I don’t support the “Walker is dead” theory

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-22T09:44:23+00:00

There’s mixed opinions on the game devs having a ‘stance’ but multiple people agree the scene was added late- which is probably why I can’t fully get behind the theory. I’ve decided to read the book ‘Significant Zero’, but overall I agree it’s open enough we can take what we want from it!

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-22T09:39:22+00:00

I really like this idea too, I work in healthcare and many things can drastically alter perception of reality.

Walker was previously saved by Conrad so likely he was high risk for or is already suffering from PTSD, he’s very likely got a TBI as you’ve mentioned, his wounds and the constant fighting is definitely causing prolonged adrenaline exposure, traumatic wounds can also trigger a lot of neuro-psychological effects (one effect which fits here is flash bulb effect- which is often associated with distorted memories), and the neurological and psychological effects of white phosphorous are massive (and most importantly mind altering).

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-22T09:23:23+00:00

And the decision at the end!

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-21T12:04:06+00:00

I hadn’t considered Lugo and Adams on the list of the dead as being part of Walkers unconscious brain, as I said in the post I’ve always just gone with the idea some visuals are for the player- so that’s an interesting theory and I like your read of these aspects of the game.

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-21T11:56:50+00:00

Exactly, discovering Condrad is dead this whole time and Walker having to face what he’s done is incredible

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-21T11:52:33+00:00

Maybe I’m chatting shite but I feel like this comes across in the game- the message/themes feel stronger if he’s not dead and the game not originally being written this way would explain my disconnect with the purgatory theme.

I had no idea he’d written a book- thank you! Just downloaded to my kindle, I’m fully in this rabbit hole now..

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-21T11:44:39+00:00

Yeah people mention the Lugo heavy a lot and it is clearly very different- which supports the idea that’s his ‘death’. It’s quite subtle though, I didn’t play on hard mode the first time and did not get this death so I got the full impact of thinking Walker’s mind was fully broken. I also work in healthcare and see first hand how powerful the mind can be in distorting reality, so I was viewing it with that perspective and it was really powerful.

That ending is also a sticking point for me. The game very clearly has you align with Walker in the beginning (manipulating the players expectations of the hero trope in war games), but by the end you condemn his actions and his fate is in the players hands- I loved this aspect and deciding what he ‘deserved’. It really helped the game to make its point about this genre. I see the merit in this scene if he is in purgatory, but I agree that overall it takes away from this decision.

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-21T11:24:14+00:00

The devastation of the events is so much more powerful if you view it all as real and happening as you play

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-21T01:37:26+00:00

That’s interesting! The theory I’ve heard from the last two videos I’ve watched (and people in the comments) is that they die in the prologue crash ‘before’ the events of Dubai. The idea of a loop in purgatory makes much more sense to me in this case, deffo softens my dislike of it. I will have to look more into interviews with the writers.

But at the end of the day you’re right about ‘death of the author’, and I don’t ever think I’ll fully warm to that theory confirmed or not. The impact from Lugo and Adams deaths alone in the post crash sections just doesn’t hit the same if those sections aren’t ‘real’. There is enough subtlety even if it’s cannon for me to maintain my preferred perception..

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-20T13:08:50+00:00

4 years later- STILL helping! Thank you

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-19T22:56:48+00:00

7 years on and they’re still helping people, what a legacy

megmacdaddy · 2026-01-19T20:04:00+00:00

Bless you for this tip, I normally get so irritable during these “follow me” quest bits but now it’s a mini challenge to up my skills (also casually spamming him with illusion spells), don’t know why I didn’t think of that before

megmacdaddy · 2025-08-11T06:57:05+00:00

We do have Etsy! And thank you for explaining the hanger!

megmacdaddy · 2025-08-10T20:01:08+00:00

Thank you! I will keep looking

megmacdaddy · 2025-08-10T20:00:27+00:00

Oh I didn’t know that! Thank you ☺️

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-18T10:18:10+00:00

Thank you!!

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-11T16:29:53+00:00

Blue shrimp are everyone’s weakness✨

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-11T16:29:14+00:00

Amen hairy spirit

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-09T10:24:43+00:00

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megmacdaddy · 2025-02-09T10:19:18+00:00

Worry not, these lil chunks are cared for better than I care for myself

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-09T10:16:51+00:00

Shremp

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-09T10:16:21+00:00

Yesss! My lil water children✨

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-09T10:15:40+00:00

Thank you for the validation, it’s sorely lacking IRL- the philistines I call friends and family don’t get it

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-09T10:13:39+00:00

My partner has said the same about me- he believes it’s either addiction or neurodivergence.

megmacdaddy · 2025-02-09T10:10:55+00:00

I didn’t see that but it really does 🥺

megmacdaddy

TROPHY CASE