The Walking Dead: Season 2 “Amid The Ruins” review for PC, Xbox 360, PS3

Amid The Ruins marks the fourth episode in Telltale?s second season offering of The Walking Dead, and it?s easily the best episode of the season. Coming off of one hellacious cliffhanger with episode 3, that might not come as much of a surprise. But the tension and drama for Clementine?s newly adopted group of companions doesn?t stop with the explosive departure from Carver?s camp, as the group is given little time to get their bearings before even more tragedy strikes. Again, considering the game, it might not be that surprising that things look bleak for Clementine, but that knowledge doesn?t lessen the blows delivered by this round of storytelling.

Obviously we don?t want to go into spoilers for this episode, but you can expect to see some new surroundings for the gang here. The episode picks up during the events of the third episode?s ending, seamlessly so, with zombies swarming in on every side. Not everyone will make it out of this episode unscathed, and there?s a number of very tense, action-driven encounters that propel the group forward. If you thought that Kenny, Rebecca, Bonnie and the rest have had it bad up to this point, well, you ain?t seen nothing yet.

There?s actually so many memorable moments packed into this episode that it makes it nearly impossible to write this review, outside of saying that I really, really enjoyed. As to why, or what specifically worked for me, going into much detail is really going to ruin the experience. What I can say is that while this season hasn?t necessarily felt slow, this episode makes you feel as if the training wheels have been kicked off, and the brake lines have been severed. While the overall length of this entry doesn?t seem to be any longer than previous chapters, it really feels like Telltale has packed a lot of story into this episode. It?s very light on interactive, explorative moments, but the action bits keep you entertained, and the developments will have you on the edge of your seat.

Of course, if you?ve been playing up until now you?ll want to continue doing so. And if you?ve held off for whatever reason, you?ll be in for a real treat once you reach this particular episode in a future playthrough. I?ve found this episode to be so enjoyable that I have a tough time believing Telltale can even top it with the finale. Hopefully I?ll be proven wrong there, but either way, this episode will remain as one of my favorites in the entire series thus far.