In Harm’s Way, that’s the title of the latest episode of Telltales The Walking Dead and no name could be more fitting. As always Clementine leads the way and this particular episode is pretty significant to the series, as not only do we see Clem put herself “In Harm’s Way”, but there are key defining moments in this episode that shape Clem’s character in future episodes.
Not only does Clem put herself in very risky predicaments, but In Harm’s Way you will see a drastic change in her personality, true signs are her evolving with this world that surrounds her. Obviously as always in the series, the story will adapt to the choices that you make and your story may take a different path. But for me this was one of the most gripping and intriguing episodes from the critically acclaimed series and some of its moments will stay with me for years to come.
The moments that will stay with you are not necessarily down to shock factor, though some of this episodes moments are in fact shocking, but it’s also a testament to Telltale’s form of progressive story telling. Clem has come a long way since we first met her in season one, friends and foes have come and gone, but possibly so has the Clem that we once knew.
As you should know (otherwise why are you reading this review before playing through episode two?), Clem and her new group found new friends in episode two, located in a seemingly safe and cosy lodge high up on the hills. Among this new group of friends, was an old friend in Kenny. But as we hit the final moments of episode two the group was ambushed by Bill Carver and they were taken back to his compound. Some of Clem’s friends once lived in this compound (or a better word would be prison rather then compound), before they managed to escape and you soon see why they were desperate to leave this prison in the first place.
Not much was known of Carver in previous episodes, but you soon begin to learn much more about him and his strict laws that he enforces on those in his prison and should you disobey him or in fact show any signs of weakness, it could very well result in your untimely demise. New faces are met in the prison, some you may even recognise from 400 Days, but in this harsh world, it’s tough to know who to trust. Though if Kenny and the group want to escape the clutches of Bill Carver and his wannabe prison guards, you must quickly adapt, evolve and trust those you may not want to trust.
The choices that you have to make In Harm’s Way are not the toughest that you will have to make as some reply on pure instinct and you will remember far tougher choices in previous episodes. Though it’s fair to say, that it’s tough to know who to trust in such a short space of time, but in an ironic way you have no choice. Rather the most defining choices that you will make, will in fact have you question yourself (the player) more than ever before. Not just the choices you make in the game, but those as a person. On more than one occasion you will no doubt ask yourself “would I really do that?”
Telltale Games has provided us with many great episodes from this acclaimed series. Episode 1 All That Remains was a slow starter, episode 2 A House Divided certainly picked up and come its end, the series was showing signs of getting back to its best. With episode 3 In Harm’s Way this is Telltale Games at its very best and this episode is not only one of the best, but it will also question you like no other episode before it has. In Harm’s Way not only shapes the Clementine for future episodes, but this could be a defining episode for even season three.
Quite simply I tip my hat once again to Telltale Games, In Harm’s Way will live long in my memory and I cannot wait to see what episode four Amid The Ruins has to bring.
Click here for Episode 4: Amid The Ruins