Considered to be TellTale Games’ “masterpiece,” The Wolf Among Us combines both children’s storybook fables with a more adult-themed noir setting. With fast-paced action in a crime-riddled rendition of New York City, The Wolf Among Us invites a mature audience to experience a fantasy world with a twisted edge.
We’re introduced to our playable sheriff, Bigby, in the opening section of the first episode. Shortly after, we get shown the complex relationship between the reserved officer and Deputy Mayor Snow White. Together, the team plummets themselves into the depths of a crime that seems never to have a concrete solution. But, it’s that very crime that manages to bring the two closer together and, at times, makes us players question their future together as a duo.
Here are five reasons why we loved Bigby and Snow together, and five reasons we didn’t.
10 Loved: Yin and Yang
Well, they say opposites attract. In this case, Bigby and Snow act as one another’s counterparts. They balance each other out even in the darkest of times. This is immediately noticed as the two characters clash together in the earliest scenes of the first episode. From the unpredictable qualities of Bigby to the elegance of Snow, both play a beautiful part that solidifies the friendship throughout.
There’s no Yin without Yang. Of course, the same goes for the unlikely pair in The Wolf Among Us. But, it’s that balance and strange chemistry that we see that truly forms a unique and pleasantly watchable friendship that blossoms with ease.
9 Disliked: An Army of One
While technically Snow balances out the downfalls of Bigby’s lack of empathy towards potential suspects, we have to admit that more times than not – Bigby was right to judge. And, when suspicions turn to violence, it’s fair to say Snow isn’t precisely the back-to-back partner we’d want to brawl beside.
Of course, we wouldn’t expect the beautiful Snow White to hike up her boots and crack knuckles in an alleyway showdown, but there have been occasions where that’s the type of partner we’ve needed. Bigby is tough, sure. But, imagine the great force of a second furious Fable instead of Snow White.
8 Loved: The Calm Before The Storm
Again, looking back on the Yin and Yang aspect of the two, it’s fair to say playthroughs have been a little more enjoyable thanks to the balancing act. If, say, Snow wasn’t there to lighten the mood every once in a while and bring Bigby down from cloud nine, our story would be a non-stop rage fest fueled from outbursts and glassing patrons.
Snow reminds us that there is still innocence in a world so tainted with corruption. She gives players a breather from time to time with an effortless flow of conversation and a twinkle in her eye. If, for whatever reason, Snow took a backseat from day one – who knows where Bigby would be.
7 Disliked: Wanting An Everlasting Storm
Okay, so this differs from player to player, and if anything, it goes entirely against the above entry. But, saying that, there are more gamers out there who’d prefer to set aside the love story and jump straight to throttling strangers twenty-four-hours a day. And as for that mushy conversation between the action, well, let’s say many people would rather be without it.
However, this comes down to a vote of opinion. Not everybody appreciates Snow as much as TellTale wants us to. Some, surprisingly, would instead cast her aside and jump straight into mindless violence as Bigby.
6 Loved: Bigby Actually Has Emotions
From the get-go, we’re technically led to believe our bad boy sheriff is nothing more than a gritty and melancholic soul with no passion for anything but smoking cigarettes and spearing people out of apartment windows.
However, when it comes to the likes of Snow, we’re able to clock on to the glimmer of hope as we notice the way Bigby stares at her from time to time. There’s a connection that builds that allows players to second-guess the big bad wolf – and that’s okay.
Bigby is, unsurprisingly, a terrifying creature when danger comes knocking. But thanks to the elegance of Snow and her power to wrap him around her little finger, Bigby starts to become more human than ever as the story progresses.
5 Disliked: Snow’s Power Trip
Nobody likes being talked down to – especially not by a fairytale princess that goes by the name of Snow White. And, although she may hover on the more innocent and caring side of the duo, there has still been the odd occasion where Bigby has been victimized to a good old fashioned verbal beat down.
Looking at the later chapters of the series, Snow White develops a certain characteristic that makes us wish for the older version back. There’s that boast of authority that gets pushed around that makes us want nothing more than to venture on alone.
4 Loved: The Moments
We’ve seen both Bigby and Snow disagree at the best of times, but that’s not to say they’ve never sided on the odd thing or two. Of course, every player has a unique experience and follows a spontaneous path with no fixed conclusion. But, saying that, on the majority of playthroughs, we’ve seen the unlikely duo buddy up to ignite these moments of pure awesomeness.
Snow White is most definitely the voice of reason, whereas Bigby prefers to dive in “the hard way” before every encounter. But, when the two occasionally meet in the middle, players are gifted with scenes we’d see straight out of blockbuster action movies.
3 Disliked: The “Boss” of Fabletown
Tying in with the power trip side of Snow, there’s been a tedious amount of moments where we’ve felt wound up by her inflated ego for the deeper the two have declined into the case. At points, that little princess we all fell in love with starts to reveal specific cracks that we aren’t overly fond of. There’s weight being pushed around that’s made us question her make-believe rise to power.
We’ve watched Snow White rise to and from many things – but it’s the persona she acquires further into the mystery that makes us question her morals.
2 Loved: Snow’s Persuasive Role
Bigby isn’t a character who’ll bend over backwards for anybody. He’s been quick to resort to the violent outcome and judge a book by its cover the second it falls on his lap. But, if it wasn’t for the Snow’s key role in persuading Wolf to consider the alternatives, our games would’ve met a much more monstrous ending.
Bringing back Snow’s ability to wrap Bigby around her little finger; it seems as if she might be the only one to possess such a power. It’s clear Bigby feels the strong bond with Snow, and if she happens to put anything on the table – it’s likely Bigby will listen.
1 Disliked: Interfering With The Big Bad Wolf
Picture this. You’re about to pull up to the prime suspect's home address. Your eyes are engulfed in a fiery rage. You storm the staircase and ready your chunky foot to boot down the door. And then, out of nowhere, the big bad wolf is dragged down from the clouds and thrown into the reality chair. The reality being Snow White demanding you to stop and to reconsider your approach.
Of course, every player is unique. But, saying that, sometimes all we want is to dominate Fabletown and go in all guns blazing. And, to be honest, this isn’t always possible with the princess dragging us back by the ear when we least expect it.