The Walking Dead

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 21,520 reviews
  • story
  • emotional
  • gameplay
The Walking Dead Game Cover
"If you just want to blow heads off, then this game isn’t for you. It certainly is an acquired taste, but if you love this niche genre of gaming, you don’t need to worry too much about this game."
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"The Walking Dead" is a five-part game series set in the same universe as the comic book series, where you play as Lee Everett, a criminal turned protector of a young girl named Clementine in a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies. The game offers a tailored experience with choices that have lasting consequences, and decisions must be made quickly in tense situations. Experience the true horror of a zombie apocalypse while shaping your own story in this game based on the Eisner-Award winning comic book series.

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  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 21,520 reviews
story5,807 positive mentions
stability139 negative mentions
  • story11,877 mentions

    The story of "The Walking Dead: Season One" is widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, centering on the relationship between Lee Everett and the young girl Clementine in a post-apocalyptic world. Players are faced with difficult moral choices that shape their experience, although many reviews note that the overall narrative remains largely linear despite the illusion of choice. The game is celebrated as a masterpiece of storytelling, often evoking strong emotional responses from players, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “Telltale's The Walking Dead is a masterpiece in storytelling, blending tough choices with a deeply emotional journey.”
    • “The characters are rich, the atmosphere is tense, and the story pulls you in from the start, building to one of the most powerful endings in gaming.”
    • “The Walking Dead: Season One is a remarkable achievement in interactive storytelling that raises the bar for narrative-driven gaming experiences.”
    • “The company markets it as 'tailored by your choice,' but it is, in the end, a linear story.”
    • “Your choices only will change the interactions with some characters or few dialogues but it won’t affect at all to the big plot devices of the story, so the replayable value of these games is very low.”
    • “The choices you make really do impact the story and once you have completed it you will want to go back and see what happens if you make different choices.”
  • emotional2,927 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "The Walking Dead: A Telltale Series" is overwhelmingly praised by players, who describe it as a deeply moving experience that often leaves them in tears. The game's narrative, particularly the relationship between Lee and Clementine, is highlighted for its profound emotional depth, making players feel genuinely invested in the characters and their fates. Many reviews emphasize the heart-wrenching choices players must make, which contribute to an emotional rollercoaster that resonates long after the game ends.

    • “The Walking Dead is a masterpiece of storytelling, blending tough choices with a deeply emotional journey.”
    • “Clementine and Lee's story is so heartbreaking; I've never cried as much as I did at the end of a game.”
    • “It's an emotional journey that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.”
    • “Heart and soul touching.”
    • “Boring story.”
  • gameplay2,021 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Walking Dead" is primarily focused on storytelling and character development, utilizing a point-and-click format with quick-time events and dialogue choices that significantly impact the narrative. While some players find the mechanics simplistic and the gameplay limited, the emotional depth and moral dilemmas presented in the story create a compelling experience that resonates with many. Overall, the game is more about the choices and their consequences than traditional gameplay, making it a unique entry in the adventure genre.

    • “This game incorporates immersive storytelling into digestible gameplay.”
    • “The story is superb, the gameplay is great and has lots of endings depending on what you choose to say and do within the game.”
    • “The gameplay can feel limited but it is meant as a base for the interactive story; your choices are the real player input.”
    • “The gameplay is outdated and the UI is confusing.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious and the puzzles are needless, but the story holds up even after a decade.”
    • “The gameplay is very simplistic, which makes sense since it is obviously not the focus of the game.”
  • graphics1,419 mentions

    The graphics of "The Walking Dead" are characterized by a distinctive comic-book art style that effectively complements its narrative, immersing players in its emotional storytelling. While some reviews note that the visuals may appear dated compared to modern standards, many appreciate the cel-shaded graphics for their unique charm and ability to convey the game's atmosphere. Overall, the graphics serve the game's purpose well, prioritizing storytelling and character development over high-end visual fidelity.

    • “The graphics have a comic-book art style, paying homage to the original source material, and the soundtrack intensifies every key moment.”
    • “The art style, with its comic book-inspired visuals, perfectly complements the source material, and the voice acting is stellar, bringing characters to life in a way that makes you deeply care about their fates.”
    • “The graphics feel like a comic come to life with its cell-shaded graphics and exaggerated expressions.”
    • “The graphics are dated, but I think it fits the aesthetic of the game.”
    • “The graphics were simple but stylistic, which made it pleasant to look at; the only thing of note is the contrast between the skin and the eyes made the low polygon count of the eyes very noticeable.”
    • “The graphics aren't the best, but you can tell they are from this generation.”
  • music370 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling experience, with many players noting how it perfectly complements the game's atmosphere and pivotal moments. The soundtrack, composed by Jared Emerson-Johnson, features haunting melodies that evoke a range of feelings, from tension during action sequences to somber reflections during quieter moments. Overall, the music is considered a standout element that significantly contributes to the game's immersive and impactful narrative.

    • “The graphics have a comic-book art style, paying homage to the original source material, and the soundtrack intensifies every key moment.”
    • “The music is amazing and the overall atmosphere is fantastic.”
    • “The music throughout the game is some of the better written video game music I've heard while playing.”
    • “The soundtrack is dull and most of the time barely audible.”
    • “I wish I could say the same about the mood-music/soundtrack but I find that for me it hasn't contributed to the experience as much as I would have hoped.”
    • “The music, sound, and environments come together to create a fantastic atmosphere of both serenity & dread.”
  • atmosphere279 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its intense, immersive quality, effectively capturing the bleakness and emotional weight of a post-apocalyptic world. Players appreciate the combination of stylized graphics, haunting soundtracks, and rich character development, which together create a gripping experience that evokes a strong sense of dread and urgency. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the storytelling and emotional engagement throughout the gameplay.

    • “The visuals, combined with a haunting soundtrack, effectively capture the bleak and tense atmosphere of a world in chaos.”
    • “From the very first moment, the game immerses you in a tense and desperate atmosphere where survival becomes paramount.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and gloomy, it truly feels as though there is no hope.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and gloomy; it truly feels as though there is no hope.”
    • “A game world that almost solely evolves around caricatures of human beings - dim-witted, selfish, and self-pitying - cast into story events so forced and so numerous that it could be comical if the atmosphere were not so depressing; I could never recommend that to anyone!”
    • “The atmosphere was near non-existent; the cartoonish style killed it, and the zombies ended up looking comical.”
  • replayability274 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high potential due to the significant impact of choices on the storyline, leading to varied outcomes and experiences. However, some reviewers note that despite the branching paths, the overall narrative remains largely the same, which can diminish the incentive to replay. Overall, while many find the game highly replayable, others feel it lacks substantial replay value after the initial playthrough.

    • “This choice-based gameplay adds a layer of replayability, as players are tempted to see how different decisions could change the course of the story.”
    • “The game is brilliant; you make your own choices, which makes it a million times replayable!”
    • “With each choice you make, the game changes drastically, and thus the game has tons of replay value.”
    • “Other than that, this game has little to no replay value, so make sure you are in for the experience because I can assure you this game will give you one.”
    • “Your choices do not have an effect on the overall story, and it's ultimately a linear story that will end only one way, which takes away from its replayability.”
    • “Sadly, in my opinion, this game does not have any real replay value, as once you play through it once, you really don't see the point of playing it again, as you are not likely to deviate from the original choices you made in the game.”
  • character development259 mentions

    The character development in "The Walking Dead" is widely praised as one of its standout features, with players highlighting the emotional depth and complexity of characters like Lee and Clementine. Reviewers note that the game's narrative-driven approach allows for impactful choices that significantly shape character arcs, creating a deeply immersive experience that resonates long after gameplay. Overall, the game is celebrated for its exceptional storytelling and the profound emotional connections players form with the characters throughout their journey.

    • “Telltale's The Walking Dead series is a masterclass in narrative-driven gaming, combining emotional depth, character development, and intense decision-making.”
    • “The character development is so deep, and the game really makes you feel something for each and every one of them. Even when you set out to really hate one of them, you always end up seeing another side to the story that adds tons of depth to each character.”
    • “The game's rich character development and profound emotional depth make it a truly unforgettable gaming experience.”
    • “The character development is hit or miss, and the overall plotline is engaging enough but not spectacular.”
    • “Getting tired of the sometimes good, mostly mediocre character development and storytelling of the TV series.”
    • “Each character goes through their own ordeals, but at least two of the characters don't get the character development for you to care about them or the people they're around.”
  • stability145 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches, including issues with the save system, graphical anomalies, and occasional freezes. While some users found these technical problems to be minor and manageable, others described the game as a "buggy mess" that detracted from the overall experience. Despite these issues, many players still praised the game's compelling story, suggesting that the narrative often compensates for the technical shortcomings.

    • “The game runs great on modern hardware, definitely worth it.”
    • “I often like to mention that the game runs great on Linux.”
    • “The game worked well, with no glitches, and was interesting.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess; the save system is broken, models don't load all the time, and choices you make don't matter because sometimes the game straight up doesn't register them.”
    • “The story seems good, but the game-breaking glitches killed it for me.”
    • “This game should never have been released in the buggy state it was in; it's a ripoff as it's unplayable and you can't return it once you discover this.”
  • humor121 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of dark comedy and situational absurdity, often arising from character interactions and unexpected graphical glitches. While some moments are genuinely funny, others are described as unintentionally humorous due to poor animations or over-the-top expressions. Overall, the game balances humor with emotional depth, creating an engaging experience that elicits laughter alongside tears.

    • “The attention to detail is amazing and the easter eggs are hilarious.”
    • “It's funny at times, a lot of the story developments or twists had me genuinely surprised; I felt truly attached to the characters.”
    • “The story is incredible, providing some funny, scary, and sad moments that will just tie you to the rest of the game.”
  • grinding70 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it requires an excessive investment of time, often humorously suggesting that one would need "a second life" to fully engage with it. While some find the gameplay simplistic and monotonous, others appreciate that the compelling story and character development help mitigate the tedium, making the experience more enjoyable despite the grind. Overall, the balance between engaging narrative and tedious gameplay elements is a common theme in the reviews.

    • “It's a bit grindy at times, but it can be rewarding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding if you want to fully experience everything.”
    • “The grind can feel endless, but it adds depth to the gameplay.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The gameplay sequences are tedious (and barely playable with an azerty keyboard), the graphics are meh, your choices have no real consequences, and half of the game time is unnecessary filler pixel hunt (or boring conversation trees).”
  • optimization58 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting occasional stuttering, bugs, and crashes, particularly during cut-scenes and on higher settings. While some users experienced smooth performance even on lower-end systems, others faced significant issues that detracted from their experience, indicating that the game's engine may not be well-optimized for all configurations. Overall, while the storytelling and voice acting are praised, the technical performance leaves room for improvement.

    • “Though there is no native Linux release for this game, Proton/DXVK do a stellar job of performing near, or better than, native performance.”
    • “The performance is good with practically no lag, even on my low-end laptop.”
    • “The game controls well (playing on a PS3 controller) and the visuals run smoothly (60 frames per second) on a low-mid tier computer like mine.”
    • “However, the game’s technical aspects can sometimes falter, with occasional bugs and stuttering.”
    • “Had incredibly frustrating performance/stuttering issues which took forever to only partially solve, and in the end the game did not carry over my decisions from episode 1 to 2.”
    • “Technically the game is a bit of a mess, the engine Telltale uses is unoptimized, animations lag, character models don't always load in and when the camera changes angle the game can freeze up noticeably.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for being misleading, as advertisements promised significant player choice and community interaction that are not delivered in practice. Many users feel the game is short and appears to prioritize profit over quality, leading to perceptions of it being a cash grab. Overall, while choices do exist, they are not as impactful as advertised, leaving players disappointed.

    • “Didn't mind this game until I realized how short it was; an okay idea but seemed to have become a cash grab.”
    • “From what I understand reading other reviews, this choice would have made no difference... so the advertisement and one of the key premises on which this game is supposedly based is a lie.”
    • “Your choices do matter, though not as much as the advertisements would have you believe.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

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Play time

13hMedian play time
18hAverage play time
5-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 70 analyzed playthroughs

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