three seasons. It now becomes a bit nerve-racking to see whether they can close out the season so highly, because if they do, this may become Telltale's crowning achievement.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier continues with a great rhythm in its third chapter. Even though it is a transition episode, it answers previous questions and generates more for the future.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite a lackluster ending to "Above the Law," A New Frontier's third episode kept me invested in Javi's story, if not the plot as a whole. I'm a bit more wary heading into the latter half of the season after the jarring number of character entrances and exits in this episode, but if the strong character work continues, I'm more than willing to roll through the bumps of this mid-season episode. Telltale has found a sharp lens in Javi through which to analyze the ideas of family as bonds we're forced into and choose to make ourselves. And he's a lens, even in the season's weakest moments, I still find myself wanting to help survive.
It may not have the same levels of engagement as previous episodes, but the character development is on point, and some of the busier moments are delivered with aplomb.
Proving that this series can stand alongside its predecessors, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episode 3 is another fantastic entry from Telltale. The wait was long, but the improvements in story and overall stability were worth it.
A pedestrian episode which does little to shake the feeling that the series is in dire need of a shake-up.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episode 3: Above the Law is simmering. Javier Garcia is a great character, and aside from some cartoonish bit-parts, the cast that he's surrounding himself with is equally intriguing. Clem's inclusion feels a little forced at this point, but it's good to have her around all the same. An unsatisfying conclusion lets this instalment down, but we're still very much enjoying the ride.