There's Only One Road
This is my first post. I just had to get this off of my chest, and I'm sorry if this has already been stated.
Firstly, I'm a big fan of the Walking Dead series (as well as the Wolf Among Us). I think Telltale is one of the best storytellers in the industry today. I really enjoyed this season, perhaps more than the last. Telltale is top-notch at creating characters and developing them. That said, choice in these games is extremely limited (but it still feels great!).
Telltale does not operate with a choice-driven story tree like it sometimes impresses. Rather, it offers forks in the road and these forks drift back to the original one. To some this may already be obvious. This is still very effective in storytelling and captivating the audience, making them feel responsible for outcomes. The deviation from the stories are short-lived or are even very minor, such as texture changes (Clementine’s coat).
There are five endings to episode five, but three of them are the ultimate ending. In one ending you look away and walk away with Kenny. In another you shoot Kenny and walk away with Jane. In two others you walk away from the surviving member, realizing you are better off without them. Finally, the last ending where you let Kenny kill Jane and shoot him shortly thereafter.
The single ending is that Clementine ends up alone with AJ. Early in season three, whether you chose Kenny or Jane it doesn't matter, the character you are with will die. Unless, of course, Telltale suddenly gets extremely ambitious. The next storyline will take off from there. There won't be a Wellington/South season (unless, again, Telltale gets ambitious). There will be distinct beginnings, but the player will be forced back onto the main road. There will be one storyline and it will revolve around Clementine alone with AJ.
Personal choice:
I was fed up with both Jane and Kenny. I wish I had the option to walk away while they were fighting because I bet that would have stopped them. Of course, with early foreshadowing you realize they cannot coexist. Jane was trying to manipulating Clem and that bothered me. Kenny is and has been completely reckless (I know he has a big following). In my ending I shot Kenny because he was the aggressor, but I walk away from Jane because she was manipulating Clem from the start. Clem marches on her own with AJ in her hands, as experienced as anyone at this point. She's a survivor. I love and respect both Kenny and Jane. They each have many redeemable qualities. That's what makes this choice the best of the series, even if deceptive.
Comments
Yeah, too long. I didn't read either.