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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 14, 2012)
P R IN T : Wednesday, Nov. 14,2012 Arts & Culture Zombie apocalypse alive and well in “The Walking Dead” game Lucas Watson The Clackamas Print - “This game series adapts to the choices you make. The story is tailored by how you play. ” That’s how it starts: a reminder thats it’s a game all about choice, and those choices definitely mat ter. “The Walking Dead” is an episodic video game developed by Telltale Games and is noth ing short o f a masterpiece. It is without a doubt the best zombie video game that doesn’t feature zombies as its main hook. W hile it shares the name with the award winning show by AMC, it is actually based on Robert Kirkman’s Eisner-Award winning comic book series. The game is considered canonical to the comic book series and explains a few key characters’ back stories. If you’re coming in from the show and not the com ics, don’t be surprised if some o f your favorite characters are not present. The game starts at the begin ning o f the zombie apocalypse near Atlanta. Zom bies exist but they are still far and few between; just one zombie pres ents a huge problem for the char acters. However, this series isn’t about the zombies, it is about the characters. Every episode is about two hours play time and the characters are well fleshed out, become fast friends or enemies. Characters are w ell justified even if they are present for only a few minutes they always add unique elements to the story. The mechanics o f the game feel a little clunky in the first 10 minutes but you quickly get use to it. The game is more difficult than it should be without a UI as the points you can click on are not where they naturally should be. The camera is very cinemat ic and all the information isn’t always provided about the area and caution should be observed. This makes the game very intense at times this is beneficial to the game, because zombies can be around any comer, or hidden in any crevice. “The Walking Dead, Episode 1: A New Day,” released April 24, sets a good pace for the story and mechanics for the rest o f the epi sodes. It may not be as impactful as the rest o f the episodes, but it is not short o f unique moral choices and has an interesting look at the start o f apocalypse. The moral choices-that are provided are not about right and wrong, it’s about a choice between two terrible things and how it affects others. Humans quickly become the greatest enemy, choosing to trust someone can lead to the safety o f others or death, and no one is safe. Although the first episode takes place at the start o f the apocalypse, this is not the case for the rest of the episode; there is a time jump o f about three to four months.This is where “Episode 2: Starved For Help” released June 27 comes in with a jolting start. Issues like zom bies in the first game are now easily rectified, but other stuff like ration ing supplies becomes the main concern. There are a few really powerful moments at the start of the second episode that really set the tone, for what is to come. It is definitely a unique look at survival, a constant struggle where small things like crackers can mean the difference between life, death, and loyalty. “Episode 3: Long Road Ahead,” released Aug. 29, is the darkest o f middle chapter 3, but it is also the best chapter. While a lot o f terrible things happen, resolution and new beginnings is what the chapter is all about. The choices made in the past two episodes affect the story more then ever and really immerses the player in the game and forces them to reflect one- their decisions so far. It is a nice reminder that the apocalypse is riot all fun and games “Episode 4: Around Every Corner,” released Oct. 9 is noth ing but build up for the finale, “Episode 5: No Time Left” that will be released this month. At this point the characters are extremely well developed and protection is'the key; coming across new people is frightening, since murder is common place. Supplies are hard to come across and are more valuable than gold. The remaining survivors tend to be insane and highly aggressive towards anyone in this new zombie infested world. All these things make a fantastic dynamic to have to dance around when it comes to the concern o f the group’s safety. Zombie lovers, preparers for the apocalypse, horror junkies, connoisseur o f stories, and gam ers will all love .“The Walking Dead.” It is definitely worth the time, effort, and emotions to play all the way through.' It has a reasonable price tag o f $25 for a season pass which gets you all five episodes. Alternatively in December they will release a retail version for both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 for $30. I did the review for the PC version o f the game but it is also avail able on, Xbox Live Marketplace, Playstation Network, M ac and iOS w ith an experience that should not be missed. A,... _ Ar. K K K K K 5 OUT OF 5 STABS Got Acne? ...Get ALA-PIM www.ALA-PIM.COM promo Code: CCCSTUDENT WEDNESDAY-11/14 • Bed Hot Chili Peppers: Rose Garden Arena Portland, 7:30 p.m. $39.50-$55 THURSMY-11/15 • Undsey Stirling: Hawthorne Theatre, Portland 7 p.m. $13 • Barefoot in the Park: Osterman Theatre Niemeyer Center, CCC, Oregon City 7:30 p.m. $10 Adult, $8 stu dents, youth, seniors g n o n Ä t-w . • I Fight Dragons: Hawthorne Theatre Portland 6:30 p.m., $12-$14 : S M U R M Y -W • Pierce the Veil: Wonder Ballroom, Portland, 7:15 p.m. • Soul Vaccina tion: Jimmy Mak’s, Portland 8 p.m., $12 SUNDAY11/18 » O re g o n - Symphony: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, 6 p.m., $13.50-$15 TUESDAY11/20 • Woe, is me: Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, 6 p.m., $13.50-$15 WEDNESDAY-11/21 • Memphis May F ire : Hawthorne Theatre, Portland 7 p.m., $12.50-$15 J
