It’s been a very long time coming. Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead has endured loads of trials and tribulations all through its seven-year run – it’s not, for that matter, even Telltale’s mission anymore – and but right here we’re, lastly setting eyes upon its dramatic conclusion.
Plaudits for this and the earlier episode, Broken Toys, go to Skybound Games – a studio fashioned by Skybound Entertainment, itself co-founded by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman – which took on most of Telltale’s unique workforce when the corporate collapsed final yr. The restructured, dislocated workforce has not solely introduced closure to Clementine’s story, however has finally allowed this sequence to exit with the dignity it deserves.
But earlier than we go on, relaxation assured that there received’t be any spoiling of main story particulars right here. The finale to Clementine and AJ’s narrative is one thing that deserves to be loved contemporary – certainly, their relationship takes centre stage for almost all of Episode Four’s runtime. And, fittingly, ‘Take Us Back’ is scattered with loads of callbacks to earlier seasons – the title is a reference to the Alela Diane composition that performs following the conclusion of Season One – which solely provides to its emotional weight.
That mentioned, it could actually generally really feel like there’s little likelihood to soak all of it in. This remaining episode acts as a stark distinction to the earlier three, throwing you headfirst into the motion and barely letting up. Its narrative instantly follows the explosive occasions of Episode Three, wherein Clem and her band of survivors are left combating for his or her lives, and presents up probably the most breathtaking intro sequence of the season.
Despite Take Us Back’s fast-paced nature, nevertheless, it’s truly the longest finale within the sequence’ historical past. That additional time is given over to very important character growth, as The Final Season has usually performed, however bucks the development by putting its focus nearly solely on AJ and Clem.
It additionally makes use of its two-hour operating time to remind gamers, one final time, why The Walking Dead loved such success within the first place. All of the sequence’ finest traits are right here – surprising moments, robust choices, action-packed sequences, and a barrage of shifting story parts. It’s a method that has confirmed standard since its debut, and has gone on to form the episodic journey style as we all know it as we speak.
It’s extra than simply the tip of a narrative. It’s the tip of an period
That affect is straightforward to take without any consideration now. Telltale Games engaged in some controversial enterprise choices following TWD’s success, together with a perceived deal with amount over high quality and reviews of harsh working situations, and finally suffered consequently. But the likes of Minecraft: Story Mode and Batman: The Telltale Series would absolutely by no means have existed with out the success of The Walking Dead. The identical goes for Dontnod Entertainment’s 2015 title, Life is Strange, the creators of which have been instantly impressed by Telltale’s efforts.
And that’s why the finale of Telltale’s most profitable property signifies a lot extra than simply the tip of a narrative. It’s the tip of an period. It’s a remaining alternative to pattern the distinctive narrative really feel and gameplay mechanics that have been launched all that point in the past, after which honed throughout a number of sequence over the previous seven years. Their affect shall be felt lengthy into the long run, I’ve little question, however Take Us Back represents an opportunity to revel of their traditional type.
I implore you to enter this episode with an open thoughts. There’s a large quantity of expectation that goes together with one thing that’s been seven years within the making. Your first time by way of could also be overwhelming consequently, and you might even want a second playthrough to actually savour all of it. And even with that in thoughts, Take Us Back’s conclusion inevitably received’t fulfill each Walking Dead fan on the market. But it actually feels as if the workforce at Skybound has gone the additional mile to ship a artistic and worthy ending.
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It most likely shouldn’t even have occurred. The Walking Dead has survived greater than its fair proportion of walker bites, however reviews of dwindling gross sales from season-to-season and the collapse of an organization weren’t sufficient to maintain it down. Just a number of months in the past, when cancellation felt like an actual chance, it appeared like followers can be left hanging, endlessly doomed to problem ex-Telltale staff for data on how the story ends. And that simply wouldn’t have performed this sequence, nor its devoted growth groups, justice. It’s been actual, Clementine. We’ll miss you.
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