2014.30: The Testemant Of Sherlock Holmes

Time Took To Complete: 11hours - Times walkthrough used: 2

This is a rough around the edges (in all aspects) type of adventure game but it more than makes up for it by involving the player more than many adventure games do. You have to pay attention to the people and the evidence and deduct your own logical conclusions to advance most puzzles, it's very fun. There are phases where they are puzzles for the sake of puzzles, especially near the end, but mostly they tie into the game well.

I really enjoyed my time here and look forward to playing more from this developer.

Not much else to say really, a good adventure recommended to point and click / adventure/ puzzle/ detective fans.

6/10.

2014.29: The Walking Dead (Season 2)

Completed in 11 and a half hours

First of all, compliments to Telltale for adding more to the game part. You now have 'drag' actions and QTEs in more action orianted scenerios. It really grows the depth of the gameplay and the experience.

Other than those improvements, season 2 tackles an interesting challenge of you playing as a child. Or, is Clem a child. Depends on your definition. She's definitely seen and experienced as much as the adults. And the player decides to answer a great question: What kind of a 'child' would someone be growing up in a world like this?

Other than one specific time where I thought asking a child for assistance made the least sense possible, when you can have a grown un-injured member of the team to help you; the gamble pays off plenty.

The overall story is not only about how far can a child can get pushed but also men. And it does this magnificently.

To top off all that, I felt I definitely had a bigger input into how the game plays out. And Google'ing other endings, they are vastly different. I hope they don't cheap out with how Season 3 starts (they got a few scenerios to cover just starting that season!).

Fantastic story, adventure with improvements in all the right places. Only thing is the slight pacing issues through Episodes 2-3:

9/10.

2014.28: The Walking Dead (Season 1) + 400 Days (DLC)

Completed in 12 and a half hours

This game didn't get a huge love from me the first time around, though I still liked it. Turns out, all I needed to do was switch off my brain a bit. In that, just enjoy the story. The game teases you that your choices tailor the story at the start of every episode which I took as a challenge when I first played the game and got frustrated when I would restart a checkpoint, make different decisions, and the end goal would be the same. That was frustrating to me but it wasn't until my second playthrough now I realise, it really shouldn't have been.

Sure should an interactive choose your own path type of interactive story have more player input? Maybe. But who am I debating with there really. I should have just tried to enjoy the game.

So, headphones on, brain totally willing to get into the story, ignoring any mechanical investigations (like restarting a checkpoint and trying different combinations), I set out on the harsh world of The Walking Dead once again. And it was a much better experience. 

The characters, the scenes and the dialogue all come across very tight and well written with no scenarios over staying their welcome.

Hard to say anything without spoiling the story but I'm glad I gave this one another go as it was a great experience and a great adventure,

8/10.