Infinitap Games

I continue my talk about episodic games, and discuss Telltale's recent games.

They definitely play with that "So-and-So will remember that" mechanic a lot. There's a major character in Season 1 that gives you the "X will remember this" and 20 seconds later they're dead. I think I remember reading a forum post somewhere from Jake Rodkin explaining a little more of that, and he basically said it was also another way to keep the player engaged in the game, making them feel like they're not just sitting back and watching what's going to happen anyway.

I love the way they brought things to a culmination in Season 1, with your actions to the group members determining some pretty major outcomes, but I still don't know how I feel about the end of 400 Days. It didn't seem to me that your decisions (minor 400 Days spoilers) clearly affect who goes to the camp and who doesn't, whatever mechanics determining that seem buried pretty deeply. And burying game mechanics is something the game does really well, but in this case you don't feel like you have much control over the outcomes. Even if you didn't have control over a lot of things that happen to Lee in S1, the game made you feel like you did, and I think that was missing from 400 Days. That's probably expecting too much of a short DLC episode, especially considering they cover several characters in about an hour and a half, so I don't imagine you're supposed to really treat it like a game (If I say "X" to "Y" here, then I can get "Z" to go to the camp, rinse and repeat for all the other characters to collect them all and get the "Full House" achievement!)

It's kind of like how they did in Silent Hill 2 with the different endings. As much as I love Silent Hill 2, those confused me and seemed kind of arbitrary, because they were based on some really weird things like how much health you kept James at throughout the game. As good as it is, it's still a game, so I'm going to keep James at as full of health as possible, so chances are I'm not going to see the "In Water" ending unless I specifically go back through and try to game that ending.

Oh and you didn't miss much with LA Noire. The facial technology was pretty impressive but still pretty deep in the Uncanny Valley. Most of the entertainment came from watching a dead-eyed Ken from Mad Men go through the biggest mood swings in the world and randomly yell at suspects. There are plenty of videos on Youtube to give you the idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rNV61Rpo-0

I think even though "X will remember that" is cheap, it does work. I just finished season 2 episode 2 today, and I said some thing that was funny but out of character for the way I was roll playing, and I breathed a sigh of release. Even though it may never come into play, that message reminds you of the possibility that you should make decisions that matter rather than just playing out every dialog choice like in other games.

*plenty of spoilers follow*
While there was very little choices that matter in 400 Days, there was that I thought it was pretty interesting. I can't remember the exact situation, but I think you could choose to kill someone investigating your camp or let them go. I let them go and then they did a flash forward and apparently because I chose to show mercy, the camp got screwed and a bunch of people died. I thought it was a good choice of something that had "weight" but because of the short segments, they could seriously change the results and then just end it without worrying about the consequences rippling.

I thought it was interesting in S02E02 where Alvin could die. I listened to my wife's advice at the pivotal moment (against my personal judgment), which caused him to die. We went back and saved him though. I suspect he will only play a very minor role from now on, but it is interesting they change your "party" so early.

Also, are you happy about the return of Kenny?

*still spoilers*

Oh man I loved it when Kenny showed back up. I kinda expected it but I wasn't 100% sure, and the moment is handled really well and took me by surprise. I think I'm a bad critic of the game, because I'm willing to overlook a lot due to the characters, and them bringing back one of my favorites almost feels fan-servicey, but has totally worked in making me forgive any issues I've ever had with the series so far.

The way I played the first season, he and Lee were best buds, and I want Clem to recreate that, even if she doesn't totally trust him yet (to her he's mostly just some unstable guy she doesn't know very well, that's why when you pick "We're old friends" she is really hesitant in saying it). The Kenny character is really well done, because he's a very loyal but also very flawed guy and created a big split among players in Season 1 based on how you acted to him. It seems like about 50% of people loved him while the rest hated him.

*Spoiling*
I didn't expect him to show back up, but I wasn't quite as shocked as I could have been because I didn't quite recognize him with his beard. haha While it could be fan service, I think Kenny as a character has changed between the seasons, so he's \interesting. I think he's more interesting than the new characters they introduced, so I can't complain.

Very true, there haven't been as many standout characters in this season so far. I'd say Walter was the most interesting new person to be introduced, but... yeah, then that thing happens, to dance around more spoilers

That 400 Days choice you mentioned earlier about letting the guy go was a great one. That's the kind of legitimately tough decisions the series does really well, especially in season 1, and the consequences to that one make you really think about the choices you make in the future. Like there's a scene in the new second episode where you can try to teach Sarah how to use a gun. After I did that, I just had this sinking feeling that at some point later that choice is going to cause problems.

Sorry to turn this into The Walking Dead thread!

Well, my developer diary was mainly focused on The Walking Dead and the Wolf Among Us, so I think talking about The Walking Dead is quite appropriate.

The Wolf Among Us has some interesting choices that don't really affect the narrative. Causing you to speculate on who is the villain and choosing who to capture really makes you feel like you ARE the detective and keeps you really engaged.