There’s an enduring appeal to zombie games, particularly the best video games with zombies, that we can’t seem to shake, no matter how many hordes we’ve taken down. Maybe it’s the thrill of surviving against the odds, the adrenaline rush of looting for resources, or the emotional weight of stories set against collapsing societies. Zombie-themed video games offer an intoxicating blend of horror, action, and strategy that keeps us hooked for hours on end. Whether you’re fending off shambling undead in tight corridors or mowing down swarms in open fields, the genre has something for everyone. From heart-stopping survival horror to cooperative action-packed adventures, zombie games invite us to imagine the apocalypse and ask, “How would we survive?” Let’s explore some of the best entries into this undead-filled genre that have kept us coming back season after season.
Best Video Games with Zombies: Why Zombie Games Are So Popular
The popularity of zombie games lies in their ability to transport us into worlds filled with danger and unpredictability. These games often embody primal survival instincts—searching for food, finding shelter, and confronting fear head-on. Beyond the scares, they let us fight back against the chaos of an apocalyptic nightmare. And who doesn’t feel a rush every time they make it through a tenacious horde unscathed?
Each game also brings its own imaginative twist. Mutated zombies with special abilities, diverse apocalyptic landscapes, and gripping narratives elevate these titles from mere monster fights to unforgettable experiences. Together, they challenge us to think about how we’d endure a world where everything we know has crumbled—and give us the tools to navigate that chaos.
The Best Video Games with Zombies
Let’s dive into 12 best video games with zombies that have left us dodging bites, swinging bats, and slinging bullets. Each one offers a unique take on undead mayhem, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
1. The Last of Us
- Gripping Narrative.
- Compelling Characters.
- Brutal and Realistic World.
Few games have left such an emotional mark as The Last of Us. It’s not just a zombie game—it’s a heart-wrenching journey through love, loss, and survival. Set in a world overrun by “infected” caused by a Cordyceps brain fungus, we play as Joel, a grizzled survivor, tasked with escorting young Ellie across post-apocalyptic America.
What sets this game apart is its balance of brutal combat and poignant storytelling. Stealth is key as we navigate tense encounters with both zombies and desperate human scavengers. And let’s not forget the chilling clickers—those haunting, echolocating creatures that leave us holding our breath every time we hear their rattling moans.
For its unforgettable narrative and deeply human moments, The Last of Us has become a cornerstone of the zombie genre.
2. Resident Evil 2 Remake
- Reimagined Classic.
- Two Playable Characters.
- Enhanced Visuals.
The 2019 Resident Evil 2 remake revitalized one of the most beloved entries in Capcom’s survival horror series. Set in Raccoon City, we play as either rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy or college student Claire Redfield as they attempt to escape a zombie-infested nightmare.
This game masterfully combines survival mechanics with cinematic tension, making it one of the best video games with zombies. Every zombie encounter feels dangerous—bullets are scarce, and running is often the better choice. Resident Evil’s iconic Licker creatures and the relentless Tyrant (aka Mr. X) crank up the terror as we desperately search for key items and unravel the Umbrella Corporation’s dark secrets.
With stunning visuals, gripping gameplay, and heaps of nostalgia, Resident Evil 2 sets the gold standard for survival horror.
3. Dying Light
- Open World Zombie Action.
- Parkour Movement.
- Day and Night Cycle.
We’ve never felt parkour as exhilarating as in Dying Light. Set in the city of Harran, we’re thrown into a quarantined zone infested with fast, ravenous zombies. During the day, we scavenge supplies and fight off standard zombies. But at night, deadly “Volatiles” emerge, and the world turns into a desperate race for survival.
The seamless flow of running, climbing, and leaping through the city offers unmatched freedom, allowing us to outmaneuver undead hordes. The game’s crafting system—equipping weapons with everything from fire to poison—keeps combat fresh and brutal.
What really hooks us is the sheer adrenaline of nighttime gameplay. The stakes get higher, the chases get scarier, and our hearts race faster every time we see the sunset.
4. Left 4 Dead 2
- Cooperative Gameplay.
- AI Director.
- New Infected.
If zombie survival is better with friends, Left 4 Dead 2 is living proof. This cooperative first-person shooter has us and our squad gunning down endless waves of zombies while completing objectives. From navigating swamps to escaping amusement parks, no two levels feel the same.
The chaos gets even wilder thanks to special infected enemies like the gut-spewing Boomer or the terrifying tank, making it a standout among the best video games with zombies. The game constantly adapts to push us to our limits with what’s called the “AI Director,” ensuring every run feels unique.
Few things satisfy, like surviving the finale of a mission, where team coordination is the difference between life and death. With its fast-paced rhythm and endless replayability, Left 4 Dead 2 is a zombie classic.
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5. State of Decay 2
- Open World Zombie Survival.
- Community Building.
- Permadeath.
State of Decay 2 drops us into an open-world zombie apocalypse with a simple but gripping premise: build a community and survive. What makes it stand out is the emphasis on resource management, character development, and difficult choices.
We recruit survivors, each with unique personalities and skills, to join our base. But resources are always limited, and losing someone to a zombie bite is a permanent blow. Do we use our last supplies to heal a friend or save them for the next fight?
Every playthrough feels like a test of strategy and humanity, making us question what truly matters in a world where survival comes at a steep cost.
6. Days Gone
- Open World Zombie Game.
- Horde Encounters.
- Realistic Open World.
Imagine riding your motorcycle across an apocalyptic landscape, scavenging supplies, and encountering hordes of zombies that can number in the hundreds. That’s the world of Days Gone. We follow Deacon St. John, a drifter searching for answers while facing relentless threats from Freakers—fast-moving, terrifying undead.
What makes Days Gone remarkable, and a top contender among the best video games with zombies, is its immense open world filled with dynamic events. Roaming hordes feel alive, reacting to gunfire or appearing unexpectedly to turn a quiet scavenging mission into a desperate escape. Add in emotional story beats about love and loss, and you’ve got a deeply immersive survival-adventure game.
7. Call of Duty: Zombies Mode
- Wave-Based.
- Survival.
- Cooperative Gameplay.
From an add-on in World at War to a franchise-defining mode, Call of Duty’s Zombies Mode has become a phenomenon. Whether you’re battling undead Nazis in Der Riese or exploring intricate maps like Origins, the co-op experience is nothing short of thrilling.
This mode excels in its progression system: barricading windows, unlocking new areas, and upgrading from pistols to devastating wonder weapons like the Ray Gun. Throw in supernatural twists, time-traveling adventures, and easter egg secrets, and it’s easy to see why players keep coming back.
8. Dead Island
- Open World Zombie.
- First-Person Melee.
- Four Playable Characters.
Set on a tropical island paradise turned undead nightmare, Dead Island is the ultimate mix of exotic beauty and gruesome horror. While combat takes center stage (smashing zombies with everything from machetes to paddles), exploration brings surprising depth.
What we love most, and what makes it one of the best video games with zombies for some, is the RPG-style progression, with each character offering unique abilities and skill trees. Customization is key, allowing us to craft brutal weapons to take on increasingly difficult enemies.
9. Project Zomboid
- Hardcore Zombie Survival.
- Open World Exploration.
- Detailed Survival Mechanics.
If you’ve ever wondered what true survival in a zombie apocalypse feels like, Project Zomboid is your answer. This indie gem is an open-ended survival game that lets us craft our own unique zombie apocalypse story. Playing from a top-down perspective, we scavenge for supplies, fortify our base, and deal with increasingly difficult undead hordes.
What makes Project Zomboid so special is its unforgiving nature. Every action, from eating spoiled food to leaving an open door behind, can lead to disaster. The game also includes mechanics like mental health deterioration and infection—you can survive a zombie bite for a while, but death is inevitable. With endless possibilities for how to play, Project Zomboid delivers an experience where one small mistake can end everything.
10. World War Z
- Fast-paced gameplay.
- Unique Classes.
- Upgrade System.
Inspired by the film of the same name, World War Z is an exhilarating cooperative shooter that thrives on its overwhelming swarm mechanics. It throws us and our friends into chaotic missions against thousands of zombies, piling on top of one another like a grotesque tidal wave.
What we love most about World War Z, and a reason it’s considered among the best video games with zombies, is the intensity of its set pieces. Whether defending ourselves aboard a cramped ship or escaping a collapsing city, the game always cranks up the action. The class customization and teamwork elements keep every player feeling essential during missions.
But it’s the visual spectacle of those zombie hordes that steals the show—they move and behave collectively, creating pulse-pounding moments of survival we won’t soon forget.
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11. Dead Rising 3
- Open World Zombie Sandbox.
- Crafting.
- Vehicle Use.
Where most zombie games make us feel like survivors, Dead Rising 3 lets us embrace pure chaos. Set in the open world of Los Perdidos, we play as Nick Ramos, a mechanic, trying to escape an undead-infested city within six days.
What makes this game stand out is its emphasis on creativity and humor. The sheer variety of zombies ensures things never feel repetitive, and combining everyday objects into bizarrely destructive weapons (think sledgehammers duct-taped to chainsaws!) adds endless fun. And let’s not forget the over-the-top vehicles, like flame-shooting motorcycles, that bring even more carnage to the apocalypse.
At its heart, Dead Rising 3 is about enjoying the absurdity of zombie mayhem while still engaging in a story-driven, high-stakes world.
12. Back 4 Blood
- Zombie Shooting.
- Card System.
- Campaign Mode.
From the creators of Left 4 Dead, Back 4 Blood, a strong contender among the best video games with zombies, takes the cooperative zombie survival experience to exhilarating new heights. It invites us to join a four-player team of “Cleaners” working to reclaim the world from undead monsters known as “Ridden.”
The gameplay feels familiar yet fresh, with tighter gunplay, faster movement, and unique card-based mechanics that allow for strategic customization. One run might grant us extra ammo, while the next might prioritize speed or improved healing. This adaptability ensures no two playthroughs are alike.
What keeps us glued to Back 4 Blood is its blend of frantic action and teamwork, along with constant updates that keep the experience fresh. It’s a must-play for zombie fans who thrive on multiplayer chaos.
What Makes Zombie Games Truly Memorable?
The best zombie games strike a perfect balance between tension, creativity, and immersion. Whether it’s slow shamblers creeping up on us or mutated abominations that launch full-scale assaults, a zombie’s unpredictability is key to keeping us on edge. But it’s not just the undead that creates excitement—it’s how the games build worlds filled with desperation and hope.
Unique mechanics, such as crafting, parkour, and horde systems, set these games apart while keeping them engaging even after hours of play. Strong narratives ensure the experience feels personal, while deep choices—whether about how we fight or who we let into our team—make zombie games rich playgrounds for emotional storytelling.
Conclusion
Zombie games offer far more than hordes of unrelenting enemies—they’re gateways into imaginative worlds built around survival, creativity, and thrilling conflicts. Whether navigating the emotional weight of The Last of Us or experiencing the multiplayer chaos of Left 4 Dead 2, we’re drawn to these games because they challenge our instincts and immerse us in unique stories. The diversity within the genre ensures there’s a zombie game for everyone, from survival horror enthusiasts to co-op thrill-seekers, solidifying their place among the best video games with zombies. As we continue to face new takes on the undead, zombie games remain a testament to how these timeless monsters can breathe new life into the gaming world—over and over again.
What type of skills are most important when playing zombie games?
Zombie games often require a mix of strategic thinking, resource management, and quick reflexes. You’ll also need adaptability since many titles feature unexpected swarms or limited supplies that demand on-the-spot decisions.
Do all zombie games focus on horror?
Not at all! While survival horror is a popular style, many games, like Dead Rising or World War Z, focus on action and humor, making the undead more entertaining than scary. There’s a zombie game for nearly every play style.
Can solo players enjoy multiplayer zombie games?
Absolutely. Many multiplayer games, such as Back 4 Blood, include bots or solo campaigns. While playing with others amplifies the chaos, solo players can still dive in and enjoy these worlds.
What’s the appeal of co-op zombie games?
Co-op zombie games allow players to strategize and share the thrill of surviving together. The sense of camaraderie when fending off hordes as a team, combined with the challenge of communication, makes these titles unforgettable experiences.
