The Walking Dead Video Game Episode 1

Just recently released on Xbox Live, is this latest incarnation of Robert Kirkman's graphic novel, The Walking Dead; this time in the form of an episodic, interactive point-and-click video game.

 Designed to run in monthly serials and costing 80 Microsoft points, they represent great value and a truly engrossing experience for not only fans of The Walking Dead graphic novels, and/or the TV series, but also those who enjoy interactive drama adventures containing characters to be empathised with placed into life or death situations.

After completing the brief demo game, I downloaded the first chapter, ' A New Day' and was impressed and pleasantly surprised. The game is presented in the style of the graphic novel and Charlie Adlard's art style, although this time in flat, pastel colours, opposed to monochrome. I won't give any spoilers, but will say the game runs concurrently to the graphic novel and although some familiar faces appear in cameo, this is very much a stand alone affair.

The story revolves (so far) around a character called Lee Everett (no more information!) and those he encounters in newly zombie-infested Georgia. 

 As is the norm with this style of adventure, the action is presented in a branching story with user-defined decisions pushing the narrative in genuinely different directions with a variety of outcomes, including the deaths (or not) of key characters. I tried a couple of different interactions over two attempts of the game and was pleasantly surprised to see completely different scenes and repercussions play out; these will remain for the rest of the story.

 This approach to the story's development creates a user-driven narrative - albeit along a pre-defined story arc - that is absorbing and keeps you glued to the screen for the duration of the chapter - well, it did me, anyway!

While it may not appeal to those who prefer the frenzied impulse-driven domain of FPS games, I found the first chapter of The Walking Dead great entertainment, which delivered a rewarding and tense experience and look forward to the release of the second instalment.

That's it for now!

Monty