The Walking Dead - Dead Reckoning - Free Online Game - The Review!

Just finished playing the new (as of early 2012)  online "Walking Dead" game, called "Dead Reckoning."

In this Flash-based, "choose your own adventure" style game, you play Shane Walsh, just as the zombie epidemic is hitting the city.  What this game gives you is a little backstory -- just before Season 1, Episode 1.


Essentially, it is an Interactive graphic novel, with some animation, a great sound track that drives you forward into the story, good graphics and sound effects.

Shane is sent to investigate a disturbance at the Taylor residence, while his deputy stops a local in his car, looking worse for wear.  At various points in the game, Shane is faced with a number of decisions displayed as "thought balloons", which then lead him down a particular path.  Some of his decisions lead to graphic bloody ends, some continue to drive him (you) through the story.  To add to the tension, certain actions (that may run through several screens) are on a timer.  Bad things generally happen when you can't make a decision in time.

You (as Shane) are often forced to make moral decisions-- where all options seem bad.  Deciding between which option to choose in these cases is entertaining, and with the music pounding and the timer ticking down, there really is a sense of panic.

One great sequence involves you (Shane) having to shoot a former girlfriend (yes you do get to shoot things).  She is now a zombie lumbering toward you, blood running down her face-- and the flashback scenes of their good times together are intermingled with your view of her tormented face...  getting closer and closer.  Will you have the guts to shoot her-- will the flashbacks cause just a little too much hesitation?

Watch closely-- there are a number of times that something happens in the background that might help you (Shane) make a decision.

There are 5 Chapters.  At the end of each Chapter, you are scored on what you did right and what you did wrong.  But the story continues from where you left off-- no matter what you've done (right or wrong).  If you die (yes, you can die), you have the option to Start the Game over, or just start the Chapter over.  There is a "Status" you need to be aware of as well-- you make too many bad decisions-- this'll take you out as well.

I died a couple of times-- I found the shooting mechanics was choppy and a little hard to control-- but that may just be my machine (and the hundred apps I'm running at any one time).

All in all, a fun experience, especially if you are really into the show and chomping at the bit for the season to continue.  It was about 20 minutes to a half hour of play time (this will vary, of course, based on your decisions, and how many times you die).

And it's free, and on their website:

Play it HERE!