Abhimannu Das
Zombies have been an integral part of pop culture, and regardless of what the medium is, we have been seeing more of them in recent years. From demonic invasions to viral attacks, the origin stories of these hideous creatures that were once humans vary, but we all can agree on the fact that shooting them up in games can be very fun. We bring to you some of the best zombie shooting games that you should try out if you are looking for a spooky but fun experience. You can play these zombie fighting games on Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PC, iPhone, Andriod or even online.
14. Dead Space 2
Dead Space is one of the most iconic horror franchises in gaming history, and Dead Space 2 is undoubtedly the strongest of the Dead Space trilogy. The developers put in a lot of effort into ensuring they’re the ones who have the upper hand on you when it comes to throwing the unexpected at you. The horror mechanics are brilliantly designed, and the game was honestly ahead of its time. In an interview Director Wright Bagwell discussed how he wanted the zombies to spawn from different locations depending on where you are positioned. The game’s cinematics and audio design are extremely well done, and even though the game is quite old now, the graphics hold up better than you would expect. The sci-fi horror franchise is truly one of gaming’s finest and it’s not just the horror elements in-game but also the difficult decision you have to make from time to time that add to the atmosphere. If you have the time you should definitely check out the entire trilogy but on short notice, Dead Space 2 is probably your best bet.
13. Dead Island
While most of the games on this list focus on single player titles, Dead Island is the perfect co-op experience. Dead Island shares a lot of mechanics with Fallout 3 and Left for Dead franchise. The storyline of Dead Island is the usual holiday trip gone wrong trope that a lot of horror movies have overused through the years. The Oceanian island looks stunning in-game, and the kill animations are just beautiful. There is a lot of focus on melee weapons too in case you are bored of mowing the zombies down with your guns. Weapons like throwing knives allow you to be stealthy in sticky situations when you are low on ammo or need to get out unnoticed. Dead Island is extremely fast-paced, and if you want to have fun with your friends as you shoot zombies mindlessly, there are not too many competitors out there.
12. Resident Evil 2
While a lot of retro gamers do not mind the outdated graphics when playing classic titles, a lot of players do. Fortunately, Capcom recently released the Resident Evil 2 remake that earned critical acclaim and for a good reason. The game retains all of the mechanics that made the original game great while looking as good as any other 2019 game that is out right now. The game is not another mindless zombie shooter as you have to be very conservative with your ammo and resources. Then there’s Mr. X, a looming figure that is always chasing you throughout the game as you try to get out of the messy situation. You can’t just run your way through the game as the zombies are very hard to take down, requiring you to be methodical in your approach. The zombies remain a constant menace throughout the game and you are put into claustrophobic situations all the time. Just like the first game in the franchise, Resident Evil 2 offers you the chance to replay the game with a different character. There are exclusive areas that are accessible to each individual character, and it adds to the overall experience of the game. You also have DLCs available in the new game which lets you play as other minor characters from the game whom you meet throughout the story, and you find out if they managed to escape without being eaten by zombies.
11. State of Decay
The original State of Decay is one of the best survival games that have ever been made. Released in 2013, it is one of the defining games on the Xbox 360, and it was ported over to PC and Xbox One as well. Despite it not being the most graphically advanced game by any means, it had a number of unique gameplay elements that stuck in players’ heads. Every character has his or her own story to tell, and it is up to you to decide if you want to add more people to your base or if you can trust them at all in the first place. You can also switch across characters when one of them is resting to ensure you do not lose out on playtime. Managing your resources and staying alert keeps you alive in-game more than the actual gunplay itself. With the world not what it used to be, it is important to micromanage everything from water to bullets. One of most glaring differences that set State of Decay apart from the rest is that death is permanent in this game and if you die you are just done for. You will not be able to revive your character, and the only way forward is to make a character. Now imagine how much more pressure is applied to the player’s mind with that information being known. You are always on edge to ensure your progress does not get squandered because there are no second chances, just like in real life.
10. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series of games are missed by many who love shooters. There has not been a lack of great single player games in recent times, especially with Sony proving that single-player games are not dead. However, there has been a lack of quality shooters and the only ones we’ve received in the past few years are from franchises like DOOM and Metro. If you want to take a step back in time and want to enjoy one of the best written single-player shooters ever made S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is an absolute blockbuster. You play in the Chernobyl area where the zombies (called “stalkers” in-game) are created due to the emissions. Stalkers are unlike any other type of zombie you have seen, they are deadly and are capable of a wide range of attacks. They are also mind-controlled by a single entity that you will find out about later in-game.
9. Resident Evil HD
While games like Resident Evil 2, 4 and 7 define the franchise, the game that started it all in 1996 deserves a special mention. Horror games have always been niche, but one of the games that popularized the genre in the 90s is the original Resident Evil. The game was remastered in HD in 2015, and it’s out there if you want to play it. The HD remake looks very good even four years after its release and just like Resident Evil 2, you can play as one of the two main characters in-game. The game is very tense, and you need to be quick on your feet to escape the horrors that await you. Unlike Resident Evil 2 where you get trapped in a police station at the start of a game, Resident Evil 1 puts you in Spencer Mansion as Christ Redfield (Claire’s brother) or Jill Valentine depending on who you choose to play as. There is a lot of replayability value in the game as you can finish the game as one character and go through the story again with the other playable character to get a fresh perspective on what’s going on. The camera angles are very claustrophobic which adds to the tension, and if you are looking for a good scare, then Resident Evil HD is definitely one of the best titles to try out. From the environmental puzzles to inventory management, there is a lot of risk and reward involved with the game, and it’s up to you to not let others take advantage of your vulnerability.
8. The Last of Us
If there is one game that defines the PS3-era for zombie fans, it’s The Last of Us. The game made headlines after launch due to its emotionally gripping story that will leave you in despair and yet manage to put a smile on your face by the end of it. The emotional roller coaster of a game is full of zombies, but unlike your generic fast-paced shooters, you need to be very careful with your engagements. Sound and physical objects are your best allies, and you should leave the bullets for last as they draw the attention of other zombies. The Last of Us has one of the most saddening opening scenes of all time, and you feel nothing but despair as you see Joel lose his daughter. Soon after the intro, you are pushed into the future where the world is driven by zombies or lawless fanatics, and you’re caught in the middle. You meet Ellie, a brave young girl who joins your side and become a daughter-figure throughout the rest of the game as you face this world of struggle. The game is not particularly long, and you can finish it in about a dozen hours fairly easily. The Last of Us II is set to come out later this year, and if it lives up to the expectations set by the first title, it is going to be nothing short of a masterpiece.
7. Dying Light
The fact that we are featuring two games from Techland in the same list proves how great of a job the development studio does at making zombie games. Dying Light is undoubtedly Techland’s best game because of how it put together co-op gameplay, survival mechanics and parkour all into one game. The game was self-published by the studio, and it shows when you have complete creative freedom over your work, how great ideas can come to life. The game draws inspiration from other titles like Mirror’s Edge with its parkour, and there are major RPG elements as well. You are supposed to scavenge for items, keep noise to a minimum, and if things do start getting dirty, there are various weapons to choose from to set hell loose upon the zombies. The best and most scary part about the game is that not all zombies are slow and dim-witted, some of them can be very agile, and you will not see what hit you at times. Player controlled zombies are also a thing in-game, and they are capable of taking out a four-man squad without breaking a sweat.
6. Left 4 Dead 2
There is nothing wrong with having a little humor even when you’re facing hundreds of zombies who want to eat your brains, right? Left 4 Dead 2 is a humorous experience, and it is far better than what Turtle Rock attempted with Evolve. The game takes a dig at B-grade movies with its cheesy humor and over-the-top animations. Despite all of the intentionally forced humor, there is strategy involved in moments of tense combat. From survival missions that involve holding areas down for extended periods of time to moving through safe rooms without being detected, there is a lot of variance in gameplay. And, if you have three other friends to play the game with the experience gets even better. Despite the game’s massive success, we are yet to receive a third game in the franchise to continue the adventures of the protagonists.
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops II Zombies Mode
When Call of Duty first released in 2003, no one quite perceived to be a game that would incorporate zombies down the line. In 2009, the game tested the waters for a zombie game shooter with Call of Duty: Zombies for Android and iOS and fan seemed to like the idea. In 2012, Activision implemented a zombies mode in the flagship title, and it was very well received by the fans after initial doubts among many. When it comes to pure gameplay mechanics and how movement and gunplay feels in-game, it is undoubtedly one of the best you can get. The zombies were added to many of the classic modes including survival and Tranzit modes. You also got to play as characters like Danny Trejo, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. Subsequent Call of Duty releases released the zombies mode quite a few times, but none of them were as effective at capturing the charm of a true zombie shooter like Black Ops II which is still regarded by many as one of the best COD games to come out.
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4. DayZ
What was originally a mod for ARMA’s Operation Flashpoint, turned out to be one of the most popular games in recent years. It includes all of the amazing combat weaponry and vehicles that you find in ARMA III, and it comes together really well. A recurring theme seen in zombie games is that the enemy is sometimes not the zombies but the humans themselves. It is up to you to keep yourself safe from other attackers who might be after you to loot your resources or just kill you in general. The game’s community has been alive and kicking for years, and new improvements are constantly added to the game to keep the gameplay fresh for everyone. The game has come a long way since its focus on banditry. There are full-fledged trading centers, farms and other ways to get loot. The game world has been evolving over the years, and it seems like the players are slowly heading towards a more civilized society after the zombie outbreak. However, it is unknown how far the devs are going to stretch the narrative as a full recovery from the zombie outbreak can only mean two things. Either we are in for a surprise to keep the game’s narrative going or we are set to receive a new DayZ game sometime soon that will continue the game’s legacy.
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3. DOOM
If you loved the original DOOM that came out in the 80s, you will love the reboot of the franchise that was released in 2016. Amidst the craze of Overwatch, PUBG and other hero shooters that flooded its release year, DOOM managed to be one of the standout single player games. The title does not have a proper story, and it serves simply as a shell just for the sake of offering a purpose to slay the demons. Unlike the zombies from other games on this list, DOOM is quite different as there are no chemical outbreaks or a disease that is causing hordes of mindless freaks running after you. It is a demonic invasion that corrupted the minds of everyone on earth, and it’s not just the mind-controlled humans that you have to deal with but also the demons themselves making it a very crowded affair. There are a ton of weapons to choose from, and a number of weapon upgrades appear along the way to power up your weapons and your suit to make yourself tanky and dish out more damage. One of the best things about the multiplayer aspect of the game is that you can create custom maps in-game and some players actually recreated the levels from the original DOOM, which is a lot of fun to play if you want to have a nostalgic trip. With DOOM Eternal coming out later this year, it is definitely one of the most hyped upcoming PS4 games that you want to check out. But until then, you can try out the 2016 title for hours of fun.
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2. Killing Floor 2
Killing Floor 2 is hailed by many as one of the best co-op shooters for PC players, and it’s hard to disagree with they. Killing Floor 2 is not a zombie game that you would want to play if you want a relaxed experience as the screen is constantly filled with bloodthirsty zombies and you never get to stop shooting. If pumping heavy metal into these hideous things is your calling then go right ahead. The game is very tense as zombies can come from all directions and it’s up to you to find the right spot to ensure you don’t get caught off guard and killed. In co-op mode, it is up to you to keep an eye out for your teammates to ensure they do not die. If you want to train your aim and get better at shooters, Killing Floor 2 is one of the best games for it thanks to the unexpected nature of the enemies that keep you guessing. Both the original Killing Floor and its sequel have been amazing games and you should definitely check the franchise out if you do not care much about a story and simply want to shoot bad guys to death.
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1. The Walking Dead
While it is true that zombie games are fun but they can also be quite a bit taxing. While many of you do love shooting bullet after bullet mindlessly into zombies, others want something slower paced. Even in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, there is always time for a good story. The Walking Dead as a franchise has been quite successful under Telltale Games but it’s unfortunate that the development studio’s formula or walking simulators didn’t quite hold the audience like it expected to. While there are tons of brilliant games in the franchise, none of them quite match up to the popularity of the original The Walking Dead. The game started it all for Telltale in recent years. While other games like Life is Strange and Quantum Break have applied the formula and have done well, there is something about the original Telltale Games as a walking simulator that stuck on. The game is by no means your generic shooter. In fact, you barely shoot 20 bullets on an average in a TWD title by Telltale games but when you do, it leaves an impact for the entirety of the story. The first game saw Lee take care of Clementine and take out a bunch of zombies (dubbed “walkers” in-game), but when Clementine’s turn came to grow up, she had to make a difficult choice with a gun in her hand.
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