Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Your movies and TV digest from the team at GamesRadar+

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Horror Shows
  4. The Walking Dead TV show

The Walking Dead season 8 review round-up: "[The show] has found its groove again"

News
By Bradley Russell
Published 20 October 2017

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

You’d be forgiven for giving up the ghost with The Walking Dead season 8 but, hey, wait, come back! The show is back on track this time. Honest. Don’t take my word for it; there’s a whole host of reviews out that suggest the show has reverted to its glory years. Even if some still aren’t happy with it.

Note: GamesRadar+’s full review will be up after the Walking Dead season 8 premiere airs on October 22 to avoid spoiling it for you fine folks.

The Walking Dead season 8's more optimistic tone - WeGotThisCovered

“One of the most initially striking things about the premiere is the show’s shift to a more optimistic tone; it’s exhilarating to watch the good guys find their fire again, making preparations for a massive, all-out attack on Negan’s main compound.”

The Walking Dead season 8's fresh direction - The Independent

“Has everything been building to this premiere? Perhaps not, but it certainly feels like this series has been bolstered by a renewed sense of purpose in six short months. While paying homage to past seasons with callbacks to scenes from far simpler early days, 'Mercy' is refreshingly far more versed in where these characters are headed as opposed to rehashing the reasons why they're at war with the Saviours.”

The Walking Dead season 8's explosive start - Deadline

“The Walking Dead has found its groove again...Yes, there are still some of those Season 7 script issues and time shifts that hinder the story and the action. Yet in a case of truth in advertising, the ever-expanding show quickly and explosively charges into the “All Out War” promised and proclaimed by AMC.”

You may like
  • Andrew Lincoln as Rick in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live How to watch The Walking Dead franchise in order (release and chronological)
  • Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan Smith in The Walking Dead: Dead City The Walking Dead is releasing an episode set in an alternate universe, and it reminds us of Lost
  • Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan Smith in The Walking Dead: Dead City Negan star says he almost walked away from The Walking Dead after Dead City season 2

The Walking Dead season 8's ability to shock - Newsday

“There are, in fact, a series of scenes in “Mercy” that suggest “TWD” isn’t fully drained of the ability to shock, or at least surprise. To describe them in any greater detail here approaches spoiler territory, but they are intriguing, also evidence that “TWD” likely knows it can’t keep recycling the same old story, albeit with higher stakes each time.”

The Walking Dead season 8's... same old story - Forbes

“Alas, once again the show's creators have failed to learn from past mistakes, failed to make significant improvements to the increasingly sloppy writing and plotting, and continue to treat the show's viewers as though we're stupid. Far from a return to the glory days, the Season 8 premiere is a jarring, confusing mess of an episode, in turns pretentious and mind-bogglingly nonsensical.”

Your movies and TV digest from the team at GamesRadar+

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we’ve got you covered.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Image: AMC

Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell
Social Links Navigation
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Andrew Lincoln as Rick in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
Horror Shows How to watch The Walking Dead franchise in order (release and chronological)
 
 
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan Smith in The Walking Dead: Dead City
Horror Shows The Walking Dead is releasing an episode set in an alternate universe, and it reminds us of Lost
 
 
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan Smith in The Walking Dead: Dead City
Horror Shows Negan star says he almost walked away from The Walking Dead after Dead City season 2
 
 
Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher in Reacher season 4
Action Shows Reacher season 4 is currently the show's lowest-rated season on Rotten Tomatoes, but it's not all bad news
 
 
Alan Ritchson as Reacher in Reacher season 4
Action Movies Reacher season 4 review: "Not the strongest installment, but it packs one hell of a punch"
 
 
Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead
Horror Shows The Walking Dead boss thinks the franchise will "eventually" give us a Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon reunion
 
 
Latest in Horror Shows
Idris Elba and Tom Taylor in The Dark Tower
Horror Shows Mike Flanagan's The Dark Tower TV show is still "very much on the table" despite move to Amazon
 
 
Linda Cardellini as Jason's mom in Crystal Lake
Horror Shows Crystal Lake showrunner debunks controversial Jason theory: "He's not a gov't super soldier or an Eleven"
 
 
Summer H. Howell as Carrie White in Prime Video's Carrie TV show
Horror Shows Stephen King says Mike Flanagan's Carrie TV show is "brilliant" and a "shocking" new version
 
 
Stephen King in It Chapter 2
Horror Shows Prime Video's Carrie show hasn't hit screens yet, but the streamer is already working on another Stephen King adaptation
 
 
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan Smith in The Walking Dead: Dead City
Horror Shows The Walking Dead is releasing an episode set in an alternate universe, and it reminds us of Lost
 
 
Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in the It: Welcome to Derry finale
Horror Shows It: Welcome to Derry season 2 has finally been officially announced by HBO after months of radio silence
 
 
Latest in News
Stylized, pixelated anime characters chat and hold up apples enthusiastically
JRPGs A 32-year-old JRPG classic is being revived for modern consoles and PC by the Lies of P publisher
 
 
Tom Holland as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day becomes the highest-grossing movie ever at the domestic box office
 
 
Close up of original PS2 switched on with green reset and blue eject button lights illuminated.
Games Modder who spent 4 years trying to defeat the PlayStation 2 security chip has finally done it
 
 
Games Hyper Light Drifter dev lays off "nearly everyone at the studio" after publisher backs out
 
 
Idris Elba and Tom Taylor in The Dark Tower
Horror Shows Mike Flanagan's The Dark Tower TV show is still "very much on the table" despite move to Amazon
 
 
In Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, a young woman stands with a sword
JRPGs A remake of a 20-year-old cult JRPG is now the best-rated game of 2026
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Stylized, pixelated anime characters chat and hold up apples enthusiastically
    1
    A 32-year-old JRPG classic is being revived for modern consoles and PC by the Lies of P publisher
  2. 2
    Spider-Man: Brand New Day becomes the highest-grossing movie ever at the domestic box office
  3. 3
    Modder who spent 4 years trying to defeat the PlayStation 2 security chip has finally done it
  4. 4
    Mike Flanagan's The Dark Tower TV show is still "very much on the table" despite move to Amazon
  5. 5
    Hyper Light Drifter dev lays off "nearly everyone at the studio" after publisher backs out

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...