Update

What's in this this update? -Bug fixes (the “Meditate” command can no longer be used with full HP, etc.) -Presentation improvements (fixed title text not appearing when selecting a destination in the “Explore” menu before chapter 7) -Adjusted enemy behavior patterns and reinforcements in chapter 6. -Adjusted enemy placement and behavior in chapter 7. -Adjusted enemy behavior patterns and reinforcements in chapter 8.

I'm working on allowing the game's controls to be modified from within the game itself; stay tuned for more with that!

If you've enjoyed the game, please leave a review! Non-commercial games receive a lot less attention, so every bit of support is appreciated! It's also nice to hear from folks :)

Relatedly, if you enjoyed the game, have you given it a second playthrough? By my estimation through achievement tracking (which isn't absolute and doesn't include playthroughs before achievements were added), there are still quite a few endings (whole support routes!) that no one has encountered.

This has made me wonder what value the branching paths in games like Walk with the Living provide, especially as I feel currently tangled in smoothing out the more complex webbing of Walk with the Living II. These games are labors of love and deeply personal for me, a fact I hope is obvious. Every character is a reflection of some part of myself. I made Walk with the Living and the sequel with an audience of one in mind: me. My only goals have been to make games that I enjoy playing and tell stories that I love. My most meaningful experiences have been with games that center narrative choice, so that drives my games as well. Agency can be life-altering, even in a virtual space, in a fictional story, especially when agency feels impossible amidst the chaos of daily, real-world living. And yet, I've also found myself lacking the time or desire to play through most games more than once, an experience it seems many who've played Walk with the Living share. I think I like just knowing the variations are there, knowing someone else experienced things differently than I did. In fact, I think a second playthrough often feels like finding Oz behind the curtain. As a storyteller, I think I enjoy the challenges of a branching narrative and the thematic resonances inherent therein. I'm interested to hear from others. What are your thoughts on multiple playthroughs and branching narratives? Regardless, thanks for indulging this little detour ;)

If you haven't done so, check out a couple of the wildly talented artists I worked with on both Walk with the Living and the sequel! Sprite artist: Raul Volpato Title art: Ethan Davies

Please don't hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and feedback!

Until next time, CB