One of the most loved sub-genres of both survival and horror, zombie survival horror games are some of the most truly frightening games you can play. From indie horror to some of the biggest horror franchises we know, zombies come in all shapes and sizes (and pieces…).
Whether you like your zombies fast and rabid or slow and clumsy, there is no end to the array of zombies on offer in today’s video game market. There are so many zombie games these days, and even zombie DLC packs, it’s hard to choose what to play. So, we at TheGamer have put together a handy list of the ten best zombie survival games across all platforms.
10 Project Zomboid
There are plenty of zombie survival games that focus on looting, crafting and defence. An oversaturated genre that spans fantasy, prehistoric and medieval genres, it can grow tiresome. However, where other games fail to evolve, Project Zomboid flourishes. Rather than sticking to traditional first-person hyper-realism, Project Zomboid has a more top-down pixel-art appearance.
As with most games in this genre, you must loot, craft, defend and survive in a harsh post-apocalyptic world. How long will you survive, will you flourish or succumb to the zombies?
9 Killing Floor 2
If you liked the Left 4 Dead franchise, you’ll love Killing Floor 2. A more vibrant and other-worldly take on co-op wave survival, Killing Floor 2 allows for up to 6 players to cooperatively take on zombie hordes, or 12 players to fight in a versus mode where you can even play as the zombies.
The zombies in this game are more vibrant and imaginative than those in your classic zombie horror title, with more demonic designs and a variety of classes, you and your friends must use everything in your arsenal to take down wave after wave of zombie madness.
8 Call of Duty: Zombies (Black Ops IIII)
Call of Duty is already one of the most successful shooter franchises to exist, releasing games year after year that become bestsellers regardless of any criticism, you would expect that’s enough. Well, it isn’t, Activision pushed further by adding a zombie game mode that grew to become an essential part of any Call of Duty release.
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Combining frightening zombies with the fast and furious pace of Call of Duty proved to provide an exciting gameplay experience. In the latest iteration of the sub-game, Call of Duty Black Ops IIII Zombies continues the wild and wacky narrative and feel of the game, where you must fight off the undead to find a dangerous mystical power.
7 Left 4 Dead 2
One of Valve’s most successful titles outside Portal, DOTA and Counter-Strike, Left for Dead 2 brings community value to the zombie horror genre. This game was built for cooperative play and follows Left 4 Dead, one of the hottest co-op games of 2008.
Team up with up to 3 friends and take on horde after horde as you try and survive each wave. Work together to progress and have a load of fun whilst you do.
6 Dead Island Definitive Collection
Tropical island, sandy beaches, open bar, sounds great right? Usually it would be a shame to have your tropical vacation ruined by the zombie apocalypse, but in Dead Island it leaves a fun, massive sandbox for you to hack and slash your way through zombie hordes.
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A classic game fully remastered for today’s graphical level of gaming, you can now get the definitive edition with both fully remastered visions of Dead Island and Dead Island: Riptide including all the accompanying DLC.
5 Dying Light
Ever fancied mixing up some parkour with zombie slaying action? Well, if you do have that rather niche interest, this is the game for you. Dying Light took two elements and mashed them together to create a zombie survival game we never knew we needed. Using your insane parkour skills, varied arsenal of weapons and plenty of vehicles you must traverse the city and fight off enemy zombies and humans alike.
Another game that will be seeing a sequel in the new few years, now is the time to play or replay this building-hopping modern classic.
4 Dead Rising 4
Dead Rising 4 is the 4th instalment of a much-loved zombie franchise. This game has a different take on the zombie horror genre, going for a more tongue-in-cheek approach to the zombie apocalypse. This doesn’t mean there aren’t hordes of flesh-eating zombies ready to have you for supper, no, it’s the story, writing and ridiculous arsenal of weapons that make this game actually comedic.
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Fight your way through hundreds of undead while you unlock crazy weapons and EXO suits as you explore an epic open world. This game also supports 4-player online co-op which lends to hours of endless fun with your friends.
3 The Walking Dead (Telltale)
The Walking Dead is a long-standing franchise from Telltale Games that has had more than its fair share of ups and downs. Starting all the back in 2012, The Walking Dead season 1 launched Telltale Games into the limelight. Fantastic narrative storytelling, consequential choice making with painful results and characters you more than invest in, this game is a must for those who love a good story.
With the recent end to Telltale Games it was thought The Walking Dead Final Season would never see the light of day. However, we’re lucky enough to see the end of a fantastic game from a troubled developer thanks to Skybound Entertainment.
2 Resident Evil 2 (Remake)
The Resident Evil 2 remake is the epitome of modern horror. Taking a classic game and building it from the ground up, Capcom have revitalised a classic game without bringing back the flaws of an old school title. We’ve never seen zombies like this. Hyper-realistic zombies that take damage on the areas you shoot, breaking off appendages in a strategic matter has never been so satisfying.
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Other than the ridiculously good zombie design, this game is one of the most creepiest games on the market. Even a veteran Resident Evil fan will be in for some scares, with fantastic audio design that’ll scare you before you even find the zombies, scary is an understatement for this game.
1 The Last of Us
Arguably one of the best games of our time, The Last of Us sits firmly on many recommendation lists. It’s phenomenal narrative, character development and world building stand apart from the perfectly crafted post-apocalyptic world and truly creepy zombies. We’ve all jumped a mile when you slip up and end up with a horde of clickers chasing you down.
With The Last of Us 2 closer and closer to release, now’s the perfect time to play, or replay this modern classic. Enjoy a compelling story, a variety of weaponry and truly chilling gameplay, The Last of Us is one of the best zombie survival games.