I know we've got a lot of Zombie Apocalypse fans on this board. I've been playing the Walking Dead video game, and figured you all would appreciate my review of this. If you like zombie stuff, you'll love this game.
It is based on the Walking Dead comics, although it is entirely its own story following different characters. You are Lee, who was being transported to prison for murder when the excrement suddenly collides with the rotary impeller. The first other survivor you come across is an 8 year old girl named Clementine, who you quickly fall into the role of caretaker for.
The artistic style of the game is very comicbook like, and quite nice. It is done as a point-and-click adventure game style. If you are looking for something with a lot of really challenging combat or seriously head-scratching puzzles, this is not the game.
The difficulty in the game is having to make moral decision, frequently with a serious time limit. These may be things like "Zombies are attacking. Two people in your group have been grabbed. You only have time to save one. Who will it be?", or "You have a limited supply of food to ration out. You have four items to distribute to eleven hungry people. Who do you give food to?" What you decide to do will often have a long-term effect on the game.
Putting you in the role of Clementine's character adds an additional level to the moral weight of your decision making. She isn't just some whiney burden to protect. She helps out in tough times and adds a bit of softness to the harsh new world. She is often right there watching when you decide to make a heavy moral decision, and you frequently have to explain to her why you are choosing to do what you have done, or why someone else in your group did something they did.
The result is more like interactive story than really challenging game, and it is very engrossing. As a gamer, the change of pace from challenging your reflex skills to challenging your morality is a really interesting one. As a genre enthusiast, it's a really fun and interesting new storytelling direction to really feel involved in the story.
Edit: I purchased on Steam for the PC, but I understand it is also available for the XBox, and possibly PS3.
