For those who have been waiting for Telltale Games' iOS version of The Walking Dead, the wait was not entirely in vain. I could lie and say that nothing has been lost in the translation from console/PC to handheld device, but it would be a lie, though its ultimate impact on the story and experience is minimal, making it a must-try adventure game.

Although based on the comic franchise, the story follows Lee - a convicted killer who is given a second chance after surviving a 'walker' attack - and a completely separate group of survivors. That isn't to say fans won't find a familiar face or two, but this isn't their story and Lee, or rather you the player, will be forced to make life and death decisions that will affect your game over subsequent episodes.

The game is graphic in its portrayal of violence and the situations you'll find yourself in will have you wishing for more time to respond, however that's the beauty of Walking Dead - you're fighting for survival and the fight or flight response is exploited heavily to add to the drama. Whether it's the limited time you have to respond to a question (or not respond) to either building trust or creating suspicion, or trying desperately to tap a nearby weapon to lodge it firmly in a walker's skull, you'll be happy you have multiple save slots to explore your options.

Where the iOS version obviously diverts from the PC and console version is in the way it's controlled. Unlike most traditional adventure games, the player normally has independent control over the direction their character moves and where the camera is looking. This is removed (to a degree) in the iOS version as players swipe to move around, with only certain scenes allowing for camera movement. It's unfortunate that the controls feel sluggish, as they detract from the otherwise frantic pace of the combat.

The game is gorgeous too, with iPhone 4 and higher iDevices being required to pull off the comic-inspired cell-shaded graphics. As to be expected, the voice acting is also top notch, though audio compression artifacts regularly destroyed otherwise engaging moments.

Telltale Games have done a great job of throwing away the usual obtuse puzzle elements of the adventure genre in favor of telling a compelling story. Given the tense and on-the-edge atmosphere of the Walking Dead world, it has paid-off in the first of five eventual episodes and we can't wait to see how things spin out from here.