May 5

May 5 Anniversary Advent 2022 | The Walking Dead - Ten Years Of Heartbreak

Where were you the first time you played Telltale’s The Walking Dead? I remember my experience vividly - I was lying on the sofa, and my younger brother wanted to hang out with me. I told him he was far too young to watch this game, but he kept swearing up and down he was old enough. You know where this is going. Ends in tears and a cuddle. Or at least, that’s how it was for me and my brother.

This was the first game I had played where choices mattered. I was blown away by the way I had to think on my feet and choose not just my actions but my words carefully. I was put in life or death situations, often without the time to think about what I was actually committing to. I loved the thrill of it, and it’s one game that has always stuck with me for that.

I know she is probably Clem’s mom… but screw this lady.

Thus began my love for Telltale. I remember working my way through all five episodes quickly only to be left waiting, eagerly for more. Would there be a second game? I didn’t have access to the information that I do now, so when I discovered there was going to be a second game, I was so happy. It was my introduction to Telltale’s style of adventure games, and it still remains one of my absolute favourites, even if it did break my heart and make me cry like a blubbering baby.

You know the scene, right? Lee has to say his goodbyes to Clementine. You have to say goodbye. It’s just utterly heartbreaking. She is being raised in the worst time possible, and now has to say goodbye to the only father figure she has left. For the first time the player’s control shifts. Now you are tasked with the choice of killing Lee out of mercy or leaving him to turn into a walker. The tears were already flowing thick and fast at this point. It’s a devastating scene, and even thinking about it hurts.

All these years later, despite the game offering you a choice, I can’t help but believe there is only one right decision to make when you are faced with this scene, and it is to end Lee’s suffering. Why would you want to disobey his wishes? Of course, it would be difficult for little Clem to kill him, but it must be done. Between the scene being an emotional gut punch and the still iconic music playing in the background, it was all too much. At this point, both my brother and I were ugly crying and were inconsolable for a while after. Even thinking about this scene now, ten years later, has me humming the song in my head. Take Us Back by Alela Diane. It is a fantastic song, and truly fitting for the moment. After all of these years, the song and the moment so intrinsically linked to it in my head have stuck with me and sends chills down my spine.

It is hard to believe that The Walking Dead is truly ten years old. I feel like I remember playing it like it was yesterday, waiting eagerly for the game to install. Not knowing what fresh hells I would be getting myself into as I gripped my PS3 controller, walking through the quiet house after the crash, screaming when the first walker jumped out at me. I even did that silly thing where you tilt your head to try and look around a corner without moving my character. Biting my nails wondering if I made the right decisions, saving this person or that person.

One of the wonderful things about TWD is how well it has aged. That is largely thanks to its astounding art style. It’s one of my absolute favourite things about all Telltale games, and always makes me excited to play one. It’s so iconic, and you can just recognise a Telltale game from a mile away by the comic book cell-shading. This was my first introduction to that art style and to their franchise of games. . Since there was not a single Telltale game that I don’t love, until their closure in 2018! To me, Telltale’s The Walking Dead truly does feel like a timeless classic. It doesn’t feel like it is ten years old. Even playing it again recently, it still feels modern, exciting, and fresh.

Images proceeding VERY unfortunate events.

One of the other features that I love that most “choices-matter” games don’t have, is telling you how many players agreed or disagreed with your choices at the end of each episode. I always found that a really interesting decision and feature to implement into their games, and it is one that makes it a fun experience, especially if you are sharing your experiences with other people. That way, you can discuss your choices with others and why you didn’t do something, or why you chose to do something the way you did. It makes for fun debates that can make or break a friendship! It even sometimes forced me to reflect on my decision and wonder if 90% chose differently, was I in the wrong?

All in all, I absolutely adore Telltale’s The Walking Dead. It is a fantastic game, and if you haven’t played it, then you really need to. The series is so deserving of love, there are so many twists and turns that you never expect, and heartbreak in unfamiliar places. It makes for such a unique experience that will be unforgettable. After all, I can still recall my time with it as clear as day after ten years. Thank you to Telltale, for making such a wonderful game.