5. The Characters
I had almost no expectations going into Telltales video games series, so I was pleasantly surprised at how well-rounded and likable the cast is. However, dont mistake this as meaning that they are all wonderful and trustworthy people. Characters do disagree and fight with each other, and they sometimes do take actions that you can only shake your head at in disagreement. One character in particular, Larry, is always on Lees case and treating him like crap. The guy is so easily hated for his treatment of Lee, yet even still I try to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, and this is because the game always does a fantastic job allowing you to understand each and every character. No matter how much a character may oppose you, you never fail to see their point of view, which only adds to the morally grey nature of the game. You really get to know all the characters, and you have their interests in mind when making decisions. Do you side with Lilly or Kenny? If I side with Kenny, how will that affect my relationship with Lilly? The game is full of situations like this, and all too often I found it incredibly hard to take sides because I like everyone and want to keep them together for everyones sake, but this simply isnt possible. As a result, I tried to remain neutral much of the time, but eventually you have to make a choice, and it is never easy. The game also benefits from its smaller cast. Lees group of survivors is comprised of less then ten people, and everyone is given time to shine. Its not long before you intimately know the names and faces of every member of the group, and none of them exist only to provide bodies for when the dead attack. When walkers or other people put the group in danger, you fear for all of their lives, making the inevitable bloodshed all the more frightening, nerve-wracking, and downright sad. And believe me, there will be blood.