Zombie Survival Games: All You Need to Know [+ Top Picks]

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Zombie survival games have become increasingly popular over the years. These games are typically set in a post-apocalyptic world where players must survive against hordes of zombies while scavenging for resources and building shelters. The genre has become so popular that it has spawned numerous games, movies, and TV shows.

Understanding Zombie Survival Games Zombie survival games are a sub-genre of survival games that focus on the zombie apocalypse. These games typically involve players scavenging for resources, building shelters, and fighting off hordes of zombies. The gameplay mechanics can vary widely, but they typically involve a combination of exploration, combat, and resource management.

Popular Zombie Survival Games Some of the most popular zombie survival games include Dying Light, State of Decay, and DayZ. Dying Light is an open-world game that combines parkour-style movement with first-person combat. State of Decay is a base-building game where players must manage a group of survivors and fend off zombie attacks. DayZ is a multiplayer survival game that emphasizes realism and player interaction.

Key Takeaways

Zombie survival games are a popular sub-genre of survival games that focus on the zombie apocalypse.
These games typically involve scavenging for resources, building shelters, and fighting off hordes of zombies.
Some of the most popular zombie survival games include Dying Light, State of Decay, and DayZ.

Understanding Zombie Survival Games

Concept and Gameplay

Zombie survival games are a subgenre of survival games that focus on surviving a zombie outbreak. In these games, the player must navigate a world overrun by zombies while also dealing with other humans who may be hostile. The gameplay typically involves scavenging for resources like food, water, and weapons, as well as crafting and base building to fortify a safe haven.

One of the defining features of zombie survival games is the survival element, which requires the player to manage their resources and prioritize their needs. This can include managing hunger and thirst, as well as monitoring the player’s health and stamina. Another key aspect of the genre is permadeath, which means that if the player dies, they must start over from the beginning.

Historical Context

The zombie genre has been a staple of horror movies and video games for decades. The genre was popularized by George A. Romero’s 1968 film “Night of the Living Dead,” which introduced the concept of the zombie apocalypse. This film was followed by a series of sequels and imitators, including “Dawn of the Dead” and “Day of the Dead.”

In the world of video games, zombie games have been around since the 1980s. One of the earliest examples was “The House of the Dead,” an arcade game released in 1996 that featured a first-person shooter gameplay style. Another popular game from this era was “Zombies Ate My Neighbors,” a top-down shooter released for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis in 1993.

In recent years, zombie survival games have become increasingly popular, with titles like “DayZ,” “State of Decay,” and “ZombiU” gaining a following. These games often feature open-world environments and a focus on player choice, allowing the player to make decisions that affect the outcome of the game.

Overall, zombie survival games offer a unique blend of survival gameplay and horror elements, making them a popular choice for fans of the survival genre.

Popular Zombie Survival Games

When it comes to zombie survival games, there are plenty of options available for players to choose from. In this section, we will take a look at some of the most popular zombie survival games that are currently available. These games are categorized into two sub-sections: Paid Games and Free Games.

Paid Games

State of Decay 2

State of Decay 2 is an open-world survival game that is available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It is a sequel to the original State of Decay game and has received positive reviews for its gameplay mechanics and overall design. In the game, players are tasked with building a community of survivors and protecting them from the zombie hordes that roam the world.

Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid is a survival game that is available on PC. It is a top-down game that focuses on survival mechanics such as scavenging for supplies, crafting, and base-building. The game has a strong emphasis on realism and has received positive reviews for its challenging gameplay and immersive atmosphere.

Dying Light

Dying Light is a first-person survival game that is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that is overrun by zombies. Players are tasked with scavenging for supplies, crafting weapons, and fighting off hordes of zombies. The game has received positive reviews for its parkour mechanics and overall design.

Free Games

Unturned

Unturned is a free-to-play survival game that is available on PC. The game has a blocky, Minecraft-like art style and features both single-player and multiplayer modes. In the game, players are tasked with surviving in a world that is overrun by zombies. The game has received positive reviews for its accessibility and overall design.

The Infected

The Infected is a free-to-play survival game that is available on PC. It is a first-person game that focuses on survival mechanics such as scavenging for supplies, crafting, and base-building. The game has received positive reviews for its challenging gameplay and immersive atmosphere.

Minecraft

Minecraft is a sandbox game that is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. While not strictly a zombie survival game, Minecraft has a survival mode that features zombies and other monsters. In the mode, players are tasked with surviving in a world that is filled with dangers. The game has received positive reviews for its creativity and overall design.

In conclusion, there are plenty of zombie survival games available for players to choose from. Whether you prefer paid or free games, there is something for everyone. From State of Decay 2 to Minecraft, these games offer hours of challenging gameplay and immersive experiences.

Gameplay Mechanics

Zombie survival games are known for their engaging gameplay mechanics that keep players hooked for hours. In this section, we will explore some of the most common gameplay mechanics found in these games.

Survival and Crafting

Survival and crafting are two of the most important gameplay mechanics in zombie survival games. Players must scavenge for resources such as food, water, and weapons to survive in a world overrun by hordes of zombies. Crafting allows players to combine resources to create tools, weapons, and traps to help them survive.

Some games, such as Project Zomboid, take survival and crafting to the next level by introducing complex systems that simulate real-life scenarios. For example, players must manage their hunger and thirst levels, and they can get sick if they eat spoiled food or drink dirty water. Crafting in Project Zomboid is also highly realistic, with players needing to find the right materials and tools to create items.

Combat

Melee combat is a common gameplay mechanic in zombie survival games. Players must fight off hordes of zombies using weapons such as knives, bats, and guns. Combat is often fast-paced and requires quick reflexes and good aim.

Some games, such as Dying Light, take combat to the next level by introducing parkour mechanics. Players can run, jump, and climb their way around the game world, avoiding zombies and gaining the high ground in combat.

Multiplayer and Co-Op

Multiplayer and co-op modes are becoming increasingly popular in zombie survival games. These modes allow players to team up with friends or other players to survive together in a world overrun by zombies.

In games such as DayZ, players can form communities and work together to build bases and defend against zombie attacks. Co-op games such as Left 4 Dead 2 require players to work together to complete objectives and survive against waves of zombies.

Overall, the gameplay mechanics in zombie survival games are designed to keep players engaged and on the edge of their seat. Whether it’s surviving against hordes of zombies or crafting the perfect weapon, these games offer a unique and thrilling experience for players.

Zombie Survival Games in Media

Zombies have been a popular theme in media for years, and video games are no exception. Zombie survival games have become a popular genre, allowing players to experience the thrill of surviving in a post-apocalyptic world filled with the undead. These games often require players to scavenge for resources, build shelter, and fight off hordes of zombies.

One of the earliest zombie survival games was Resident Evil, released in 1996. The game was set in a mansion overrun by zombies and required players to solve puzzles and fight off the undead. The game was a commercial success and spawned a series of sequels and spin-offs.

Another popular zombie survival game is DayZ, which was released in 2013 as a mod for the game Arma 2. The game takes place in a post-Soviet state where a mysterious virus has turned most of the population into zombies. Players must scavenge for food, water, and weapons while avoiding both zombies and other players who may be hostile.

The Call of Duty franchise also has its own zombie survival mode, developed by Treyarch. The mode first appeared in Call of Duty: World at War and has since been included in several other games in the series. The mode requires players to fight off waves of zombies while unlocking new areas and weapons.

Zombie survival games have also been popular in the mobile gaming market. Games like Last Day on Earth and State of Survival have gained a large following, allowing players to experience the thrill of surviving in a post-apocalyptic world on their mobile devices.

Overall, zombie survival games have become a popular subgenre of video games, allowing players to experience the thrill of surviving in a world overrun by zombies. Whether it’s fighting off hordes of the undead or scavenging for resources, these games offer a unique and exciting experience for players.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular zombie game series?

There are several popular zombie game series, including Resident Evil, Left 4 Dead, and Dead Rising. These games offer a mix of survival horror, action, and exploration. They have gained a large following over the years and continue to be popular choices for fans of the zombie genre.

What are some recommended roguelike zombie games?

Some highly recommended roguelike zombie games include Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead, Project Zomboid, and Dead Cells. These games offer a unique experience each time you play, thanks to their randomly generated levels and permadeath mechanics.

What are some top-rated open world zombie survival games?

Open world zombie survival games have become increasingly popular in recent years. Some top-rated options include Dying Light, State of Decay 2, and DayZ. These games offer a vast open world to explore, with a focus on scavenging, crafting, and surviving in a world overrun by the undead.

What are the best zombie survival games available on Steam?

Steam offers a wide variety of zombie survival games, but some of the best include 7 Days to Die, The Forest, and Killing Floor 2. These games offer a mix of survival, exploration, and combat, with a focus on multiplayer gameplay.

What are the best zombie survival games available on PS4?

For PS4 players, some of the best zombie survival games include The Last of Us Part II, Days Gone, and World War Z. These games offer a mix of single-player and multiplayer gameplay, with a focus on survival, exploration, and combat.

What are some highly-rated zombie survival games for mobile devices?

Mobile devices offer a variety of zombie survival games, including Last Day on Earth: Survival, Into the Dead 2, and Dead Trigger 2. These games offer a mix of single-player and multiplayer gameplay, with a focus on scavenging, crafting, and surviving in a world overrun by the undead.

Evelyn Claire

Survival copywriter at Atlantic Survival Gear | Website | + posts

Evelyn is a young and adventurous spirit fueled by her unwavering passion for the outdoors and survival. From an early age, she was captivated by nature's beauty, and her thirst for exploration knows no bounds.

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She stands as a beacon of inspiration for young women seeking adventure and a deeper connection with the natural world. Join her on an unforgettable journey of discovery, self-reliance, and the boundless beauty that awaits in the great outdoors.