The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
- January 22, 2020
- Skydance Interactive
- 10h median play time
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a paradigm-shifting game both in the genre of survival horror, and also in the realm of VR.
"The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners" is a survival horror game set in the ruins of New Orleans. Players must navigate a brutal, post-apocalyptic world filled with walkers and hostile survivors. Fight, scavenge, and make difficult moral choices as you try to survive and uncover the truth behind the city's fall. Your decisions will have consequences, as you navigate the complex and dangerous world of the walking dead.
Reviews
- story1,824 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development set in a post-apocalyptic New Orleans. While some find the main storyline to be relatively short and the missions repetitive, the game offers a variety of choices that can impact the outcome, adding depth to the experience. However, there are criticisms regarding the pacing, with some players feeling rushed due to timed missions, and a desire for more side quests and story content post-campaign. Overall, it is considered one of the stronger story-driven VR titles, though it may not reach the narrative heights of other games in the genre.
“The story is engaging and kept me interested throughout the game.”
“The narrative of Saints & Sinners is a refreshing departure from the typical linear storytelling found in many VR titles.”
“The story is absolutely amazing, filled with choices that impact the gameplay and the world around you.”
“The story is really small scale, so don't expect meeting with some of the main characters of the story (introduced in in-game lore), and don't expect any major events or changes of location - you are stuck in ~10 areas, and it feels like the whole story is simply a bunch of side quests from some other game.”
“The storyline seemed ok, but nothing special.”
“The story is pretty short, however there is more than one ending, so it's up to you to decide the fate of New Orleans...”
- gameplay841 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Gameplay in "The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners" is a mixed bag, with many players praising its immersive mechanics, satisfying melee combat, and engaging survival elements. However, frustrations arise from clunky controls, a controversial stamina system, and issues with weapon durability and zombie spawning, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game is often regarded as one of the best VR titles available, offering a compelling blend of crafting, scavenging, and narrative-driven gameplay.
“Great horror vibes, good story, gameplay, physics...”
“Its unparalleled immersion, realistic mechanics, open-world storytelling, and attention to detail make it a standout title in the VR landscape.”
“The gameplay is amazing, after I had to work out some issues where the game wouldn't stop crashing, and is probably one of the best zombie games I have played in a while.”
“The game doesn't work all that well, and the mechanics of zombies grabbing you and max stamina + health drain get annoying super fast.”
“A zombie game with an identity crisis and agonizingly slow gameplay.”
“Unfortunately, it also genuinely feels like a committee met before the release of the game to implement as many frustrating mechanics as possible to sap the entire experience and genuinely make it no longer a joy to play.”
- graphics392 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics in "The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners" are generally praised for their immersive and stylized art style, reminiscent of the Telltale games, blending comic book aesthetics with a gritty atmosphere. While many players appreciate the visual quality and detail, some note that the graphics can appear cartoonish or less realistic compared to other VR titles, and performance may vary depending on hardware capabilities. Overall, the game is considered visually appealing, with solid optimization and a strong sense of immersion, though some users experienced minor graphical glitches.
“The graphics are stunning, and the story flows well with the open world looting mechanics.”
“The graphics, physics, sound, and environment all work well together in a convincing manner.”
“The graphics are amazing, and the story too.”
“Graphics are PS3 quality at best, PS2 at worst.”
“The graphics are not very good, it is cartoonish and the tracking is bad.”
“For me at least, the game feels unfinished, bad graphics, a lot of buggy response to my controllers.”
- atmosphere192 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners" is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, effectively capturing the bleak and terrifying essence of a zombie apocalypse. Players commend the game's atmospheric lighting, sound design, and environmental storytelling, which contribute to a deeply engaging experience that keeps them on edge. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals, interactive environments, and a haunting ambiance makes it a standout title in the VR horror genre.
“The atmospheric lighting and weather effects contribute to a visually stunning and immersive experience.”
“The atmosphere is superb.”
“The atmosphere, music, characters, choices, crafting, and especially the melee physics are just amazing.”
“The atmosphere feels bleak and dreary, even scary at times.”
“The atmosphere when you begin -- creeping through old, forgotten crypts in fog-shrouded night -- envelops you, urging you onward, yet knowing safety is far from certain.”
“Searching for loot in dark abandoned environments as you hear the rasping of a zombie creates a tense atmosphere that will make you jump at times.”
- stability66 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and tracking issues, particularly in VR. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly at times and offers enjoyable gameplay, the prevalence of bugs—ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking issues—has led to frustration, especially given the game's price point. Overall, while the game shows potential, its stability remains a significant concern for many players.
“Currently, the game runs great, the graphics are nice and the mechanics work very well.”
“Edit: after many updates I am happy to say the game is in a really good state optimization-wise, very playable now with only minor bugs here and there (nothing game-breaking) and I am confident they will add more to the endgame and just more content in general as it is quite lacking once you get to the ending(s).”
“- the game runs great at 120hz on an index with 2080 ti, i7 8600k and 32gb ram with modest overclocks.”
“Too many glitches for how expensive it is.”
“It crashes regularly, freezes when traveling.”
“On top of that, the game is full of glitches and I encountered several, including a game-breaking one in like the second quest where I had to redo half an hour of progress.”
- grinding55 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with players noting that resource management, weapon durability, and crafting mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of looting and the burdensome inventory system, which can make gameplay feel more like a chore than fun. While some players appreciate the depth of crafting and resource gathering, the consensus is that the grind can become overwhelming, especially for those seeking a more casual gaming experience.
“So far the story is interesting, the objectives aren't tedious which encourages you to go out and complete them.”
“I don't really have complaints about anything except just how tedious the grinding is.”
“The game is a very tedious looting simulator with inventory micromanagement where you can't explore because your inventory is always full.”
“The crafting system is overly tedious, weapons break down way too quickly, and the game tends to try and make you 8 feet tall unless you fiddle with it a while.”
- replayability52 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly replayable due to multiple endings, crafting systems, and varied playstyles, others feel that the lack of substantial post-campaign content and repetitive mission structures limit its long-term appeal. Many appreciate the immersive experience and engaging mechanics, but some express disappointment over the absence of multiplayer options and additional replayable content. Overall, the game offers decent replay value, particularly for those who enjoy exploring different choices and outcomes.
“It has an actual story with interesting decisions, well fleshed out and satisfying melee combat that isn't broken like it is in most VR games, a crafting and upgrade system, collectibles, stealth, ranged combat with guns and bows, and on top of all that it has insane amounts of replayability.”
“The story, and some quests, have multiple endings, which adds some replay value to the game.”
“Great crafting system, very good weapon physics, usable environments, interesting story, replayable game based on decisions made.”
“The only drawback is the lack of replayability after completing the campaign because there are no mods or multiplayer.”
“Not a ton of replay value, but one of the highest quality games you will play.”
“Suffers from near zero replayability since the story only branches during the last 5 minutes, poor gunplay with dumb AI that compensates for lack of intelligence with extremely good aim and constantly repeating mission structure.”
- optimization51 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and high frame rates, particularly on lower-end hardware, while others report significant issues such as frame drops, stuttering, and the need to run on low settings for a playable experience. Although many users appreciate the graphics and overall gameplay, there are consistent calls for further optimization and patches to address the performance problems, especially during intense combat scenarios. Overall, while some players find it well-optimized, others experience frustrating performance issues that detract from the experience.
“One standout feature is the smooth performance; I never encountered any FPS issues.”
“It's optimized well and it runs smoother than most VR titles I have played.”
“The game is really well optimized for as big of a game as it was.”
“I have bought this game here, and on the Oculus store in the pursuit of better performance, which was pointless because this game was made on the almost 9-year-old Unreal Engine 4.”
“Frame drops, stutters, and optimization issues make the game unplayable.”
“The performance was pretty bad for me, using an RTX 2060, Intel Core i7-9750H with 16GB RAM; I had to run the game on low the entire time.”
- music38 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its immersive quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many players enjoying the New Orleans-style tracks and the intense soundscapes that contribute to the horror experience. However, some users reported audio glitches, such as music cutting out or lagging, which detracted from their overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, the majority of reviews highlight the music as a standout feature that complements the gameplay effectively.
“The music (especially the New Orleans style) and general ambiance were pretty good, and I could get spooked when trying to dig out my flashlight to fight zombies in the dark.”
“I would find myself back in the resting place (home) and I'd turn the radio to channel 54 - where there's some awesome New Orleans style music, blues, and some rock - and I would just sit outside and look at the moon and relax. It was lovely; I put my fan on and it felt like there was a slight breeze, really putting me at peace that I didn't expect from such a gloomy dark game.”
“The game's atmosphere is dripping with spook; art direction, sound design, music, and voice acting are what you would come to expect from a top-shelf production.”
“The music is so bad.”
“Every level seemed to have the same eerie background music though, which got old pretty fast so I just disabled it.”
“However, there is a super annoying audio glitch where I can hear the base game elements just fine but only bits and pieces of suspenseful music, narration, etc. It just cuts out randomly, practically ruining the game, since the narration is a key point in both progressing and immersion in general.”
- humor28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of slapstick and dark comedy, often stemming from absurd situations like silly NPC interactions and exaggerated zombie physics. While many players find the humor entertaining and a great outlet for frustration, some feel it can become repetitive or immersion-breaking over time. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute to a lighthearted experience amidst the chaos of zombie-killing.
“Hehe, funny zombie game! Hehe, gun go brr. This is a great outlet for rage and killing things.”
“I shidded my pants several times and chopped off people's heads with a funny sword.”
“Hilarious NPC physics upon death.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a profound emotional experience while engaging with the game, highlighting its ability to evoke feelings of anxiety, regret, and connection through impactful storytelling and moral dilemmas. Many express that the immersive world and character interactions foster a sense of belonging and tension, making decisions feel significant and life-altering. However, some critiques mention a lack of emotional closure and depth in character relationships, suggesting that while the game excels in creating emotional moments, it falls short in delivering a satisfying narrative conclusion.
“This game made me feel at home like no other; the camp is comfy, and over time you get used to the world around you.”
“Made me cry and have my hands shaking and question the horrors I did; it was a life-changing moment.”
“Some of the moral decisions you have to make are heartbreaking, but necessary to create a proper gameplay experience.”
- character development5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized as lacking, with only Casey receiving notable growth and May's development being described as very weak. While some players appreciated the physical character design and found the ending's showdown to have decent character moments, the overall consensus is that the narrative and character arcs are average and unsatisfying.
“The game's physical character design looked magnificent and went almost perfectly with the overall vibe of the game.”
“The character development was pretty good, especially during the devastating showdown at the end.”
“Nonexistent character development, with the exception of Casey and very weak character development for May at the end of the game.”
“Overall, The Walking Dead has an average story, average character development, and some pretty decent mechanics (once you get the hang of it).”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of this VR game is positively received, with users noting it is not a typical cash grab but rather offers substantial gameplay (around 6 hours) and high-quality experience. Many reviewers feel the game is underpriced for its value, distinguishing it as a genuine AAA title in the VR market.
“I thought that the game would be a cash grab, but I was wrong.”
“Overall, I'd say this is somewhat underpriced. It's the first real AAA VR game that wasn't either a port of an existing game or a half-hearted cash grab. Buy it; it's a really good game and perhaps my favorite VR game to date.”
“Of all the licensed VR games out there, this is probably the first one I've seen that isn't a cheap cash grab and has more than half an hour of gameplay. The typical playthrough actually has around 6 hours of playtime.”
Critic Reviews
Wait, is something behind me? --- The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners review
There’s a lot to juggle in The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, but it’s not a bad thing since each feature adds a layer of survivalism and immersion. Though certain weapons are uncomfortable, and there’s that NPC audio issue, it’s likely due to being the first available build of the game. The lack of physical crouching is irritating, but the combat, climbing, stealth, and RPG mechanics make up for it, putting you in near-complete control of the character. Every suspenseful moment is an addiction, and it’s an incredible experience all neatly packaged for you to slowly unwrap.
90%The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners Review
It’s always hard to express a form of meaningful weight in virtual reality. In the end, you’re doing nothing but swinging a pair of controllers through the air. The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners aims to change this perception, and is partly triumphant.
80%The Walking Dead: Saints And Sinners Review - A PSVR Horror Gem Reanimated
One of PSVR's best games is comfortably one of the best games on PSVR 2. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners remains as intense, panic-inducing, and blood-splattered as ever.
85%
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The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Standard Edition - Steam - Key GLOBAL
$22.67The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution
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$37.37The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution
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$39.99The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution - Standard Edition
$39.99The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
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