The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episodes 1 & 2 - Ties That Bind
- December 20, 2016
- Telltale Games
If this what is expected from the third season of The Walking Dead you should pre-order the entire season right now
When family is all you have left…how far will you go to protect it? After society was ripped apart by undead hands, pockets of civilization emerge from the chaos. But at what cost? Can the living be trusted on this new frontier? As Javier, a young man determined to find the family taken from him, you meet a young girl who has experienced her own unimaginable loss. Her name is Clementine, and yo…
Reviews
- Elegant storytelling that captivates both new and returning players.
- Group party play adds a fun social element to the experience.
- Strong character development and meaningful choices enhance the narrative.
- Some technical issues, including wonky textures and a clunky game engine.
- The pacing can feel rushed, and episodes may be shorter than desired.
- Certain choices feel artificial, leading to a disconnect between player intentions and character actions.
- story17 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The story in Telltale's The Walking Dead series is praised for its elegant storytelling and compelling character development, particularly with the return of beloved characters like Clementine. The pacing is noted as perfect, with meaningful flashbacks and key decision points that impact the narrative, making it engaging for both new and returning players. Overall, the series continues to build a rich and emotionally resonant story that captivates players and sets the stage for future episodes.
“There hasn’t been a better time to start playing Telltale’s The Walking Dead series, and with the addition of group party play, you can also enjoy the story with some friends during the holidays.”
“Javi's story is a compelling one, and fans can't help but clamor for closure and answers for what happened to Clem… and what happened to AJ.”
“Two episodes in, and A New Frontier has already established itself as an important new story that expands and enriches Telltale’s interpretation of The Walking Dead universe.”
“This leads to a strange disjoint in the narrative in which Javier, who has been shot at by strangers in the first 30 minutes of the game, suddenly has an unswerving loyalty for a random gun-toting tween with anger issues and, it turns out, a suspect backstory to boot.”
“If judged by what it attempts to do, rather than by what some skeptical players want it to be, A New Frontier’s harrowing first episodes smooth out most rough edges found in other games in the series in terms of storytelling.”
“Even though the story is still in its infancy, it feels like we’ve got plenty to look forward to as the season moves forward.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics in the latest installment of the series have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting a significant graphical overhaul and beautiful visuals that elevate the experience. The new art direction, combined with strong voice acting and a well-crafted story, contributes to a visually stunning presentation that enhances the emotional depth of the characters and their relationships. Overall, the graphics mark a high point for the franchise, setting a promising tone for the new chapter.
“A new high point for graphics in a Telltale game.”
“New graphics and art direction are beautiful.”
“Beautiful visuals.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making it hard to connect with them.”
“The environments are bland and uninspired, failing to create an immersive experience.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its gut-wrenching debut and elegant storytelling, showcasing the best use of mechanics. While the progression is streamlined, there is a minor gameplay hitch that slightly detracts from the overall experience.
“Gut-wrenching debut, elegant storytelling, and the best use of mechanics.”
“Progression is streamlined, with only a small gameplay hitch.”
“The progression feels overly streamlined, making the gameplay feel less engaging.”
“There are small gameplay hitches that disrupt the overall experience.”
“The gameplay mechanics are repetitive and lack depth, leading to a monotonous experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with users highlighting the impressive soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Additionally, the voice acting complements the musical elements, contributing to a more immersive atmosphere. Overall, the audio aspects, including the graphical overhaul, have been well-received.
“The soundtrack is absolutely mesmerizing, perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience.”
“I love how the music evolves with the gameplay, creating an immersive environment that keeps me engaged.”
“The variety of tracks in the game is impressive, each one adding a unique flavor to different moments and settings.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The music doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“I found the audio quality to be subpar, with some tracks sounding muffled and poorly mixed.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is characterized by an intense and urgent tone, effectively keeping players on edge and engaged throughout their experience.
“Telltale has successfully created an intense atmosphere with a heavy sense of urgency that will keep players on edge throughout.”
“The game's haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie visuals, immersing players in a world filled with tension and suspense.”
“Every location is meticulously designed, creating a rich and immersive environment that draws players deeper into the story.”
Critic Reviews
The Walking Dead A New Frontier: The Ties That Bind Parts 1&2 Review – All Killer, No Filler
There hasn’t been a better time to start playing Telltale’s The Walking Dead series, and with the addition of group party play, you can also enjoy the story with some friends during the holidays. If you are wondering whether or not you should jump into the game despite not having played the last two games, I’d certainly recommend it. Unlike some of the episodes in previous seasons, there wasn’t a moment I found myself waiting for particular boring sections to end. The storytelling pacing in these premiere episodes has been perfect. If Telltale manage to maintain this level of quality, this could end up becoming the best season of The Walking Dead yet.
90%The Walking Dead: A New Frontier Episode 1 PC Review
When family is all you have left, how far will you go to protect it?
68%The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episode 2: Ties That Bind Part II Review
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier - Episode 2: The Ties That Bind II keeps the course, delivering another quality storytelling experience with aplomb. Javi's story is a compelling one and fans can't help but clamour for closure and answers for what happened to Clem… and what happened to AJ. Plenty of pieces are in motion and this is building to be a very special story. If only Telltale could get this quality over to its other recent titles...
80%