What are things you liked about ANF?

edited March 2018 in The Walking Dead

ANF gets a lot of hate and I often find myself as one of the people criticizing it but I don't think absolutely every aspect of the game is terrible. As I look back at it now I realize that because of how good the first two seasons were, I realize that I had unrealistically high expectations so I didn't really judge it fairly. So go ahead and comment about the things you think ANF did well. This discussion is meant for discussing what people liked about the game. Let’s not turn it into another ANF hate thread. There are plenty of other discussions where you can post about the things you hate about ANF.

Example:

I think Telltale really stepped up on the animation, textures, character models, and visual effects. They really have made some significant improvements to their engine since the first two seasons. There is still the occasional awkward facial expression and body movement here and there but for the most part they have really smoothed out some of the more awkward animations scene in past seasons. The textures have a lot more detail. The lighting and atmosphere effects has improved. I know that there are a lot of people who miss the way the character models looked in the first two seasons but I actually like the update. For me it still maintains that comic book vibe but many of the proportions have been revamped to be more realistic which I personally like. Most of the character designs and models are pretty good. There were some good things going for the story and character arcs but the game was so rushed many of those arcs weren't properly developed.

Comments

  • edited March 2018

    imho Conrad was the best part of the game.
    I read the comics so seeing Jesus (Paul) was a really good surprise and that Garrus Vakarian voice hmm..
    The Clem period scene was a memorable scene and i liked the flashbacks of Kenny and Jane in episode 4.
    I liked Tripp he was a good character even if Javi completely fucked up Prescott and he's like "lol you're the boss !" i was starting to really like him in episode 5 "fuck you fuckstick !",but then he died..He went out fighting at least not like Ava.

  • edited March 2018

    I like Kate.
    I like that I got the chance to tell Kenny we love him.

  • edited March 2018

    I liked the whole Conrad thing as well as the combat. The dialogue options were also pretty cool too, Lee was too kind to make any smart ass remarks and Clem was just too...clem? But Javier has no problem with his one liners and stuff. Matches my play style really well.

  • Any chance that was given to shit on Gabe, and the hilarity of the script at times.

    Breaks Fern's arm, and shoots Rufus

    David: You're welcome, Javi.

    Everyone: WTF!?

    Javier: THANK YOU! YOU JUST SAVED MY LIFE.

  • Closing credits :DD

    • In a meta sense, I prefer how Clem and Javi looked in the teaser trailer to how they look in the actual season.
    • The fact that there were flashbacks for both Javi and Clem
    • Tripp was hot
    • Conrad was more determinant than every character in any Telltale game, even if it does feel like he was squandered at times
    • Getting saved by Jesus, a badass gay, on multiple occassions, on a horse, and being able to flirt with him as a guy
    • The Tripp/Ava choice (but apparently ONLY the choice...)
    • The cake/casserole choice
    • Not knowing if we should trust David
    • Getting to turn down Kate
    • Getting called out for turning her down if we lead her on
    • Being a former celebrity
    • The haircut scene (but not the hairdo nor the lack of choice in what hairdo we might have)
    • Joan. [prepares to get lynched for opinion]
    • The opening scene/first full trailer
    • Clem's introduction, with the exception of how unrealistic it is that she quickly felled a tree by herself
    • AJ actually looking adorable/realistic this season
    • AJ's outfit
    • Clem's winter wear and non-jacket wear (but not her fall wear, although I'll excuse it because she has her own tastes and I like that she always has a "tacky" sense of fashion)
    • That we got to see at least SOME of the inside of Wellington
    • The original premise
    • The fandom speculation
    • Ava
    • Obscure things (euchre, buskets)
    • Some of the flashback choices (which things to bring from Wellington, the shadow puppets, what middle name to give AJ--especially calling back to less referenced characters)
    • The special game over scene
    • The slaughterhouse
    • Lingard's, like, determinant-ness?
    • The period scene, for being realistic and funny (and probably overdue? idk)
    • The fact that Javi was a celebrity (but I hope they don't rely on something like that for future playable TWD characters)
    • The fact that Clem didn't speak poorly of characters like Ben or Sarah this season (but I'd much rather her do so if there's also the option to speak positively about them)
    • Referring to her parents at least once
    • Fixing Jane and Kenny's models for Episode 4 and the Collection
    • Keeping Clem's, Kenny's and Jane's VAs intact (alas, poor Javi...)
    • The determinant scars
    • Getting to play as Clem
    • Getting to have emotions with and as Clem
    • Javi's wisecracks
    • The fact that there was so much potential (which is also something I dislike about it)
    • I think there was another mention of Lee in there somewhere?
    • The environmental color realism, except for the fact that it was all over everywhere at all times (glossy skin notwithstanding)
    • Walkers that aren't entirely offputting in either graphics or gore
    • Mari's being kind but still having snarkiness
    • Hope at the end of the season
    • Determinant status for Kate/David/Gabe
    • The voice acting for a number of characters
    • Having different locations BUT not shifting constantly like they did in Season 2
    • Realistic survival tendencies (food/gas?/toiletry/sleep) unlike, again, Season 2 (and Michonne? which had like half of those but at least a bit more than S2)
    • Character names being varied but still normal, something this series has always been good with
    • Crying
    • Clem's determinant goodbyes to Gabe
    • This season possibly affecting the Final Season.
  • ANF....Hello Darkness, my old friend. Things I liked about ANF

    • The opening was actually well done
    • Ava....so criminally underused.
    • Parts of Clem I actually really admired....her survival skills and her distrust of people
    • Some of the flashbacks....especially the one with Javi and David playing domino's with their old man....for a moment Telltale remembered that TWD is about family more than killing zombies.
    • I liked Kate
    • Jesus was cool
    • Having some hubs was nice....should have been more...like letting us explore places like Prescott and Richmond
    • Awww Clemmy is growing up!
    • AJ...fuck the haters
    • Conrad
    • Kenny Flashback Episode 4
    • Gabe's death
    • The opening sequence, well animated
    • Javi's character
    • It ended, finally
    • Episode 1 introduction flashback.
    • Voice acting was the best in the series.
    • Clementine’s introduction scene.
    • Liked Kate.
    • Ending sequence with Clementine shooting walkers.
    • Ending scene when Clementine says her goodbyes to the Garcías.
  • Thought they looked pretty much the same?

    * In a meta sense, I prefer how Clem and Javi looked in the teaser trailer to how they look in the actual season. * The fact that there wer

  • _Ooooh, positivity! _

    I think I'l just highlight some notable characters imo:

    Kate was easily my favorite character in part 1, as she was the one character who unambiguously felt like she had some actual complexity on arrival and was a pretty unique one, all things considered.

    I grew to really like Gabe, who was arguably the most fleshed out of the characters. (Not that that's particularly hard,mind you)

    Max and Conrad were interesting players in the story who helped add some more moral diversity and had complicated loyalties within their respective sides.

    I really did like Joan as both a character and an antagonist. And I did find some entertainment value in her portrayal in Thicker than Water; it's just that that's not how her character was established.

    He tends to slip through the cracks, but Dr. Lingard was also an interesting side character with a doleful outlook to him. In a story filled with action, snark, and high pressure, it was nice to just have a character be off to the side with some pathos again.

    And of course, there's Ava. Such a uniquely creep-tastic design among the art direction for what turned out to be a very equitable supporting character--one of the best we've had.

  • Gabe wanted too shoot himself. I said naw, you might accidentally shoot someone important, and ended him. It's unfortunate Javier survived, but I take what I can get. That's slightly above finally being able to tell Kate to get away.

  • Definitely agree on Kate. I was really pulling through for her early on, but by the end, there was almost nothing I actually cared about for her.

    DabigRG posted: »

    _Ooooh, positivity! _ I think I'l just highlight some notable characters imo: Kate was easily my favorite character in part 1, as she

  • Actually, their models are different.

    Ladariel posted: »

    Thought they looked pretty much the same?

  • It's those animations in the trailer that look pretty much like the finished product in the game? I want say the eyes might of been more detailed in the game versus the teaser but otherwise it all looks just like the New Frontier models. Unless there is a side by side comparison that reveals the stark differences.

    Fangirl101 posted: »

    Actually, their models are different.

  • Clementine is definitely different. Just imagine this early model squintin like a Jane.

    Also, the puffballs to head ratio.

    Ladariel posted: »

    It's those animations in the trailer that look pretty much like the finished product in the game? I want say the eyes might of been more det

  • edited March 2018

    Just imagine this early model squintin like a Jane.

    Eh it's quite tough to imagine that without cringing, no matter which model.

    DabigRG posted: »

    Clementine is definitely different. Just imagine this early model squintin like a Jane. Also, the puffballs to head ratio.

  • I love how you put special attention on that. :joy:
    Everybody loves a good callback!

    Ladariel posted: »

    Just imagine this early model squintin like a Jane. Eh it's quite tough to imagine that without cringing, no matter which model.

  • I liked how Clem grew up a little.

  • I liked Javi's sense of humor. Funniest character since Omid.

  • On that note, that's something I thought about a little back: Javier and Kate's style of humor really isn't that different from Omid's shtick. Albeit a more varied and millennial take, mind you.

    Racer17 posted: »

    I liked Javi's sense of humor. Funniest character since Omid.

  • Yeah, I think the major difference is that Omid was less cheesy. If that makes sense.
    But being cheesy was Javi's thing, and it was definitely a nice change of pace from the non-stop depression of Season 2.
    Oh, and Omid's facial expressions. Those always had me cracking up lol.

    DabigRG posted: »

    On that note, that's something I thought about a little back: Javier and Kate's style of humor really isn't that different from Omid's shtick. Albeit a more varied and millennial take, mind you.

  • Yeah, I think the major difference is that Omid was less cheesy. If that makes sense.

    I...gueeess...?
    Not sure cheesy is the word, but it's close enough.

    But being cheesy was Javi's thing, and it was definitely a nice change of pace from the non-stop depression of Season 2.

    A-fuckin-greed. When he was actually able to get away with that, at least.

    Racer17 posted: »

    Yeah, I think the major difference is that Omid was less cheesy. If that makes sense. But being cheesy was Javi's thing, and it was definit

  • Of course not every joke will be funny, but more times than not, he managed to lighten the mood.
    Off the top of my head, the only time I felt his delivery fell flat was in the scene where he tried to take on an entire horde with just his bat? After they get kicked out of New Frontier.
    And, I guess in the batting cage with David. But David was whiffing, I'm sure anyone would be grilling someone for that too if they were close enough.

    DabigRG posted: »

    Yeah, I think the major difference is that Omid was less cheesy. If that makes sense. I...gueeess...? Not sure cheesy is the word,

  • edited March 2018

    Nah, I meant that Javier seems to primarily have two modes, with a few specific flickers of a third and perhaps an even more exclusive fourth: Wisecracking and/or Cocky and Accommodating & Supportive.

    Racer17 posted: »

    Of course not every joke will be funny, but more times than not, he managed to lighten the mood. Off the top of my head, the only time I fe

  • Yeah, I guess I prefer the wisecracking Javi as opposed to the cocky Javi.
    When he gets cocky, things usually don't end well for him...

    DabigRG posted: »

    Nah, I meant that Javier seems to primarily have two modes, with a few specific flickers of a third and perhaps an even more exclusive fourth: Wisecracking and/or Cocky and Accommodating & Supportive.

    • Javier in the teaser - he looked pretty cool. His voice was also great. Wonder what they had in store for him.
    • Kate's characterization in Ties That Bind - she was laid-back, easy-going, but serious when she needed to be. I thought that she was kinda cool and had potential to be a great and memorable character. Also, love the transition from a scared and hesitant to a more confident individual. It should have been touched upon.
    • Gabe - perfect example of how relationships should have worked. Until Episode 5... sigh He was destined for great things.. Rewrites got in the way, sadly. Excluding the ratting out scene in Ep 4, he is a pretty good character on his own.
    • Max - to me, ever since the beginning, it was obvious that there was more to him than just a thug. Criminally underutilized character. High on my favourite characters list. I am still bitter about him being determinant.
    • Eleanor's introduction scenes and her character in general (I like to pretend that Episode 4 and 5 didn't happen) - a sweet and nice female, wasn't portrayed as the typical love interest. She's been a big help since day 1. Clearly intended to be a more active character, but oh well... she became a victim of bad writing. The "betrayal" didn't change my opinion on her.
    • Tripp in Ties That Bind Part 1 - he was actually pretty great. Sadly, he became inconsistent and useless.
    • Conrad - I squealed when he saved me from the Gasmask Cowboy guy. :joy:
    • Doctor Lingard - nuff said. This man deserves more love.
    • Ava - I liked her attitude in TTBP2. Was hoping to see more of her ever since. I am glad she was introduced in present day, but she was underused.
    • Prescott
    • AJ
    • Mariana being kind, yet sardonic
    • The hubs that were there
    • The opening
    • Javier - while rendered bland and underdeveloped, I liked him. I think so much more could have been done with him, though.
    • Other stuff I probably forgot
  • What cowboy?

    Fangirl101 posted: »

    * Javier in the teaser - he looked pretty cool. His voice was also great. Wonder what they had in store for him. * Kate's characterization

  • edited March 2018

    .
    .
    .

    What cowboy?

  • edited March 2018

    One detail I liked about ANF that most people probably missed is that in certain action scenes if the player doesn't do anything Clementine often intervenes to help out Javi. Or if Javier doesn't help out Clem in certain action scenes she usually has it covered on her own. I'm glad they included these small details. When I heard that Clementine wasn't going to be the main playable character for ANF I was so worried half of the game would be Javier saving Clem's life. Luckily it seems that Clem really can save Javi's life dozens of times.
    Some examples I can think off the top of my head are:

    • Episode 1 when Clem gets pinned by the walker at the gate, if Javi doesn't help her out she manages to push it off of her and kill it on her own.
    • Episode 1 when Eli goes to knife Javi, if the player doesn't rapidly press the button required Clem will help Javi out by kicking Eli's knee.
    • In the junkyard rescue scene if the player doesn't press any buttons while moving towards Kate and Gabe in the truck, Clementine will kill the walkers for Javi.
    • If DR. Lingard gets injected and if you don't press the button to take him out, Javier will gesture for Clem to do it.

    There are plenty of others. Look up a "do nothing in The Walking Dead" video on Youtube if you want to see some more examples.

  • When I heard that Clementine wasn't going to be the main playable character for ANF I was so worried half of the game would be Javier saving Clem's life. Luckily it seems that Clem really can save Javi's life dozens of times.

    Eh, I wouldn't say that's a positive, mind you.

    Episode 1 when Eli goes to knife Javi, if the player doesn't rapidly press the button required Clem will help Javi out by kicking Eli's knee.

    Huh. Never knew about that one.
    Probably because it's contender for the worst scene in the game.

    In the junkyard rescue scene if the player doesn't press any buttons while moving towards Kate and Gabe in the truck, Clementine will kill the walkers for Javi.

    Yeah, I figured something like that was in there. Jumpin Jack Flash

    Veeeee posted: »

    One detail I liked about ANF that most people probably missed is that in certain action scenes if the player doesn't do anything Clementine

  • edited March 2018

    Eh, I wouldn't say that's a positive, mind you.

    Yeah, I can see why many would call Clementine a Mary Sue but most of the situations where Clem steps up are walker encounters and in all honesty slow moving walkers wouldn't be as dangerous as the games, comics, and show often make them out to be so I wouldn't label these small details as making Clem a Mary Sue. I like these scenes because they are determinant. You can make Javier and independent person who can hold his own in a fight or you can make him a wimp who relies on a teenage girl to constantly save him. The game benefits from these determinant details. For me at least they are more interesting than a cheesy death scene.

    DabigRG posted: »

    When I heard that Clementine wasn't going to be the main playable character for ANF I was so worried half of the game would be Javier saving

  • edited March 2018
    • Gabe's death surprisingly got to me. Granted I didn't cry but it was heartbreaking.

    • Mariana was a pleasant character.

    • That Grady Standard Easter egg was pretty amusing.

    • That part where Javi has to walk through the herd to get to the generator was actually pretty tense.

    • Conrad being able to survive to the end despite being determinant was neat.

    • That game over where Javi speaks to Gabe before he dies was kinda cool.

    That's all I got. See ya.

  • Yeah, I can see why many would call Clementine a Mary Sue but most of the situations where Clem steps up are walker encounters and in all honesty slow moving walkers wouldn't be as dangerous as the games, comics, and show often make them out to be so I wouldn't label these small details as making Clem a Mary Sue.

    Not what I was gettin at, but who cares?

    You can make Javier and independent person who can hold his own in a fight or you can make him a wimp who relies on a teenage girl to constantly save him.

    Closer.

    The game benefits from these determinant details.

    When they actually mean/say something, that is.

    For me at least they are more interesting than a cheesy death scene

    You mean...?

    Veeeee posted: »

    Eh, I wouldn't say that's a positive, mind you. Yeah, I can see why many would call Clementine a Mary Sue but most of the situations

  • edited March 2018

    Not what I was gettin at, but who cares?

    Sounds like I misinterpreted your point. Care to explain?

    When they actually mean/say something, that is

    Small details that you may or may not get depending on how you play is a great feature to these games. Obviously I prefer it when they have long term effects but even small details like these are cool.

    You mean...?

    All too often in these types of games every time the player messes up the scene is summed up to "And then they died... The end." developers often forget that there are sometimes capable individuals right next to them who can help out and save their life.

    DabigRG posted: »

    Yeah, I can see why many would call Clementine a Mary Sue but most of the situations where Clem steps up are walker encounters and in all ho

  • Sounds like I misinterpreted your point. Care to explain?

    I had more to do with Javier needing to be a capable fighter and survivor on his own merits.

    Small details that you may or may not get depending on how you play is a great feature to these games. Obviously I prefer it when they have long term effects but even small details like these are cool.

    Oh, I don't disagree on the general idea. I just like my neat little details regarding what a particular character does to be a little more than neat little details.

    All too often in these types of games every time the player messes up the scene is summed up to "And then they died... The end." developers often forget that there are sometimes capable individuals right next to them who can help out and save their life.

    Oh yeah. That does happen a few times in these games as well.

    Veeeee posted: »

    Not what I was gettin at, but who cares? Sounds like I misinterpreted your point. Care to explain? When they actually mean/say

  • Thanks

    DabigRG posted: »

    . . .

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