The Walking Dead: Episode 2: Starved for Help

Summary
The Walking Dead Episode 2 is a direct continuation from the story of episode 1. I would recommend that gamers play through the first episode before starting this one, as choices from the first episode affect aspects of the second – such as who is alive and present and some other, smaller details. My GSA review for the first episode can be found here. Telltale Games have recently announced that the episodic series will also be released as a retail disc after all episodes have been individually released on XBLA.

Story
The story continues to unfold with you playing Lee Everett. Without detailing spoilers, the theme for part two is the struggle to find food; everyone is starving... but then the group of survivors are presented with an opportunity they cannot refuse. Although the episodes will tell a five part story, part two throws the survivors into completely different circumstances from that of the first. The second part is also more action packed due to the introduction of the main characters being mostly covered during part one.


The new characters presented in part two aren’t given as much coverage, however - this is deliberate on part of the developers to create an air of suspicion and perhaps to deter players from forming bonds to the same extent as with the main characters. Due to less direct character development more time is dedicated to presenting new situations, creating a generally more entertaining experience.

In-game decisions are still present throughout the story and can affect the outcome of future events. Already in part two the choices from part one have had a knock-on effect; with one of the major outcomes being that the survivors who didn't make it in the first episode obviously do not appear in the second. Though - for the most part - these changes don't greatly alter the outcome, I predict there will be much more notable differences for each gamer by the end of the final episode.


Gameplay
Episode 2 still has all of the core elements that made the first work. You have a standard Point 'n' Click control scheme, interactive dialogue choices and QTE's. The second episode features some unique use of the QTE system which keeps the gameplay fresh. Although the gameplay is almost identical to the first episode, this is not an issue as, so far, the series seems to tie in well and each new episode will eventually form one full experience. The QTE's are used in tense or dangerous situations, which keeps players on their toes whilst playing.


Graphics and Style
More stellar efforts from Telltale Games especially on the facial expressions aspect. Each character displays a great deal of their emotions and thoughts through various facial expressions. Great cel-shaded style that provides enough detail to allow the player to imagine what it would be like to 'be there'.


Music
Excellent voice acting with new characters equating the high standard of the characters from first episode. The tone of each character’s voice goes hand in hand with their emotions to create a realistic and believable situation for the survivors. As before, ambience is present to accompany tense situations so the lack of music is not an issue.

Longevity/Replayability
Another 2-3 hour experience with little replay value. If a player has played through both episodes and is happy with the decisions made the first time round then they will be unlikely to undertake a second playthrough. All work up this point will be remembered for the third episode which is likely to add another 2-3 hours’ worth of gameplay

Overall
All in all, more of the same with episode two... but don't get me wrong, more of the same is not a bad thing in this case. The first episode set the story up well and this instalment doesn't let the series down in any way. Although the entertainment only lasts a couple of hours... it also only costs 400MSP, and is well worth the time and money at that price. By the end players will still find themselves eager to find out how the tale unfolds in episode 3, with an August release date for episode 3, they won't have long to wait!

Rating: 8.5/10

Great review mate I loved the first one and can't wait to get this to

Well written that mate! Excellent journalism young man!!

Great work as ever Slayer! I really like TellTales work anyway and this is shaping up to be great, now if they could port the Monkey Island games over I'd be really happy!

Good work mate on a great series.

Here is a free code for Ep2 for someone, BUT you must have ep 1 already downloaded to use it.

Enjoy

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Oooh cool!! Thankyou!! What a good do!!

Here is another free code for Ep 2

YOU MUST HAVE EP1 INSTALLED TO BE ABLE TO PLAY IT, SO DO NOT TAKE THIS CODE IF YOU DON'T OWN EP 1

KPCKQ-CYKQX-VPW69-TKCDR-QTMPZ

Nice one Kent

You the man!

Just finished it! Man! There are some tense moments and very difficult decisions to make in this game! It really gets your emotions going as well as any game i've ever played. Yoiks!!

ill be on this later looks ace