Fans of “The Walking Dead” now have more than author Robert Kirkman’s monthly comic book releases to get them through the AMC show’s off-season. Friday, Telltale Games released The Walking Dead: Episode One- A New Day for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Mac and PC.
According to a press release from GamesPress, despite the game taking place in the same world as Kirkman’s comic series, there will be some key differences.
The Walking Dead: Episode One – A New Day is set in the world of Robert Kirkman’s award-winning comic book series. Lee Everett, a man convicted of a crime of passion, has been given the chance for redemption in a world devastated by the undead. Players will experience life changing events, meet new characters and familiar ones from the original comic, and also visit locations that foreshadow the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes. The Walking Dead offers a tailored game experience – player actions, choices and decisions affect how the story plays out across the entire series.”
The Walking Dead: Episode One – A New Day follows a character named Lee Everett, though a convicted criminal for a crime of passion, he has the opportunity for redemption in this post-apocalyptic world of the undead. Players experience events that can be life-changing. You also get to meet new characters as well as some familiar ones from the original comic book. And as a tie in to the story and tv series, players will visit locations that foreshadow the events of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the game is that decisions players make will affect them and the story throughout the entire game.
The game has received a positive critical reception, earning Editors’ Choice awards from both Official Xbox Magazine and IGN.com. Gaming website Polygon gave the game a 9 out of 10 score.
Polygon praised the game for its enthralling gameplay and heart-stopping action.
With choices that matter and intensity to spare, Telltale Games delivers one of its best efforts to date […] The first episode of The Walking Dead held me in as I was thrown from one story-twisting, heart-stopping conflict to another, disaster threatening if I looked away from the screen even for a moment.”
Popular game review site, IGN, also praised the first episode the video game adaptation for its intense and emotionally engaging gameplay.
This is a deeply personal and emotional experience, and that’s why it feels so right as a part of this franchise,” one IGN reviewer said.
Official Xbox Magazine praised the game’s “striking art style and cinematic presentation.”
Episode One – A New Day is the first of five monthly episodes of The Walking Dead games series and will be available for 400 Microsoft®Points on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360® on April 27th; it is available now for $4.99 per episode on PlayStation®Network, and is available as the first part of a five episode season pass for $24.99 on PC and Mac from the Telltale Online Store and other digital outlets.
The Walking Dead: Episode One- A New Day is rated M (Mature) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence and Strong Language by the ESRB.