The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead: The Final Season reaches its last episode, and provides a neat if not entirely satisfying conclusion to Clementine’s story.
In 2012 , Telltale Games created a piece of back history through the waiver of the first time of year ofThe Walking Dead . A triumph of video biz storytelling , directly players became ravish by its take on the adventure musical style and a devotion to creating mysterious , credible case - most of all the untested Clementine . Now , against all betting odds , Clementine ’s account is coming to a last with the last part ofThe Walking Dead : The Final Season .
That this last episode , calledTake Us Back , exists at all is something of a turn of events - up . Telltale ’s dramatic implosionlast twelvemonth and the ensuingfallout over its treatment of staffsuggested that there was no way back for its most well - known series , but Skybound Entertainment pounce in to resurrectThe Walking Dead . After a successful debut attempt with Episode 3 ofThe Final Season , all middle were on the last chapter to see if this story could stick the landing place .
concern : The Walking Dead : The Final Season Episode 3 - Broken Toys Review
In a way , it does . This final episode is full of the same variety of dramatic moments that have been the bread - and - butter ofThe walk Deadso far , brimming with tough decision and moments of single peril . There ’s an attempt to provoke a strong excited reaction , and at times it bring home the bacon .
That said , this last episode does lack a niggling something . The Walking Deadhas had its flaw over the years , but it has always been able to pitch when it comes to the last sequence of each time of year , from the gut - wrenching finale of its introduction to the vicious , sparse moments of its second season terminate . Even the less lovedA New Frontierfound a hearty conclusion at the end of the day , resolving its themes of fellowship and loyalty in a neat , albeit action - heavy , package .
WithTake Us Back , The Final Seasonfeels a piffling more introspective . Whereas the third installment pulled out all the stop with a declamatory smash - and - snap that was full of twists and turns , it ’s fair to say thatTake Us Backis a little more straightforward in its approach . Narratively , it does n’t offer up anything fresh , with Clementine and the other survivors attempting to get back home to Ericson ’s Boarding School and look problems along the elbow room .
The big here and now here attempt to mirror the first season , with youngster AJ take up the position of Clementine . What would he do if Clementine were to not be around any longer ? Has her training and guidance been enough to release him into a ego - reliant , but still empathetic , survivor in this new world full of dangers ?
The most interesting parts of the time of year have revolve around these questions , particularly over whether AJ interpret when pop is appropriate . Fromthe first episodethere has been a nagging doubt in the back of the actor ’s mind as to whether AJ , a child born into this world rather than remembering a time before ruthless survival , is become out as Clementine contrive . However , by the end of the sequence this weighty upshot is neaten up quickly , in maliciousness of some questionable actions by AJ himself .
These fleet , neat resolutions are a trip up block inTake Us Back . Some large thematic strands , such as whether Clementine unfeignedly is able to raise AJ in such a frightening Earth , are throw quick get - outs , while other questions are dropped entirely . The phantasm of another , even worse survivor group than the one that is kidnapping kids to use as child soldiers is never cite again . Instead , Take Us Backlooks at character resolutions .
That ’s not necessarily a bad thing , of course of instruction - after all , this is likely the last sentence that players will get to see Clementine and AJ , and so provide a desirable last place for them was always go to be of importance . This last installment does lack a little of the impact of those other season , with stakes that feel somewhat lower than in years gone . The material is answered here - who lives and who die - but the issue of the soul are seemingly unmoved .
From a gameplay perspective , those who enjoyThe Walking Dead ’s new crossbreed of dangerous undertaking gameplay and more natural process - focalise , clear areas will find more of the same . There are some fantastical minute , though , with a setting where the instrumentalist swop quickly between controller of AJ and Clementine being a especial standout . This is in part because it ties is so well with what works about the plot , as we see AJ ’s growth into an independent and dependable mortal in his own right .
There ’s still the odd clunky moment to contend with . Some of the open section feel a little slow and clumsy , but it ’s still good to see the formula ofThe walk Deadpushed to its absolute limit . Meanwhile , the more narrative - driven moment of dialogue choice once again find impactful , even if there ’s always that sunburn feeling that it does n’t truly change all that much .
The inquiry mark over the mechanics ofThe walk Deadis easy to ignore , though , with the dialogue and public presentation once again being captivating . This last episode show fry of various ages shin to carry how they finger or think , as they - to a person - realize that their entrenched rules and ideology do n’t utilize in every circumstance . Indeed , the main object lesson of the game seems to be that sometimes it is deserving trusting people to make the right decision , and nowhere is this truer than with Clementine and AJ .
Take Us Backasks the player to trust AJ in one of the episode ’s strongest moments . A pass of the torch , from one person forced to grow up too soon to another , in social club to show both faith in AJ and religious belief in Clementine ’s teaching . The musician ’s decision at this full stop has ramifications , although once again AJ ’s muddy actions never reach an expected finis .
In short , this final instalment ofThe Walking Deadwas always go to be cursed with finishing a story that had gained such investment from players . How do you balance delivering a fitting end to a beloved fiber like Clementine while still tying into the grim creation ofThe Walking Deadwhere happy endings are laborious to come up by ? It ’s a okay line to take the air , andTake Us Backperhaps plays it too secure .
Nonetheless , this sequence shows thatThe Walking Dead : The Final Seasonis by no means a failure . It may lack the ingenuity that the series has show , particularly in its former entries , but it does provide a resolution . The Final Seasonends well , but consecrate the highs ofThe Walking Dead , some may be entrust wondering if that was enough .
More : Telltale ’s The Walking Dead : The Final Season Episodes Exclusive on PC to Epic ’s memory
The Walking Dead : The Final Season Episode 4 - Take Us Backreleases March 26 for PC , PS4 , Nintendo Switch , and Xbox One . Screen Rant was provided with a PC download code for the use of this critical review .
