A survival horror game in a flooded New Orleans where you scavenge, craft and fight walkers with hands-on combat, while your choices shape how rival factions treat you.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a single-player survival horror game from Skydance Interactive, set in the world of The Walking Dead. It launched on January 23, 2020, for PC VR headsets and later came to Quest and PlayStation VR2. Its sequel, Chapter 2: Retribution, is a separate purchase.
How it plays
You play the Tourist, a survivor who arrives in a flooded, walker-infested New Orleans looking for a legendary cache of supplies known as the Reserve. From a hideout you head out into different parts of the city, scavenging food, weapons, tools and scrap, then return to craft gear, upgrade your workbenches and rest. Time matters: the longer you stay out, the more walkers fill the streets.
Combat is physical. You drive knives and screwdrivers into walkers' heads, swing heavy weapons with both hands and aim guns yourself. Gunfire and other loud noises draw attention, so sneaking is often the safer choice. Along the way you meet rival factions and lone survivors who can become allies or enemies, and the jobs you take and the choices you make have consequences. Post-launch updates such as Aftershocks and Meatgrinder added more content.
Comfort
It is played sitting or standing with motion controllers and smooth artificial movement, so players who are sensitive to motion sickness may need time to adjust. The violence, gore and constant tension are intense, which is reflected in its mature age ratings.
Platforms and what to know before buying
- On SteamVR the Standard Edition costs $19.99 and the Tourist Edition $29.99. The Tourist Edition adds extra weapon recipes and collectible voodoo dolls.
- The Meta Horizon Store sells the Quest version for $29.99, with a separate PC VR listing. A January 2024 update added more walkers and improved lighting and visuals on Meta Quest 3.
- On the PlayStation Store the PS5 version requires PlayStation VR2 and costs $19.99, or $29.99 for the Tourist Edition. The original PS VR version for PS4 is also listed.
- It is rated PEGI 18 and ESRB Mature for blood and gore, intense violence and strong language.
