Sometimes, a video game's narrative, mechanics, and platform complement each other in such a seemingly perfect way. While Telltale's Walking Dead: The Game is far from the first adventure game to shine on iOS devices – the same developer has other titles on the App Store, in fact – few have emerged as splendidly. The Walking Dead is emotionally charged, wonderfully paced, and a fine example of why the adventure genre is such a concise fit for the iOS hardware.
Unlike the AMC television series, the Walking Dead game keeps allegiance to the canon of Robert Kirkman's comics, all while simultaneously presenting an entirely new story. You'll take on the role of Lee Everett, a professor-turned-convict with something to hide. When the zombie guts hit the fan, you're forced to make extremely difficult decisions that will affect Lee and those around him throughout the series.
All of the choices you make in The Walking Dead stick with you. If you decide to turn Lee into a more violent character, for example, you'll have to deal with the effect that choice has on Clementine, a little girl Lee takes under his care early in the episode. The interactions between Clementine and Lee are some of the best game writing we've ever seen, and the attention to deep character development extends to everyone Lee meets in The Walking Dead. And "A New Day" is just the first of five episodes this season (with another full season on the horizon), and your progress carries over throughout.
The tactile, touchscreen controls of iOS devices add an even deeper intensity to The Walking Dead. Clicking on a zombies face to bring down a claw hammer seems all the more brutal, and directing Lee around the screen is pleasantly easy. Coupled with the Retina Display, the game's stylized visuals really draw you into the comic book world.
The bottom line. Walking Dead: The Game is already a game-of-the-year contender on other platforms, but it's an even better fit for iOS devices.
of 5
http://telltalegames.com
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 4.0 or later
Intense, nail-biting narrative. Great touch controls. Some of the most intriguing, believable game characters in recent memory.
If you have kids, you'll want to passcode-protect your iPad – seriously.
