Publisher:
Starbreeze Publishing (PC), 505 Games (PS4, Xbox One)
Developer:
Overkill Software
Platforms:
PC, PS4, Xbox One
Genre:First Person Shooter
Release Date:PC: November 6, 2018; Xbox One, PS4: February 6, 2019
Overkill’s The Walking Dead is a co-op focused first person shooter developed by Overkill Software, developers of the Payday games, and published by Starbreeze Publishing on PC and 505 Games on PS4 and Xbox One.
Development
Overkill’s The Walking Dead was first announced in 2014, and was slated for a launch in 2016. In 2016, however, the game wad delayed, following which it was delayed once more in 2017, with its final launch slated for late 2018. In August of 2018, the game’s launch on the PS4 and Xbox One wad delayed to early 2019, though the PC launch remained unaffected. This was done because the console versions’ publisher 505 Games wanted to “ensure a simultaneous release of the console version digitally and in stores to achieve optimal marketing impact and maximize sales”.
Overkill’s The Walking Dead is set in the universe of the same name created by Robert Kirkman, originally with the comics, which was then further expanded with TV shows and other video games. Though it’s set in the same universe, the Overkill Software have been given freedom to tell the stories they want to tell, and hence will be exploring themes and stories that have not been touched up much in the TV show or the comics. Robert Kirkman has been involved in the game’s development, in terms of providing advice and feedback. Though there will be a slight focus on the story and storytelling in the game, the developers have stated that they want the experience to stick close to what people expect from a game developed by them.
The developers have also hinted that characters from The Walking Dead TV show, comics, and even the Telltale-developed games might make an appearance in their game. Overkill Software have also confirmed that there will be no microtransanctions in the game. They plan to support the game post its launch with content updates and DLC releases. There will be both paid and free DLC releases.
Story
Overkill’s The Walking Dead takes place in a post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. that is overrun by zombies, called walkers, and features four main characters. One of them is Aidan, a character who is described as having a bit of a temper that he tries to control to the best of his abilities, and instead channels into his melee fighting style for survival. The second character is Heather, who used to be a kindergarten teacher before the walker apocalypse. She used to teach children the difference between right and wrong, and now struggles with her own morality, though still hopes to see the good in people.
The third main character is Grant, and older man who used to spend much of his time hunting wild animals in the wilderness, and writing wilderness guides. He is back in Washington D.C., looking for his family. The fourth and final main character is Maya, a capable survivor who used to be a surgeon before the walker apocalypse, and now finds herself in the role of the group’s medic and healer.
Gameplay
Overkill’s The Walking Dead places a strong focus on co-operative gameplay, though it can still be played solo.Though Overkill’s The Walking Dead is a co-op focused game, there will be no support for split-screen co-op play. In co-op play, players will have to work together and complement each other’s abilities and skills to survive. Overkill Software have confirmed that the game’s difficulty will scale as per how many players are playing it together, which means that it will be harder for four players playing in a group than it would be for a single player playing the game solo. The game is primarily a first person shooter, but will also feature elements from several other genres. It will have horror elements, given its post-apocalyptic zombie setting, while it will also feature survival elements. The game will also have some stealth mechanics.
There will also be RPG elements in the games, including for things like skill trees and upgrade mechanics. Each of the four main characters is playable, and each of them has their own unique abilities and skill trees, such as Maya being a skilled medic, and Aidan being more adept at up close melee combat. As such, there will also be several melee weapons in the game. Melee combat will also be more emphasized, specially in situations where players need to conserve ammunition. In total, there are going to be over 45 weapons in Overkill’s The Walking Dead, which will all be upgradable and can be modified, with a total of over 250 mods in the game at launch.
Each character has something called an active ability, which will vary depending on which character players play as. These need to be activated by scavenging items from the environment and then using them in crafting. For instance, Heather’s innate ability allows her to craft smoke grenades, which can be used to gain the upper hand in both stealth and combat. Aidan can make a flash bang, while Grant can make a molotov cocktail. Meanwhile, Maya’s active ability allows her to make a med bag. Meanwhile, each character also has passive abilities, which grant them buffs and bonuses in certain areas. For instance, Maya, with her history as a surgeon, is more adept at reviving downed teammates. More passive and active abilities can be unlocked as well, while the game’s progression system also allows players to upgrade their base camp.
Overkill’s The Walking Dead will also feature several mission types. Other than main story-related missions, these will include rescue missions, missions that require you to scavenge materials, equipment retrieval missions, and more. Players will also have to regularly defend their camp against raiders and bandits, as well as against walkers. Players can also send other survivors out to scavenge for resources or items, and when and if they find something in the map, players will have to go and retrieve these items themselves. However, these items will be available for retrieval for a limited time only. There will also be daily bounties and weekly missions.
Note: This wiki will be updated once we have more information about the game.