Retrospective: Episodic Games Need a Comeback

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I prefer the self-contained storylines found in some video games, where each episode offers a new adventure filled with intricate details carefully crafted by the game’s creators. Although not everyone shares this preference, I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in each installment.

Here’s why I think episodic games need a comeback:

The Episode Discussions

Instead of diving into a game’s subreddit to talk about the latest episode, I often found myself relishing in the discussions. The exhilaration, annoyance, and shock that permeated those conversations only served to enhance my enjoyment. Consistently, just moments after an episode was released, I’d find posts brimming with the very same reactions I harbored as the credits rolled on a nail-biting cliffhanger.

After each installment of Max and Chloe’s journey in Life is Strange, I would find myself immersed in the bustling discussions on its subreddit. There, fans were passionately debating intricate theories (many of which proved fruitless) and guessing which character might meet their fate next.

Similarly, the interactive nature of Telltale games such as Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead – arguably their most popular releases – incited intense debates among players regarding the decisions made and whether those choices led to the demise or salvation of beloved characters. Each episode served as a catalyst for these conversations.

The Perfect Use of Extended Content

One aspect I greatly enjoyed about episodic games, particularly those from Telltale, was their ability to transform well-known intellectual properties into their distinctive style. For instance, franchises like Batman bore the Telltale imprint, and The Expanse was given a five-episode narrative centered around Camina Drummer, a beloved Belter character, demonstrating their adaptability in shaping popular IPs to fit their unique format.

There are many other licenses with great potential as well. I’ve always admired how Telltale took the effort to produce additional stories for well-known characters. Frankly, I’d be thrilled to see a Telltale game based on John Wick.

A Nice Change of Pace

Opting for episodic games provided a delightful respite from the continuous expansion of open-world journeys and conventional one-player narratives. Rather than persistently leveling up to reach the next checkpoint or assaulting fortresses, I found myself immersed in the characters’ lives and the repercussions of my choices.

I often found myself anxious about the well-being of Clementine and Lee on The Walking Dead, and similarly, I was frequently troubled by the choices I had to make as part of House Forrester in Game of Thrones.

It Wasn’t Always Perfect, Though

It seems that the popularity of episodic video games has been on a decline. Companies like Telltale found it challenging to maintain profitability with this format, ultimately closing down in 2018. The intermittent release schedule for episodes led to players losing interest due to extended wait times. Unlike television shows, which can build anticipation through effective marketing before each episode, episodic games often saw a slowdown in momentum over time.

Despite the challenges, there’s a ray of hope – Telltale Games is making a comeback, even if it’s in a different form. And while DONTNOD’s “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage” offers just two episodes, it’s an encouraging sign of things to come.

As Telltale Games makes a comeback and The Wolf Among Us 2 is approaching, it’s clear that there will soon be an increase in the release of episodic video games.

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2025-03-26 15:42