I'm a fan of the "Fables" graphic comic series, I really love the concept which is wild but strangely works, the notion of what would happen when the characters of fantasy came to reality; let alone mixing both the noir and fantasy genre turned out to be a wicked combo. This series also may have been the partial inspiration for the TV shows "Once Upon a Time" and "Grimm". Having this as another volume in the Teletale Game series was just a dream come true for me.
The art is great it's really gets everything making it really look like the graphic comic series come to life. From the grittiness and grime of Fabletown to the character models themselves.
Music is also great, it really sounds like something out of a John Carpenter film, which fits like a glove for this game as this game has a really dark, dangerous and moody nourish atmosphere.
Gameplay is about the same you'd expect from any Teletale game but I wouldn't have it any other way. To me it's a bit of a throwback to some of the point and click games of the early to mid 90's that have became a lost practice; those kind of games were always about observation, investigation and decision making.
I really like it from the choice aspect where you are constantly weighing the pros and cons of your range of choices hoping you've made the right choice. However you can't take too much time as there is a counter on the menu, so choice carefully. There is the usual point and click where your investigating areas and searching for clues. The action is solid, sort of like in the arcade game "Dragons Lair" as it's based on reaction, really like some of the fights Bigby is in and gets to do. Two that stand out are the fight with the Jersey Devil whom looks like one of the Skinwalkers from Indian folklore which makes sense and that is who I partial suspected who the Jersey Devil could be. And the other which is the fight with Bloody Mary which is a lot of fun, almost reminds me a bit of the battle with the multiple Agent Smith's in "The Matrix Reloaded".
However what really makes the game like all Teletale games stand out is the story itself. It take place way before volume one of the series which is cool, the way the story plays out it really feels like another volume in the series. The voice acting is great and fits like a glove as their all how I imagined they would sound like. Really like the voice actor Adam Harrington whom plays Bigby, he almost sounds like Steve Blum but isn't. As well as Erin Yvette as Snow which is a sweet, strong and sexy voice.
The characters are their usual selves if your familiar with the series. I really love the back and forth between both Bigby and Snow, both of them are one of my favorite fictional couples. Despite knowing ahead of time of their relationship if you've ever read the series, you still have a great feel for both of them, there are sparks flying between both of them.
Some might be a little confused or even swayed by the fact most of the fairy tale characters their familiar with may act and seem contrary to the versions were familiar with. But in a way that just adds to the mystery of the game and series, as it takes the assumptions we've already drawn out and turns them on it's head. Just showing that we can't take anything for granted and nobody is whom they seem.
I even like how just like in the series this game gets into not just the ethical boundary concept which most of the Teltale games usual do but also other social and philosophical issues like the constant difficulty in adjustment and adaptation to change and transition, our subconscious need to hold onto and reclaim traces of the past, but also identity.
When you hear about some of what's happened to certain Fairy Tale characters were familiar with and what life in the reality realm has done to them it's kinda interesting and for some sad. Like with the Beast and Beauty talking in one episode how both use to be royalty and ruled a kingdom, but when they were forced to immigrate to our realm they reign ended and worst of all barely remember who they use to be.
Bigby whom to me is my favorite character in the series because he has a fascinating arc as he is a former villain reformed kinda similar to Regina in "Once Upon a Time". But despite the changes he made in his life, he is still constantly wrestling internally to keep the wolf inside in check.
In a way I can't help but feel there is some truth in this, in a way these down to Earth versions of the Fables represent ourselves as we've grown up our perspectives and prospects about ourselves and life constantly change, especially on the fantasy characters we eternally hold dear. Things like that you have to ask yourself can or are you still you, or have you changed so much that your someone else entirely.
I wouldn't mind another volume for this game, probably take place somewhere in the middle of the series or even after or before one of the story arcs. Though personally I'd like to see another DC Vertigo property made into a Teletale game, one I had in mind is "John Constintine Hellblazer" yeah that would be awesome, it's just a thought.
"The Wolf Among Us" howls with intrigue.
Rating: 4 stars
