Atmospheric horror RPG

(First of all: I do not rezensiere the physical disk, but the English MarketPlace version; however, the game is the same, the performance of the Market Place version but apparently much better)

After the successful TV series, it has now also made it to the video game universe The Walking Dead. Just like the series of arcade titles based on the eponymous comic book series by Robert Kirkman. Can convince the video game version?

The Walking Dead is a series of games, which is divided into five episodes. Between April and November 2012, these have been published at regular intervals. Cost point per episode are 400 Microsoft Points, the price behavior on other platforms are similar. All episodes are only available in English language edition, including English subtitles. In order to understand the story, it is not necessary to have seen the TV series or read the comics.

Central linchpin is your character Lee Everett. Through him you navigate through the entire game and meet decisions that may affect the further game. Lee himself controls located on the 3rd-person view and interact around with different objects and people. Who expects a purely linear action game is here misplaced: Although The Walking Dead includes action and horror elements, but plays like an RPG. The action space changes constantly.

Although a basic path is set, but you can meet these free decisions that affect the rest of the players in a different way. Time you decide only about the driving of an object, even though also about the life or death of another character. Very important are the choices you make during interviews. In these you will constantly faced the choice to select one of up to four ready-made answers. Thus, the opinion of your conversation partner over you can change abruptly.

The game is designed in cartoon style, which is really well implemented. Although the game does not offers a high-end graphics, the environment is beautifully decorated and very detailed. The look matches the atmosphere and makes the overall image harmoniously.

A minimal shortcoming, the control represents. Hin namely recurrent small Unfeinheiten interfere, interrupt the flow of the game, however, hardly. Well implemented, the Quick-Time-Events. Here it is to react quickly and make the right decision; otherwise might tune, be the wrong inventory item or a walker on your neck people. You never get the feeling to be annoyed by Quick-Time-Events or make senseless decisions. On the contrary: through them you will be closer integrated into the game and the story makes you feel even closer.

The story we were also the main point of the game. Each episode tells a piece of the overall story. The first episode is the beginning of the Walker-invasion. By Lee you meet for the first time on the fulling antagonists and step into the world of The Walking Dead. Clementine is the first and most important person with whom you get to do it in the game. She is a little girl that alone hidden from the walkers. In the hope of seeing her parents one day, she joins you. From now you are her protector and first point of contact. It Clementine is no ball and chain; not once will you save your ass.

In addition there are numerous other characters Clementine, some of which pose a help more and do less. Many also cause internal conflicts, the group put on the brink of collapse. For Lee then it is often simple, stay calm and to prevail. Or to stay in the background, while the other simply exercise. You decide.

Anyone who has found the individual episodes well, can look forward to the final. Epic stages, captivating like no other game and with a dramatic end. Playthrough is worthwhile. Handkerchiefs are however recommended. Even real men can have something in mind! (Women of course.)

If now is still not everyone be completely convinced, offers free demo for skeptics a way to briefly immerse yourself in the game world. The contents of the demo is part of the first episode, you are thus directly confronted with actual gameplay.

Conclusion:
To describe this game as a "managed", would be a sheer understatement. "Milestone" meets it are more likely. Small graphical and control-related inconsistencies fade with respect to the brilliant atmosphere and gripping story. A strong contender for game of the year that no gamer should miss!