19.6 hours played
Written 1 month and 4 days ago
[i][h3]Goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let a walker bite.[/h3][hr][/hr][quote=Clementine, chatting with Louis during dinner, about Lee.]L. | What'd he teach you?
C. | [b]Lots of stuff.[/b]
L. | Most important thing?
C. | [b]How to say goodbye.[/b][/quote]
I genuinely have no idea how they managed it. This final season was as tumultuous as game development can get—and yet, they absolutely delivered. This game is one of the rare titles in the medium that truly challenges who you are as a person. It alters your perspective on life. You find yourself empathizing with people who have committed the gravest of sins. [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsqL9OoD3qo]You find your lifelong beliefs shifting in an instant.[/url]
Yes, some characters are exaggerated. And yes, a few technical issues from the first season still linger. But Clementine’s journey—her struggle to find a new home—will hold you spellbound until the very end. Because you’ve grown and matured with her, quite literally. I was born in 2003, and the first game was released in 2012, when I was eight—the same age as Clementine. We've walked this path together, all throughout the franchise.
I couldn't have asked for a more fitting conclusion to both the series and Clementine’s story. The first season left a deep impression on me—one I still reflect on from time to time. And I won’t forget this one either. The characters are all incredibly well written. [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmYVUyR7drg]Each one is introduced and developed with believable, meaningful arcs.[/url] There are hardly any moments that feel out of character—none that come to mind, at least, that would break the immersion.
Telltale made great strides in the technical aspects of their games. There are barely any freezes or abrupt loading screens. The experience flows smoothly almost the entire time.
I cannot recommend these games enough. It’s truly a shame that Telltale is no longer around. Their storytelling was nothing short of magical. It’s rare to find games these days that immerse you so deeply in the characters’ worlds—not just the settings, but their inner worlds. Their motivations, fears, quirks, and countless personality traits are portrayed with such clarity and nuance. These writers brought it all to life. Treasure these games.
I’m writing this review through tears. I still get overwhelmed—now, about to be 22 years old in a couple of tendays—just as I did when I was a teenager. This game touched me in ways that will stay with me forever. I always tear up, no matter how many times I think about it, replay it, write about it, or talk about Clementine, Kenny, and Lee. They remain in my heart. And they always will—forevermore.
[table][th]Ana... if you're reading this, this message is especially for you. You were by my side throughout my two years of high school, and together we shared a deep love for this game that touched us so profoundly.[/th][/table]
Also... where is Kenny’s hat for Alvin Junior, Telltale and Skybound? You broke my heart!
[b]Thank you, Telltale, for giving us this unforgettable experience over the past seven years. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.[/b]
[b]And I say this—crying tears of joy and gratitude from the depths of my heart—alongside the entire community: thank you, Skybound, for completing the final two episodes of the last season, for giving us the conclusion we so desperately needed, and for not taking Clementine away from us. Thank you, so, so, so much.[/b]
Oh, and one more thing—there's a series of comic books written by Tillie Walden that aims to expand Clementine's story beyond the final season. I've been reading them while waiting for the third volume to be released this month. That said, there are a few things I won’t spoil, particularly involving AJ, that left me upset. It’s important to note that the comics aren’t canon; they’re more of a fan-made continuation for those who wish to imagine what Clementine’s journey might look like beyond the game. Just a small addendum: the comics are often rage-inducing, as they repeatedly deconstruct Clementine’s character. Please keep in mind that they are not considered canon. I myself felt deeply upset on multiple occasions—this is certainly not the Clementine I know. Still, they exist for those who wish to explore that particular interpretation. To be clear, I dislike the comics and would not recommend them at all; they strip away everything we’ve come to know and love about Clementine. Many times, I felt deeply disappointed and angry. But, well, they’re out there.
[quote=Louis, singing a special song, to Clementine.]Oh, my darlin',
Oh, my darlin',
Oh, my darlin' Clementine.
You are lost and gone forever,
Dreadful sorry Clementine.[/quote]
[h3][hr][/hr]I need you to live, AJ. For me. That's your job now.[/h3][/i]