Telltale Gamesis seeing a resurgence since it closed in the late 2010s thanks to upcoming projects likeThe Wolf Among Us 2, and there are renewed hopes that the company can forge a legacy of exceptional titles. It entered the mainstream with 2012’sThe Walking Dead, a beautiful story about two people desperately clinging to life during a zombie outbreak. Several games followed, fromTales from the Borderlandsto amemorable take on Bruce Wayne inBatman: The Telltale Series. Projects likeLife is StrangeandTell Me Whyprove that the story-driven, choice-based format popularized by Telltale still has more to give.
The Orvillebegan airing on Fox, but after two seasons it moved to Hulu. The story borrows much fromStar Trek, from its episodic format to a heavy emphasis on character development and societal storytelling. A fourth season hasn’t been confirmed, which is cause for concern as there are more than a few storylines that remain unconcluded. Should the series not be picked back up,Telltale Gamesis in prime position to give closure to the characters of Seth McFarlane’sStar Trekhomage, especially given its previous works.
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The Orville Deserves a Worthy Conclusion
While it may have begun as a simple love letter toStar Trek,The Orvillehas blossomed into something that stands aloneas a great show. The titular ship has a personality, as does its crew members who bring something unique, yet familiar to fans. Malloy’s proficiency as a pilot and comedic personality draws parallels to Wash fromFireflyor Joker fromMass Effect, meanwhile Bortus' lack of emotion has shades of the Vulcans. Every character feels like they satisfy an archetype, but new traits like the Moclans' single gender or Xelayans' unmatched strength do well to give each race their own flavor.
The Orvillewears its influences on its sleeve, with the costume design, storytelling philosophy, and world-building all borrowing from sci-fi franchises of days gone.Star Trekfound new footing withStrange New Worldsafter a few missed opportunities, butThe Orvilleis a spiritual successor to the best of science-fiction television likeThe Next Generation. While it isn’t anything new, it provides characters, adventures, and adversity that deserves care and attention, and a conclusion that is fitting of the personalities who litter sick bay, the bridge, engineering, and Union Central.
Telltale Adapts Franchises with Grace
It may have its hands full withThe Wolf Among Us 2andThe Expanse, but the success of those games could very well provoke more from Telltale, and there are an abundance of directions it could go. Its take onBatmanwas inspired, andThe Walking Deadis one of the great stories in video game history. The studio tends to lean on pre-existing worlds, and almost always handles the IP it is expanding with respect.
Telltale is in dire need of a successful game, and whileThe Orvillesatisfies a somewhat niche audience, both would benefit from a project developed by the California-based studio. Telltale could once again flex its storytelling muscles, andThe Orvillecould get the conclusion it deserves without the worry of being canceled by a TV network.Telltaledoes best with franchises likeGame of ThronesandTales of the Borderlandsthat prioritize characters over all else, andThe Orvillehas some of the best on television that are ripe for further development.
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