What's the general verdict on season 2 so far?
I loved season one of the walking dead to pieces. Loved the story, loved the tension, loved the combat, the puzzles and characters and pretty much everything.
I've avoided season two for a couple of reasons. The first is that I'm playing Wolf episode by episode and waiting every couple of months for that game is enough for me. The second is that I don't like the idea of Clementine as the main character. Yes, she awesome and yes, it's nice getting to follow her story, but I have trouble really getting interested in her when it feels like her story concluded so perfectly at the end of season one.
So, even though it's only been three episodes, what's the general verdict on season two? How does it compare to season one? Does You-Know-Who magically and nonsensically coming back to life from season one actually play as stupid as it sounds?
Comments
Don't let that get to you; sure it may be weird for the first episode, but the game gives you more important things to worry about and you just fall into playing as her without many problems. If you cared about her when you played as Lee then it shouldn't be much of a problem.
Simply put, it's not as good as Season 1. That doesn't mean it's not good at all though - it's still pretty amazing. There's a shift in tone/writing, so it's a 'different experience' to Season 1. More combat, less puzzles.
Yes. In a way he makes up for it, though.
Honestly? I really, really like playing season two. I like the characters we've been introduced to, and we get to see Clementine make that further transition into someone who is capable of making her own decisions and take care of herself. The graphics look better, too.
Does it have its own problems? Sure. I would like to get to know some of the characters better (I think the lack of hubs contributes to that) but we still have two episodes left. It might take you a little bit to warm up to everybody after that journey with the original cast, but it's definitely worth playing. I'd give it a go.
Not enjoying it as much as season 1 or TWAU. Still 2 episodes left, so things can change.
While having a lot of problems, it's still a masterpiece, nothing is perfect. I enjoyed season 1 a little more though.
I have seen a lot of mixed views to this question, i am really enjoying season 2 and i am enjoying it as much as i enjoyed season 1, personally i am finding it much more enjoyable than TWAU as i am finding TWD's story more gripping than TWAU and i love playing as Clementine. You shouldn't let the fact that you are playing as Clem stop you from playing season 2 as she is awesome character to play as.
imo not even close to what i would call masterpiece but still once you get into characters and all that its fun. The thing is story is almost non-reliant on you thats probably biggest setback from season1. Example in s1 you either get good relationship with kenny or lilly in season 2 i see kenny and luke counterpart to that and theres no way you could restrain your relationship with them (not that i want to but w/e)
I like S2 ALOT, but not as much as S1. I like the better graphics, and I like what their doing with Kenny. How to make S2 a masterpiece aswell?
Add hubs in the last 2 episodes, and make the episodes 2 hours atleast. I like what their doing with Rebecca because she is getting alot of lines.
They need to make the rest of the group more involved. The reason why I dont care as much for the S2 cast is because I dont know them as much as the S1 cast. That's where S2 is lacking. Hubs make us learn more about the characters and then you care more for them too.
braces for downvotes
When I played Season 1, I liked it. It wasn't my end all be all GOTY like it was for some people, but it was a solid 8/10 for me and I was very excited what could be done with Season 2 with some experience, more exposure, bigger budget, bigger staff, etc. They had a really solid groundwork to REALLY knock my socks off with a Season 2. The only TTG game I had played previously was Tales of Monkey Island, and I saw a huge improvement in between the two game, so I thought they'd continue on the same trajectory and revive the Adventure genre in the mainstream game market.
And well... S2 is a bit of a step back. Virtually no gameplay, the occasionally not-quite-right dialogue and sometimes incredibly shaky writing of S1 has been smoothed out in some places, but seemingly at the cost of the humanity of the characters. Season 1 felt like a game full of people, while season 2 feels like a bunch of plot devices wearing human skin. Why did Reggie exist? To show us that Carver is a very bad man. Why did Rebecca exist? To bring Carver to us. Why does Omid die and Christa get chased off? To clear the stage for a new plotline. Etc etc.
Now I am not one of those people who screams 'unrealistic!' or don't want the game to have a concurrent thematic story going, far from it. But artistically, their building of themes and the general "hero" arc is weak. Kenny coming back after his redemption is weak. Carver is a foil for Clem is weak, and felt like a limp attempt to instill darkness in our decisions when most of our decisions this season have been meaningless morally. So to have such a weak overarching/thematic story, served by such convenient soulless characters, is just an inability to choose between or do both for Telltale to me.
So, S2 is okay. It's an okay game. There are shocking moments. There are tense moments. Some things make you go "aww". But it is a step backwards from Season 1 and when you sit down and actually analyze it both as a work of fiction and as a game, the flaws become more numerous and more pronounced. At this point, I, honestly, as a player, am not excited for Episode 4 or 5. There is no gameplay to look forward to, there is no feeling of dread, hope, and tension like there was at this time last season. Just another 90 minute cutscene where some characters act out the roles they were assigned at the beginning of the season, because we have moved from an intimate story about people reacting to despair and loss to a group of perfect, sterile and predictable actors moving the plot along towards the goal.
It doesnt play stupidly at all....the way Mr.you know who comes back....its just explained in a very shitty way :C But the Season itself is great,the choices dont matter as much but i think they will mater in episode 4.....You should give it a go its one of my favourite games
episode 1 was incredibly boring, but that was okay, since it was meant to be an introduction
episode 2 was awesome, hands down
episode 3 was a huge disappointment. There could have been SO much MORE. We didn't even get to get a closer look on the compound. Sure, it would have been futile, since it gets overrun at the end anyway, but still...it would have been a lot more interesting if we had to memorize the general layout and find weak spots we could have used to escape. Generally, it would have been far cooler if we had had the option to force our way out by overpowering the guards or sneak out unnoticed. I had hoped for a bit more variety.
The Season is good until now, but doesn't even reaches the awesomeness of Season 1. There's action and tough choices, but the character development and hub moments are missing. Unlike Season 1, you don't know squat about the characters. You don't know their jobs, ages, likes, dislikes, etc... so you don't really feel much when they die. We have Clem as main protagonist, which is a problem. She can sneak and deceive everyone, her abilities are bigger than everyone else and what she says has an effect on everyone. Worst of all, there are no hub moments. There are rare moments where you can walk by yourself, but the clickable objects are very limited. Unlike Season 1, where you could click anything, from a white picket fence to the Motel's dumpster gate. I'd give it a 6.5 out of 10.
All That Remains: I don't care what people say, I LOVED this episode. It was a great way for re-introducing Clementine as the main protagonist as well as throwing her right back into the dangerous world of the ZA. Also made me feel like I had to be way more cautious of who to be friends with.
A House Divided: Probably the best Telltale episode released this year. One of the best TWD Episodes to be sure. It could do with more interactivity though.
In Harm's Way: My feelings are rather mixed on this episode. If you were watching this as if it was a TV show, this would be the best episode yet. But we're playing it, and since it's a game, I find this the weakest episode of Season Two. Not only was there a lack of hubs like before, but if felt like Clementine herself got to do very little in the episode with Kenny being the "Lead character" of this episode, instead of it being the character you're actually playing as. But for Kenny fans, this is his best episode. Hands down. It's annoying too since this episode was a one I was really looking forward to, a prison escape story was a one I wanted a Telltale episode to do for ages, but it wasn't executed as well I would've hoped.
11/10 it's okay-ign
Sorry i didn't mean to reply to your comment.
It good for me. Not as good as Season 1 but it's pretty good.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
In my opinion, not as good as Season 1.
It has very good characters though, but you do not really get the chance to know more about them. Which is a problem, you don't really get a chance to get attached to the characters
The "... will remember that (?)", well, they don't really mean as much they used to.
But on the bright side, you see more environments.
For those who hated hub areas (unlike me), well, they won't bother you.
Nice songs at each endings.
More action.
For me : Season 2 is good, but could easily get better.
Yeah like most people say, it's good, but it could be better.
With that said, A House Divided is one of Telltale's greatest episodes in my opinion.
Season 2 storyline is better. Expanding further into the world of the apocalypse, Not into world that's falling apart like in Season 1. If you focus well enough you will realize that. Aside from Clementine, kenny and Jane, The rest of S2 characters are very dull to me.
Many of the criticism to Season 2 aren't valid. Very few of them are, But they're being exaggerated.
To me, playing as Clementine feels even better than playing as Lee. Also, the graphics this season have obviously been improved and a thing or two have been added to the game mechanics. This season has some good characters (and more determinant characters) and You-Know-Who has returned with superpowers. It's also, by far, darker than the last season and just seems "bigger" (as in the scale of the story and the places you go to).
However, a lot of people (not me) have had a hard time getting to like the new group and there's been some complains about bad writing. Also, we're far more cynical than last season and we seem to expect everyone and everything to die, hence, there's fewer surprises. Another big complain is the hubs. I don't know if there are fewer, but there certainly are fewer dialogues in them. This has a damaging effect on character development and also shortens the episodes for a lot of people. But, probably, the biggest edge S1 has over S2 is the Lee/Clem relationship. There's a few relationships that sort of get close to it (depending on how you play it), but it never quite gets there (to me). And, finally, I liked S1's last episode the most and this is a big factor in the comparison.
To sum up, I'm loving S2, but I still think S1 is better, mainly for the relationship with Clem and "No Time Left". Although I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up liking S2 more; for this to happen, the ending of S2 would have to be at least on par with S1's ending.
How? No, really, how? Is it because of the thematic focus?
Perspective can indeed change your point of view on something, but focus on what exactly?
And is that not a problem?
Such as?
Yes. I'm a huge fan of that issue. To focus on your theme of the game.
The lore of the story while ignoring mistakes the dev team might have made.
Yes, It's a problem, But it doesn't really matter to me as i don't really like them. We've discussed that before that they're here to add the biggest morally defining choice is episode 5.
The Walking Dead Season 2, the long awaited sequel of the first season's cliffhanger ending. My only complaint with season 1 episode 5 ending is that Clementine no matter what goes to the wide open hills. (Don't quote me on that if I'm wrong ok?) I wanted to know who was it that clementine sees in the distance. And my issue with this ending carries over into season two, as much I want to go in to this I'm not going to spoil it if you decide go get the new season. One interesting feature that Tall Tales mentioned was transferring your choices over into season two so far I haven't seen much of how my choices will effect season 2. The only real noticeable one was the dialogue in episode 3 In Harms Way. The game has been given a massive makeover both ascetically and game play wise, not that there is much game play this season. The episodes so far have been lackluster and dull. No real tension or suspense, no "OMG" moments in the previous season I was kept on edge enjoying it not wanting the episodes to end looking forward to the next. As for this season I don't care when the new episode comes out, season 1 really made you feel like your decisions mattered. This season has taken that away from the player making your decisions rather pointless. None of my choices so far have had much of an effect on the story. So far I have managed to piss off a character, reassure a character, make a character sad. The only important decision may have gotten 2 possibly 3 characters killed but that's about it. The new characters your grouped with are very bland and dull so far I only hate one but that feeling is gone either based on my choice or tall tales scripting but I want to say the latter because said character is acting well out of character. The pacing of the story is horrible, such much more work they could have put into it expand on the characters and develop the plot. The so called threat and build up this season was so far the most interesting part of this season, but that was short lived and dealt with rather easily. If your interested in the story I recommended you to just watch a play through, if I had a choice between getting the season pass and buying some used games I would have picked the later.
So far both seasons are equally fantastic.
I think that Season 2 is so far better than Season 1.
Glad to be of service!
S1 = 11/10
S2 (so far) = 8/10, sequels are always hard to make. Its still great.
I think season 2 would have been just fine if season 1 wasn't just so amazing. I love em' both almost equally, but that's just me. Although, i'm willing to admit there are flaws to it.
Now I ask, what is Season Two's theme and overarching storyline? I thought it was something, but last episode actually surprised me and literally killed the perceived focus. This can be a good thing, but I am not holding my breath.
If you say Clementine's development, know that that is stunted because of the interconnecting issues throughout the season. This is how I feel, and this is my reasoning behind it.
Shit, then The Elder Scrolls games are literary masterpieces simply based on the lore, nevermind that their main stories are quite shitty.
ME3 was awesome, nevermind the ending and other assorted problems it had, because we had three games worth of codex entries behind us.
You... cannot... judge this game based on only some aspects; the whole must be taken into account, and my thesis here is that the whole is lacking.
How will it be morally defining? How will it matter, how will it be morally challenging to make if we do not care or feel strongly towards these people? It is a problem because they are not presented to us as people, but - as an user put above most eloquently - as a bunch of plot devices wearing human skin.
Based on what do we make choices in this game? On Clementine's safety, both physical and mental well-being and then that of the group's. More or less, right? Let's say these two will clash in the Season Finale. Apart from basic human empathy and a desire to see Clem act as the hero, what is stopping us from choosing what is "best" for us instead of what is best for the rest?
If you make me choose between Clem or Sarah's lives, I'll pick Clementine a thousand times. Make me choose between Clem or the entire group's survival and I'd have little problem letting them all die, at this point. Extreme examples? Sure, but they are used to try to transmit what I'm trying to say.
No, but as I've countered, the positives outnumber the negatives if done right. They are a tool that's known to have good results, sacrificing them in the name of streamlining is hurting the game. If not hubs, a new concept that surpasses them; so far I have seen none this season.
Huh?
We really cannot affirm or deny the fact that the development of other games have affected TWDG.
Yeah, disappointing.
Does it, really? I mean, I understand the fact that it is a more or less self-contained piece of story that might be best experienced in "one sitting", but does pausing and coming back later to finish it really lessen your overall enjoyment of the episode?
EDIT: Oh, but thanks for replying.
Reggie is the counterpart to Ben in a certain respect. As annoying as he was, he was essential because it's showed a quintessential part of how Carver leads and what you (Clem) experienced with Ben and how he did things jeopardized the group's lives.
I'm enjoying it. I don't disagree with the criticisms for it, in fact I'm in agreement with most of them, but I don't think it's bad by any means.
I'm just hoping season 3 can take what both season 1 and 2 did right, and weed out what they did wrong, and make it the best thing ever. Hopefully with Clementine still the protagonist, because she truly is a great character and I think she really deserves a truly amazing season with her as the star.
this season has been pretty awesome so far, although episode 3 felt very rushed it was still a good episode but very predictable and i thought too many spoilers were in the trailer for episode 3
In my opinion, I like Season Two better.
*Playing as Clementine is more of a better perspective.
*The episodes are shorter, which is amazing.
*The characters are great, and more exciting than those of Season One's.
*The situations that the characters go through make you appreciate them more SPOILER: I.e, Sarah losing her father.
*You get to see returning characters, and there are still more to come!
*There are less hubs, which makes the experience more enjoyable.
*The choices you make have a larger impact in the future, while Season One's would mostly impact the current or the next episode.
*Lastly, The overall plot of Season Two has a better pacing, which eliminates the unnecessary material that Season One had.
Again, this is my personal opinion on Season Two.
I feel way better about season 1 mostly because of what drove the story. Also S1 group was diverse in personality and interactive with each other. S2 characters seem not to be as diverse to me. How it changes with Carver dead I don't know, but S2 does not feel as good overall, but there are some aspects I see TTG going with which would salvage the season for me.
Ok.
I would only like to counter this one bit... well no, but I choose to only counter this one bit:
They don't, so far. They really don't, and the best examples are the majority of your choices in In Harm's Way. There is room for them to have more of an impact in the next two episodes, but it really should be felt not only at the last minute, but throughout the season.
If our choices had not affected S1 on an episode by episode basis and left it all until our confrontation with the stranger, S1's illusion of choice would have crumbled by this point last time around. We would not have felt the weight of our choices, and the experience would have been all the worse because of it.
A thousand times yes.
I've liked season two so far and I think they're very good games. Especially from a technical point of view because....they actually work....lol.
But as some as said, season 2 is a step backwards. The story and characters aren't as strong as in season 1, and the gameplay is a little to streamlined for my tastes as opposed to the first season.
1) Playing as Clementine has actually turned out to be pretty awesome, IMHO. I wish they would remember more often that she's still just a little girl, but in retrospect I still consider it a very inspired move. If they go for a Season 3, I'm hoping they keep letting us play her, as this feels like its become her story.
2) I'm not sure how to answer the question of whether its better or worse than Season 1.
On the one hand, the last two episodes have struck me as really, really strong in a lot of areas, enough that I would rank them up there with the better episodes of Season 1.
On the other hand, Telltale has decided to get rid of some of the things that made Season 1 so great, most notably the hub areas and puzzles that gave room for a bit of extra dialogue and character development. Without those things, I just don't feel anywhere near as connected with the Season 2 characters as I was with those from Season 1. The episodes are shorter, as well. If you've played The Wolf Among Us, as you say, you probably know what I'm talking about on both these counts.
3) It makes little to no sense for you-know-who to come back, and Telltale doesn't bother trying to give it an explanation. His presence still makes the game stronger, though, if you can overlook the whole 'no possible way he could still be alive' thing.
I think the general consensus is that season 2 is enjoyable, but it hasn't reached the same level of depth that season 1 achieved.
There are new characters that I like (I find Nick and Sarah more interesting than Ben and Duck respectively), but they don't have the room for development and interaction that season 1 granted. There's potential for interesting decisions, but none have had the same moral gravity or shifting relationships that the Motor Inn conflict had. And while I still love Clementine as as a character, I mourn the lack of a relationship as powerful as the one that she had with Lee.
No, It's something that can not be described. Like the Sci-Fi theme of ME1. This time with more Zombies and bleak events. I think Clementine is just fine that way.
quite shitty.
Actually, I never really been a big fan of the elders scrolls, And Skyrim bored the crap out of me. Mass Effect 3 can not be compared to The Walking Dead. The level of quality on the Mass Effect Trilogy was so high that ME3's expectations were above any trilogy conclusion, And due to a lot of reasons, They screwed up a lot of stuff. And in a perfectly put trilogy such as this Tiny mistakes can not be forgiven. The ending issue wasn't tiny though. As you said, Good aspects can overshadow bad aspects. For me, Thematic season is redeeming for me lack of hubs. I enjoyed 201's stealth gameplay so goddamn much and hoped to see it more in the season. That's one of things Telltale is yet to consider, To move on from stereotyping gameplay and start innovating in gameplay specifically.
Survivalists vs Community. Jane, Molly, .. Etc. Vs. Luke, Rebbecca, .... Etc. That's how it will be morally defining for an eleven years old kid. You believe in a community that helps each others, Family as Luke addressed, then go ahead. If you're a survivalist, Then go on to the opposite way.
Maybe you're right about that point. Maybe It's because I'm not a massive Telltale fan and I'm still just a newcomer and haven't played anything for them but TWDG. But I don't really miss them due to the strong thematic feature.
Some people you met after being bit by a dog that locked you down and left you to die. And then you're supposed to care about them? For me, Naaaaaah. that's why they're still under-developed.
It's not really a valid excuse, But it has a point. That's what I'm trying to say.
I've always said that I'm open to discussions and changing my mind.