The Walking Dead - Episode 5: No Time Left Review

Never feel again after this final punch in the gut.

I'm spent. Never had I thought that a video game could deliver such feelings. When Lee took in Clementine under his own wing, who knew that episodes later I would feel so invested in that relationship?

That in itself, reveals the beauty of The Walking Dead game. While it's more suitable to coin it as an interactive movie rather than a full blown game, Telltale Games actually uses this to their advantage. In fact, it only enhances the emotional impact it has on you, places you right in the action where it's needed and places the core focus on story and character development.

Check out the official trailer!

Gameplay is limited to choosing how you want to respond to other characters, a few rapid button pushes for action sequences, and very forgiving FPS moments. It's essentially a point and click adventure, where you'll interact with limited surroundings and delve deeper into the relationship of characters.

The Walking Dead has transcended the barrier between a simple video game and a life changing experience.

Episode 5 No Time Left does indeed feel like there's impending doom up ahead. Since the happenings of the last episode, a major plot turner has left Lee with very limited time to save Clementine from the clutches of her captor.

Every decision you made from the first episode comes into play here. Depending on how you treated your fellow survivors, they will either follow or abandon you on your mission to save Clementine. There's some heartfelt moments here as you realise that every moment with your friends may be your last.

Without giving too much away, the finale of the game delivers such a strong emotional response that it'd reduce anyone to tears. As Lee, you're not just a character in a game, you're Clementine's guardian, the leader of the group, the force that has kept everyone going despite the people you've lost. When the credits roll, you're left with such a depressing feeling that your emotions are completely shot for the rest of the day, and possibly days to come.

The Final Verdict

Definitely Game of the Year material, The Walking Dead has transcended the barrier between a simple video game and a life changing experience. It's not just about zombies, it's about survival, the hard decisions you'll make in order to live and the bonds that you'll build with the people you meet. Whether you love zombies or not, it's definitely a journey that's worth making, and you'll forever be a changed man afterwards.

By Jeann Wong