The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series - The Final Season Episode 1: Done Running

 PC
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 99
  3. Negative: 13 out of 99

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Matiosh
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    After terrible season 3 i was afraid of next season but it's pretty good. Textures are finally sharp, new camera at the beginning is difficult but you will get used to it. I don't know how's it gonna end but the story is good, i feel like lee again. Very good game. Finally (Season 3 sucks)
  2. RowdyB
    Aug 25, 2018
    10
    The Walking Dead has been around since 2012, and I have loyally followed it since, always staying hyped for the next episode after each one released. Here we arrive at the end of Clementine's story, where she is accompanied by AJ, who she has raised since his birth, and is essentially like her adopted son. It's great to see these two characters still sticking it out to the end after theThe Walking Dead has been around since 2012, and I have loyally followed it since, always staying hyped for the next episode after each one released. Here we arrive at the end of Clementine's story, where she is accompanied by AJ, who she has raised since his birth, and is essentially like her adopted son. It's great to see these two characters still sticking it out to the end after the late half of Season 2, and the chemistry between them is fun.
    MECHANICS
    - This game has changed a LOT of what Telltale is known for. Everything you say or do in front of AJ will transform him, directly, and it will impact how you play this game. You can't choose to constantly be silent, because it will bite you in the rear. AJ is like an actual child in real life; easy influential with what you say and do. After realizing this, I had to remind myself to stay careful of any decision I made if he was in the picture.
    - The combat is also revamped, and it is no longer to dull and boring quick time events strictly as the other games, now you have a two-step combat system: you walk up to a walker, stun them, and then kill them, or you can kill them and risk being attacked simultaneously by another walker mid-animation. It is simple, but it's refreshing to see Telltale not focus on quick time events now. I will admit though, regardless of how unengaging it is, it's quite fun to trap a zombie after making him chase you in a circle sometimes.
    STORY/CHARACTERS
    - The entire first episode was great in pacing-- it never felt too slow, never felt like it was moving too fast.
    It spent the right amount of time shedding light on every character you needed to know about, and it was good at having you like these characters as well.
    LENGTH
    - The episode took me roughly two and a half hours with one ten minute break. It is a VERY long first episode, probably the lengthiest one Telltale has ever made for any game, and again-- it didn't feel stretched out. By the time the game has you comfortable near the end, a certain event happens that will remain unmentioned and it makes you feel very uncomfortable and nervous.
    OVERALL THOUGHTS
    - With this being the first episode, which is normally the worst in a Telltale game, I have to admit that after playing it, I am HYPED for the rest of the season. I'm wondering how much better the episodes can get after this one, and the cliffhanger was insane. I can't wait until September, and I hear there are rumors a certain someone is coming back from season one!    … Expand
  3. BlackDogJoker
    Aug 14, 2018
    9
    Even though it's just the first episode, it already settles some promising improvements in terms of gameplay and also delivers a plot quite interesting for now and already satisfying for a first chapter. As it's seems and it's headed to - and, God, I hope I'm right -, thankfully this season won't be the disaster that "A New Frontier" was, giving the whole comeback of that atmosphere ofEven though it's just the first episode, it already settles some promising improvements in terms of gameplay and also delivers a plot quite interesting for now and already satisfying for a first chapter. As it's seems and it's headed to - and, God, I hope I'm right -, thankfully this season won't be the disaster that "A New Frontier" was, giving the whole comeback of that atmosphere of great character and plot building mixed with the feeling of both uncertainty and "unexpectation" that creeps behind us throughout a new episode/season.… Expand
  4. Paulraptor
    Aug 14, 2018
    9
    This episode serves as a connection between the old TWD games and a turning point in the relationships with the other survivors that can do anything to protect their family, as same as Clem.

    The world is much more ruthless (like Aj) and crude, it's shown with a great improvement of the art direction . I'm still in shock with the great finale of my episode. Apparently, there are various    This episode serves as a connection between the old TWD games and a turning point in the relationships with the other survivors that can do anything to protect their family, as same as Clem.

    The world is much more ruthless (like Aj) and crude, it's shown with a great improvement of the art direction . I'm still in shock with the great finale of my episode. Apparently, there are various finals of episode.
    I recommend give it a try if you have played the previous games, it will surprise you and give a well paced episodic plot along with our loved character grown up and be the pride of Lee.    … Expand
  5. firevex12
    Aug 20, 2018
    10
    Incredible episode the story is interesting the new telltale engine is also good cant wait for the next episode
  6. crazymurdock
    Oct 3, 2018
    9
    Back on form after a slightly sub-par season 3.
    Lost a point because at the moment I don't have any confidence that we will get a full season from this game.
  7. Jayordan
    Aug 15, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As of right now this a review of only episode one, it will be updated as each episode is released.

    After hitting a bit of a rough patch with A New Frontier Telltale hits the ground running into the final season with an amazing first episode.

    The backbone of every Telltale game is its story and characters; and I am happy to say that episode one is amazing in both departments. Trying to help Clem and AJ fit in with a new group of people after the two have clearly had bad experiences with groups in the past based on the events of Clem's flashbacks in ANF and some offhanded mention of places like AJ bringing up a ranch. The finale of the episode, the basement scene and the courtyard scene right after, are the big highlights of this episode.

    The basement scene where you're trying to escape before a zombified group member kills you was scarier and more intense than some horror games can be. The way the blood on the flashlight tinted the light to be red really added to the tone of the scene and upped the tension. The scene outside in the courtyard where Clem confronts The main antagonist, Marlon, was amazingly well written and felt like it would be how kids would actually react when put into that situation. The ending of AJ shooting Marlon was handled really well in my opinion and I enjoyed the call back to what you reminded AJ of earlier in the episode.

    As for the new characters, I rather enjoyed most of them. I will only be going over the ones that made a significant impact on me.

    Marlon made for a nice leader and seemed like a good guy but transitioned into the role of antagonist really well. I can understand to a degree what he was going for with keeping the group safe by giving up Tenn's sisters but at the same time I still think he got what he deserved for sacrificing them.

    Louis was a pleasure anytime he was on screen besides the finale where he was having a (understandably) hard time siding against his best friend for years; this doesn't keep him from being my favorite new character from the group however. I enjoyed the walker piñata scene especially; its nice to see that even in the hellish zombie apocalypse some people still manage to have some humor.

    Violet felt like a younger Jane too me. I didn't spend too much time trying to get to know her because I found Louis to be more interesting; but I'm hoping to be proved wrong in future installments.

    Brody was a character I heavily related to for the short time she was in the episode. She seemed to struggle with anxiety problems and that resonated with me to a degree. Like I said above her death at the hands of Marlon and her chasing you through the basement as a zombie was definitely the highlight of the episode. Its a shame she had to die this episode, it would have been interesting to see where she went as a character.

    AJ is by far the most interesting character of the episode. This is the first character we have run into in the series that only knows the apocalypse. He was born after the world had gone to hell and has no memory of what it was like in a world without monsters. Scenes like him asking what a swing is at the train station really drive home that death and running place to place are all he's every known. Its why when the camera panned to show that it was AJ was the one who shot Marlon I wasn't surprised at all. AJ was just trying to protect Clem the way he had been taught too. It'll be interesting to see what he becomes as the season goes on.

    One of the biggest surprises of the episode had nothing to do with the story or characters, but the gameplay itself. The Final season has changed up how you fight the hordes of the undead by making standing fights more of a one to two button press to take them out and giving the fighting a more freeform style gameplay when compared to previous entries. However the old system of "put the cursor in the circle and click" is still in the game but not used quiet as heavily.

    I will say that my biggest disappointment with the episode was the lack of big choices. I can't heavily fault it though because this is only episode one; many of the choices could be setting up for things to come.

    Overall a solid episode, definitely a 9/10 in my book.    … Expand
  8. MarvelJoe
    Aug 15, 2018
    8
    Is just the first episode and it already set us into a good plot to where this story is going. The art style looks greater than ever and the it seems Telltale spend more time on the animation and I was please. This first episode has moments where I felt shocked and it takes me back to Season 1. Telltale really did a good job and hope they spend their time for the next episodes.
  9. Kenocartel
    Aug 20, 2018
    8
    Oddly enough, Clementine looks younger than she did in season 3. The relationships between the characters and Clementine (if not the characters themselves) are fairly intriguing. Hopefully their personalities will flesh out in future episodes.
  10. CommodusReviews
    Oct 14, 2018
    8
    The first episode is a very powerful start to the final season, the characters are decently developed and Clementine and Aj are a very enjoyable duo. It's a slow burn like most first episodes of TWD but its definitely a major step up from season 3. The collectibles are a real meh edition to the game as they are quite useless but it is kind of enjoyable to explore the environments.
  11. DioXGaming
    Aug 24, 2018
    8
    Unfinished, again. Do not release the game if it's not finished yet. Even if you don't play it yet and wait for it to be completed, the internet and your friends will spoil the game for you ruining the thrill and what will happen next.
  12. NathanGPLC
    Mar 26, 2019
    9
    (Written after playing the final episode of the final season) I am sorely tempted to give this game a 10/10, but I don't want to be hyperbolic. It isn't literally perfect, but it is an amazingly well-executed conclusion to a series that started strong, wavered a bit in the middle... and then was almost killed by the closure of Telltale. I have no love for the mismanagement that created job(Written after playing the final episode of the final season) I am sorely tempted to give this game a 10/10, but I don't want to be hyperbolic. It isn't literally perfect, but it is an amazingly well-executed conclusion to a series that started strong, wavered a bit in the middle... and then was almost killed by the closure of Telltale. I have no love for the mismanagement that created job losses, financial woes, and heartache for the devs who crunched on this game, so I do not mourn the studio, but I think anyone who enjoyed the first game would be grateful to the devs for their hard work bringing Clementine's story to a satisfying, emotionally wrecking (in MOSTLY a good way) end.… Expand
  13. visiblelight7
    Nov 11, 2018
    10
    Wow. Just wow. This is ending up being my favorite game of all time due to the incredibly sad and heartfelt story. The visuals are stunning and the artistic direction is a masterpiece. The main selling point for me is Clementine and her story(being a child herself... I can't help but feel emotionally attached to her as a character). If you liked Season 1 , you will love this season. IWow. Just wow. This is ending up being my favorite game of all time due to the incredibly sad and heartfelt story. The visuals are stunning and the artistic direction is a masterpiece. The main selling point for me is Clementine and her story(being a child herself... I can't help but feel emotionally attached to her as a character). If you liked Season 1 , you will love this season. I guarantee it. Now let's hope they will actually finish the last 2 episodes as a studio is working on completing the game.

    Kids nowadays only want AssassinsCr#11,COD#39,BF#15, BattleRoyal game #777
    Do yourself a favor and get this masterpiece if you want a unique game with an incredible story.
    WE WILL PROBABLY NEVER GET ANOTHER GEM LIKE THIS.
    I can only hope that we will one day find another studio that will be willing to target us story lovers and melt our hearts once again(since TellTale is shutting down).

    But for now. All we can do is vote with our $$ and show them, how much we appreciate this kind of game.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Shared PC Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Cubed3
    Jan 10, 2019
    70
    While Clementine and AJ attempt to make friends with the children of the nearby boarding school, most of the episode is dedicated to getting to know each character and finding their place in the school, which begins to drag. However, in a bid to make up for lost time, the closing moments of the episode is a cliff-hanger that leaves the entire cast of characters shocked - and makes waiting for Episode 2 a painful but exciting venture.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Dec 4, 2018
    75
    In the first episode of its final season The Walking Dead is prettier than ever, sounds better than ever and does a better job at pretending to be a game. Telltale’s attempts to refresh the series are too conservative but I still appreciate them, even if it feels like praising a notorious sloven for washing his hands before Christmas dinner. [10/2018, p.76]
  3. Game Debate
    Sep 10, 2018
    75
    There is very little wrong with this episode but for someone who critically analyzes the storyline and how the events unfold, I would have preferred a little insight into how AJ's personality was shaped from past events. This scenario could probably become an episode itself. That being said, this episode is a fitting but perhaps a little bland start to the final season of The Walking Dead.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »