Contains no Spoilers.
'The Wolf Among Us' like Telltales successful predecessor series The Walking Dead is an episodic tale that follows a hero with a moral compass of the gamers choosing. The first detail to immediately take notice of is the graphically astounding world that is pulled off with an unusually laid-back intensity. The crisp use of sharp shadows and tousled grim contrast against the vivid colors of neon pinks, creating a flawless balance of inky and colourful. TWAU produces a broken Brooklyn executed in noir feel that clearly carries the tone from the very get go and sets itself apart from TWD without losing their inert stylistic qualities.
The story follows Bigby Wolf, sheriff of Fabletown - a gruff, rough n' tough character trying to step away from his past while he keeps the fairytale citizens in check, making sure they wear glamor, a property that gives the appearance of the Mundane (humans), who are unaware about the presence of magical beings. He's likeable and doesn't overstep the boundary of when homage becomes stereotypical. Bigby solves crime and the game easily works like a mystery. Each gamer can shift the experience to their interpretation making for a 'pick your path-isque' narrative with replay value, each being different from the next.
Schematics between story and gameplay free-flow nicely, submerging you in the gist of it in the first 15 minutes. Choice always takes a front stage no matter what you're doing, whether you are questioning someone or in a brawl. The combat itself is a shining example of when Quick Time Events truly work, it's fast-paced and manages to keep the suspense through interactive sequences. Very brief moments allow you dodge, choose where to attack or what weapon to utilize that may be nearby. It's gruesome and tasteful.
Men with baggage.
A vibrant diversity of characters help to enthrall players in both distinct and curious ways. The fact that they all signify well-known classic fairytale icons keep us from ever actually dissociating them from their counterparts yet clearly stand out as perfectedly flawed beings. And because it acts like a mystery it truly seems like every character has a dirty secret including the protagonist himself. While this episode is packed with emotional punch as we shape our experience, there is always a lingering feeling of being one step behind.
Ultimately the conversations are what truly bring the tension to the gritty landscape. The sense of dread, foreboding and gloomy fascination all mold up into timed decisions where it's actually okay to validate not making a response. Personally I picked choices that I immediately regretted afterwards because of how complicated the context of choosing was. You feel like what you do in the game really matters including accepting the guilt or victory that comes with it. I'm not really a player that likes to go back and change decisions until completing a full play-though of a full game so we'll see if any will come back to bite me in the end.
The characteristic themes of ambiguity, violent death, conflicted anti-heroes, beautiful women, terse dialogue, cold music and the isolated feel of 1940's modern cities emulates the perfect landscape for a videogame such as this one. From what we have seen so far from 'The Wolf Among Us' it works like a moving comic, plays like a novel and fine tunes the meaning of interactive storytelling. It's a well crafted game that knows when to pick up the pace, slow down and even stop. The balance of lively and deadly, humorous and glum is executed so flawlessly to the point that my only complaint would be that I can't really take cliffhangers. If you like unpredictably thoughtful or "skeleton in the cupboard" games I extremely recommend this title. Personally I enjoyed it more than the first installment of 'The Walking Dead.'
Hopefully the second time around will be as great as the first and that the series will do Bill Willingham proud.
My Rating: 9.5/10
Assassinita, Mary Ann or simply Nita for short is your average Canadian lady incognito who loves hockey, traveling and a good laugh. With a playful personality and capricious hobbies, it's not hard to keep this one satisfied. But watch out for the blade, the bloodlust can make even the sweetest go mental...