The Wolf Among Us: Episode 5 - Cry Wolf Review

There is no messing around in the final episode of The Wolf Among Us - by this point in the game, Bigby knows who is to blame, and the only thing remaining is to bring them to justice. Fortunately (for gameplay purposes), that's not going to be easy.

Cry Wolf is an action-packed finale for the Telltale Games series'. Bigby begins in face-to-face confrontation with his nemesis, but has to travel through hell and high water before he can bring him down. While previous episodes focussed in large part on the investigation, this episode is all about resolution.

This means learning the final few secrets about the criminal infection boiling underneath Fabletown. We already know who is responsible, but over the course of Cry Wolf you'll learn a more about their motivations, their personality and the true extent of their crimes.

You'll also get to to put the smackdown on more than a few goons, which is nice. One particular epic fight sees you take on goon-numero-uno, who, if you've played up to this part, you'll recognise as the psychotic Fable who has bested Bigby once before. Well, you might think that, but that's only because you've not yet seen what Bigby is capable of when he get's truly angry...

For the first time in The Wolf Among Us, Bigby unleashes the full extent of his power. It might come as a surprise that he's even more of a bad-ass than has already been revealed, but you ain't seen nothing yet. Bear in mind that he was one of the most feared Fables in the Homelands; you don't get a nickname like 'Big Bad' without being, well you know, big and bad.

Action highs are broken by extensive and detailed dialogue, with some of the best exchanges in the series. Your enemy is charming and reasonable, a demeanor that belies his sinister nature. You'll see other contrasts too, when Fables you thought you had figured out show different sides to their personalities. There are no new players introduced in this episode, but they certainly reveal different characters.

The choices you take in Cry Wolf focus on morality and the path to justice, and serve to set the starting tone of the new leadership in Fabletown, and how they will deal with matters. Bigby knows that his enemy is guilty, but how does he deal with things from there on out? This opens a lot of doors, and forces some of the most impactful decisions of the entire series. To say more than that would spoil it though.

As well as a multitude of tough decisions to be made, many of the paths already chosen will reach their fruition here. The actions you have taken throughout the course of your adventure will dictate which of the Fables support you, and who stands against you; as well as determining their ultimate fate once the case is solved. These moments are touching and emotional, and even the best intentions can lead to sadness. While justice may be done, not everyone gets their 'happily ever after'.

Cry Wolf has succeeded in doing what seemed like a difficult task, in taking the amazing journey that has been The Wolf Among Us and delivering a conclusion that lives up to the lofty standards set by the episodes that came before. Telltale have weaved a tale that is as emotional as it is engrossing, as complex as it is beautiful, and have done themselves, gamers and the Fables franchise a great service in their telling of this tale.