Emotional Investment in TWD-Series
Warnings for SPOILERS! Season 1 and 2!!
I've thought of getting the series for quite some time, and since I'm currently unemployed I figured "Why not?". At first I thought it was a third person shooter, I had no clue that it was more or less a point and click game. I haven't read the comics so I have no idea if they were following the original plot, which left me to enjoy the game without questioning the story as it unfolded. The graphics didn't bother me since I realized it was intentional and since I'm a fan of Dragonball, which also uses same types of graphics on their earlier games. Being unemployed, I have a lot of spare time, so I decided to finish the whole story in one go.
I became so immersed in the story, and the fact that my decisions had an impact on my experience with the game, made it that much more exciting. I became so immersed in it that I think I actually took most of it very seriously, but with the knowledge that it is a game of course. I took my decisions seriously, I didn't joke around just to see what would happen. I tried to look after Clementine and keep her safe, hopeful and trusting. I put myself and Clementine first, while still trying to protect my group and have them know that I would keep my cool no matter what and that I always had their backs. I took charge even when it was just as hard for me as it were for the others.
- I felt really sad and shook-up when Lilly shot Carley. I liked Carley, she had a big heart.
- It was literally hard for me to let that poor girl get eaten by the walkers just so they wouldn't notice me and Ken.
- Shooting Duck wasn't pleasant, but I just couldn't bring myself to let Kenny do it.
- As I saw the walkers come up the stairs in the bell tower I chose to drop Ben to his death, and I felt really bad doing so, especially when he screamed.
- I almost always felt bad for Clementine, I felt like I always wanted to comfort her and reassure her that it would all be ok.
I know in my mind that it is a game, but simultaneously it affected me emotionally, just like a movie would. I could feel in my body what Lee was feeling when he got bit, I can't explain it. It really was that "No.. No.. This can't be happening" feeling, denial maybe? I sound crazy I know, but I think it's interesting how I reacted to the events in the game. I was especially sad when Lee was dying, and even more when I had Clementine, tears running down her face, shoot him in the head. I wasn't sad about dying, I was sad about the thought of her not finding Omid and Christa, and not being able to fend for herself. I was pissed off at the dairy farm.. I stabbed that motherfather with a pitchfork right in his chest, I felt justice when the mother got grabbed by a walker and I was even more happy leaving the brother with the knowledge that his brother and mother were dead, and I wasn't going to fight him like he wanted.
Did anyone feel like I did? Did you invest your emotions into this game? Did you act according to your own perception of your morals? Or is it just me? Maybe I'm just sensitive. Even with Lee gone, I'm still super protective with Clem. I felt bad for her in season two when no one would listen to her and she had to suture her arm..
Comments
That's how it's meant to be experienced. I'd say you got the full experience and I did it mostly the same way.
I'd like to think so too. I loved that you could see how others chose to act in the same situations, usually around 50/50% Do you regret any of the decisions you've made? I mean, the characters would die sooner or later but in the moment you feel really bad because you make choices that affect the lives of everyone else. Pulling Ben up would at least keep him alive for another episode, and It would clear my conscience, but It was a risk I couldn't take.
same here. truly amazing game.
I watched someone play the first two episodes on YouTube, then I said "screw this, I'm buying the damn game!". When I finished, I was crying or almost crying everyday for the next two-three weeks. Not even movies can make me cry this much!! Best game I've ever played in my life.
It scared me, It excited me, it made me cry it became a part of me.
In all honesty after the conclusion of S1E5 it was on my mind constantly for days, and a recurring thought for.... well how long has it been since it was released? Fantastic game.