Walking Dead: Survival Instincts (video game)

[Rancid Carcass]

Seems like Activision are getting in on the act too... Not much info but it looks like you'll get some Daryl/Merle action:

http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-walking-dead/1225332p1.html

Could be cool, could be a car crash - we'll see!

:cool:


Over at IGN, Activision's just announced a new Walking Dead game based on the AMC TV show, as opposed to Telltale's acclaimed adventure game series based on the comic. This one's a prequel shooter starring brothers Daryl (the player character) and Merle Dixon -- also known as Crossbow Guy and Psycho Guy Whose Hand Got Cut Off -- before they link up with Rick Grimes' band of survivors.

We don't know a ton about it yet, other than that it's being assembled by Ghostbusters developer Terminal Reality, you'll fight zombies, decide whether to help or screw over other survivors you encounter, and fight zombies, all while managing your supplies of ammo and food. It'll be out on PC sometime in 2013. In the meantime, we'll just play some DayZ and hope this one turns out at least good enough to not ruin the Telltale games for us. What do you think of the trailer?

[bassman]

I didn't care much for Tell Tale's game that's currently out there, but this.....THIS IS IN GOOD HANDS.

Created by the team behind Ghostbusters?!?!? I need a change of pants. If anyone can capture the vibe of a franchise and please it's fans, it's these guys. Cant wait to see more.

[Neil]

^^ Do you not just worry it'll be a FPS with no real survival or tactics?

[bassman]

^^ Do you not just worry it'll be a FPS with no real survival or tactics?

I feared Ghostbusters would be nothing more than a FPS, but they managed to make it more engaging while involving the characters and interactions that made the movies memorable. I think this TWD game will be great fun.

Did you ever play the Ghostbusters Game?

[krisvds]

Hmmmm. A FPS? I just don't know. Forgive me for being sceptical but a shooter starring two muscular, well armed 'bro's' against an army of the undead just doesn't rhyme with what TWD -world is (was?). The guys writing the Telltale games really do get it IMO. That second episode played out like a classic horror story. Not just generic running around shooting the undead like a boss.?

I'm worried Kirkman is starting to sell out. Overkill you know? I guess we could be inching closer to that saturday morning cartoon with talking animal companion to Carl ;)
Still, could be cool IF done right and if it's not just another dumbed down shootfest. Haven't played Ghostbusters mind you.
Finger's crossed then ... (please don't screw up.mantra)

[MinionZombie]

Trailer:

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Some details about the game, and some ideas of gameplay (e.g. conserving ammo, using stealth etc - hopefully that all makes it into the game!):

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No actual footage yet - but the idea of being to possibly play as Daryl Dixon sounds good to me, and indeed, coming from the folks who gave us the super-awesome Ghostbusters Videogame, I'm looking forward to it!

[Tricky]

Both Rooker & Reedus have been all over this on Twitter, they like the idea anyway! I wonder if they will be doing the voice acting?

[MinionZombie]

Both Rooker & Reedus have been all over this on Twitter, they like the idea anyway! I wonder if they will be doing the voice acting?

I'd bloody well hope so!

I'd imagine they'll be using the CoD engine for this (being that it's Activision), and with the TGB:VG guys behind it, hopefully it'll be good!

[Danny]

man, i thought an adventure game wouldnt suit the narrative style, but a bro down schmup? eh... ill try it, but honestly we already have left 4 dead if they want it to be about the shooting- something twd isnt about at all.

[MinionZombie]

man, i thought an adventure game wouldnt suit the narrative style, but a bro down schmup? eh... ill try it, but honestly we already have left 4 dead if they want it to be about the shooting- something twd isnt about at all.

According to that IGN preview/info video, it isn't going to be about running around shooting - i.e. it's not going to be CoD with the Brothers Dixon.

Interestingly, Michael Rooker has recently supplied his voice to a character in the up-coming Call of Duty: Black Ops II, so hopefully they'll get him (and Norman Reedus) to voice their TWD personas ... it'd be idiotic if they didn't secure the real guys ... but considering they got all the key players for the GB videogame, there's hope. :)

[Danny]

then why make it an fps at all?

i mean rule #1 of the comics is 'shooting attracts the walkers, use an axe or something'. Traditional 3rd person survival horror ala silent hill downpour/alan wake would make more sense.

[krisvds]

then why make it an fps at all?

i mean rule #1 of the comics is 'shooting attracts the walkers, use an axe or something'. Traditional 3rd person survival horror ala silent hill downpour/alan wake would make more sense.

That's exactly the point i was trying to make before. A FPS just doesn't feel right in this world.
I hope I'm proven wrong. Can't help but be sceptical though? Especially after the (up to now) stellar Telltale game that, tonally, matches the comic.

[bassman]

If anything, this stands a chance as being a REAL FPS survival game.

L4D and the like are just crap, imo.

[kidgloves]

If you just want to shoot zombies get yourself one of these

http://geek-news.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/img_4221.jpg

[MinionZombie]

Just because it's an FPS, doesn't mean it has to be all guns blazing - it's merely a perspective - there's plenty of 3rd person games where it's nothing but shooting. The viewpoint given to the gamer, be it first or third person, doesn't matter: it's the aim and execution of the game itself, and it would seem they're going more of a survival route - you have to conserve your ammo, you can use stealth to get around zombies, you don't always have to engage, humans are just as dangerous (if not more so) than the undead etc.

[SymphonicX]

Day Z has basically taken everything this game wants to be and realised it already - however...this is a proper game, not a mod done by one random Russian genius...there should be LOADS of thought put into this - but the idealogy sounds the same -survival, stealth, etc etc.

The genius about Day Z is it's complete lack of rules - that's the issue that this game will have to overcome (this is of course, if it's a multiplayer game at all). The idea that you start from an arbitrary coastline location with nothing in your pockets, and have to survive your way through the game using stealth and cunning whilst the whole time being threatened with death by disease, starvation, thirst, cold, and of course bandits roaming the map. Then when you do meet a friendly, you're so relieved to have met someone who you can roll with that the game takes on an entirely different meaning.

That's what makes the Walking Dead such a special story, the lack of rules and the survival element with not just zombies to worry about - but a whole raft of social issues - when you get infected and start coughing all over the place, not even friendlies will want to be near you - you'll be outcast!

So in summary, the genius for the game will be taking the Day Z idealogy and applying it to this world - removing the rules and boundaries that game makers instantly go to...and just letting whatever happens, happen. Make it tough, make the players bleed - and don't give 'em anything - not even a gun. That's the real world right there, which TWD is all about :)

[MinionZombie]

Some info and a couple of screenshots:

http://dailydead.com/first-screenshots-from-the-walking-dead-fps-video-game/


FEATURES

An engrossing single player campaign that lets players experience the world of The Walking Dead through the eyes of fan-favorite, Daryl Dixon.

A unique style of gameplay that blends first-person action with resource management for a focus on surviving the undead nightmare.

Authentic character design and frighteningly realistic animations. Walkers look, move and react to sights, sounds and smells just the way that they do in the hit television show.

An emphasis on survival – every threat needs to be assessed and every situation analyzed. Players will choose whether to stay and fight while risking a gruesome death or using stealth to avoid the undead. Resources are scarce and scattered; gamers will have to not only ration supplies, but carefully consider their food, medical needs, ammunition, and other goods as survival in the game is based upon wit and intellect more so than simple, sheer skill.

Decisions matter as Daryl will encounter a slew of characters that can help or hurt him in a variety of ways; whether or not they accompany him is completely up to the player and represents just some of the major decisions that will constantly be made.

Terminal Reality’s using their proprietary Infernal Engine and wealth of experience to create an amazing experience for both fans and newcomers alike.


http://c534909.r9.cf2.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Walking-Dead-FPS-01.jpg

http://c534909.r9.cf2.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Walking-Dead-FPS-02.jpg

[Rancid Carcass]

lets players experience the world of The Walking Dead through the eyes of fan-favorite, Daryl Dixon.

Looking forward to that squirrel hunting mini-game then! (hopefully co-op!!) :p

Nice screen shots though, will be keeping an eye on this.

[MoonSylver]

Hey, who the hell has been taking pictures of my former residence? :mad: :lol:

[MinionZombie]

Hey, who the hell has been taking pictures of my former residence? :mad: :lol:

:lol::lol::lol:

[Neil]

If you just want to shoot zombies get yourself one of these

http://geek-news.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/img_4221.jpg

^ What on earth is that? Do we need a third thread for Walking Dead games? :)

[kidgloves]

^ What on earth is that? Do we need a third thread for Walking Dead games? :)

I get the impression its nothing more than a cash grab Neil using a generic zombie light gun game.
Kirkman has said that the game this thread is about was pushed forward by AMC themselves and has nothing to do with him and, seeing as AMC announced early on that they wholly owned The Walking Dead, I wouldn't be surprised if this game was rushed out to take advantage of the WD brand by AMC.

[bassman]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/24/the-walking-dead-survival-instinct-revealed

B2KdJ--kRVo

For being a "huge fan", that guy seems to get Merle's name wrong quite often...


http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2012/12/twdfirstlook1226123jpg-843c72_800w-610x343.jpg

http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2012/12/twdfirstlook1226122jpg-843c6f_800w-610x343.jpg

[ProfessorChaos]

color me unimpressed. everything in the gameplay footage looks way too slick and clean. one of those walkers looked like he was wearing lego hair it was so slick and glossy. merle looks like he's got the skin and complexion of a 18 year-old kid, and nothing about that world screams "zombie apocalypse". seriously, i've seen better and more realistic graphics on the psx with resident evil 2's opening scene.

and those fat twitchy fucks discussing the game got on my nerves real quick. had to shut it down after about 5 minutes.

as of now, this just reeks of a "me too!" cash-grab that may be worth picking up in the bargain bin. maybe i'll see something down the road that convinces me otherwise, but as of now, fuck this game, i'm saving my dough for state of decay; now that's gonna be an epic zombie romp.

[bassman]

^ The game is still roughly a year from release. It's probably safe to assume the graphics will improve over that time period. Ghostbusters looked quite awesome, if I do say so myself. No reason they can't make TWD look the same.

[MinionZombie]

Aye, I saw a screenshot recently and it had a note on it saying that it wasn't representative of the final quality of the game (same thing happened with the GB game which, I agree, looked good when it was finished). This is definitely in the rough stage at the moment, which makes you wonder why they're pimping it just yet - how about make a trailer/release some screenshots of what the finished game will actually look like before leaping into this sort of thing.

As for the IGN reportage, I skipped all that shite ... the interviewer particularly does my head in. He does a lot of IGN's video reviews of games, and his narration style is god awful. He emphasises too many words (like he's straining out a tough turd), and it always sounds like he's over-excited/shouting but at a normal conversational decibel level. Yeah ... can't be doing with his presenting style at all.

Speaking of the game generally, I'm definitely up for it. Terminal Reality did a spiffing job with the GB game, so I've got reasonably high hopes for this one. They definitely need to tweak it a bit ... some of those walkers looked a bit spry in some shots. Hopefully the finished version of the game looks and plays very well indeed.

*fingers crossed*

[Trin]

"An emphasis on survival – every threat needs to be assessed and every situation analyzed. Players will choose whether to stay and fight while risking a gruesome death or using stealth to avoid the undead."

So we can cover ourselves with zombie guts and walk amongst the living dead?

[Danny]

This is reminding me a lot of the crappy tie in game LOST: via domus the more i see of it..

[Neil]

Here are the game's main features:-

An engrossing single player campaign that lets players experience the world of The Walking Dead through the eyes of fan-favorite, Daryl Dixon.

A unique style of gameplay that blends first-person action with resource management for a focus on surviving the undead nightmare.

Authentic character design and frighteningly realistic animations. Norman Reedus (Darryl) and Michael Rooker (Merle) provide the voice of their characters. Walkers look, move and react to sights, sounds and smells just the way that they do in the hit television show.

An emphasis on survival - every threat needs to be assessed and every situation analyzed. Players will choose whether to stay and fight while risking a gruesome death or using stealth to avoid the undead. Resources are scarce and scattered; gamers will have to not only ration supplies, but carefully consider their food, medical needs, ammunition, and other goods as survival in the game is based upon wit and intellect more so than simple, sheer skill.

Decisions matter as Daryl will encounter a slew of characters that can help or hurt him in a variety of ways; whether or not they accompany him is completely up to the player and represents just some of the major decisions that will constantly be made.

Terminal Reality's using their proprietary Infernal Engine and wealth of experience to create an amazing experience for both fans and newcomers alike.

[krisvds]

^ The game is still roughly a year from release. It's probably safe to assume the graphics will improve over that time period.

That's what I thought as well. I expected it to be released around the season four premiere. Now it appears it will be released in early March meaning that the game is all but finished.
It 's not looking good to say the least. Most of the zombie models they are using have Ken and Barbie hair!

[MinionZombie]

That's what I thought as well. I expected it to be released around the season four premiere. Now it appears it will be released in early March meaning that the game is all but finished.
It 's not looking good to say the least. Most of the zombie models they are using have Ken and Barbie hair!

Yeah, graphically speaking at least (we can't presume over gameplay at this stage), it looks rushed. I take it that they're looking to tie it in with near season three's finale - or rather the last episodes of the season where shit is all kinds of kicking off - and well, mid-October wouldn't be ideal as a release window as that's when loads of AAA titles are released in the build up to the holiday season, so the competition is fierce to say the least.

I'll definitely be keeping my eye on reviews and what others have to say about this game before dumping down cash on it, and even then it'd be sale prices as-per-usual for me.

[slickwilly13]

The reviews are out. It looks like a renter.

[Neil]

The reviews are out. It looks like a renter.

Oh dear - http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/03/22/the-walking-dead-survival-instinct-review

...it gives licensed games a bad name.

More oh dear! - http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/the-walking-dead-survival-instinct-review/1900-566/

Sadly, what's ended up on shelves benefited from no such factors, leaving players with an abysmally rushed game of barely connected ideas that brings the player little more than frustration and disappointment.


There's a chance I'm getting a copy to review... From the above, I'm not expecting much!

[MinionZombie]

I'd gladly play a review copy ... but oh dear indeed.

It looked pretty rushed to me. It was only last year that they still hadn't confirmed if the actual guys would be voicing their characters - which suggested, to me at least, a rushed schedule. The snippets of gameplay I've seen haven't filled with me wonder either.

Bargain bin buy at best then, I guess. Shame - there was promise there.

I can't imagine it's sales will be helped by the release of BioShock Infinite either ... but the title might still shift a fair amount of units, because as we've seen in the past (very recently with Aliens Colonial Marines) a lot of people blind buy.

IGN Video Review:
F_FeMnnnIwc

[kidgloves]

Cash grab from AMC by the looks of it. Having a ban on reviews until it was released is always a bad sign.
Looks absolutely atrocious to me

[MinionZombie]

Cash grab from AMC by the looks of it. Having a ban on reviews until it was released is always a bad sign.
Looks absolutely atrocious to me

Yeah ... I might rescind my comment that I'd "gladly" play a review copy. :lol:

It looks pretty rushed and sloppy in some regards - a real shame as it could have been quite worthwhile given some more development time. There'll be fans for it regardless, but eesh ... smacks of a cash grab from a corporate level. Can't blame Reedus and Rooker for wanting to be involved though - they get paid, they get to continue being their established characters, they have some fun - the rest is up to everyone else, but it seems everyone else either screwed the pooch or weren't afforded enough time.

[Rancid Carcass]

This looks like the new Road to Fiddlers Green - not great but will probably play it anyway when it's cheap, guilty pleasure sort of thing that will be rescued by the modding community to some degree... hopefully.

[Neil]

be rescued by the modding community to some degree... hopefully.

Let's hope!



Imagine if you could have given your team orders. ie: Where to move, cover, attack etc. So at times it was a squad based tactical shooter etc!

[bassman]

Yeah, the reviews haven't been great, which is a shame because I thought Terminal Reality could get it right like they did with Ghostbusters. I think the game's faults probably come down to an unrealistic timeline. Given more time, I imagine it could have been a great game.

[krisvds]

So, succesful tv show gets a rushed cash in videogame? So retro!
Bye bye quality control. Somewhere Kirkman is cursing all the way to the bank.

[kidgloves]

This guy can be irritating but it looks like he's got his review spot on

4CbU2NIJgAY

[Cykotic]

Well, that made my decision easier.

Shame... was really looking forward to it too

[MinionZombie]

Two Best Friends Play: The Walking Dead Survival Instinct...

ZFzK9GDpl3c

[Neil]

There was a chance I was going to get a review copy of this game... I'm kind of glad I didn't now :)

[MinionZombie]

There was a chance I was going to get a review copy of this game... I'm kind of glad I didn't now :)

I had intended to get this on a sale, for like a fiver or something ... nope, no way, not now. :lol:

Seeing it 'in action' in a review, and seeing it 'in action' in a more normal game playing state are two different things - this was a totally missed opportunity.