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Few developers elevate the interactive fiction genre the way Telltale Games does. Though the company has its share of misses, its triumphs stand amongst the most narratively impressive games around. Telltale Games specializes in giving existing franchises their own twist, putting players in control. From Batman to Game of Thrones, Telltale has touched some of the biggest properties. The Expanse is just the most recent example. Here are the best games Telltale has ever made.
10. Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse
This experienced company has developed multiple Sam & Max titles, but The Devil’s Playhouse might be the best. For gamers seeking a classic point-and-click adventure, this title hits the spot. Relentlessly cheesy humor also helps, though one does need a particular appreciation for corniness to appreciate it. The one factor that holds the game back from greatness is its puzzles. Too many puzzles suffer from poor explanations or obtuse design, making many of them an exercise in frustration.
9. Game of Thrones
If George R. R. Martin’s novels didn’t enshrine his legacy forever, the many adaptations of his works did the job. Telltale’s Game of Thrones is true to the source material and is intricate, political, and mature. Specifically, Telltale’s series is perfect for fans of the series who don’t have the time or patience to dive into another 1,000-page novel. The story puts players in control of members of House Forrester, a family jeopardized by their loss during the War of the Five Kings. Although sometimes cumbersome, the story is still great.
8. Minecraft: Story Mode
When most people think of Minecraft, a deep story isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. The joy of the game, after all, is its freeform nature. Minecraft: Story Mode changes that, making it a true interactive fiction. Giving players a definitive direction and narrative stakes in an otherwise directionless world turned out to be a good call. The game also massively benefits from Patton Oswald lending his voice to the main character. It lacks dramatic weight but still ranks amongst the Top 10 Telltale Games.
7. Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series
The Guardians have had a strange journey, leaping from near obscurity with the debut of their first film. Now staples of the modern Marvel universe, these hapless heroes received the Telltale treatment. Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series retains the films’ and comics’ heroism, hijinks, and hilarity. While it’s not Telltale’s strongest game, any excuse to get more Rocket Raccoon is good.
6. The Wolf Among Us
Some might not know Bill Willingham’s name, but his comic creation Fables deserves all the attention and praise it gets. In it, characters from fairytales and folklore arrive in the real world and set up a community in modern-day New York. The Wolf Among Us follows one such fable, Bigby Wolf, as he investigates the strange murders plaguing his community. Telltale’s style of interactive fiction is the perfect fit for Fables, making the game an instant hit.
5. Tales of Monkey Island
The Monkey Island series nailed its silly brand of humor from the beginning, garnering a host of fans. With the 5th entry in the series, Telltale took the reins from LucasArts. Changing studio hands is often a recipe for disaster, but that’s not what they cooked up. Tales of Monkey Island follows series protagonist Guybrush Threepwood on his mission to become an infamous pirate. Is he too silly for the job? Yes, but that’s never stopped Guybrush before.
4. Batman: The Telltale Series
Beginning with its problems, Batman: The Telltale Series is not without its technical issues. While these prevent it from being Telltale’s best story of the Dark Knight, they don’t stop it from being fun or ranking amongst the Top 10 Telltale Games. Unlike the action-oriented Arkham series, the focus here is on character and plot development. Thankfully, everyone’s favorite brooding billionaire is the perfect subject for such a story. Batman thrives in interactive fiction, and this game shows why.
3. Batman: The Enemy Within
Players who completed Batman: The Telltale Series can import their progress into Batman: The Enemy Within and see the ongoing consequences of their choices. That’s great news because chains of consequences are Telltale’s specialty. It’s often the case with Batman stories that the villains steal the show, and that’s the case with The Enemy Within. The dramatic tension between Joker and Batman is pitch-perfect. Other characters in the game don’t shine as brightly, but when the leads are this good, they don’t need to.
2. Tales from the Borderlands
Bloody, violent, and willing to play anything for laughs, Tales from the Borderlands is a faithful adaptation of the beloved looter-shooter. Visually, Tales is one of Telltale game’s strongest titles. That’s not surprising: the developer’s signature art style melds perfectly with that of the Borderlands games. What is surprising is that in a lineup that includes Game of Thrones and Batman, this is one of the most impactful tales. With vocal talents like Troy Baker, Laura Bailey, and Patrick Warburton, maybe it shouldn’t be surprising.
1. The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series
The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series gathers all four seasons, including 400 Days and The Walking Dead: Michonne. The game currently boasts a rating of Overwhelmingly Positive on Steam, and it frankly deserves it. Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead universe is the developer’s ideal partner. Clementine’s story is arguably one of the most dynamic and engaging in the genre. Perfect art direction, fantastic sound design, and rigorous attention to detail make The Telltale Definitive Series the best of the Top 10 Telltale Games.
