Telltale Games has made a name for itself for making some of the most enjoyable narrative experiences in the video game medium. From the humor-driven escapades of Rhys, Fiona, Loaderbot, and co. in Tales from the Borderlands, to the much more serious and emotional quest for survival of Clementine in The Walking Dead, the developer has managed to nail a great stories and memorable casts. No matter which Telltale title is your favorite, you’ll always have moments that will stick with you, and that one damn choice you wish you hadn’t made.
While Telltale has just launched the first episode of its Batman series, fans will more than likely find themselves needing another game to scratch that Telltale itch. A memorable cast, tough decisions, branching narrative, and a rich story are all elements that combine to make that Telltale magic. With that in mind, we thought we’d help all you Telltale fans out there who are looking for something to play until the next juicy tidbit of Telltale goodness releases.
Life is Strange
If we had to recommend one game for fans of Telltale, it would be Life is Strange. Adopting the same episodic format to weave its narrative and build tensions and suspense, and with a heavy emphasis on story and player decision, Life is Strange will toy with your emotions and have you second-guessing your choices throughout its entirety.
Telling the story of Max Caulfield, a photography student who discovers she has the ability to rewind time, you’ll investigate a missing person case of a girl from your college with your best friend (whom you saved from death with the help of said powers). Of course, the further you go exploring and use your powers, the weirder things get. This is an emotional rollercoaster and one series that you can’t afford to miss out on. Heck, it even came runner up for our Game of the Year 2015.
Oh, and the first episode is free on every format now, too, meaning you can give it a try with no strings attached.
Undertale
Undertale doesn’t adopt the same episodic style of Telltale’s series, but what it does do fantastically is test your moral compass through the decisions you make. It doesn’t just do so in simple conversational decision-making, either, with its combat system simply giving you a variety of different approaches to choose from. Will you try and talk to that misunderstood dog across from you? Throw a bone for it? Or just kill it because why not?
And that’s Undertale’s biggest pull. It never tells you how to play the game, nor advise you on what may be the best way to approach a situation. Though its gameplay is largely basic, its story carries a strong message, one that rings loud and clear by the end of your playthrough – have tolerance and respect for those different from you.
If you’re looking for a game that will make you laugh, make you cry, and stay with you for quite some time, Undertale should be toward the top of your list.
Heavy Rain
If it’s the characters, the branching narrative paths, and the immersive feel of Telltale’s series that really grabs you, then Heavy Rain is probably something you should check out if you haven’t already done so. Having released on the PS3 back in 2010, Heavy Rain is an interactive drama that deals with a range of adult themes. You’ll assume the role of multiple characters from all different walks of life but who are all connected by the game’s antagonist, the Origami Killer, and the sinister disappearance of Ethan Mars’ son.
You’ll have control of character dialog and, depending on the decisions you make throughout the game, will end up with one of more than 20 different epilogue endings. The game was remastered and re-released back in March in case you missed it the first time around, too.
Until Dawn
If you’d fancy a bit of a horror twist to your dramatic proceedings, then Until Dawn is the game for you. Released back in 2014, Until Dawn was essentially the game adaptation of those cheesy teen ‘cabin in the woods’ horror movies from yesteryear. While its inspiration often left much to be desired, Until Dawn received a pretty positive reception from players and critics alike.
The game will force you to make snap decisions in order to keep the friends both alive and still talking to one another. It’s a game of suspense and one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you like the impact your decisions have on the gameplay of Telltale’s episodic series and deep character narrative, be sure to check Until Dawn out.
King’s Quest
Though its not finished just yet, King’s Quest is an episodic series split into five chapters, each one telling a different untold tale from Graham’s past. The series encompasses a few traits synonymous with Telltale’s series – a beautiful art style, a branching narrative, and a strong focus on storytelling.
Where King’s Quest differs, however, is its much greater focus on puzzles. Challenges throughout the episodes can have multiple solutions, leaving players a little room to decide how they’ll fill their kingly role.
Currently, only three chapters of King’s Quest have been released, with no word as of yet on when the fourth, fifth, or the prologue can be expected. Just like Life is Strange, King’s Quest’s first chapter can be downloaded for free.
Dreamfall Chapters
Dreamfall Chapters is the episodic story following the sage of The Longest Journey. Split into five episodic ‘books’, Dreamfall crafts a cyberpunk vision of the future where every choice, and the consequences of these, are paramount.
Set in parallel worlds – one the aforementioned vision of the future (Stark) and the other a magical fantasy realm (Arcadia) – players will embark on an adventure that weaves the point and click gameplay of The Longest Journey with a focus on an interactive story reminiscent of Dreamfall. With excellent writing and tough decisions that will stick with you long after the credits have rolled, Dreamfall Chapters gives you the hard-hitting moments and immersive narrative that the Telltale series are so renowned for.
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