This is one of those games that everyone should experience and play through at least once in their life.

I thought What Remains of Edith Finch or Red Dead Redemption 2 were sad games, but I was wrong. This game is three times sadder than any other game I've ever played. No game has ever gripped me emotionally like this one (especially season 1). I dont know how but luckily, I managed to avoid spoilers about this game for 12 years.

Perhaps the only negative aspect of the game is the entire 3rd season, which I wouldn’t call a bad season, but compared to the others, it wasn’t as strong.

The only worthwhile game from the Series (The Walking Dead) that doesn't completely screw it up. A wonderful package of seasons brought together with QOL improvements and additional graphic options and bonus features. I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't own this (even if you've got the original season releases on Steam).

Telltale Games' The Walking Dead series is often regarded as one of the most powerful narrative-driven games ever made, and at the heart of this success lies the profound, emotional bond between Clementine and Lee Everett. Their relationship transcends the conventions of typical video game character dynamics, becoming the emotional core of the series, particularly in Season 1. Through their journey together, Telltale tells a story about survival, trust, and the complex human connections forged in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

In The Definitive Edition, this bond is given even more weight as players experience the full arc of Clementine's growth across all four seasons. However, the foundation of her entire story—her transformation from an innocent child into a hardened survivor—is inextricably linked to Lee, whose impact on Clementine resonates throughout the series, even long after his death.

Lee Everett: A Complicated Hero
Lee Everett is introduced as a man burdened by his past. In the opening scene of Season 1, Lee is being transported to prison after being convicted of murdering a man who was having an affair with his wife. From the outset, Lee is established as a morally complex character, and the player is given a unique opportunity to shape his personality and actions as the story progresses. Despite his troubled past, Lee quickly becomes a deeply sympathetic protagonist, one defined more by his desire for redemption than by the crime he committed.

When Lee stumbles upon an abandoned house and discovers Clementine hiding in the backyard treehouse, the course of both their lives changes forever. What begins as a chance encounter evolves into a deep, paternal relationship that becomes the emotional backbone of the entire series. Lee, a man initially broken by his past, finds new purpose in protecting Clementine. His story is not just about surviving the apocalypse; it is about making peace with himself by ensuring Clementine’s safety and preparing her for the harsh world ahead.

Throughout Season 1, players make decisions as Lee, shaping his actions and choices, but the heart of the narrative revolves around how Lee interacts with Clementine. The dialogue options the player selects not only influence how Lee is perceived by other characters but also how Clementine views him and, eventually, how she views the world.

Clementine: An Innocent in a Cruel World
When we first meet Clementine in Season 1, she is just eight years old. Frightened and alone, she is a symbol of innocence amidst the chaos of the zombie apocalypse. Her parents are missing, and she has been left to fend for herself, making her immediate connection with Lee both necessary and deeply emotional. Clementine’s vulnerability and trust in Lee set the stage for a bond that feels incredibly real and heartfelt, and players quickly become invested in her safety.

Lee's role as Clementine's protector is the driving force behind many of the decisions players make. Should Lee shield her from the cruel realities of the world, or should he prepare her to survive in it? This tension between protecting Clementine’s innocence and ensuring her survival becomes one of the series' central themes, as the player is constantly reminded that the world is unforgiving, especially to children.

Clementine starts the game as a beacon of hope in a world dominated by fear and death. Her wide-eyed innocence contrasts sharply with the horrors that Lee and the rest of the group encounter, and protecting that innocence becomes an emotional task for both Lee and the player. But as the game progresses, it becomes clear that Clementine cannot remain untouched by the world forever.

Lee and Clementine’s Dynamic: Surrogate Father and Daughter
One of the most compelling aspects of Lee and Clementine's relationship is the way it evolves over time. Initially, Lee is simply trying to keep her safe, but their bond deepens as they come to depend on each other for emotional support. Lee becomes a surrogate father to Clementine, filling the void left by her absent parents. For Lee, this bond represents redemption—a chance to be a better man, to guide and protect someone who is completely dependent on him.

The game excels at showing the subtle development of their relationship. In the beginning, Lee is responsible for teaching Clementine basic survival skills, such as how to shoot a gun or how to keep quiet and hide when danger approaches. These lessons, though simple at first, carry enormous emotional weight, as they represent the loss of her childhood. As the story progresses, Clementine comes to rely on Lee not only for physical protection but also for moral guidance. Every decision Lee makes is not only about immediate survival; it’s about shaping Clementine’s understanding of right and wrong.

One of the most poignant aspects of their relationship is the way it reflects the broader theme of survival in The Walking Dead: in a world where death is constant, the real struggle is holding on to humanity. Lee, through his actions and choices, teaches Clementine what it means to be a good person in a world that constantly pushes people toward cruelty and violence. Whether it’s by showing her compassion, teaching her to defend herself, or simply giving her hope, Lee shapes Clementine into a survivor who is as empathetic as she is strong.

The Heartbreaking Climax of Season 1
The emotional climax of Season 1 comes in the final episode, when Lee is bitten by a walker and is slowly succumbing to the infection. The once-strong protector is now helpless, and the weight of everything he has taught Clementine comes to bear in this moment. For the first time, Clementine must fully take control, as Lee’s time is running out. This reversal of roles—from protector to protected—is both tragic and beautiful.

In his final moments, Lee’s influence on Clementine is evident. The player, through Lee, must decide how Clementine will move forward—whether to shoot Lee to prevent him from turning into a walker, or to leave him behind, thereby sparing her from the emotional trauma of killing him. Both choices are devastating, but they illustrate the ultimate goal of Lee’s character arc: to ensure Clementine is prepared to survive in a world that offers no mercy.

The farewell between Lee and Clementine is one of the most gut-wrenching moments in modern video games. Lee’s death is not just the loss of a beloved character; it’s the culmination of everything the player has invested in throughout the game. Lee’s final words to Clementine—"Keep that hair short" and "Stay strong"—are simple, but they carry the weight of their entire journey. This moment serves as the emotional foundation for the rest of the series, as Clementine carries Lee’s legacy with her long after he is gone.

Clementine's Journey Beyond Lee
Though Lee’s story ends with his death in Season 1, his influence on Clementine is felt throughout the entire series. As she grows older, Clementine reflects Lee’s teachings, and players see how their decisions in Season 1 shaped her worldview. In Season 2, A New Frontier, and The Final Season, Clementine evolves into a strong, independent survivor, but she never forgets the lessons Lee imparted.

In many ways, Clementine’s journey is a direct continuation of Lee’s. Her relationship with AJ, the baby she takes care of starting in Season 2, mirrors the bond she had with Lee. Clementine becomes the protector, teaching AJ how to survive in the same way Lee taught her. The cycle of survival and mentorship that began with Lee continues through Clementine, making his presence felt even when he is no longer physically part of the story.

Conclusion
The relationship between Clementine and Lee Everett is one of the most powerful and enduring in video game history. It’s a testament to the emotional depth of Telltale’s storytelling that their bond resonates so deeply with players.