About The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival
An abandoned hospital, a hallway littered with paperwork, and a door hastily marked with a sign reading, “Don’t open, dead inside.” Upon waking from his coma, Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes discovers that the world has fallen into ruin and that zombies have become part of everyday life. A long-running hit on television, The Walking Dead originated in the pages of the black-and-white comic book of the same name, created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. Over the course of eleven seasons, the series captivated millions of viewers, spawning a whole range of spin-offs and related products. In The Walking Dead, however, the zombies—or walkers, as they’re known—are largely a backdrop. The real danger doesn’t come from the dead, but from the living.
The same idea runs through Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us. It’s no coincidence that the California-based studio’s game is often compared to Telltale Games’ acclaimed episodic adventure series, which was released a year earlier. Fans still fondly remember the duo of Lee Everett and young Clementine. The connection between The Walking Dead and The Last of Us has since come full circle, with the latter following in Rick Grimes’ footsteps onto the small screen in HBO’s adaptation, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.
The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival takes a completely different approach to this legacy. This isn’t an episodic adventure filled with moral dilemmas and dialogue choices: here, everything is settled with fists, a crossbow, and a katana. Odaclick Game Studio, the team behind The Karate Kid: Street Rumble, has developed a side-scrolling beat ’em up inspired by the “All Out War” storyline, which spans Seasons 7 and 8 of the TV series. Rick and his allies take on Negan’s Saviors as players fight their way through familiar locations, including Alexandria, Hilltop, and the Sanctuary.
Alongside a handful of iconic bosses, the game features pixel-art characters battling their way through 3D environments. Somewhere between Final Fight and Streets of Rage, the formula remains as effective as ever, even if the gameplay brings little that’s new to the genre. Here’s a fun fact: back in 1988, Namco released Splatterhouse, a gory arcade beat ’em up whose hero is named Rick Taylor. A Rick who fights monsters to survive—sometimes, history really does repeat itself.
Why Should I Play The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival?
The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival isn’t trying to revolutionize the genre. Players explore 3D environments, moving both horizontally and vertically, while taking down anything that gets in their way. Alongside standard attacks, the game features combos, dodging rolls, and special moves that add variety to the action. Each character, from Rick to Michonne and Daryl, has a signature weapon and a set of unique moves: Rick wields a Magnum, Michonne fights with a katana, and Daryl relies on his crossbow. So far, so familiar.
Weapon management is what really sets the game apart. While most beat ’em ups regularly replenish your supply of weapons, The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival deliberately limits ammunition. Once you pick up a handgun, assault rifle, or melee weapon, you’ll need to think carefully about when to use it and save your ammunition for tougher encounters, especially the final boss. The same applies to Daryl’s crossbow bolts. Beyond some light exploration and the occasional puzzle, Streets of Survival also lets players take cover behind certain objects in the environment and climb over obstacles. You’ll need to watch out for environmental hazards, such as falling rocks, too. But the most persistent threat comes from the Stalkers, a type of zombie that will relentlessly track you down.
To keep up with increasingly powerful enemies, Rick, Daryl, and Michonne each have a skill tree that you can upgrade as you progress through the game. Michonne is the most beginner-friendly choice, thanks to her katana’s impressive reach. Rick and Daryl, by contrast, need to get much closer to their opponents to land their attacks.
As a game based on the famous TV and comic book series, The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival stands out as a beat ’em up built around this particular universe. Several difficulty settings are available, including an Easy mode for players who want to enjoy the campaign without too much of a challenge. The game takes around four hours to complete, with a handful of collectibles to track down along the way. Its biggest drawback, however, is the lack of multiplayer: the game is strictly single-player, with neither local nor online co-op. That’s a shame, considering that Argentine studio Odaclick offered local multiplayer for up to four players in its previous game, The Karate Kid: Street Rumble. Perhaps a future update will let players team up to take on the walkers together.
Is The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival Free-to-play?
Recently released, The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival is a paid game available in two editions. The Standard Edition includes the base game, with its full campaign and four playable characters, although one of them must be unlocked by completing the game.
The Deluxe Edition adds the Arcade Apocalypse pack, which includes weapon skins, a premium outfit for Rick, and, most notably, a horde mode called “The Walker Pit,” along with an additional difficulty setting, “Hell on Earth.” These extras provide even more challenges for players looking to test their skills. If you’d like to try the game before spending any money, a free demo is available on Steam.
Where Can I Download The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival?
You can download The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival for Windows PC via Steam. The game is also available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. On both Nintendo consoles, you can play in either TV mode or handheld mode. The game is not available on previous-generation consoles, such as the PS4 and Xbox One, or on smartphones and tablets.
What Games Should I Play If I Enjoy The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival?
If you’re in the mood for some side-scrolling action, whether you prefer playing solo or teaming up with friends, here are three other beat ’em ups worth checking out.
Streets of Rage 4 marks the triumphant return of a Mega Drive classic. Axel, Blaze, and their companions are back to clean up a city overrun by crime. With its beautifully hand-drawn characters and environments, the game is a visual treat, while its fast-paced combat makes every encounter satisfying, whether you’re playing alone or with friends. Combos flow with a fluidity and precision that Streets of Survival struggles to match, and each character has a distinctive fighting style. The game supports up to four players locally and two online, while a DLC expansion adds a survival mode. If you love retro gaming and have spent hours playing the earlier Streets of Rage games, Streets of Rage 4 is a must-play.
Before taking on the walkers, Argentine studio Odaclick made its beat ’em up debut with The Karate Kid: Street Rumble. Here, you can play as Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, Kumiko, or Julie Pierce as you fight your way through locations inspired by the four films, from the Valley Karate Tournament to Okinawa. Rather than simply recreating the movies, the game invites you to immerse yourself in their world, with pixel-art graphics, combo-based combat, a colorful atmosphere, and plenty of affection for the martial arts franchise. Unlike Streets of Survival, it supports local co-op for up to four players. Its relatively accessible gameplay also makes it a good choice for family gaming. There’s plenty of fighting, of course, but the tone remains lighthearted, with no bloodshed.
Finally, there’s another modern classic: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. The Ninja Turtles return to action to take on the Foot Clan in the streets of New York. A loving tribute to the iconic cartoon and Konami’s classic arcade games, this title features Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo, alongside April O’Neil and Splinter. The pixel art is gorgeous, the animations are superb, and the humor and energetic soundtrack make every level a joy to play. The music, in particular, captures the spirit of classic arcades and makes you want to keep going. While The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival leaves you to face hordes of walkers on your own, Shredder’s Revenge supports up to six players in both local and online co-op. Colorful, accessible, and packed with visual flair, it’s an essential pick for fans of the beat ’em up genre.
