Telltale Games are visual novels that come alive since player-taken decisions frame the future of the characters and the story’s end. This piece will look at the best Telltale Games to play in 2023.
Telltale Games consists of some of the best developers in the industry. So much so that they have created a genre of gaming called Telltale. These games are visual novels that progress the story by incorporating drama and thriller into them. Moreover, they are some of the best games filled with visual and voice-based storytelling, drama, twists, and turns.
Think of these as a point-and-click style of games where simple mouse movements and quick time events dictate the pace, while the storytelling progresses through multiple episodes. Besides, while most games have five different episodes, the studio has also published multiple iterations of a single franchise.
That is why, we will go through some of the best stories ever told by the studio through the catalog of multiple IPs they possess. Let us take a look at the best ones.
Contents
- The Best Telltale Games to Play in 2023 and Beyond
- 10. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- 9. Game of Thrones
- 8. The Walking Dead Season 2
- 7. Minecraft Story Mode
- 6. Batman: The Telltale Series
- 5. Batman: The Enemy Within
- 4. The Wolf Among Us
- 3. The Walking Dead: The Final Season
- 2. The Walking Dead: Season One
- 1. Tales from the Borderlands
The Best Telltale Games to Play in 2023 and Beyond
Telltale Games have so much variety in story and mechanics that no two games are the same, even in the same IP. Most of you might have heard of the Wolf Among Us or the Batman Telltale Games, we are going to take a look at seven more titles that are just as popular and satisfying to play.
This article will look at ten different Telltale titles. Take your pick according to your interest. In addition, you should know that the chronology of the list does not matter because all of these games are great in their own way with the essence of the Telltale Games present in each.
10. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
We start off the list with one of the best Marvel iterations of the gang of misfits known as the Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel’s misfit family’s introduction in Telltale was well received by every Marvel fan and Telltale game enthusiast. With Telltale focusing on the team’s characters and having a character-driven story rather than a plot-driven one, Guardians of the Galaxy is a must-play for everyone.
The MCU introduced the Guardians and put them on a pedestal while the game built up on that. The characters are fully fleshed out, the gameplay is signature Telltale style and there are lots of fan-favorite characters appearing that will make the most hardcore Marvel fans excited. At the end of the game, fans felt disappointed due to the pacing but that does not kill the game at all.
We definitely recommend you to play the game if you are a massive fan of the franchise and want to experience controlling the Guardians in a Telltale/visual novel-type game.
9. Game of Thrones
The Game of Thrones series received critical acclaim when it debuted. However, towards the end of the series, fans felt a little disappointed. To capitalize on the hype of the franchise, HBO partnered with Telltale to make a game for their beloved franchise. The result was a game that was underhyped and soon forgotten after it was released.
Even if the game is mediocre and not as memorable, it has its moments. The game has actors from the original show like Kit Harrington, Peter Dinklage, Lena Hardy, and Emilia Clarke reprising their roles as their characters. It also introduces new characters that are exclusive to the game. It is a decent representation of the original series and does a good job of honoring its legacy.
The game progresses nicely and the voice acting is good. Telltale has their signature art style with contrasting colors, cartoonish models, and more. It is a fun story to play through and the cell-shaded art style gives it the right amount of medieval feel required for a Game of Thrones title. It is not the best Telltale game out there but it certainly passes if you have certain biases towards the franchise.
Fans of the franchise will have a good time going through episodes and uncovering the story as you go along. However, if you are just looking to play a Telltale game, then there are definitely some better options, read on.
8. The Walking Dead Season 2
If we were to include a franchise or an IP that defines Telltale and put it on the roadmap as a major studio, then it would be the Walking Dead Franchise. It is one of the most carefully crafted gifts that fans could receive for The Walking Dead and it pays tribute to the characters nicely. The Walking Dead Season 2 has lots of merit and has lots of bang for its buck.
Telltale and The Walking Dead fans are going to have a field day with this one as fans can openly play as Clementine for the whole game. However, it is not all sunshine and rainbows as the plot gets choppy some of the time which can be a problem. There is a lot of repetition which can start to get old after the two-hour mark but if you are a fan, there is enough excitement to keep you glued to your seat.
Plus, even if you do get bored you can go through the extra stuff the developers have laid out for you that will let you go behind the scenes into making the game. The point-and-click adventure of this game and Clementine’s POV gel really well as players get an in-depth look into his personality.
Of course, your choices and response to conversations impact the story and the wrong choice can get you in trouble. In addition, if you have played the first Season, you can carry over your choices to the second one to build a customized experience. The game received lots of good reviews and fans loved the overall progression of the story. Therefore it is a perfect follow-up to the first game.
7. Minecraft Story Mode
Minecraft has tons of fans all around the world and in every Bedrock server. The fans of this franchise are loyal and can identify anything wrong with the franchise in a heartbeat. However, this iteration of Minecraft is one of the best as it gives life and story to the constant build fest that is the vanilla version of Minecraft.
The signature blocky and pixellated art style is there but it is complemented by conversations with NPCs rather than building and trying to make multiple things using materials. Just like the signature formula of a Telltale game, the decisions you make will have consequences and have a time limit so choose wisely. However, there is one key difference from the usual Telltale games.
Instead of a grim and mature storytelling style, it is lighthearted and fun. Therefore, if you are looking to experience something that is Telltale but in a much more toned-down and kid-friendly way, then you should definitely play Minecraft Story Mode. It is made to entertain young gamers but is perfect for older fans of the franchise as well.
The beautiful fusion of Minecraft and Telltale preserves both styles. Telltale gives QTEs and importance to decision-making while the Minecraft side has you engaging in combat, crafting, and more. It is the perfect game for people who want something lighthearted and Telltale.
6. Batman: The Telltale Series
The Batman: Telltale Series is one of the best things to happen for the Caped Crusader. It allows the audience to get a peak into his psyche and his decision-making process. Since Batman is such a prominent figure in the DC universe, the decisions he makes are of the utmost importance. By chance, if it’s a bad one, things go sideways. The Batman: Telltale Series is dark and does not shy away from the grimness it shows.
There are tons of instances that may appear unfair and you would want to almost turn away from the screen while making the decision but that is what makes them so appealing. The action, the romance, and the responsibility of being a superhero in a Gotham that desperately needs a White Knight are palpable. The voice acting is brilliant, the point-and-click style is more prominent than ever and the fast-paced action is a welcome surprise.
The game unpacks the more detective-based and emotional side of the Caped Crusader as you step into the shoes of Bruce Wayne a lot more frequently than Batman. This is much appreciated as the Bruce Wayne side of the character is a lot less explored in pop culture. Players will make decisions that please Bruce and hurt Batman.
It will be a difficult journey for all the people who want to experience the thrill of being Batman while still getting to know Bruce Wayne. It is a worthwhile experience and does not just stop there as we also have the second season to go through.
5. Batman: The Enemy Within
Speaking of the sequel to the previous Batman Telltale Game, this one knocks it out of the park. Fans claim that this one is even better than the original which presents lots of merit since we see the rogues gallery in their full attire along with a returning Catwoman. There are lots of cool side stories explored here in this edition of the Telltale Batman series and it is worth seeing.
The reason why most fans like this edition of the Telltale Batman franchise is that it not only improves upon the original but also stands out in its own way. It does not use crutches from the previous game to stand up on its feet.
The story and gameplay are spectacular while the voice acting has gotten even better. The point-and-click style never gets old and as the story progresses, you get more attached to the characters. More importantly, it is the starting point for Batman and the Joker as this edition somewhat plays as an origin story for the villain. So much so that you can stop him from becoming the Joker in the first place.
This heavy involvement is one of the best things we have received in terms of the Batman-Joker dynamic and it is done brilliantly and with subtlety. The Enemy Within is a must-play based on the Batman and Joker dynamic alone which is fitting since most of the time these two always square off in a story one way or the other.
4. The Wolf Among Us
The Wolf Among Us is one of the best Telltale Games out there because it builds on an IP that not many people know about and takes it to the next level. Even though the game was released way back in 2014, it is still worth playing in 2023. The game has a cult of its own due to the unique story it presents. Players get to play as Bigby Wolf from the Fable Comics.
It is not the mainstream game that most Telltale fans are used to but it is better than most of the ones out there due to its uniqueness. The game’s world is set in a mystical land where stories like Beauty and the Beast and Snow White exist. All of these live in a town called Fabletown and they have an enchantment on them called Glamour Enchantment that makes these creatures appear human.
If you have watched shows like Supernatural, then playing Wolf Among Us should be on your priority list. In addition, the characters are fleshed out thanks to Telltale. The game has five different episodes just like any other Telltale game. A sequel to the original is planned as well targeting a 2024 release. It will come out on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, and Windows.
If you are looking to play a Telltale game but want to be pleasantly surprised with characters you don’t know anything about, then The Wolf Among Us should be on your priority list.
3. The Walking Dead: The Final Season
The Walking Dead’s Final Season is the second most worthy season of playing in the franchise. The only one better than this one is the First Season. For starters, the Walking Dead is a good IP to choose no matter what kind of game you plan on making. However, Telltale has hit it out of the park with three Seasons of Walking Dead Games they have made.
The Final Season is one of the most gripping and thrilling Telltale Games. There is some inconsistency among the franchise but it all ends well. The Final Season will have you at the edge of your seat seeing the way the story progresses. The Final Season follows the story of Clementine as she tries to raise a ward in quarantine.
At the exact moment, she pairs up with other teenagers who need her help. The turmoil of choosing and making decisions is harder than ever. The ending is bittersweet but right for the fans of the franchise who have followed Clementine’s journey. The cel-shaded art style complements the facial expressions and the general chaos around brilliantly.
This is one game you cannot afford to miss out on especially if you have played the previous Season. Instead of the famous five-episode formula, Telltale took its time on the script and only made four episodes. The game received lots of accolades and was a fitting end to the story of one of the best Walking Dead characters the franchise had ever seen.
2. The Walking Dead: Season One
If you want to go back and look at the definitive formula to make a Walking Dead Telltale game that works, then this is it. The First Season of The Walking Dead did everything right. This was the game that made Telltale what it is today and gave the studio a major spotlight on making multiple IPs that sell like hotcakes nowadays.
The iconic episode-based formula coupled with the decision-making importance and point-and-click system caught the public eye through this game. Clementine is present in this game but she is more of a side character. The main character is Lee who eventually becomes like a father figure to her. Think of this relationship as like Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us.
Characters from the original Walking Dead franchise make an appearance in the game as well. In addition to that, the success of this game allowed the devs to be more focused on Clementine herself. The game received critical acclaim and praise for its storytelling and pacing. The premise is simple, Lee along with Clementine, teams up with others to survive the zombie apocalypse.
The signature timed choices, conversation trees, and custom camera angles are all present which enhance the experience. Your decisions matter as every choice you make impacts a character’s perception of you. The Quick Time Events are a central part of the gameplay and you can even compare the decisions you made to other players.
All in all, The Walking Dead Season One is a zombie apocalypse you cannot hope to miss out on.
1. Tales from the Borderlands
This is the game to play if you want to experience the brilliance of Telltale. Tales from the Borderlands is the definite Telltale game for us to play because it has every element you can think about. It has some semblance of tension, thriller elements, action, adventure, and role-playing elements where you can alternate between two different characters, particularly Rhys and Fiona.
The chemistry between everyone in the game is brilliantly written. Just like every other game, it had five different episodes released with twists and turns in each one. In addition, we had characters from the previous Borderlands games such as Brick, Moxxi, Claptrap, Athena, Mordecai, Zer0, and Marcus Kincaid. The game is set after the events of Borderlands 2 and fits in perfectly and does not interfere with the lore of any of the games.
The game was also released for Android and iOS in addition to the consoles and Windows. In addition, the game received critical acclaim for its direction, storytelling, and progression. In addition, the cel-shaded art style complements the Borderlands franchise perfectly since Borderlands itself is heavily cel-shaded. It is a match made in heaven.
If you want to experience the best Telltale experience, then we recommend playing through the Tales from the Borderlands. It does not matter if you have played the previous games, it is an adventure of its own which is better if you happen to know about the previous games.
