(S2 spoilers) Moving forward in Clem's epic journey & why I prefer Kenny endings in this regard
Disregarding which character accompanies us, going back South to a location we came from is a big step back in our quest while ending in Wellington/Wellington's area provides a feeling of having progressed further in our quest.
The Walkind Dead (comics/TV show/game) is structured by the theme of survivors' journey towards what we could call a "Promised Land" which location they're not certain of, but in which they place their hope for far more better conditions (notably including less or no zombies, or less efficient zombies / hence the idea of heading North if possible : cold=slow walkers), for immediate survival, but also to eventually rebuild a humane society there, the ultimate ideal and goal of their quest when all is said and done, even if immediate danger constantly distracts them or can make them temporarily lose hope in that ultimate goal. TWD is about survival, but the underlying theme is also a voyage.
In that sense, all endings that bring you to a new place are more satisfying to me, even if it weren't for Kenny/Jane. Make me feel I actually progressed in my questing journey. They also make for more mystery and are more cliffhanger-ish as you have literally no idea what awaits you at the next turn.
Going back south to Howe's Hardware we already visited and whose "secret" has already be unveiled feels less like a closure than a step backwards in Clementine's adventure. Especially as the goal once you're there is merely to try to make it work this time, while we already know the resources available and can't hope for a huge improvement zombie-wise, on the contrary, since the largest herd we've ever seen since the beginning of the game is still near. It doesn't offer as much mystery and hope for a drastic improvement : we already know that this is in no way the "right place" we're hoping for, and there's nothing new about it. While other endings' locations, even the Clem alone walking towards an unknown direction (as depressing as it is with the herd situation), still bear a taste of mystery, novelty, and possibility of radical improvement.
Of course, Howe's Hardware endings don't mean Clementine will necessarily stay there forever. Eventually, Clem can get on the road again, one day. But as your game ends for now back there and Clem's dialogues hint towards you staying there for a good while ("we can start something here", "we'll make it better"), you can't get this immediate rewarding feeling of having moved further in your journey, and on the contrary, have but retraced your steps.
Now, naturally, with which character you end up plays a huge part in the satisfaction you get from your ending. I know I personally would feel better with Kenny than with Jane in any case. But Kenny's endings wouldn't have felt as satisfying to me if the situations had been reversed and I would have gone with him to Howe's Hardware or back to any place we went before, especially knowing that (in this hypothetical case) Jane endings would have brought me to a new location, towards a new direction, something I would therefore have envied from Jane-ending players.
That's why actual Kenny endings are so perfect for me. They have everything I could hope for a season closure : being with a character I love, and knowing I made a step forward in my quest, towards new and undiscovered horizons.
Comments
(Bump for great justice, original title was dull and misleading so I changed it)
I think Kenny's determinant status will make it likely that he'll die off-screen, just like Jane would. If we are to return to Clem as protagonist in a future Season, it's likely we'll see her in an entirely new location regardless of whether she ended up in Wellington, Howe's, or in the wilderness.
I'd be interested, however, if Season 3 focused on building and protecting a community. I was hoping Episode 5 would have a single ending where Clem ends up at Wellington, which would have been a perfect lead-in to then exploring what Wellington was actually like and dealing with the problems they faced. Over-population, dwindling resources, the ever-present cold, rivalries with bandits and other communities, the danger of letting in possible threats...
I don't feel tracing our steps is a step back in our adventure at all! For Clem and Jane, the new adventure is trying to set up a new community, and I'm okay with that
What if Season 3 was about a conflict between Howe's Hardware and Wellington? Season 3's protagonist would be someone stuck between those two and unsure which is better...
Well said, I agree.
I don't think that returning to Howe's Hardware Complex was a step back. TWD is about surviving, is about trying to make things right for you and the people you like/love. the place where you are doesn't matter.. as long as it is safe and has supplies, is all right.
I don't know Wellington. It can be a wonderful place (and I sincerely hope it is. despite not having gone there..), but it can be something "not so right". Like the Governor's community.
Howe's Hardware Complex is a place I know well. has a good amount of supplies, water and baby formula for AJ. it almost feels like home in some way. cmon man! It even has a comic book store, with that funny Super-Hero display haha!! and now that Carver and his troupe were eliminated, it seems to me the perfect place to be, and to start over again. or at least try as much as possible for it to become true. and all this only for Jane, Clem and AJ. and the new neighbors of course. Clemmy and the new kid will love that comic shop! ^^
I really hope neither Kenny nor Jane will die off-screen. Talk about the worst way to treat character's death in all TWD season 1 and 2 united.
I think Telltale will make the first 10 or 15 minutes of the first episode dependent on how you ended S2. Players will be either with Kenny, Jane, or alone. Then event takes place that separates non-alone Clementines from their guardian (if it's death, we get a scene where this death gets the treatment it deserves), then all diverging games are united and S3 can really begin.
I love this idea. After episode 3 I was really disappointed that such an interesting and rich situation as dealing with Carver's society ended up so fast. I thought it deserved two or three episodes on its own.
Yummy... May Telltale hear you.
Oh wow. That would be awesome.