Telltale Games has pretty much solidified itself as the premiere studio that's able to develop quality licensed adventure games with gripping storylines. Save for the Jurassic Park snafu, all of their other games, leading up to the most recently released Tales from the Borderlands and Game of Thrones, have been amazing experiences.
Whether it's tough decisions in The Walking Dead that can be the difference between life and death, or more lighthearted scenes where you're recreating Marty's first experience with the DeLorean, Telltale proved that licensed games don't have to suck. And that's not an easy task. Since nothing seems off limits to Telltale, we thought we'd come up with a fun list of franchises that should get the Telltale treatment.
10. Breaking Bad
Yes, Breaking Bad came and went, and we all know how it ended (those who've tuned in each week or binge watched the series on Netflix) but hear me out, what if Breaking Bad the game allowed to shape a different future for Walter White. What if you could make different decision at various key moments of Walter's timeline, altering the storyline entirely. Plus, encounters with characters like Gus from Los Pollos Hermanos would be incredible and tense, as was evidenced in the Game of Thrones when having to confront Cersei.
9. Lost
Lost is one of those TV shows that's either loved and regarded as one of the few television masterpieces, or absolutely hated for its convoluted plot, nonsensical events, and no explanation for many of its occurences. Whatever your stance might be, I think Lost was best at its storytelling, specifically with their character development through flashbacks. In game form for instance, players could play through flashbacks and ultimately decide their character's back story depending on their actions during it. Then those characters you've shaped during a flashback would continue their story through what's happening on the island. Also, we could finally learn some backstory on those events. Smoke monster?!
8. Once Upon a Time
There was a time I really liked this show. I loved the concept of storybook characters living in our world, combating various evil elements. Hell, they even dared to make Peter Pan the bad guy in one of the seasons! But dammit they had to go and ruin it with Frozen. Now, I realize Telltale has a game with a similar concept, The Wolf Among Us, but maybe Once Upon a Time wouldn't have to be as gritty. Also, considering the show has no limits on characters, it could have a variety of villains and heroes to pull from. I'd play it, just please, easy on the Frozen.
7. True Blood
Even though the show ended, there are tons of possibilities to tell a story in a world where Vampires and Humans try to coexist. After all, they didn't just all exist in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Give us a cast of original character, with occasional cameos from fan favorites (Eric Northman) and let us decide whether we want to become Vampires or keep our humanity.
6. Archer
First of all, being in the head of Sterling Malory Archer would be an adventure all in its own. Hell, you wouldn’t even really need to do anything else. The downright hilarious writing of Archer could easily come from the quick choices Duchess would have to make. There could be the sexist comment, the obnoxious comment, the weird mother’s boy comment, or a Top Gun quote for nearly any situation. Picturing the quick time events / battles puts a hearty grin on my face – just how goofy and over the top could they go? I’d even like to see conversations pieces DURING quick time events. Can you imagine having four options of different yells or insults towards Lana to do something? I’m sold on concept alone.
5. Resident Evil
If you look back at the old Resident Evil games, they're practically Adventure games, with just a slightly more hands-on interaction. Now sure, The Walking Dead might already give us a fantastic take on the zombie apocalypse, but given that the latest Resident Evil games just aren't cutting it among fans and critics, perhaps we need a more story-focused Resident Evil game, still focusing on survival and horror, just a little less action.
4. Destiny
Destiny is a fantastic first-person shooter, with a less than stellar– actually, scratch that, no storyline to speak of. Why not then hand the IP to a studio that's fantastic at storytelling. I wouldn't mind cutting out the shooting if it meant I got to explore the world of Destiny prior to humanity getting wiped out, or perhaps during the Golden Age when the Traveller came to Earth. Given that the lore is apparently so rich, it would be a perfect fit. If Borderlands can take out the shooting and still make it a great game, then Destiny certainly has a shot.
3. Star Wars
Almost collectively we all agreed that Star Wars seems like the perfect fit for Telltale to tell a few sidestories set in the Star Wars universe. With Star Wars Rebels currently telling the story of what happened between episodes III and IV and of course the upcoming movies that will focus on events past the original trilogy, there is a ton of room for Telltale to create their magic and have the player be a part of the rise of the Empire for instance. Given that we know there were a few Jedi that survived, it would be even more amazing if your choices affected your Light or Dark side alignment. Make it happen Telltale!
2. Indiana Jones
photo belongs to: Patrick Schoenmaker
Another no-brainer, especially since a few members from Telltale orignally came from LucasArts. I, and many gamers like myself, fondly remember the fantastic Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. It was probably my first experience with a point-and-click adventure game, so nostalgia certainly plays a big part here. But if there's anyone who can finally make a decent Indiana Jones game, it would certainly be Telltale. Just please, no Mutt Williams…
1. Doctor Who
My top pick and number one choice, without a doubt, goes to the Doctor Who series. I can't even begin to fathom the crazy adventures that Telltale could send players on. The possibilities are literally infinite. We could revisit old characters like Rose Tyler (best companion!) or Donna Noble (ok yeah, she's great too), or even perhaps Amy Pond and Rory? Each Season could focus on a completely new Doctor, and hell, it could even break away from the show and focus on completely original Doctors! My head is spinning from this genius idea. Seriously, Telltale, just forget all those other ideas up there, MAKE A DOCTOR WHO SERIES!
