Zombie games have been around for decades, and it’s no surprise why they remain popular. The thrill of surviving a zombie apocalypse is something that many gamers find exciting and challenging. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed shooters or prefer strategy-based games, there are plenty of options to choose from. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best zombie games available, and what makes them stand out from the crowd.
Before we dive in, let’s take a moment to define what we mean by “zombie game.” For the purposes of this article, we’re considering any game that prominently features zombies as a major gameplay element. This can include games that focus on survival, action, strategy, or any combination thereof. The key is that zombies must be a central component of the game’s mechanics and narrative.
1. Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2 is a classic survival horror game that has been remade for modern consoles. The game takes place in Raccoon City, where a deadly virus has turned most of the population into zombies. Players take on the roles of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, two survivors who must navigate the city and fight off hordes of zombies while uncovering the truth behind the outbreak.
What sets Resident Evil 2 apart from other zombie games is its focus on survival and resource management. Players must carefully conserve ammo and healing items, and make strategic decisions about when to engage enemies and when to evade them. The game’s puzzles and exploration elements also add to its sense of tension and dread.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Intense survival horror gameplay – Engaging storyline – Great graphics and sound design |
– Some puzzles can be frustrating – Boss fights can be difficult |
2. Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 is a cooperative first-person shooter that pits players against waves of zombie hordes. The game features several different campaigns with unique settings and objectives, as well as a variety of different zombie types with their own strengths and weaknesses.
What makes Left 4 Dead 2 stand out is its focus on cooperative gameplay. Players must work together to survive, using different weapons and abilities to cover each other’s weaknesses. The game also features an AI director that adjusts the difficulty and pacing based on the players’ performance, ensuring that each playthrough is unique.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Fun and engaging cooperative gameplay – AI director keeps things fresh and challenging – Lots of replay value |
– Some players may find the game too repetitive – Limited story and character development |
3. Dying Light
Dying Light is an open-world action game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic city overrun by zombies. Players take on the role of a survivor who must navigate the city, scavenge for supplies, and fight off hordes of zombies and other enemies.
What sets Dying Light apart from other zombie games is its emphasis on parkour and free-running. Players can climb, jump, and slide their way through the city, using their agility to avoid or engage enemies as they see fit. The game also features a day/night cycle, with more dangerous and aggressive zombies appearing at night.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Fun and fluid parkour mechanics – Engaging combat system – Great atmosphere and world-building |
– Story and characters can be a bit generic – Some players may find the game too difficult |
4. State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 is a survival game that takes place in an open-world environment overrun by zombies. Players must build and manage a community of survivors, scavenge for resources, and defend their base against zombie attacks.
What sets State of Decay 2 apart from other zombie games is its focus on base management and survival mechanics. Players must balance the needs of their community with the resources available, making strategic decisions about who to recruit, what to build, and how to allocate resources. The game also features permadeath, meaning that if a character dies, they’re gone for good.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Deep and engaging base management mechanics – Lots of variety in character abilities and skills – Permadeath adds to the tension and challenge |
– Graphics and performance can be a bit rough – Some players may find the game too slow-paced or repetitive |
5. The Last of Us
The Last of Us is a third-person action game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by infected humans. Players take on the role of Joel, a smuggler who must escort a young girl named Ellie across the country to safety.
What sets The Last of Us apart from other zombie games is its focus on story and character development. The game’s narrative is emotionally engaging and thought-provoking, exploring themes of grief, loss, and survival in a harsh and unforgiving world. The game’s mechanics, which blend stealth, combat, and exploration, are also well-crafted and satisfying to play.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Engaging story and characters – Satisfying combat and exploration mechanics – Beautiful graphics and sound design |
– Some players may find the game too linear – Limited replay value |
6. Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid is a survival game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Players must scavenge for supplies, build shelter, and defend themselves against zombie attacks while trying to survive for as long as possible.
What sets Project Zomboid apart from other zombie games is its focus on realism and simulation. The game features a complex and detailed crafting system, realistic injury and illness mechanics, and a dynamic weather system that affects gameplay. The game also features permadeath, meaning that if a character dies, they’re gone for good.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Deep and engaging survival mechanics – Realistic and immersive gameplay – Permadeath adds to the tension and challenge |
– Graphics and performance can be a bit rough – Steep learning curve |
7. Dead Rising 2
Dead Rising 2 is an action game that takes place in a Las Vegas-style city overrun by zombies. Players take on the role of Chuck Greene, a former motocross champion who must fight his way through the city and rescue his daughter from a zombie outbreak.
What sets Dead Rising 2 apart from other zombie games is its focus on humor and over-the-top action. The game’s mechanics, which include using everyday objects as weapons and creating ridiculous custom outfits, are designed to be fun and entertaining. The game also features multiple endings and a sandbox mode, allowing players to experiment and explore the game’s world at their own pace.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Fun and entertaining gameplay mechanics – Lots of variety in weapons and outfits – Multiple endings and sandbox mode add to replay value |
– Graphics and performance can be a bit rough – Story and characters can be a bit shallow |
8. DayZ
DayZ is a survival game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Players must scavenge for supplies, build shelter, and defend themselves against zombie attacks while trying to survive for as long as possible.
What sets DayZ apart from other zombie games is its focus on realism and player interaction. The game features a complex and detailed crafting system, realistic injury and illness mechanics, and a dynamic weather system that affects gameplay. The game also allows players to interact with each other in a variety of ways, from trading and cooperating to betraying and killing.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Deep and engaging survival mechanics – Realistic and immersive gameplay – Player interaction adds to the unpredictability and excitement |
– Steep learning curve – Some players may find the game too slow-paced or repetitive |
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies
Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies is a cooperative first-person shooter that pits players against waves of zombie hordes. The game features several different maps with unique settings and objectives, as well as a variety of different zombie types with their own strengths and weaknesses.
What sets Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies apart from other zombie games is its focus on fast-paced action and arcade-style gameplay. Players can unlock and upgrade a variety of different weapons and abilities, and work together to complete objectives and survive against increasingly difficult waves of enemies. The game also features an ongoing storyline that connects the different maps and adds depth to the game’s world.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Fun and engaging cooperative gameplay – Lots of variety in weapons and abilities – Ongoing storyline adds depth to the game’s world |
– Some players may find the game too repetitive – Limited replay value outside of multiplayer |
10. World War Z
World War Z is a cooperative third-person shooter that takes place in a world overrun by zombies. Players take on the roles of survivors from around the world, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and must work together to survive against hordes of zombies.
What sets World War Z apart from other zombie games is its focus on fast-paced action and cinematic set pieces. The game’s hordes of zombies are rendered in impressive detail, with hundreds of them onscreen at once. The game also features a variety of different weapons and abilities, as well as an AI director that adjusts the difficulty and pacing based on the players’ performance.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Impressive zombie hordes and set pieces – Fun and engaging cooperative gameplay – Lots of variety in weapons and abilities |
– Story and characters can be a bit shallow – Limited replay value outside of multiplayer |
These are just a few of the best zombie games available. Whether you’re a fan of survival horror, first-person shooters, or strategy games, there’s a zombie game out there for you. So grab your shotgun, stock up on supplies, and get ready to face the undead!
People also ask:
What is the best zombie game for PC?
There are many great zombie games for PC, but some of the best include Resident Evil 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Dying Light, and Project Zomboid.
What is the best zombie game for Xbox One?
Some of the best zombie games for Xbox One include State of Decay 2, The Last of Us, and World War Z.
What is the best zombie game for PS4?
Some of the best zombie games for PS4 include Resident Evil 2, The Last of Us, and DayZ.