The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - A New Frontier Episode 2: Ties That Bind Part Two

 PC
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 90
  3. Negative: 14 out of 90

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  1. BioTofu
    Jan 8, 2017
    6
    This is more of a review of the combined episodes 1 and 2 of the New Frontier. They launched with 2 episodes this season.

    I was hoping to see my dear Clementine again after all that time but they made me control this new Javier character, who is kinda a clone of Luke from the previous season. Even after about 4 hours, my emotional care level for this Javier guy was only on par with    This is more of a review of the combined episodes 1 and 2 of the New Frontier. They launched with 2 episodes this season.

    I was hoping to see my dear Clementine again after all that time but they made me control this new Javier character, who is kinda a clone of Luke from the previous season. Even after about 4 hours, my emotional care level for this Javier guy was only on par with maybe 1 of the 5 main characters from the 400 Days side stories (in 400 Days, you only play for about 30mins or so with each of the 5 characters).
    I think I understand the Telltale's decision in making the player to take control of a new character so that I can see how the harsh years have changed Clementine. Players are unable to control her actions directly. But occasionally, the game allows the player to take control of Clementine again in her flashbacks... During my game, the narration and controls got confusing for me. There was a Clementine flashback immediately followed by a conversation between Clementine and Javier, I was not sure who I was controlling at that time.

    In multiple moments, the actions/dialogues which I wanted to choose were not available. There was a lot less exploration and the story felt very linear. The quick time events felt a bit tagged on this time around. Hard to explain some of the characters' actions too. I also got a bunch of unexpected reactions from some of the characters with my decisions... Maybe because I was dealing with rebellious teenagers or maybe caused by multiple rewrites?

    It was cool to see some known face showing up but then I realized that it was probably a poor choice... I already knew that character, so he was immediately put on my trusty ally list, which was so not Walking Dead and it was tampering with my decision making!

    Overall disappointed by the 2-episode launch of the season. Without the big twist at the end of episode 2, I would have given this game a lower score.    … Expand
  2. muzmuz
    Jan 13, 2017
    6
    Immediately picking off from the surprisingly short previous episode, Ties That Bind Part Two is yet another brief episode from the third season. While the story may be a bit thrilling especially in the ending, this season so far feels way too rushed, as what episode two shows, letting players stumble upon rather ridiculous choices and non-immersive flow of story.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best PC Game of 2016
29
#29 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. GameGrin
    Feb 27, 2017
    85
    Perhaps the greatest shortcoming is the game’s stubbornness to shove Javi’s family as the player’s raison d’etre, when it’s clear that Clementine is a much more relatable and less frustrating character. The classic Telltale trap of unavoidable events is still there, but by now you should know what you’re getting into. If judged by what it attempts to do, rather than by what some sceptic players want it to be, A New Frontier’s harrowing first episodes smoothen most rough edges found in other games in the series in terms of storytelling. It just about manages to shake off the notion of being a rehashed concept, and become a beast that can stand on its own two feet, built upon the foundations laid by Lee and Clementine. Hopefully the rest of the season manages to sustain this level of quality.
    Read full review
  2. games(TM)
    Feb 21, 2017
    50
    A plot slower than a walker. [Issue#183, p.81]
  3. DualShockers
    Jan 30, 2017
    85
    Ties That Bind does an exceptional job at building a new world for The Walking Dead fans to explore while still integrating the components that made Telltale’s series a breakout hit.
    Read full review
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