I fell off of the Walking Dead bandwagon pretty early on, but the Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners VR experience makes me want to get back on it. Skybound Entertainment and Skydance Interactive have a new VR shooter experience coming out at the beginning of next year and it takes all of the gorey aspects that people love from this iconic franchise and puts it right into the player’s face.
From everything we’ve seen of the game thus far and from small tidbits of event hands-on time, it seems almost reminiscent of the DOOM franchise in terms of in-game mechanics and its visceral nature. The way the game works with different gun mechanics, loadouts, and area exploration also really looks like the perfect way for players to thrust themselves into this universe: both hardcore Walking Dead fans and newcomers alike (or those in between, like myself).
The aspect of VR also helps give melee mechanics more omff. We’ve seen in previous trailers that melee is an option but prepare for kickback. You can’t just comfortably chill on a couch and half-ass this, if you want to take do down those bastard zombies you’re going to have to work for it.
Mortal Kombat-style a beheading, executioner-style a headshot – it looks like the sky is the limit for how players can tailor the combat to their personal desires which is often something that some VR titles lack. Sometimes, a VR title forces a player into a very specific playstyle so if it’s not something easily vibe-able, then the experience can be cheapened dramatically.
Overall the game looks like it could be one of those great contenders for a VR horror experience. I’m excited to learn more about exactly how players can interact in this environment when the Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners debuts on January 23, 2020.
For more about the game:
“Saints & Sinners is a game unlike any other in The Walking Dead universe. Every challenge you face and the decision you make is driven by YOU. Fight the undead, scavenge through the flooded ruins of New Orleans, and face gut-wrenching choices for you and the other survivors. Live The Walking Dead’s dark drama in your own skin.”
