Until recently, I never finished The Walking Dead series. I’ve made a few starts but never made it through to the end. I’m really glad I did this time, I can easily say this one is a must-play if you’re interested in story-driven adventure games. I’m a fan of both the comic book and TV universes, having read the comic books before the series aired. It was kinda fun having a bit of inside knowledge while the TV series was releasing, but it of course went off in a different direction. There isn’t much I can add in terms of Steam Deck Specifics for this one. You can jump right into it out of the box. Speaking of jumping in, let’s get to it.
Originally released in 2012, The Walking Dead is an episodic, comic book style adventure series developed by Telltale Games. Set in the same universe as Robert Kirkman’s acclaimed comic book series of the same name, we’re offered a brand new story set within a familiar world. Telltale started development back in 2011 after they struck a deal with both Warner Bros. and Kirkman himself. While the game does feature some action elements, the development team clearly focused on meaningful player choices and character-driven storytelling. Telltale was granted a decent amount of creative freedom throughout development, however Robert Kirkman remained involved to ensure it stayed true to the comic books. I think it does a good job of that.
The mainstay of The Walking Dead series is Clementine. We first meet her at the start of the apocalypse as Lee Everett finds her as a scared eight-year-old hiding in her treehouse. Clementine quickly becomes the emotional anchor of the entire series. Lee himself is flawed, but overall he’s a decent man and he takes Clementine under his wing. The bond between them becomes the backbone of not just Season One, but the entire saga. By the time the first season wraps up, you realise that this game isn’t really about surviving zombies, it’s about Clementine learning to survive. The real brilliance of the series is how it tracks her growth. Throughout four seasons, we watch Clementine evolve from a scared child to a survivor, to a leader and finally, to a protector in her own right. Each season pushes her further and as a player, you’re not just shaping what happens to her, but who she becomes. As the series closes, the bond between Clementine and AJ almost mirrors the journey that started with Lee. It’s a full circle moment that hits with real emotional weight.
The series also delivers some great and detailed characters who help shape Clementine along the way. Characters like Kenny, Luke and AJ all leave a lasting mark. Some stand by her, others clash with her, but each one pushes her story forward and shapes who she becomes. Even Javier through Season Three has his own impact. Then you’ve got the villains, who are as human as they are terrifying. The recurring theme throughout any presentation of The Walking Dead is that walkers aren’t the real danger in this world, people are. To highlight one in particular, Michael Madsen’s performance as Carver in Season Two is an absolute standout. May he rest in peace. His people are shit-scared of him and with good reason. He rules through fear and convinces himself it’s for the good of his group. He’s smart, cunning and he is dangerous which makes him one of the more memorable villains in the whole series. Carver feels comparable to The Governor from both the comic book and TV universes, maybe just a touch less bloodthirsty. It shows that even the worst of them believe they’re doing the right thing, which makes their actions hit even harder. My only complaint is that Michael Madsen didn’t feature more.
Alright, I have to address Season Three. This one is a little different to the rest as we don’t directly follow Clementine and we shift into a new frontier. Ha! Get it? I’ll ah, see myself out. Anyway, Season Three follows Javier Garcia and his family’s journey through the apocalypse. It was definitely an unexpected change of pace and the fanbase didn’t take too kindly too it. The main reasons are that it is a clear step away from established characters and narrative, while being fairly short and unengaging. I do see those points and they are all valid, but regardless I still had a nice time poking around in the universe in new locations. It is absolutely more linear than the rest and mostly predictable, but if you just buckle in and enjoy the story for what it is I think there is fun to be had here. The New Frontier faction idea was pretty great, but it all does feel a bit rushed. They present like Negan and the Saviours to an extent, but unfortunately it’s just not that well written and lacks in execution. As a positive, we’re still given snippets of Clementine’s story and those story elements remain deep and interesting while helping set up the fourth season. Clementine is kinda badass through this season too, even if her role is diminished. I still enjoyed it for the most part, but with the possibility of what season three could have been, this one comes off as disappointing.
The graphics are presented well, they’re a detailed 3D comic book style and the Steam Deck has no problem cranking this as high as it can go. It’s certainly not demanding, being an older game, but it still looks great. The graphics do change slightly throughout the series, but for the most part they retain the same look and feel. The game mechanics also aren’t anything special and believe me, that is not a bad thing. They really don’t have to be. Remember, this is a story-based adventure game with action elements. Primarily, we follow a light exploration format in each area with quick-reaction action events and extensive choice-driven dialogue trees. That remains consistent throughout all four seasons. This might come off as repetitive, but for me it works perfectly. I am an adventure game fan, after all. It’s really less about complicated mechanics and more about making impossible choices and living with them as the rest of the story plays out. I guess you could say the gameplay here really is consequences.
Telltale’s The Walking Dead isn’t perfect, but it’s an unforgettable experience. It’s one of the finest examples of video game storytelling there is. The story is rich, emotionally gripping and deeply interconnected. The core storyline doesn’t drastically change, but the choices you make actually feel like they matter and they affect not just who lives or dies but how characters view and respond to you as the protagonist. It’s a prime example that video games absolutely belong as a storytelling medium. In some ways, it can even surpass those other forms. Telltale allows us, the player, to shape the story with our decisions and have a meaningful impact. While the story from the Season One through to the Finale might be messy and a little heartbreaking, that is what makes it feel so raw and human. There are few games which have the courage to introduce and grow a character across multiple games, or seasons. Clementine is discovered as a frightened eight-year-old, but with the guidance of other survivors and what she’s overcome she becomes hardened and capable. She then steps up as a leader and mother-figure, in the same way Lee did shortly after discovering her in that treehouse in Atlanta.
Verdict:
The Walking Dead is a landmark in video game storytelling. It carries players through a rich, emotional journey of Clementine’s growth from a scared child to hardened leader. While there are rough patches, I’m looking at you: Season Three, the series as a whole is an unforgettable experience. It really proves that video games can deliver stories as powerful as any book, TV show, movie or comic book. This one is absolutely essential for fans of any story-driven adventure games.
Deck Compatibility: 10/10
Overall Game Rating: 9/10 – Choices actually matter
Dad with a Deck 
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