The Walking Dead: Season 2 Episode Four - Amid the Ruins

Overview

Amid the Ruins is a simple episode, in theory. It revolves around a woman giving birth in impossible circumstances, an event that is going to happen no matter what you do, but it provides a myriad of paths to get there.

-- As reviewed by Joystiq

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 10 expert reviews

Excellent:

4
Good:

2
Average:

0
Bad:

4

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Last revision on February 4, 2015

Reviewers Liked

Tense, fast-moving, and tightly plotted storyline
Constant zombie attacks make for more action sequences than in other recent episodes
Clementine's dialogue choices are now more frequent and more meaningful
Fascinating character development with Clementine, as she becomes more pragmatic and even accustomed to watching her friends die

Reviewers Didn't Like

Very, very bleak
Loading times were more prominent this episode

Expert reviews and ratings

Among the Ruins is The Walking Dead doing what The Walking Dead does well, but it's spinning its wheels when it should be racing towards the finale. As far as Clem's story goes, it's hard to fight the feeling that what began as an exciting opportunity for the writers has now become something of a millstone when it comes to plotting.

By EuroGamer on July 24, 2014

From somber deaths to one satisfying slap, Amid the Ruins has a lot of memorable moments. As you approach the end, you're left in an unexpected place that keeps your head spinning. Telltale was smart to involve players in this final moment, forcing them to make a knee-jerk reaction to a complex situation.

By GameInformer on July 24, 2014

Note: as ever with episodic games, this review may contain spoilers for previous episodes of Season Two of The Walking Dead. So proceed with caution!You don't need to be a Professor of Metaphorology to realise that the titular ruins in this penultimate...

By eurogamer.net on July 24, 2014

As ever, I’m confident in Telltale Games’ ability to tell a strong story and end it with panache, but Episode 4: Amid the Ruins is the weakest episode of The Walking Dead: Season 2. Despite its major changes - both regarding Clementine as a character and the roles of those around her - there are too many out-of-left-field events to build tension convincingly.

By IGN on July 23, 2014

With Amid the Ruins, there is no more room to be a spectator. While Clementine could often sit back and observe everything during the first episodes of this season as still something of a little kid, now she is an almost-grown-up soldier on the front lines of every zombie attack and every life-and-death situation determining the fates of her friends.

By GameSpot on July 22, 2014

By Joystiq on July 22, 2014

Whatever the reason, "Amid the Ruins" was a major step back from the series' normally high standards. I can only hope Telltale shakes off the rust for a stunning conclusion to the second season, but it has a long way to go.

By Polygon on July 22, 2014

Amid the Ruins is an exhilarating adventure and the best episode thus far. It gives players drastic choices to partake in, not to mention building on the relationships between Clementine and her party. It’s becoming a close knit group now with so many casualties, but it also allows for digging deeper on the emotional side of characters.

By HardcoreGamer on July 22, 2014

“Amid the Ruins” ends abruptly, but the cliffhanger serves to amp up the suspense for the finale. This second season has accomplished what season one did so well: it’s managed to keep me both eager and dreading the new episodes, and with just one more left, those feelings are now strengthened. Still, those feelings are nothing compared to what Clementine is feeling.

By InsideGamingDaily on July 22, 2014

Great: Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding it back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash....

By Destructoid on July 22, 2014

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