A "just about good" and particularly "dark" follow up to an unmatched emotional first season. Though it was no way near as excellent as its predecessor, but it wasn't as good as a die hard fan might want it to be. Maybe due to expectations or hype! Clem isn't a cheerful and innocent child any more, she is now a veteran survivor and a mature girl willing to make hard choices. It's understandable due to what she's been through for the first five episodes.
The group of survivors she meets on her way is very much similar to previous Kenny and group, so nothing new there. But these characters fail to be as memorable as the previous bunch. Maybe they will as the season progresses. This season promises to be even more darker, intense and brutal than the previous one.
All That Remains did feel predictable, maybe because we all know the format rather well by now. Yes! the build and story line is all very nostalgic, but one feels that the choices given are not fair as their could be other alternative. I better not spoil it by quoting examples, but I certainly can say that in Season 1 if one had to make a choice then the choices given to us are the most probable of what we would have actually thought. Whereas, the effect of our choices still remains good, as the major choices seem to; and probably will effect the future episodes, as one may relate from the Episode 2 trailer at the end.
Another Letdown is, the decisions from the previous season do not stand of least importance. Even if you haven't yet completed the first season, the game will generate your choices randomly. I am hoping that we see at least some impact of our decisions from season one and 400 Days in the coming episodes.
Coming to character development, well there wasn't much of screen space for anyone except Clem. Where the first Season had a high level of "Character Attachment" due to excellent character development and "character speech" options where we could interact with the character with a wide variety questions, this season clearly lacked it. But I am more than sure it will come i the coming episode. All that Remains was mostly about survival. Clem being the protagonist and the playable character has her character traits in our hand. The player might make her a heartless rather self catering young girl who trusts no one and will try to survive no matter what the cost, or one might shape her a kind but mature girl who wants to survive badly but cares for other living too. But in any case she is now prepared for anything.
The game does offer some good and shocking moments, the dog scene being my favorite and most shocking. Where Lee lead from the front and established himself as a leader of the group, Clem probably will have to fend off others.
Now the game-play, being a story based game, there isn't much for gamers. Just like the first season it is a "tailored by choices" game rather than a kill kill kill zombie game. Playing the PC version I missed the "Scroll" option which provided a lot of ease in selecting the action.
Direction/Animation/Graphics: Outstanding! Flawless.
Story/Screenplay: Great.
Music: Superb. To my surprise their is a nice credit song.
All in all a strong start to what is going to be a great season 2. Though extremely short, as I played it through one sitting. I'm pretty sure it is only going to get better!
