This hour-and-a-half extremly linear crap is unacceptable
Once upon a time Telltale made adventure games. Now they make slightly interactive movies.
It seems to me the success of TWD S1 hit them in the head to crap out episodes without too much effort. Before TWD S1E5 episodes were easily over 2 hours. Now episodes struggle to reach the hour and 45 minutes mark.
The gameplay on the other hand, is entirely a gameplay design choice. The only actual interaction you have in entirely in dialogue trees. It's just one linear scene after another. When TWD S1 came I thought it was easily GOTY, but I wanted them to EXPAND on adventure-game-like puzzles and stuff, NOT DUMB IT DOWN FURTHER.
Most fans and reviews focus on the story which is great as always, but Telltale doesn't seem to acknowledge the lower scores GameSpot and AdventureGamers give who realize this is a game and it's supposed to have GAMEPLAY. And once you give us several 2:30 hours long episodes you can't just make new ones half as long and expect the same quality.
To quote this thread:
I sat there thinking "When am I going to be able to roam around and talk to the entire group?". It never happened. I have no attachment to any of the S2 characters because of it. We need 1 on 1 conversations to get to know characters.
At the end of the day, Telltale makes gripping stories like nobody else. But it's like "playing" a David Cage game with writing that doesn't suck. It's just QTEs and dialogue.
Comments
Agreed. The option to talk to other characters made the episodes feel longer and it was highly enjoyable being interactive with everyone and talking to them for updates regarding the story. That's just completely gone now with the exception of a few conversations such as the one you can have with Rebecca at the Ski Lounge.
Gamespot are terrible reviewers. So I never took their word for anything really. Especially when they're the ones responsible for normally taking a shit on Metacritic's average reviews lately. I swear, they only give games mixed reviews so they can get more attention at times.
But in regards to the linearity. It's a problem yes, but at this point, I don't see us ever getting any proper hub moments like we had with Season One. Telltale are clearly intent on keeping this current direction now. The lodge would've been the PERFECT moment to actually have something like this but they still didn't do it. And since they haven't, I don't see them ever doing it. It's just how they want Season Two to go. Criticising it for taking this direction though is the annoying part. No matter what you do, it's IMPOSSIBLE to satisfy everyone. Some people love this new direction while some hate it. And some never want to go back to the old style. Despite the fact I personally preferred it. It did extent playtime noticeably also. Especially when you found out you completely missed out an optional conversation and wanted to give it a replay. Still though, A House Divided is still my personal favorite episode Telltale have made in the 2013-2014 margin (yes, I'm even counting The Wolf Among Us Episode 1).
Jesus Christ, Gamespot Episode 1 a 6? Is it really that much of a problem to have 4 points cut off it's score?
You had 2 places to do that, when you stop at the bottom of the mountain and inside the resort house. Im pretty sure there will be more chances to roam around in ep3 as its going to take place inside Carvers camp. Also the ep2 seemed long enough and it had a sense of completion so I don't care if it was 1:45 or 2:15 as long as I have satisfaction from playing it. My criticism towards TWAU length was more about the quality, most of time nothing interesting happened so the episode felt short, ep2 of TWD was completely opposite.
Look, I'm not one to normally defend telltale, but in this case I think they did a decent job. Sure this episode is definitely not on the same quality level as S1, but it is much larger in choice branching than previous episodes. I'll admit that I'm a bit disappointed that Pete can't survive no matter what, but if you choose Pete you still get several extra scenes, tons of new dialog and an interesting problem(The gunshot). Near the end you decide the fate of three separate characters, each of whom can live or die. Throughout the episode different dialog is used depending on previous choices to a much larger extent than before. However, I agree with you on the lack of talking. I honestly don't feel attached to any of the characters, except for Alvin because Juice Box :P. Even when Pete died I didn't cry unlike last season when I was an emotional wreck. I was even able to crack jokes during this game, something I wouldn't have even dared do in the previous season. I really hope they add talking time, although they did add more exploration which was good.
The gameplay is still alright as well. There are puzzles, although they are much simpler. You can still walk around and interact with items(Although I find there are many more invisible walls
), its all pretty much the same as last season. In fact, they have added to the gameplay with a few different maneuvers. I agree that they are dumbing it down, and although I think that's a bad thing it doesn't ruin the rest of the game. If anything it just helps broaden the number of people who would like to play.
I'm not sure whats going on with the length though, I'll admit I'm a bit disappointed we waited longer for an episode shorter than Starved for Help. I think this is the price we have to pay to get less linearity. I'm not sure which one I like best, but I think having our consequences matter more may help attach us to the characters without talking time.
I just realized while writing this that I agree with most of your points, ah whatever lol, I need some sleep(Stayed up til 6 yesterday waiting for the episode, damn PC delays!)
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I can only agree. I really miss walking around and talking with the people I'm supposed to care about.
The more linear approach would be okay maybe for episode 4 and 5 after you have built up a relationship with the characters, but certainly not for the first couple of episodes.
They gave low score for attention thats why. They also reviewed bioshock infinite and gave it 4/10
This episode took 1h52 mins for me.
I think they make it shorter so we can have more story branching
It always depends on your choices. Weather you choose to roam all the areas or just go for what you need.
I felt like you could "explore" more in the ski lodge. Some people didn't and that's why it's shorter. Not just the ski lodge but about everything. Those 2/3 minutes can make the difference.
criticism of david cage the creator of heavy rain walking dead copied whole concept limited time responses, movie point and click, decision based story, Involving child even QTEs so must be respected must understand his idea inspired telltale. I have not played episode 2 yet but scared my worst fear might happen linear, lack of puzzles and short. Seems the new season a step back in terms of story and gameplay usually sequels improve on the original concept but only improvement is graphics rest have taken step back but still massive fan and looking forward to playing
Clicked every single thing, still was about 1:40 hours long including the credits and previously on
Bioshock Infinite best game of last year FFS that's a joke
And The Last of Us an 8. I'll admit, I don't see the game my all-time favourite game. But most certainly deserves a 9.5-10.
The episode felt longer for me, but that's probably because a LOT of shit went down. I agree the ski lodge would have been the perfect opportunity to get to know the cast better.
We went on a five day walk. They couldn't have let us build up some relationships and fill in back story then. I agree, they are rushing this and not giving it the same experience from Season 1 because they aren't letting us explore more and build up relationships.
What? That game is great.
Yes... and in spite of that, I believe they delivered a very strong episode.
This episode took 1 hr and 45 mins for me.
In my opinion, this is one of the best episodes I've ever played. Full of interesting events and conversations with tough decisions.
I play TWD on xbox, and the only thing that annoys me is the achievements, there is 8 achievements.
So the more achievements i get, make me know that I am closer to the end of the episode
I do agree it was strong narratively. I really enjoyed, sweated the hostage situation. But Season 1 gave you more time to sink into the world, kind of immerse yourself. I felt it raised the stakes and delivered a bit more anxiety, dread, and care for what happens to the other characters.
Uh-huh. I certainly miss those moments. More often than not, it wasn't even crucial to the episode, but some small-talk made these bunch of pixels feel like characters and people in the best of cases.
The achievements were pretty misleading in this one, when i noticed that i had 4 of them in half an hour i was worried that it would be really short, as it was it took me pretty close to two hours and i was pretty satisfied.
"I dont like it so its unacceptable" pfft, if you dont like the new season than thats too bad but no one is forcing you to play it. Its telltales game and they'll decide whats acceptable and what isnt. i agree the episodes are on the short side but its not like telltale is making the episodes short just for the sake of them being short. Obviously they're doing what best for the story. Sorry but saying its "unacceptable" makes you sound incredibly arrogant.