[Top 15] Zombie Apocalypse Games

Zombie apocalypse settings are prevalent in all media and more often than not are always entertaining, and the setting can incorporate differenting tones as well. Zombie media can be terrifying, it can be serious and dramatic, it can even be presented in a comedic tone (Shaun of the Dead is a classic). Today, however, we’ll be talking about the best zombie apocalypse video games ever, so grab your guns and mind those headshots. 

15. DayZ (PlayStation/XBox/PC)

DayZ is an amazing zombie survival game with a huge map and allows you to play with other people trying to survive the zombie outbreak in Chernarus. Realistic survival elements are incorporated in the gameplay, such as looking for food and water, catching diseases, player customizability, among others. It’s an underrated game and it’s worth trying out if you haven’t yet.

14. Call of Duty: Black Ops - Cold War (PlayStation/XBox/PC)

As one of the newest games on this list, Cold War’s zombies mode is one of the most visually impressive zombie games ever. It has a new, RPG-like weapon tier system absent in previous iterations and it allows you to play online co-op up to 4 players. It’s loads of fun, especially if you like fast-paced zombie games.

13. State of Decay 2 (XBox/PC)

In this game, players are required to build a community and try to stave off zombie hordes. It’s a slow-paced survival game with a co-op mode, and one that’s very realistic with regards to what maycan actually take place with individuals, society, and the environment during a zombie apocalypse.

12. The Last of Us Part II (PlayStation)

Despite being somewhat polarizing in the gaming community (it was review bombed in MetaCritic), TLOU2’s graphics, characters, story, and gameplay all factor into why it’s still a brilliant game. The stealth survival gameplay improves upon its predecessor, and it’s the fastest-selling PlayStation exclusive yet.

11. Left 4 Dead (XBox/PC)

This game is one of the most popular zombie apocalypse games ever. You can play solo or with friends in co-op mode. There are firearms and explosives to arm yourself with, and different types of zombies you’ll need different approaches to defeat.

10. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare (PlayStation/XBox)

A DLC for maybe the seventh generation’s best game, Undead Nightmare takes all the wild west fun you can have in the base game and adds zombies to it. Not to mention it’s recognized as one of the greatest DLCs ever, this one barely needs any introduction to it.

9. Plants Vs. Zombies (PlayStation/XBox/PC/Switch)

Something more lighthearted than the other entries on this list, Plants Vs. Zombies is loads of fun, especially for kids. Your home is defended by different types of plants with different purposes trying to stave off a variety of zombies. It’s a memorable game and one that deserves a spot on this list.

8. Days Gone (PlayStation/PC)

Ex-biker Deacon St. John takes you on a survival horror journey to find his missing wife. It boasts a world with different terrains for you to explore, a variety of weapons and skills, and zombies called freakers aren’t your only enemies. 

7. Dying Light (PlayStation/XBox/PC)

Dying Light is a first-person survival horror game where zombies are slow during the day but more aggressive at nighttime. A variety of weapons can be used, but the game’s uniqueness lies in its emphasis on parkour, essentially giving the player a fight or flight option.

6. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PlayStation/XBox/PC/Nintendo Switch)

The Resident Evil franchise is a household name when it comes to zombies/survival horror. The first entry to incorporate a first-person perspective, Biohazard is extremely terrifying with its use of amazing visuals and sound design, and the gameplay wherein Ethan explores a worn plantation in Louisiana is spectacular.

5. Left 4 Dead 2 (XBox/PC)

Left 4 Dead 2 improves a lot from its previous game, from gameplay with a more detailed map and more weapons, a better story, characters, etc. It’s an easily accessible game you can play with friends and  with high replay value, it’s fun and it’s what gaming is all about.

4. Project Zomboid (PC)

This game puts the “survival” in survival horror, and its gameplay in which you have to manage a lot of things to stay alive is what draws players into it. Gameplay-wise it’s a very realistic zombie game and while visually simplistic compared to some games on this list, it’s a zombie apocalypse game that you’re unlikely to forget.

3. The Walking Dead (PlayStation/XBox/PC/Switch/Mobile)

A story-driven game with a choice-based gameplay, The Walking Dead video game, based on the comics is an episodic adventure where the player interacts with characters and items as they try to survive a zombie apocalypse. It’s a unique game and the writing is an excellent journey, garnering multiple awards.

2. Resident Evil 4 (PlayStation/XBox/PC/Nintendo)

Ranked by UK's Edge Magazine as the second greatest video game ever made, Resident Evil 4 is the best game in the franchise, probably the best survival horror game ever, and its influence on the gaming world is profound. The over-the-shoulder third-person perspective, memorable quicktime events, that sense of dread you look for in horror media, and gorgeous visual setpieces, all contribute to what makes it one of the best ever.

1. The Last of Us (PlayStation)

A swan song for the seventh generation of consoles, The Last of Us is a storytelling masterpiece. Combine this with an engaging narrative, relatable characters with valid motivations, and a polished gameplay with stealth and shooter elements, this game is arguably the best zombie apocalypse game ever released.