World War Z x The Walking Dead DLC - Review
- XPN Network
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
The World War Z x The Walking Dead DLC is a full crossover campaign that folds Rick, Daryl, Michonne, and Negan into the co‑op structure of World War Z. Instead of being a small cosmetic pack, it’s built as a three‑chapter narrative expansion that plays like a mini‑season of The Walking Dead inside WWZ’s engine. The tone shifts noticeably: where WWZ normally leans into frantic sprinting swarms, this DLC slows the pace down with classic Walkers, creating a creeping, atmospheric tension that mirrors the TV series more than the base game.
The campaign takes players through several iconic locations from the show, including the Prison, Alexandria, and Grady Memorial Hospital. Each area is reimagined as a full mission with objectives, set‑pieces, and co‑op flow, but the layouts and visual language are unmistakably drawn from the series. It feels less like a reskin and more like a deliberate attempt to merge two different zombie philosophies into one experience.
A big part of the appeal is the cast. Rick, Daryl, Michonne, and Negan are all playable, with Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus returning to voice their characters. The DLC doesn’t retell existing story arcs; instead, it frames itself as a new crossover episode, giving the characters space to interact in ways that feel like fan‑fiction elevated to AAA production.
Gameplay also gets a few notable additions. Michonne’s katana and Negan’s barbed‑wire bat, Lucille, are fully usable weapons, and two new ranged weapons round out the arsenal. The slower Walkers change the rhythm of combat, pushing players to manage space and positioning rather than simply mowing down sprinting hordes. It’s a subtle shift, but it gives the DLC its own identity within the broader WWZ ecosystem.
The campaign itself is short but enjoyable. The Prison and Grady Memorial lean into tight corridors and funnel‑based encounters, feeling very much in line with WWZ’s existing mission structure. Alexandria, however, is the standout: a sprawling, suburban warzone where burning houses, trapped survivors, and unpredictable chokepoints create the DLC’s most dynamic and memorable moments. The level design deserves credit for its authenticity and atmosphere of the show.
Character integration is a mixed bag. Daryl and Rick are voiced by Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln, which adds a layer of legitimacy and fan‑service charm. Negan and Michonne, however, rely on sound‑alike actors. They are competent, but noticeably less iconic. Still, playing as these characters, wielding Michonne’s katana or Negan’s Lucille, injects a welcome dose of personality into the familiar WWZ class system. They’re essentially skins, but they’re good skins, and they help the DLC feel like more than a simple tie‑in.
It doesn’t overhaul the game, nor does it introduce radically new mechanics. Instead, it offers a few hours of well‑crafted content, a different flavour of undead combat, and a lovingly faithful recreation of The Walking Dead’s world. For WWZ veterans, it’s a fresh excuse to return. For TWD fans, it’s a novelty worth experiencing, though not enough to justify buying the base game on its own. At £7.99/$9.99, the value proposition is strong: a fair price for a fair amount of content, delivered with more authenticity than many expected.
Pros
Authentic Walking Dead atmosphere with faithfully recreated locations like the Prison, Grady Memorial, and Alexandria.
Slower, classic Walkers create a fresh change of pace from WWZ’s usual sprinting hordes.
Strong level design, especially in the Alexandria chapter, which feels dynamic and memorable.
Playable Rick and Daryl with original actors, adding legitimacy and fan‑service charm.
Fun new melee weapons like Michonne’s katana and Negan’s Lucille.
Good value for the price, offering a compact but enjoyable mini‑campaign.
Cons
Short runtime — the three chapters can be completed quickly.
Negan and Michonne lack their original voice actors, which breaks immersion for some players.
Mechanically conservative — doesn’t introduce major new systems or enemy variety beyond the Spike Walker.
Some missions feel familiar, leaning heavily on WWZ’s existing objective structure.
Walker pacing can feel slow during longer defence sections.
In the end, World War Z x The Walking Dead succeeds not by transforming WWZ, but by bending it, slowing its pulse, tightening its spaces, and letting the weight of The Walking Dead’s world settle over its familiar co‑op chaos. It’s not essential, but it is undeniably enjoyable, and for fans of either franchise, it’s an easy recommendation.
XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)
World War Z x The Walking Dead DLC is available now!
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