Anyone else disappointed by ep2?*spoilers*

[Ja1862]

I've watched episode 2 on youtube and I'm sure the choices will never be that important...

I remember everyone speculating that since it was only episode 1 it was more of a trial and the choices would improve by each episode,

Apart from a few different dialogue choices everything thing always plays out the same.

Spoilers.

Leave teacher – kid gets shot plays the exact same role as teacher.

Save Larry – either way he dies.

Don’t give the diary farm details about where you live – cut scene happens not long after making Lee tell them anyway.

Mark introduced as a plot device.

Carly and Doug do the exact same things within the episode really/ only difference is Doug has a little red laser to help Lee.

Kenny/Lilly hating you – this will probably not build up to anything at all once again as it seems like each characters path is set out and no matter what choices you make it wont really changed much – Shawn, Larry, Mark, Doug and Carly essentially becoming the same character.

No choices have real impact since the path always pans out the same with only slight variations.

[magic88889]

Originally Posted by Ja1862

I've watched episode 2 on youtube and I'm sure the choices will never be that important...

I remember everyone speculating that since it was only episode 1 it was more of a trial and the choices would improve by each episode,

Apart from a few different dialogue choices everything thing always plays out the same.

Spoilers.

Leave teacher – kid gets shot plays the exact same role as teacher.

Save Larry – either way he dies.

Don’t give the diary farm details about where you live – cut scene happens not long after making Lee tell them anyway.

Mark introduced as a plot device.

Carly and Doug do the exact same things within the episode really/ only difference is Doug has a little red laser to help Lee.

Kenny/Lilly hating you – this will probably not build up to anything at all once again as it seems like each characters path is set out and no matter what choices you make it wont really changed much – Shawn, Larry, Mark, Doug and Carly essentially becoming the same character.

No choices have real impact since the path always pans out the same with only slight variations.

Episode 2 plays off the choices you made in episode 1. So it stands to reason that the differences are minor.

There were some big decisions made. I can see whether you kill either of the brothers will affect what people expect of you later. And I can see if you took the food or not having a huge impact in the next episode.

As with TV shows, little things build and become big things by the end of the season. It's the same for episodic games.

[TheWildcard]

Originally Posted by Ja1862

I've watched episode 2 on youtube and I'm sure the choices will never be that important...

I remember everyone speculating that since it was only episode 1 it was more of a trial and the choices would improve by each episode,

Apart from a few different dialogue choices everything thing always plays out the same.

Spoilers.

Leave teacher – kid gets shot plays the exact same role as teacher.

Save Larry – either way he dies.

Don’t give the diary farm details about where you live – cut scene happens not long after making Lee tell them anyway.

Mark introduced as a plot device.

Carly and Doug do the exact same things within the episode really/ only difference is Doug has a little red laser to help Lee.

Kenny/Lilly hating you – this will probably not build up to anything at all once again as it seems like each characters path is set out and no matter what choices you make it wont really changed much – Shawn, Larry, Mark, Doug and Carly essentially becoming the same character.

No choices have real impact since the path always pans out the same with only slight variations.

You're noticing this too? Its more like the illusion that you are making important choices...Really this stuff happens no matter what you decide. I also found episode 2 to be very predictable.

[jaybreezy]

Really??? You need a cut scene to show how Mark joined the group? You're told what happened and why he was allowed to join the group. Your imagination can't come up with something to fill the three months TT didnt show us?

[Rommel49]

Originally Posted by TheWildcard

You're noticing this too? Its more like the illusion that you are making important choices...Really this stuff happens no matter what you decide. I also found episode 2 to be very predictable.

That's my gripe, the railroading was pretty heavy. Particularly since one of the selling points is that "the story is tailored by how you play".

Even if you decide not to go to the Dairy at all, you end up going anyway because everyone else votes to go... and they still blame you for it as though it was your idea.

When it comes to Danny/Andy, they end up dead anyway - Hell, the "merciful" route entails the delicious irony of letting them get eaten alive by Walkers, including their newly undead mother.

Granted, I don't expect a full-on "Lee totally loses his shit and tries to join the cannibals" option, but a change to some events would be nice.

[Zeruis]

From my point of view, episode 2 exceeded episode 1. I agree with you that the game is glitchy, but it's interesting how the story skips a couple months, leaving you to decide what happened during that gap. As for Larry's character, who thought he was going to live up until the end? TT made a smart decision to kill him off in the episode, with the choice of siding with Lilly or Kenny.

[Zeekay980]

It seems to me that most of the initial choices are going to be meaningless other than to change your relationship with the other characters. This is probably going to lead to wildly different endgames depending on who is left and how much they like, respect, and fear you.

[Kinky John Fowler]

I thought episode 2 was brilliant to be honest, especially the ending which I found to be strangely poignant with Andy begging for death as his world had just been turned upside down with his family dead and the zombies approaching him. It was entirely predictable which took a bit of shine off of the 'big reveal' but all in all it was an entertaining story with good characters.

I fully agree with the 'choices' though, it just seems really lazy and ultimately a waste of time, I would rather have a longer and more fleshed out linear game than one with multiple choices that ultimately all lead to the same outcome. The stuff such as letting the brothers live/die I like as it gives you a sense of power, but the majority of the 'game changing' choices are basically just "choose who you want to side with, Lilly or Kenny?" nothing actually changes within the story other than your relationship with those 2.

A few totally pointless ones off the top of my head:

Go out in the day/stay in Clementine's treehouse until dark - Meet Shawn in the street either way where he will take you to Hershel's farm.

Cut the teacher's leg off/leave him to the zombies - Either way the teacher or one of the school kids will play the role of reanimated zombie back at the garage.

Help Larry/Help kill Larry - He gets killed by Kenny in the exact same way anyway.

The only decision so far that has actually made a difference to my game (other than effect my relationship with Kenny and Lilly) was when we were given the choice to save Doug or Carly, and even they were given a bit part role in episode 2.

Now like Rommel has said, i'm not expecting anything too drastic as I realise the time restrints of making such a complex decision system, but give me some variation man. If I choose to help Larry then LET me help Larry, let him turn and attack us if that's what happens, give Kenny a reason to be pissed with me.

If I don't want to go to the dairy farm then don't make me go otherwise don't ask the question in the first place? Send some of the other group off to scout the place out whilst I stay and fix the fence or some shit until they return to tell us everythings cush, THEN i'll go.

ect ect

[klapaucius]

Originally Posted by marcu5

seems like this is another game that claims open decisions, but it doesn't really appear to be the case. give me options that will drastically split the storyline in two.

I agree, though I don't know how feasible this actually is. Companies like BioWare and Quantic Dream claim the same thing but they only give the illusion of choice. Some replies in Mass Effect 3 were exactly the same, while in Heavy Rain, ignoring some QTE resulted in the exact same animations being played.

Originally Posted by Kinky John Fowler

Go out in the day/stay in Clementine's treehouse until dark - Meet Shawn in the street either way where he will take you to Hershel's farm.

Cut the teacher's leg off/leave him to the zombies - Either way the teacher or one of the school kids will play the role of reanimated zombie back at the garage.

Help Larry/Help kill Larry - He gets killed by Kenny in the exact same way anyway.

The only decision so far that has actually made a difference to my game (other than effect my relationship with Kenny and Lilly) was when we were given the choice to save Doug or Carly, and even they were given a bit part role in episode 2.

Now like Rommel has said, i'm not expecting anything too drastic as I realise the time restrints of making such a complex decision system, but give me some variation man. If I choose to help Larry then LET me help Larry, let him turn and attack us if that's what happens, give Kenny a reason to be pissed with me.

If I don't want to go to the dairy farm then don't make me go otherwise don't ask the question in the first place? Send some of the other group off to scout the place out whilst I stay and fix the fence or some shit until they return to tell us everythings cush, THEN i'll go.

ect ect

[PBP]

Just played the EU version . Its not bad, the beginning was a bit boring though. Only thing thats annoys me is the lag/1sec freezes. Couldn't remember that in episode1

[The_Jesus_12489]

Originally Posted by jaybreezy

Really??? You need a cut scene to show how Mark joined the group? You're told what happened and why he was allowed to join the group. Your imagination can't come up with something to fill the three months TT didnt show us?

I think what he was trying to say was the potental that empty space had. It could have been a cool time to show what the Air base looked like and what else was going on in the world other than the motor inn. could have been some good zombie killing in that scene.

[Zeruis]

Originally Posted by PBP

Just played the EU version . Its not bad, the beginning was a bit boring though. Only thing thats annoys me is the lag/1sec freezes. Couldn't remember that in episode1

Yeah, the lag can get annoying. Some insight into the 3 month time-gap would have been cool though.

[Tassadarh]

Originally Posted by jaybreezy

Really??? You need a cut scene to show how Mark joined the group? You're told what happened and why he was allowed to join the group. Your imagination can't come up with something to fill the three months TT didnt show us?

I agree. If you actually got attached to Mark in this episode, I think the character did his job pretty well.

I think people don't really needed a "backstory cutscene", they felt the need of it when the Mark's background was a matter of discussion in the character's dialogue.
I mean when you need to show something to someone, especially when it comes to visual entertainment you need to SHOW ACTION more then TALKING ABOUT IT.
I noticed it too. Those dialogues were really "build" and not so natural. But I got attached to Mark anyway, even not knowing his background (afterall.. we don't know EVERYTHING about Lee's background... do we?)


More on the Thread.
I think this game has a huge amount of choice. Things you did in episode 1 matter in episode 2 and things you do in this very episode matter.
But people asking "I want the game to split in two". It's just insane.
You want the game split in 2? ok then pay 200 bucks for the game.
Have you got any IDEA on how much money are spent on making something like this? And you want MORE?
It's like asking a "lord of the rings like battle" for blackwater episode in GOT! They have a budget! They don't have the "tree of money for leaves"! OF COURSE there has to be some tracks... Because it's not a sandbox game but a game with a PLOT! You are meant to follow it to understand what story they are telling you. You can interact with the story and change the development a bit, but it's still a story with begging, a middle part and an ending.
I think this game has a great plot and best characters I've ever seen in a videogame. You can change how the story goes on but you can't change the story or else there's no point it.

[Kinky John Fowler]

Originally Posted by Tassadarh

More on the Thread.
I think this game has a huge amount of choice. Things you did in episode 1 matter in episode 2 and things you do in this very episode matter.
But people asking "I want the game to split in two". It's just insane.
You want the game split in 2? ok then pay 200 bucks for the game.
Have you got any IDEA on how much money are spent on making something like this? And you want MORE?
It's like asking a "lord of the rings like battle" for blackwater episode in GOT! They have a budget! They don't have the "tree of money for leaves"! OF COURSE there has to be some tracks... Because it's not a sandbox game but a game with a PLOT! You are meant to follow it to understand what story they are telling you. You can interact with the story and change the development a bit, but it's still a story with begging, a middle part and an ending.
I think this game has a great plot and best characters I've ever seen in a videogame. You can change how the story goes on but you can't change the story or else there's no point it.

What are you talking about, man?

Pay "200 bucks for a game"? The cost of Skyrim was 40 quid and is absolutely huge.

But anyway I don't think it's a matter of wanting the game split in two, just for decisions to have more of an impact on the gameplay and story, as it is most of the decisions are completely pointless.

If you cannot afford to create an intricate decision making game then don't try to make one, and certainly don't advertise it as one.

[Kinky John Fowler]

SNIP *Double post*

[Drake Sigar]

The OP couldn't be wronger if his name was Wrongy Mcwrong. Episode 2 was bigger, darker, and more emotional than it's predecessor. The consequences of the freezer choice are more far-reaching. I helped Lilly and now I simply don't trust Kenny anymore. What he did has created a rift between us, which was strongly felt throughout the rest of the episode. Who knows where this could end up in future episodes. I think he's turned me into a Lilly supporter.

Mark's presence is explained indirectly through the dialogue. We don't need more exposition than that. Things change in three months. I like when a game world gives the impression that it goes on without me.

Also, it seems with the battery quip they've given a nod to fan feedback.

[Ninnuendo]

The only problem I really had was that you could tell it was written by someone else. Unlike in the first ep, after the first choice all the ethical choices were really pretty simple. If the writers wanted a 50/50 split down the middle as they said, then this episode was a failure.

Shooting an upset woman seemed harsh
Trying to save Larry was the right thing to do
There's no benefit to killing the brothers
Taking food from the car was necessary

Looking at the stats, there's a big swing on all but the food (which amazes me because taking the food was the simplest choice of all)

[Kinky John Fowler]

Originally Posted by Drake Sigar

The OP couldn't be wronger if his name was Wrongy Mcwrong.

Good grief.

I agree with the points made in the post however, from an emotional point of view it was great (especially the final half hour or so). It wasn't without it's flaws though.

[Drake Sigar]

Originally Posted by Ninnuendo

The only problem I really had was that you could tell it was written by someone else. Unlike in the first ep, after the first choice all the ethical choices were really pretty simple. If the writers wanted a 50/50 split down the middle as they said, then this episode was a failure.

Shooting an upset woman seemed harsh
Trying to save Larry was the right thing to do
There's no benefit to killing the brothers
Taking food from the car was necessary

Looking at the stats, there's a big swing on all but the food (which amazes me because taking the food was the simplest choice of all)

The fact that I don't agree with all these decisions is proof enough they're not completely one-sided. The woman was aiming a weapon you, and the brothers were going to murder everyone you care about. Even if these were a simple as you would have us believe, I fail to see how this differs from episode 1. Save the kid before Shawn because it's a freakin' kid, don't feed Duck to Larry because you know he wasn't bitten, etc.

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by Ninnuendo

Shooting an upset woman seemed harsh

See for me, after hearing her say that Clem was her daughter, it was obvious she was too off the deep end, so it was best to eliminate the threat in my mind and shoot her because there was no way it would end well otherwise, when dealing with someone who is insane. Plus, it put her out of her misery. Done it on all three of my play throughs.