Having just finished Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead Episode 5: No Going Back, I do not know where to begin… And I guess that is the first endorsement for the episode. As players of the series have come to expect, Episode 5: No Going Back will leave you emotionally shellshocked. I will try to proceed while spoiling as little as possible.
*I really went for a walk to cheer myself up*
NARRATIVE:
This season has led to mixed emotions. I found myself being annoyed most of the time, because certain very unlikable characters were made into narrative anchor points, made inexpendable until they served their purpose within the story line. The biggest example of this was Rebecca (basically the Lori of this season).
Being attached to this rather obnoxious character for so long had me searching for every possible way to get her killed, and it became my main objective, distracting me from the story at times. Without giving away any integral details, the entire issue spanning a huge portion of the season was her fault. I found it very strange that I didn’t even get to bring up the subject of turning her over to our enemies, saving the rest of the group.
Following the events of Episode 4, where the group finds themselves in a very sticky situation after two members are… otherwise engaged with one another, I found myself hating a whole new character, Luke. However in this episode, he did not become as much of a distraction as the very hated characters of episodes past.
Speaking of the past, this episode definitely uses some familiar faces to tug on players heartstrings. Where this season seemed more aggressive as Clementine grows up in a very hostile world, we are pulled back into a softer time, when we tried to shelter her and keep her from harm. These sequences are expertly woven in, and specifically designed to help players make some very tough decisions in the closing moments of the season. I found it to be a wonderful addition to the story, bringing a balance to the emotional palette in the narrative.
CHARACTERS
Characters in this season were easier to fit into archetypes found in the show. I found myself saying “Oh he’s the Shane of the group” and so on with some of the characters. Jaine, whom I referred to as the “female Daryl”, became my firm favorite . This is not a bad thing, the characters of the show are beloved for a reason, they are complex, and even though the game characters are similar, they are just as complex in their own ways.
Telltale has a knack for understanding the gravity of what characters don’t say, rather than having them rant, rave, and grandstanding all the time. I found it much more meaningful when I would speak in private with a character, and speak about their life experiences and seeing how it directly correlates to how they tackle situations. This helps build rapport with each cast member, and gives them a real personality, so much so that you know how they will react to certain cues.
GAMEPLAY
Gameplay mechanics are fairly straightforward with this series, as being usual point and click fare. This time around, I felt the quicktime events, such as pressing a directional button to dodge attackers or obstacles, to be much more surprising and difficult to catch. There were a few times I was caught off guard and leapt towards my keyboard just in time, or just missing it completely.
CONCLUSION
Overall, No Going Back has continued Telltale’s reputation for quality storytelling. Memorable characters, for both good and bad reasons, propel a narrative that will leave you craving more. As a player you will be forced to make some tough decisions that will shape our young survivor Clementine. Don’t miss out on this installment in Telltale’s Walking Dead series.