Zombies are one of the most common foes in the world of video games. Their less than competent brain capacity and unusually slow movement make them ideal opponents for players who want to take down hundreds if not thousands of foes without having to worry about quick surprise attacks. As a result, zombie video games are incredibly popular, and there are a lot of them. These post apocalyptic games can take many shapes and sizes, from vast open world role playing games through to claustrophobic corridor shooters; there’s a surprising amount of variety when it comes to zombie games. But if you are looking for the best zombie games currently available, you can’t go wrong with any on this list.
Top Zombie Games
When it comes to zombie games, there are a ton of different genres out there, but the most common are typically action games and shooters. However, with literally thousands of different zombie games in existence, you can likely find any genre if you look hard enough!
The first zombie game is widely considered to be Zombie Zombie from 1984, which was released on the ZX Spectrum. However, it was really in 1996 when the first Resident Evil game came out that the zombie game craze really started, and now the market is arguably flooded with all types of zombie games. To make sure you only play the best of the best, this list has been created based on critical and fan reception and features the best of the best when it comes to zombie games.
10. DayZ
Despite technically launching in 2018, DayZ’s legacy stated all the way back in 2012 when the initial mod for Arma 2 of the same name launched. It quickly became the most popular thing in PC gaming, and was eventually turned into a standalone game by Bohemia Interactive.
DayZ is a zombie game that is all about survival, which is essentially your only goal. You are dropped into a massive world randomly, with other players also exploring this mysterious land. Then it’s on you to find things to help you survive and, if you want, fight the zombies and other players to remain alive. It’s one for players who want to test out how they would fare in a real zombie apocalypse, or who love multiplayer survival games. It’s available on PC, Xbox One and PS4.
9. They Are Billions
If you want a strategy game full of zombies, then They Are Billions is the one for you. Released into early access in 2017 by Numantian Games, the game tasks you with building a base to keep out the billions of zombies trying to get you.
While the game has multiple modes, it’s the survival mode that really stands out, as it is effectively just a battle between your base building skills and billions of zombies. It keeps going as long as you keep the zombies at bay, and more and more of them just keep getting thrown at you until it feels like you have literally billions of them at your gates. Strategy fans will love this, as you need to plan out your base and make smart decisions about how you expand. It’s available on PC, but very good ports are also available on PS4 and Xbox One.
8. Dying Light
Dying Light is an open world survival horror game that features some of the deadliest zombies you are likely to see in any game. During the day they are close to your standard idea of slow moving zombies, but once darkness hits they become fearsome foes who can run and climb buildings to get you.
Released in 2015 but improved significantly with downloadable content expansions in later years, Dying Light from Techland is one of the best open world action zombie games with a compelling story, challenging enemies and extremely fun parkour style movement. It’s fast-paced and at night can be pretty scary, so this is one for anyone looking for a zombie game full of action and a few scares. It’s available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch, and while there is a sequel, the first game, and it’s downloadable content, is arguably slightly better and certainly more memorable.
7. Resident Evil 2 Remake
Resident Evil 2 initially released in 1998, but a remake was released in 2019 from Capcom on PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and PC. That remake is one of the best zombie games you can play today, moulding the classic title into a more modern game.
While this is still a game about escaping the zombie infested Racoon City, the gameplay was significantly updated in the remake to make it more appealing to the modern audience, and as a result it felt like a completely new experience. As a tense survival horror third-person shooter, it is genuinely scary and one for folks who like to be on the edge of their seat as they occasionally shoot things and solve a lot of puzzles. If you played the original in the ‘90s then you really should check out the remake, or if you’ve enjoyed any modern Resi game then this certainly is one to pick up.
6. Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead
When the first series of Telltale’s The Walking Dead launched, there was genuinely nothing quite like it. It’s an episodic graphic adventure that is more like playing an animated TV series than playing a traditional zombie game. But the story and things only a video game can do make this an unforgettable experience.
It’s set in the same world as the TV series of the same name, but follows a completely new set of characters. Lee, a convicted criminal who breaks free from a cop car as the zombie apocalypse hits the area, finds a young girl called Clementine and starts on a journey to keep her safe and find her parents, which becomes a truly epic story you’ll never forget. There’s no real action and a lack of puzzles, so be prepared for this to be a fairly passive experience, but if you love the universe or want a great zombie story, this is one you must check out. It’s on Android, iOS, PC, Switch, PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox One and 360.
5. Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid from The Indie Stone was one of the first PC indie games to go truly massive. A tech demo was released in 2011, before a proper Early Access release in 2013. Since then, it has sold millions of copies and deservedly so, as it is one of the best zombie games ever.
It’s an isometric zombie survival role playing game where the U.S. has been hit with an apocalypse and you need to try to survive. You’ll explore the massive area you are in, trying to stay alive as long as you possibly can, but a lot of the time that won’t last more than a few days. With such a big map and a lot of variety, multiple runs in Project Zomboid never feel the same, and when you do stay alive for a while you really connect with your character making it even more heartbreaking when they inevitably die. It’s one for people who want to test their survival skills or like trying their own thing rather than following a story.
4. Resident Evil 4 Remake
The second Resident Evil remake on this list, Capcom’s 2023 remake of the original Resident Evil 4 from 2005 is superb and one of the best remakes there has ever been, with some modernisation improvements that actually make it a better game overall.
While it remains faithful to the original, a lot of updates to the third person shooter gameplay make this feel very different. Multiple control schemes, including one that effectively the same as the original’s, give you a ton of options, while new features such as crafting make the game feel a lot more modern. This is still the same story featuring Leon S. Kennedy trying to save Ashley Graham from a cult in the zombie infested world, but with updated performances, it feels refreshed and better than ever. Fans of slower paced zombie adventures with a lot of scares thrown in will love this, and it’s on PC, iOS, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
3. Left 4 Dead 2
Despite launching in 2009 and having many copycats, no zombie shooter has managed to surpass Left 4 Dead 2 from Valve. The iconic zombie shooter is quite simply great fun and it’s impossible to have a bad time when playing, especially with friends.
A first person shooter full of different types of zombies to take down, Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the greatest co-op games of all time, with up to four players tackling the five different campaigns it has. You’ll run through a variety of levels shooting everything that moves and taking down some of the most iconic zombies of all time. Even today it holds up perfectly well and despite advancements in the first person shooter genre still has some incredibly satisfying shooting, so it’s a must play for first person shooter zombie fans. It’s available on PC and Xbox 360.
2. The Last of Us Part I
It doesn’t matter if you play the Part I remake from 2022, the 2014 remaster or the original from 2013; The Last of Us is a phenomenal game and one of the GOATs, so it was a shoe-in to be towards the top of this list.
The story of Naughty Dog’s third person zombie action adventure is so good it was even turned into a HBO TV show, and that is the reason why you will want to play this. The tale of the grizzled middle aged man Joel taking care of the young but not completely vulnerable Ellie is brilliantly written and the star of the experience. The gameplay, which involves stealth, shooting, melee combat and a lot of exploration around the fascinating post apocalyptic world is just as good. This is a must-play for video game fans, or fans of the show. Different versions are available across PC, PS3, PS4, and PS5.
1. The Last of Us Part II
The only game capable of beating out The Last Of Us is its sequel, although in reality they are both so good that it’s entirely down to personal preference which order you put them in. Initially released in 2020 before a remaster arrived in 2024 it’s a rare sequel that betters the original.
Naughty Dog was again at the helm and created another stunning narrative in the same world, featuring many of the same characters. Getting into the specifics crosses into spoiler territory for the first game, so make sure to play that first. But, like the original, the gameplay is just as good as the story and this is one of the best experiences you can have in a virtual world. In fact, in both games the zombie style enemies become more of an afterthought due to the human interaction throughout, which is rare for a game on this list. This is simply a game you have to play if you are a fan of the medium. It’s on PS4 and PS5.
Bottom Line
While often seen as a bit of a tired and overdone setting, there’s a lot of variety in the world of zombie games and some real classics as a result. They aren’t all hits, but the best zombie games are some of the most satisfying titles you will ever play.
