Summary
When it comes toThe Walking Dead, the most recent attempts at a game adaptation have been lackluster. But afterThe Walking Dead: Destinieshad its moment as one of the most disappointing games of 2023, a modern game adaptation ofThe Walking Deadmay still have a chance to rise from the ashes of whatDestiniesleft behind.
There was a lot wrong withDestinieswhen the game finally launched. From making iconic moments fromThe Walking Deadunintentionally hilariousto feeling like a rushed product overall,Destinieswas not the modern take onThe Walking Deadthe franchise deserved.
Finding The Right Studio
Although recent attempts at making aWalking Deadgame haven’t been successful, there is still a place for a greatWalking Deadgame to make its mark if the right studio is behind the project.Telltale Games set the bar incredibly highwith its rendition ofThe Walking Dead, and if another great studio gets a chance at interpreting the franchise, there could be a repeat of this greatness.
A new TelltaleWalking Deadgamewould be great, but enough time has passed that an all-new story and take on the franchise would be exciting to see unfold. On the other hand, Sucker Punch and Arkane are two studios that have a history of crafting compelling stories with amazing combat, and it would be fascinating to see how either studio handled such a major property. In terms of the horror elements ofThe Walking Dead, Supermassive or Bloober could be interesting studios to head such a project.
When it comes to Arkane, the disappointing state ofRedfallwas a low point for the studio, but the developer’s rich history proves that it’s worthy of a great comeback. With the studio currently developingthe upcomingBladegame, Arkane is about to demonstrate how it chooses to handle a long-running IP, which could be a great way to showcase how it may approach developing the likes of aWalking Deadgame. Although Sucker Punch and Arkane have strong histories with stories and action, Supermassive or Bloober could be the strongest contenders if a newWalking Deadgame wanted to focus on horror.
One of the most disappointing aspects ofThe Walking Dead: Destinieswas that it simply wasn’t scary. The main terror in Telltale’s adaptation was in the horrifying choices players had to make, but a newWalking Deadgame deserves to be truly scary. Supermassive and Bloober both have vastly different approaches to horror, but both could be worthy studios to develop the project. If Bloober pulls offtheSilent Hill 2remake, it could give the studio more leverage for an even more ambitious title, and seeing the studio tackle horror inThe Walking Deadwould be exciting.
It’s been years since a good game adaptation ofThe Walking Deadhas seen the light of day, but it’s not impossible.Destinieswas a letdown for the franchise, but such a long-running series deserves to be showcased for what it does best. With the franchise still receiving spin-offs and major collaborations, likethe collaborativeWalking Deadevent inCall of Duty, it’s clear there is still demand, and that demand should be met with a game worthy of the franchise.
