The Walking Dead Retail and Collector’s Editions Unveiled

The critically acclaimed Walking Dead episodic game from Telltale is getting a retail release on December 4, the developer just announced, and GameStop will have an exclusive Collector’s Edition that comes chock full of comic books.

The retail package will include episodes 1 through 5, and will cost only $29.99. Of course, that’s about five dollars more expensive than simply downloading all five episodes, but this way you’ll have a game you can re-sell when you’re done, and everything will be there in one package.

The collector’s edition, on the other hand, will cost $69.99, and is only going to be available in limited quantities. It’ll feature “exclusive Charlie Adlard cover art,” as well as an omnibus edition of the first 48 issues of the comic book on which this whole Walking Dead phenomenon is based. The press release explains that the standard edition of the comic book collection usually retails for $59.99, meaning that you’ll be getting exclusive cover art and a $30 game for only $10—actually making the collector’s edition the best deal going.

But honestly? No matter what package you get, you’ll be getting one of the best video games to come out this year. Telltale has made some pretty great games in their time, but The Walking Dead is far and away one of their best efforts. I’ve only played the first episode, and I was riveted the entire time. The only reason I haven’t continued just yet is because it’s so freaking intense! I’m going to wait for some vacation time so my lady and I can play it together and get thoroughly creeped out…and so I won’t have to play it alone…