SINGAPORE — Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead was game of the year for many publications in 2012, and rightly so — based on the hugely popular comic-book series-turned TV adaptation, The Walking Dead game told an emotionally-affective and tension-fraught story worthy of its plaudits. With episode two of season two about to be released later today (Mar 4), we take a look back at the first episode of the second season.

Players of the first season would be familiar with Clementine, the young girl who your character in season one, Lee, decides to take under his wing while trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. In season two you now fill Clementine’s shoes — instead of the stoic male lead, you now view the world through the eyes of the very girl you tried to shield from the horrors.

Gameplay hasn’t changed much from the first season, which means that the usual criticisms games from producers Telltale Games are present. This means that the game can feel more like an interactive storybook (think choose-your-own-adventure) than a game. It’s largely true, in the sense that while there are still action sequences, the game does place a greater focus on narrative than the usual puzzle solving in adventure games. But the narrative is where The Walking Dead shines — the decisions you make as Clementine matters, and you will see their effects manifest further down the game. If you’ve played season one — and you should, coming into this — those decisions might return to haunt you.

There’s no real happy ending in a zombie apocalypse, and as Clementine, the game feels more dire than before. You’re mostly left to fend for yourself, whether scrapping for food, killing the undead or even convincing humans that you’re not there to harm them. The sense that “hell is other people” continues, and the feeling of exasperation — especially when patronising adults talk down to you — is a constant. Being a seemingly helpless young girl plays a party, and the game is sadder than ever before — but this also means that the moments of light, of hope, shine even brighter. However, don’t count on those moments lasting.

All this might be too depressing, if not for the fact that the story told is very involving. Whether it’s trying to protect Clementine’s life, or finding out what happens next to her, you’ll want to play it in one sitting — which is about two hours long. And it’s not that you can’t look away: There are heart-wrenching moments you are forced to sit through where you can’t help but avert your eyes.

When I finished the game, I was filled with a kind of anger. It wasn’t because that the game was bad, but because I had become so involved in Clementine’s life. From season one, till now, it’s apparent that my aim — to protect Clementine — was a failure. As the game brought Clementine through situations almost out of her control, that feeling of abject helplessness pervades the game. In some sense, it’s even more like an interactive story than ever before, and it can even feel as if the game is manipulating you into horrible situations. But as Clementine survives one encounter after another, that sense of hope after each time will make you want to carry on.

Season one of The Walking Dead was one of 2012’s best attempts in pushing games forward as a narrative form. With season two, that continues, and despite the horrors that we might face, Clementine’s tale is one I can’t take my eyes off, and the upcoming release of episode two can’t come soon enough.

The entire season of The Walking Dead: Season Two retails for US$24.99 (S$32). The second episode of five will be available soon; other episodes will be released later.