Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The important thing to understand is that this is an edition review, not a different version of the game. The collector package includes The Walking Dead alongside physical extras, so your decision comes down to how much value you place on the box and the comic collection rather than any stated change to the game itself.

That makes the first hour of ownership unusually split. You can start the game immediately, but the large physical package is clearly designed to invite you to spend time with the other half of the purchase as well. For someone already invested in this world, having a game and an enormous volume of comics side by side is a satisfying proposition.

There is also a practical catch: this was a US GameStop pre-order exclusive. That exclusivity gives the edition collector appeal, but it does not automatically make it the right buy for everyone. Choose it because you want the physical bundle, not because you expect a separate gameplay experience.

Graphics

The most concrete visual draw is the large box and the included compendium’s cover art by Charlie Adlard. With more than 1,000 pages behind it, the book has the weight and presence you want from a collector extra rather than the feel of a thin promotional pamphlet.

Story

The compendium is the heart of this edition’s story value. It collects the first 48 issues of Robert Kirkman’s comic-book series, giving you a substantial run of source material to read alongside the game.

That breadth is what justifies the Collector’s Edition label. A small art leaflet or a novelty item would have been easy to ignore; a thousand-page-plus collection asks for real time and offers a lot to dig into.

It is especially well aimed at someone who knows the game but has not yet made room for the comics. Instead of a disconnected trinket, the extra keeps you in the same fictional world and gives the package a clear reason to exist.

Overall Experience

This is a good collector bundle because it puts the money into a meaningful physical extra. The compendium is not decorative filler: it is a massive book collecting 48 issues, and that makes opening the large box feel like receiving two substantial Walking Dead items at once.

The limitation is equally clear. If comics are not part of the draw, the package’s main advantage largely disappears. You are better served by the regular game if your shelf space and budget matter more than ownership of a big boxed edition.

For the right fan, though, the payoff is absolutely there. Buy this version when you want a tangible Walking Dead archive to accompany the game, appreciate Charlie Adlard’s cover art, and like the idea of working through a thousand-plus pages after you put down the controller.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10