Highlights:
* The best zombie games offer a compelling narrative and often juxtapose it with shooting-based action.
* Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville offers a different experience as a zombie game compared to other titles.
Video games that feature zombies commonly cater to the survival genre. In most titles, the grotesque undead creatures overrun a particular place or the entire world and players are entrusted with the task of finding and neutralizing the source of the apocalypse. They often find themselves as the last remaining human survivors. As such, the best zombie games emphasize the value of the protagonist’s life, apart from giving them the means to mow down the undead.
5 Best Zombie Games To Try This Year
Here are some of the best zombie games:-
Resident Evil 4 Remake
| Platforms | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, macOS |
CAPCOM’s Resident Evil series has seen many entries but the best have been the remakes. They have been able to recreate the unsettling atmosphere, the horrific monstrosities, and the satisfying gunplay. A most recent example is Resident Evil 4 Remake in which players control the gritty and focused Leon Kennedy during his mission to rescue the President’s daughter.
The remake features many desired gameplay changes. Leon parries with his knife, the typewriter can help access storage, and the combat has stealth mechanics. Most importantly, the enemies are tougher, smarter, plus more responsive. Heightening the tension in exploration is the dark ambiance which often compels Leon to use a flashlight. RE4R is one of the best zombie games due to the gloomy mood it creates and the overall gameplay.
Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville
| Platforms | Android, iOS, MacOS, PC |
The Rebuild series traces its roots back to the time of Flash games. Developers Sarah and Colin were motivated to create a long-running series after the positive responses for the first title. The latest iteration, Rebuild 3, utilizes the characteristic 4X survival colony-sim genre but has certain changes that deservedly make it one of the best zombies games.
Primarily, Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville expands its horizons by allowing players to engage with survivor communities in the post-apocalyptic world and ally or war with them. It is a complex experience as players need to maintain a faction in which Survivor happiness is a key factor. It fluctuates based on the decision of a leader/player. Survivors can also procreate, a crucial mechanic, given that some fell prey to zombies during scavenging missions.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl
| Platforms | PS4, Xbox One, PC |
Developed by GSC Game World, S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl doesn’t feature the usual zombies. The monstrosities in the game are mutated life forms that are a result of a fictitious second Chernobyl disaster. Players assume the role of the Marked One, an amnesiac, who uncovers more information about the disaster while exploring a forbidden radioactive territory called the Zone.
Shadow of Chernobyl offers a blend of atmospheric storytelling and intense combat situations. The Zone is eerily silent to the extent that an enemy attacking the player results in jumpscares. Moreover, the radiation effects on animals and plants are thought-provoking. The game includes FPP shooting which can be challenging because the appearance as well as the movement of the anomalies are unpredictable.
- Also Read: STALKER 2 Release Date Delayed
The Last of Us Series
| Platforms | PS3, PS4, PS5, PC |
The Last of Us series encompasses a coming-of-age story, adventure, shooting action, and a choice-based system, neatly packed in a post-apocalyptic game. Each installment stands out as one of the best zombie games. The story primarily features Joel and Ellie, the latter of which is the only person immune to the virus outbreak. The game explores themes of love, loss, and survival with its compelling narrative while its multi-dimensional character development has garnered praise from critics.
Characteristic of zombie games, Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us is violent and gory. It puts the players in realistic, difficult scenarios, as they have to clear areas teeming with parasites and the undead. They must also navigate through areas that are controlled by raiders while managing their resources such as food and ammo. Adding to the threatening atmosphere are the bone crunches and gurgling sounds of the infected such as that of the Clicker.
The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series
| Platforms | PS4, Xbox, PC |
The episodic Walking Dead Telltale series has character development and horrific sequences akin to the AMC series. The story is told from different perspectives but the main characters are Lee Everett and a young girl named Celementine. During the game, they form an inseparable bond, but their actions can lead to negative consequences. The zombie-based Telltale series is renowned for its choice system as it puts players in the most dire situations and tests their moral compass.
Battles in The Walking Dead are usually quick-time events that can be repeated if failed. However, the unpredictability of encounters, especially after emotional scenarios, is the reason why it is one of the best zombie games to date.
Other Zombie Games That Are Worth Your Time
A few honorable mentions in this list of the best zombie games include:-
- Resident Evil 2 Remake
- World War Z
- Left 4 Dead 2
- Dead Rising 2
- Project Zomboid
The narrative, action, atmosphere, and character development are key ingredients in a video game that features zombies. Titles such as The Walking Dead and The Last Us play on a gamer’s curiosity. Meanwhile, Resident Evil 4 Remake and S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl make use of the timeless zombie-shooting genre.
