Skip to main content

The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct (Video Game Review)

The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct will take players on a journey of survival as the character Daryl Dixon and must do whatever it takes to survive. The first-person title is based off the award-winning television show The Walking Dead and will give you more insight into what it is really like during the Apocalypse.

The adventure starts out with you playing as Daryl’s father in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct who suddenly gets killed by zombies. Once he passes away then you become Daryl and embark on a quest to find your older brother, Meryl. You must journey through the zombie infested countryside of Georgia and try to find supplies as you go. Your first quest in the game is to find gas in order to get the escape vehicle up and running. Players will have the chance to gather a few supplies before leaving which include sports drinks, MREs, melee weapons, guns and bottles. Bottles along with flares can be thrown to distract large groupings of zombies which comes in handy during missions and scavenging.


The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct has crisp textures, intriguing gameplay and funny dialogue. Players will get a taste of the dialogue once they step into the car and a map appears asking you where you want to go. You will need to preserve gas which usually means taking the highway, but you can waste a little more gas and take the scenic route in order to scour for more supplies. Players will watch their position move on the map as the characters banter back and forth in the background. It would have been a little more interesting to drive your car across environments, but this method gives the game an old-school feel from a simpler time. Basically, it gives you a breather to relax in between missions from all the zombie-killing action.


The game’s soundtrack is a little bland and doesn’t install the amount of emotion needed for a zombie game of this nature. As you play through the game you will come across other survivors who you can choose to help or leave behind. If you feel evil enough then you can even find ways to get them killed. The zombies are very unpredictable in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct which is something I enjoyed. The fact you never know if you will be attacked helps install the fear one would experience in such a situation. There are times when you can blast your weapons right beside a horde of zombies and not one will turn their head, and then there are other times when you can be as stealthy as possible, and still attract a horde. One of the best aspects of the game are the mini-games. If you become overrun by zombies then they will try to grapple you which automatically starts a mini-game. Now the face-stabbing party begins! While the game has some annoying aspects, one must admit it also has some entertaining ones as well. The unpredictability in the game means that anything is possible. Players can run out of gas, their car can break down and all of the unexpected can happen--just like in real life!


Rescuing survivors can be very handy because they can also assist you in missions and helping to scavenge for supplies. However, don’t get too attached because many of them won’t be around long! Daryl is rather heartless when it comes to other characters in the game and he would leave behind a whole family for a sports drink. Basically don’t expect a lot of drama when it comes to those heart-wrenching decisions of who goes and who dies. There is also little diversity when it comes to environments and zombies. Almost everything looks the same and you will feel like you are experiencing one long déjà vu sequence at times. But wouldn't all towns look about the same? Overrun and destroyed? Also, the game is based off the television show and how many diverse environments do you really see during the series? All in all, the fact that everything starts to look the same kind of meshes into the theme of the Apocalypse.



The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct may not be the perfect zombie game but in the end it is still fun. If you are a fan of the television show then you will enjoy the game’s character dialogue, the backstory and familiar environments. The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct is now available for $49.99 on PS3, Xbox 360, PC & Nintendo Wii U. The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct is rated M by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence & Strong Language. For more information on the game, check out the official The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct website.

Game Features:
  • Single Player
  • True Survival Horror
  • Carefully Manage Supplies
  • Stealthily Attack or Avoid Zombies
  • Trophy/Achievement Support


  • Game Information:
    Developer: Terminal Reality
    Publisher: Activision
    Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (reviewed), PC & Nintendo Wii U
    Release Date: March 19, 2013

    Score: 7.5 out of 10

    Popular posts from this blog

    Three Best Places to Eat in Huntsville, Alabama

    Huntsville, Alabama has a vibrant culinary scene with a variety of dining options to choose from. Here are some of the best places to eat in Huntsville: Cotton Row : This high-end restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience that is perfect for a special occasion. The menu features a blend of Southern and French cuisine, with dishes like Gulf shrimp and grits and seared duck breast.  Toybox Bistro : Toybox Bistro is a unique dining experience that will delight both kids and adults. The menu features nostalgic favorites like grilled cheese and tomato soup, as well as more grown-up options like blackened salmon.  Melt: Melt is a gourmet grilled cheese restaurant that offers a fun and casual dining experience. The menu features a variety of creative grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as delicious sides like truffle fries. These are just a few of the many great places to eat in Huntsville, Alabama. There's something for everyone here, whether you're in the mood for fine

    Biscuit Belly Brings Comfort Food to Huntsville, Alabama

    Power Brands Hospitality Group ("PBHG") in partnership with Biscuit Belly, a Kentucky-based "craft casual" brunch spot that offers warm hospitably and chef-driven gourmet biscuit sandwiches, is happy to announce the first Biscuit Belly restaurant opening in the Rocket City!   If you're looking for a place that serves up delicious southern comfort food with a modern twist, then look no further than Biscuit Belly in Huntsville, Alabama. Biscuit Belly is a new hotspot for breakfast, brunch or lunch with a focus on scratch-made biscuits and the many delicious creations that can be crafted with them. With locations across several states in the US, this newest Biscuit Belly location offers a cozy atmosphere and a comforting menu that's perfect for anytime hunger hits. The menu offers a wide range of dishes, all featuring Biscuit Belly's delicious, buttery biscuits. From classics like the Basic Biscuit, which comes with a buttermilk biscuit, cheddar, over e

    Get Inked in Huntsvegas: The Ultimate Tattoo Experience

      The Huntsvegas Tattoo Expo is an annual event that takes place in Huntsville, Alabama. This event is a celebration of all things tattoo, bringing together tattoo artists, enthusiasts, and curious onlookers from all over the country. With its colorful displays and unforgettable artistry, the Huntsvegas Tattoo Expo is one of the most exciting tattoo expos in the Southeast. At the Huntsvegas Tattoo Expo, tattoo artists from around the world come together to showcase their art and compete in various categories, including the best tattoo of the day, the best large black and grey tattoo, and the best small color tattoo. Visitors to the expo can watch the artists at work, get up close and personal with the latest tattooing equipment, and even get tattooed themselves! While the Huntsvegas Tattoo Expo is primarily focused on tattoo art, there is much more to explore at this exciting event. Visitors can browse a wide variety of vendors selling everything from tattooing supplies to unique c