worth noting that I'm replaying this for the first time in, like, 6 years and experiencing this as the definitive series version on steam deck, so any thoughts relating to experiencing the game beyond story and writing will be saved for that one big log. also gonna be spoiling!!
hmm! went into this remembering it as my favourite of the first season but now I'm really not sure; was also shook to see that this is the highest rated behind only the emotional closing 5th chapter.
basically, after replaying, I think that this has such a great, great, finale and juggles scenarios very well, but I'm kinda shocked by the very harsh turn into instant assholism re: lily and larry. obviously both were gruff to say the least in the previous chapter but you could get the warmth out of them yknow? here there's little reason to CARE about larry's health and it sort of cheapens such a huge decision. following on that, I'd actually chosen to help try and revive larry (despite knowing everything) because I'd believed it's what I'd do in that situation and there's no chance to go easy on Kenny afterwards. It's an honest understanding that the writers can't keep up with that many possible dialogue options but this, coupled with the sacrificed depth, just has me thinking it's not quite up to the same standard its opening chapter set. especially considering the more tedious gameplay here in rebuilding swings and fixing generators.
still think this one does a fantastic job of really getting the twist to linger as long as it does before an excellent dramatic moment, the decisions have a lot of weight and I REALLY like the food rationing at the beginning of the chapter. it really adds onto the sad, bleak atmosphere chapter 1 creates. it's rare to see any post apocalyptic fiction hammer home the issue of low food supply like this one and sets up one hell of a hitter with its final decision and eventual payoff.
hmm! went into this remembering it as my favourite of the first season but now I'm really not sure; was also shook to see that this is the highest rated behind only the emotional closing 5th chapter.
basically, after replaying, I think that this has such a great, great, finale and juggles scenarios very well, but I'm kinda shocked by the very harsh turn into instant assholism re: lily and larry. obviously both were gruff to say the least in the previous chapter but you could get the warmth out of them yknow? here there's little reason to CARE about larry's health and it sort of cheapens such a huge decision. following on that, I'd actually chosen to help try and revive larry (despite knowing everything) because I'd believed it's what I'd do in that situation and there's no chance to go easy on Kenny afterwards. It's an honest understanding that the writers can't keep up with that many possible dialogue options but this, coupled with the sacrificed depth, just has me thinking it's not quite up to the same standard its opening chapter set. especially considering the more tedious gameplay here in rebuilding swings and fixing generators.
still think this one does a fantastic job of really getting the twist to linger as long as it does before an excellent dramatic moment, the decisions have a lot of weight and I REALLY like the food rationing at the beginning of the chapter. it really adds onto the sad, bleak atmosphere chapter 1 creates. it's rare to see any post apocalyptic fiction hammer home the issue of low food supply like this one and sets up one hell of a hitter with its final decision and eventual payoff.