The Walking Dead: Clementine as a Playable Character?

While perusing the IGN site, I came upon an interesting video that asked an even more interesting question. Should Clementine be a playable character in upcoming season of The Walking Dead? I was a bit taken aback by this question, because I thought having Clementine be the main character was the direction Tell Tale would take. However, when I thought about it deeper I could see why there would be some problems.

My wild child

Clem is a child still, and even though she’s in an environment that completely undermines all social classes she’s still incredibly young and unable to handle the weight of a story with such heavy themes. The first season makes a huge case (using Duck as a foil character) that Clem is not the average child, but you have to keep in mind that she’s under the supervision of adults who nurture and protect her. Although Clementine is at a point where she’s mature, in my opinion she’s not to a point yet where a story mainly from her point of view would be entertaining.

On the other hand

Having Clem as the playable character would, in a sense, give the first season more worth.  I know what you’re thinking; the first season of The Walking Dead was a gift to gaming, absolute mana from the heavens!  Why would we need to give it more worth? Even though The Walking Dead was great, it did create the illusion of choice. How many times have people played the game over to only have a few meaningless things change in that play through? Thinking of Season 1 as long tutorial for Clementine to become either a knowledgeable young lady or not, depending on your choices in the game, makes the game seem a bit fuller.

But who’s to tell? Clementine has for sure been announced in the newest season and only time will tell how she will be used. However her character is incorporated, I’m simply glad that she’s in the number.