New story chapters deliver a fresh feel compared to the base game
Summary
– The Walking Dead DLC introduces slower-paced, story-driven gameplay
– Iconic characters and weapons add strong fan appeal
– The DLC runs smoothly on Steam Deck despite its unsupported status
World War Z has quietly carved out a space in the crowded zombie shooter genre, and the newly released The Walking Dead DLC offers a notable shift from the base game’s usual rhythm.
For players new to World War Z, the core experience is a level-based cooperative shooter built around intense waves of fast-moving zombies. Progression and upgrades occur outside of missions, keeping the action focused and avoiding the bloat seen in many open-world zombie games. That structure feels refreshing, even if customization options are limited by class-based loadouts rather than free weapon selection.
The Walking Dead DLC expands the game with three new story-driven chapters centered around familiar locations and themes from the television series. Players follow Rick Grimes and his group through a prison rescue mission, a supply run for critical medicine, and a defense of Alexandria under siege. Each chapter is designed around tighter environments and slower walkers, creating a noticeably different pace.
Four playable characters are included with the DLC: Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Michonne Hawthorne, and Negan Smith. These characters can be used across all episodes in the game, not just the DLC content. Two signature melee weapons are also added, including Negan’s bat Lucille and Michonne’s katana, along with themed weapon skins tied to Rick and Daryl.
The DLC leans heavily into fan service, and it works. Character models are detailed and instantly recognizable, especially when played in third-person view. First-person mode highlights the new weapon skins, which adds to the immersion. The melee weapons feel impactful, with perks that make close-quarters combat more rewarding against special enemies.
Each DLC episode captures The Walking Dead’s tone by emphasizing slower movement, confined spaces, and tension over pure chaos. While the walkers move at a slower pace than in the base game, the challenge remains high due to dense enemy placement and new threats like the Spiked Walker. These levels reward patience and positioning rather than constant motion.
The contrast between the DLC and the standard World War Z missions is the biggest selling point. The base game focuses on speed and overwhelming numbers, while the DLC offers moments of calm, controlled combat. That change of pace gives the game a different identity without replacing what already works.
Performance on the Steam Deck is another pleasant surprise. Despite being labeled as unsupported, the game runs above 30 frames per second on high settings in most scenarios tested. The Walking Dead DLC missions, in particular, perform reliably, making the experience viable for portable play.
The Walking Dead DLC for World War Z is available now for $9.99. The base game is also discounted for a limited time, offering an accessible entry point for players curious about both the core experience and the DLC.
