Like a zombie swarm, it multiplies. First there was the graphic novel The Walking Dead, and then the show The Walking Dead, then a talk show about the original show called The Talking Dead, and now there is the game called, yet again, The Walking Dead. Oh, did I mention the show about the game? Yeah, it’s called Playing Dead – just wait until porn companies begin spoofing these names using the same formula. I love zombies as much as the next guy, but come on, enough is enough. Thankfully Telltale Games is making it, so there is hope (Please don’t put Lori in the game).
Telltale Games’ version of the story will shamble its way to the digital scene this spring. At least, that is what Telltale is shooting for. So far they are calling the game’s genre ‘Adventure Horror,’ which makes it sound like it is going to be a darker version of the types of games they already make. They are also going to stick with an episodic release schedule as well, which seems to be working for them in other games like Back to the Future. The art style is also pretty true to the graphic novel, the part of the universe the developers chose to focus on.
The game will take place earlier in the timeline than the graphic novel and the show, and will also be closer to Atlanta. The players will experience the beginning of the apocalypse from the eyes of some new characters, but developers have said they may bump into some old ones as well.
Telltale Games wants to avoid the wholesale slaughter of generic zombie hordes and focus on more specific choice-oriented gameplay style. Don’t worry, there will be shooting, but it seems to focus more on survival, “I have two bullets for this episode, better make them count.” Developers have also talked about story choices carrying over from previous episodes, meaning players will drive the story and their character as much as the developers.
Each episode will probably be about 2 – 4 of quality game time. For more about the game check out the first episode of Playing Dead by Telltale Games.
