The 38 Best Zombie PC Games You Can Play Right Now

In the mood to dive into some post-apocalyptic gameplay on the PC? Luckily, there are plenty of games featuring the undead–so many that making this list was a major chore. We did our best to pick out the best zombie PC games that are sure to get your blood pumping and your trigger finger exercised. All the titles listed below are available for purchase right now as full title release or in early access.

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#38 Dead Island 2

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: April 21, 2023

Epicgames | Playstation | Xbox

Dead Island 2 was a game that most of us thought would stay in development hell. It took years to get the sequel for Dead Island finally, and multiple development studios were involved at some point. But fortunately, Dambuster Studios was able to bring this game out into the marketplace, and we’re able to rip through countless undead zombies. For those who might be unaware, Dead Island 2 takes place a few years after the original game’s events. Much like the first installment, players are presented with the opportunity to pick from various protagonists, each with unique attributes. From there, you’re dropped into the now-quarantined California state. A new zombie plague has struck, leaving the citizens to reach an extraction point within Los Angeles. You soon find yourself immune from the zombies; your blood could be the key to finding a cure. Now you’ll need to melee your way through countless different zombies in hopes of getting rescued. If you enjoy bashing through the undead, it’s worth pointing out the FLESH system Dambuster Studios implemented in this game. Here you’ll get a system that can replicate various blows showing off damage to the skin, muscle, and bone. Here’s hoping you’re not afraid of a little blood; by little, we mean a lot!

#37 SurrounDead

Platform: PC
Release Date: June 24, 2022

SurrounDead is an open-world zombie survival game. The title puts players into a world that has given up on their fight against the zombie virus. As a result, what little is left in humanity has resorted back to a more dark age living style. It’s a rough world out there in this third-person horror game. You’ll need to scavenge for resources to use and fortify a base to keep safe. Meanwhile, the dead grow in numbers, which means you’ll need weapons to fight back so be on the lookout for whatever you can snatch along with ammunition. The game is still in active development, but you can try it out right now, thanks to developers placing SurrounDead in early access on Steam.

#36 Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2: Deluxe Edition

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One
Release Date: May 16, 2022

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

Just when you thought the war was over, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2: Deluxe Edition arrives to tell you that the fight is just beginning!

Ok, that was dramatic, but it’s true enough. The beloved fight between zombies and plants has been taken to the next level, and with this game, you’ll never be bored of the conflict.

So pick your plants and use them to save the neighborhood in various modes. But remember! These aren’t dumb zombies. They can come prepared for the fight and will take you to the limit! So will you be able to save the neighborhood? Jump in and find out!

#35 Dead Space Remake

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: January 27, 2023

Steam | Playstation | Xbox

There are plenty of remakes in video games, and they’re either really good or very mid. Thankfully, the Dead Space Remake is not only a worthy remake, but it’s also one that takes the game to the next level.

You’ll once again become Isaac Clarke on a mission to find out what happened to the USG Ishimura, a ship that happened to house your girlfriend. But from the moment you land on the vessel, everything goes wrong.

Now it’s a fight for survival and to find the truth. With an improved story, voice acting, visuals, gameplay, and more, the remake is everything you loved about the original title and more.

#34 The Callisto Protocol

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5
Release: December 02, 2022

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

While not the most beloved game of 2022, The Callisto Protocol is a title that many will want to try simply for the horror aspects and the brutal deaths that occur within.

The game puts you as a man wrongfully put into a prison colony on the moon called Callisto. But not long after your arrival, something goes wrong, and monsters appear out of nowhere to ravage the place. Your mission is to get out alive and figure out what caused everything.

But that won’t be easy when the monsters you face can kill you without much effort. So load up on weapons and use them to the best of your abilities to survive!

#33 Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2: Deluxe Edition

Platform: PC
Release: May 16, 2022

Steam

It’s the war that no one saw coming, and now, it’s the war that no one wants to stop playing! So if you haven’t had the chance to partake in the fight between the planets and the zombies, get Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2: Deluxe Edition and get into the foray!

The game’s mechanics are simple. You’re in a neighborhood that zombies are overrunning. It’s your job to grow plants that can stop them! Each plant has unique abilities, so wield them to the fullest! But be warned, the zombies have different classes too. So adapt to their defenses and send them back to the grave!

#32 Evil Dead: The Game

Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5
Release: May 13, 2022

PlayStation | Xbox

Who’s ready to get groovy? If so, pick your character and get into the monster-filled foray of Evil Dead: The Game! The title is a love letter to the horror franchise and brings together characters from all the movies you know and love. You can even play as multiple versions of Ash Williams! Or have a 4-player party with all his iterations! What’s better than that? That’s what we thought.

No matter who you play, four of you will go across the map to achieve goals so you can find the Necronomicon. But be warned, a demonic entity is on the map with you and is using its abilities to stop you at every turn!

The race is on to see who wins. Are you ready?

#31 Resident Evil 4 Remake

Developers: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platform: PC PS4 PS5 XSX|S
Release date: March 24, 2023

Steam | Playstation | Xbox

Why just kill zombies when you can kill zombies as one of the greatest video game characters ever? In the Resident Evil 4 remake, Leon S. Kennedy is back! And he’s never looked better! No, seriously, the next-gen graphics really help him look even more like a boss. Just saying.

But he’s not the only one who’s gotten an upgrade. Everything about the original version has been updated to fit the new graphical powers of PC and you’ll see so much more detail in this dark and scary world as you travel through it.

Plus, there’s plenty of zombies and monsters to kill. So what are you waiting for?

#30 7 Days To Die

• Developer: The Fun Pimps
• Publisher: The Fun Pimps
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: December 13, 2013

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

7 Days to Die is a popular zombie game from developers The Fun Pimps. The game takes place after a world war that caused much of the planet to be wiped out due to nuclear weaponry. Exposed to the radiation, a large majority of humans became mindless zombies leaving the remaining few survivors to scavenge for survival. Much like other zombie survival games, this is a wave-based title where players will need to seek out shelter, food, and water.

There’s quite a bit of crafting in this game and as the title suggests, players only have a week to prepare their settlement. At the end of the week, a horde of zombies will come to raid your area. If you survive the night, you’re able to once again go out and gather supplies, refortify your base, and even make some useful upgrades. This game also comes with the added benefit of cooperative gameplay, allowing players to build a base up with friends and prepare for the fight ahead. It may seem like a theme for this list, but players will once again find that this title is also stuck in early access.

#29 State of Decay 2

• Developer: Undead Labs
• Publisher: Microsoft Studios
• Platforms: PC, XBO
• Release: May 22, 2018

PC | Xbox

State of Decay mixes everything we love about survival horror with the realism of having to travel with chaotic people that you can’t control. The game is set in an open-world environment and allows you to play as different characters in order to take advantage of their different characteristics and skills in order to survive. You can play cooperatively with your friends to build shelters and gather resources to fight against hoards of zombies through the unique day and night cycles. There are also vehicles you could drive but it’s important to note that they do require gas and can be damaged when running over zombies or smashing into obstacles.

#28 World War Z

• Developer: Saber Interactive
• Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: April 16, 2019

PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo

If you want a bit more chaotic action in your zombie game, we’d recommend looking at World War Z. This title focuses on horde-based zombies, and players can work together to fend off a massive group of undead. They are quicker in their movements, similar to what we’ve seen in the film with the same name. Zombies even pile up to reach higher ground, so no area is safe from being reached and attacked. Throughout the game, players can strategically place traps to thin out the herd of zombies. Normally game adaptations from other mediums tend to not do as well, but you may be surprised with World War Z.

#27 DayZ

• Developer: Bohemia Interactive
• Publisher: Bohemia Interactive
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: December 13, 2018

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

DayZ first started as a mod for the ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead, which later inspired developers to give it a standalone release. Players are tasked with surviving a fictional post-Soviet Republic during the zombie pandemic.

Starting out, players have practically nothing and it’s up to them to scavenge items from around the map. The game focuses on human interaction, and players can either join forces or attempt to kill each other. (The fun part is trying to figure out whether you’re in danger before it’s too late.) DayZ had a bit of a rocky release but it’s managed to make a decent comeback.

#26 Killing Floor

• Developer: Shatterline Productions, Tripwire Interactive
• Publisher: Tripwire Interactive
• Platforms: PC
• Release: 2005

PC

Killing Floor, much like DayZ, originated as a mod for another video game, this time being Unreal Tournament 2004. It was only a few years later that the mod turned into a retail full-release title. Currently, there are a total of two installments to the franchise and both offer a similar background narrative. Essentially, a biotechnology company was researching genetic manipulation and cloning. However, their products were unsuccessful as the human subjects turned out grotesque and extremely hostile.

Both installments have players fighting off these failed clone creatures and while the game offers a single-player campaign, Killing Floor really shines with multiplayer. It’s worth mentioning that the video game series will likely receive another installment.

#25 Call of Duty Zombies

• Developer: Various
• Publisher: Activision
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: Various

Call of Duty has been a popular franchise for a number of years, though with the introduction of a zombies game mode, plenty of gamers pick up select titles just to enjoy fighting off the undead. The game mode first appeared within the Call of Duty: World at War title and has since been included in a number of installments afterward, such as the Call of Duty: Black Ops series. Overall, this is a wave-based game mode where players have to fight off undead hordes in growing numbers as they complete each wave. Likewise, the maps available will require players to gain points by killing zombies in order to unlock additional sections to explore.

Being a Call of Duty title, another emphasis is gaining weapons by purchasing them through points earned while also stocking up on perks and setting traps to use as an advantage against the enemy.

#24 Dead Rising 4

• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Microsoft Studios, Capcom
• Platforms: PC, XBO, PS4
• Release: December 6, 2016

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

Capcom loves their zombie titles. The studio not only has their staple Resident Evil franchise but the Dead Rising series as well. Gamers may see Resident Evil as a more serious approach to an undead zombie pandemic narrative campaign, but Capcom offers gamers who want more of an action-adventure experience with Dead Rising.

Currently, the latest installment of the series is Dead Rising 4 which is known as a survival horror beat ‘em up game that is more or less an open-world title. Players in Dead Rising 4 take on the role of a protagonist named Frank West who first came into the scene in the very first Dead Rising video game. The game takes place in 2022 and Frank West acts as a college professor who is convinced to follow a student to a rural area of Colorado. On their journey, the duo discovers a military compound being used for zombie research. Frank is then considered and marked as a fugitive and must once again save the day after a zombie outbreak strikes.

#23 The Typing of the Dead

• Developer: Wow Entertainment, Smilebit
• Publisher: Sega
• Platforms: Arcade, Dreamcast, PC, PS2, iOS
• Release: December 7, 2000

PC

The Typing of the Dead by developers Wow Entertainment and Smilebit is a bit older than most of the video games on this list. However, it’s certainly one to be included. This one’s for the spelling bee champs out there.

When it comes to The Typing of the Dead, players are essentially fighting off the undead horde by typing out various words correctly displayed on the screen. In a sense, this is almost as much of an educational video game as it is a survival horror zombie title. Players will be improving their fluidity when it comes to typing along with increasing their accuracy. As for the story, players will follow two agents as they investigate a zombie outbreak in Venice, Italy.

Unfortunately, the sequel to The Typing of the Dead was only released in Japan.

#22 Dying Light

• Developer: Techland
• Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: January 27, 2015

PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo

As we mentioned earlier, Dying Light was a game developed by Techland. This title follows an agent named Kyle Crane who is tasked with infiltrating the quarantine zone city of Harran which has become infected with a virus turning civilians into ruthless zombies. The zombies in this game follow a day and night cycle–during the day, the zombies are lethargic, and won’t put up a fight. However, things quickly change for the worse at night as they become incredibly more aggressive.

Developers have also tossed in some parkour elements allowing players to easily traverse the city and its obstacles when fleeing the undead hordes. Combat has been changed from the melee focus in Dead Island towards more gunplay, giving players a true action-adventure experience. It’s worth mentioning the DLC expansion, Dying Light: The Following. This puts players into a new map filled with more content such as modifiable vehicles. Meanwhile, zombies are still very much a threat but alongside them is an ancient cult. No spoilers.

#21 Wolfenstein: The Old Blood 

• Developer: Machine Games
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: May 5, 2015

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

Wolfenstein is an iconic video game franchise that has lasted decades. Most recently, it was picked back up again for the latest generation of consoles and PC. While Wolfenstein may be focused on a war between an American rebel alliance and Nazi forces, the DLC released for the first title puts the battle between players and Nazi zombies.

The DLC is called The Old Blood, and the addition brings back the first-person action-adventure gameplay and mechanics players would expect, this time with a narrative focused on battling the undead. We won’t spoil the story for you as this particular DLC acts as a prequel to Wolfenstein: The New Order. Expect the same action-pack adventure with a nice mixture of supernatural elements.

#20 Resident Evil 4

• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Capcom
• Platforms: GC, PS2, PC, Wii, iOS, PS3, X360, Android, PS4, XBO
• Release: January 11, 2005

PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo

This list is not completely made up of Resident Evil titles, but it’s worth making mention of the notable titles that are still worth picking up today. For instance, if you never played Resident Evil 4, you’re missing out.

Capcom really opted to make a new experience for players with this release, and many argue that this is where the developers started to steer away from the old school survival horror formula for a more action-packed experience. Resident Evil 4 got rid of the tank controls and made movement around the maps a breeze in comparison. Likewise, the development team also tweaked the aiming system making a fantastic improvement when fighting off enemies.

Within the narrative, players take on the role of U.S. government special agent Leon S. Kennedy who was tasked with a special mission. Leon must head towards rural Spain and track down the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham, who has been kidnapped by a cult. To note just how much attention went into the fourth main installment of the Resident Evil franchise, the development team over at Capcom had scrapped four versions of the game prior. Now one of the most loved entries, it’s clear that they knew this was a special one.

#19 Project Zomboid

• Developer: The Indie Stone
• Publisher: The Indie Stone
• Platforms: PC
• Release: May 2016

PC

In Project Zomboid, players are stuck in a city that’s become flooded with the undead. Just like with any good zombie game, it’s all about survival. Players will need to overcome some pretty massive obstacles, but the title forces players to think about where to go and what risks they are willing to take.

To survive, players must scavenge items and take care of their various vitals such as their hunger, tiredness, pain, and mental state. For gamers looking for more relaxed gameplay or, conversely, an even more difficult experience, a sandbox mode allows users to switch up various aspects of the title. The game may have been released in 2013 but it’s still stuck in early access which means that the developers are working to bring the game out fully. The most recent update added animation overhauls, new audio and music, and revamped multiplayer.

#18 Deadlight

• Developer: Tequila Works
• Publisher: Microsoft
• Platforms: X360, PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: October 25, 2012

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

Deadlight is a slightly different zombie game as players will be progressing through a sidescrolling platformer. The developers at Tequila Works crafted the game after being inspired by Prince of Persia and Another World.

The game follows a park ranger named Randall that finds himself stuck during the pandemic mess. Gamers are tasked with taking Randall across all sorts of Seattle terrain in order to reach the safe zone, where our protagonist hopes to find his family. Interestingly enough, this is also the first title to be developed by Tequila Works who later went on to release popular titles like The Sexy Brutale and Rime.

#17 Resident Evil Revelations

• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Capcom
• Platforms: 3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, X360, Wii U, XBO, NS
• Release: January 26, 2012

PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo

If you’re looking for a side story to play through from the Resident Evil series, we have to suggest checking into the Resident Evil: Revelations titles. There are a total of two installments available which take place between the events of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5.

Within Resident Evil: Revelations, players follow staple characters of the series, Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, as they attempt to stop a bioterrorist organization from infecting Earth’s oceans with a chemical virus.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 follows the events of the first Revelations title and sees the return of Claire Redfield. For the first time ever, gamers can play as Barry Burton as well. It’s also worth noting that for the sequel, you’ll find that the narrative will take place between Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6. This isn’t a big action Resident Evil release either– Revelations titles act more like a survival horror experience. As such, players can expect to conserve ammo, solve puzzles, explore, and at times, evade the enemy.

#16 State of Decay

• Developer: Undead Labs
• Publisher: Microsoft Studios
• Platforms: X360, PC, XBO
• Release: June 5, 2013

PC | Xbox

State of Decay is an interesting zombie pandemic title by the developers at Undead Labs. If you ever watched zombie flicks or shows like The Walking Dead and thought to yourself that you could have led the group better, here’s your chance. State of Decay puts you as the leader of a group of survivors. This is an action-adventure title that combines twists in elements of not only third-person combat but also simulation elements. You’ll ultimately be dealing with hordes of the undead, though the game offers you the ability to make a base and reinforce it to however you see fit. Additionally, you’re in control when it comes to recruiting survivors, helping outsiders, trading goods, or sending guests away. While there is a storyline mode available, players are ultimately steering the ship.

#15 Dead Island

• Developer: Techland
• Publisher: Deep Silver
• Platforms: PC, PS3, X460, PS4, XBO
• Release: September 6, 2011

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

Dead Island was developed by Techland, who went on to develop Dying Light, a game we’ll also talk about in this list. In Dead Island, players start the game as one of four playable characters, each with their own unique traits. Stuck on an island struck by a zombie plague, it turns out that you’re immune to the disease, which conveniently means that you’re the last chance for the rest of the survivors to escape the resort island safely.

This game mixes in melee combat with plenty of gunplay while players explore the island and handle various missions or tasks requested by survivors. Zombies can vary as well, from the standard slow-moving zombies to Rams, big tank-type zombies that are incredibly fast. The Definitive Edition comes packed with DLC and improved visuals. There’s been a sequel for this game in the works for several years now that is currently being kicked around to different developers, but it might come out someday. Maybe.

#14 The Evil Within Series

• Developer: Tango Gameworks
• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
• Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XBO
• Release: October 14, 2014

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

The Evil Within was directed by Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami. The game focuses on Sebastian Castellanos, a detective that gets pulled into a distorted world during an investigation. Staying true to the survival horror genre, The Evil Within will have players struggling against a fight with nightmarish creatures while avoiding traps, sneaking around the world, and solving complex puzzles.

Likewise, the video game series received a new installment with The Evil Within 2. The title takes place three years after the events of the first game, where Sebastian once again takes on a new investigation that involves his daughter who he thought was deceased. Sure, the sequel may have a few little hiccups in comparison to the original, but both are definitely well worth playing today.

#13 Arizona Sunshine

• Developer: Vertigo Games, Jaywalkers Interactive
• Publisher: Vertigo Games
• Platforms: PC, PS4
• Release: December 6, 2016

PC | PlayStation

VR is becoming bigger and mainstream which means that all sorts of new titles will be released for gamers to enjoy. One of the more recent releases is Vertigo Games’ Arizona Sunshine.

Arizona Sunshine is a first-person shooter designed as a strictly VR title. Players will be strapped into the world as they find new survivors and take out zombies along the way. This is one of the few VR titles well worth checking into if you’re looking to smash some zombie brains in. Get ready for gore.

#12 Days Gone

• Publisher: Sony
• Developer: Bend Studio
• Platforms: PS4, PC
• Release Date: April 2019

PC | PlayStation

Days Gone was a very hyped-up title before release, simply because it was being developed by SIE Bend Studio. This is a group we hadn’t heard from for a long time despite creating the Syphon Filter franchise. Days Gone takes place after a virus outbreak turns most of humanity into zombies. Players step into the role of a biker named Deacon St. John, who is getting by in the world by doing odd jobs for various factions.

With that said, you’ll want to be mindful of your surroundings as this game features a horde feature that will have a massive collection of zombies wandering around the map together. Without spoiling too much of the narrative, Deacon lives his life on a day-to-day basis without much of an end goal. However, he learns that there’s a chance that his wife may still be alive somewhere in the world, setting him on a new path to find out what happened to her during the pandemic. While this game was initially a PlayStation 4 exclusive, Sony has since ported it to PC.

#11 Dead Space 

• Developer: EA Redwood Shores
• Publisher: Electronic Arts
• Platforms: PC, PS3, X360
• Release: October 13, 2008

PC | Xbox

The Dead Space series has been a longtime favorite among gamers with the first installment released back in 2008. The games are said to have drawn inspiration from popular horror titles such as Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill. A remake of the first Dead Space game is due to launch in January 2023 and is being developed by Motive Studios. The science-fiction horror survival game will be set in the 26th century and follow engineer Isaac Clarke. Players must work to survive and fend off an aggressive alien invasion. Dead Space 1 and 2 are great ways to get into the franchise, especially for fans of alien horror games.

#10 Resident Evil 7

• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Capcom
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS
• Release: January 24, 2017

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

Developed and published by Capcom, the long-running survival horror franchise Resident Evil appears on this list a number of times for good reason. The franchise has begun to experiment with a more blockbuster action-packed experience, and gamers aren’t displeased with it.

Resident Evil 7 takes players back to a terrifying atmosphere in a first-person perspective, which is a bit unique compared to the third-person gameplay style the series is known for. Regardless, players take on the role of a new protagonist, Ethan Winters, who finds himself trapped with a psychotic family at a derelict plantation. Determined to find his wife Mia, Ethan Winters dabbles deeper into the Baker family in order to uncover what’s going on and just how this family is connected to the disappearance.

#9 Plants vs. Zombies

• Developer: PopCap Games
• Publisher: Electronic Arts
• Platforms: PC, DS, Android, iOS
• Release: May 5, 2009

PC | Xbox

Plants vs. Zombies became a massive hit when it first launched, quickly spreading to a wide variety of platforms. The series takes a more relaxed approach to a zombie genre where players take on the role of plants who must stop an undead horde. This is a tower defense-style video game where players can unlock new plant types that will act as a means to defend themselves from the wave of zombies. Players can expect a variety of zombie types as they progress through the game. Over the years, the series has seen a sequel and a spin-off third-person shooter title, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare.

#8 Back 4 Blood

• Publisher: Warner Bros
• Developer: Turtle Rock Studios
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC
• Release Date: October 2021

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

Back 4 Blood is the spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead. The original development studio behind the IP, Turtle Rock Studios, decided to offer fans another new thrilling zombie co-op shooter. While the fan base for Left 4 Dead is still very much enjoying the first two installments, Turtle Rock offers essentially the same experience but with modern visuals and mechanics. In the game, players work with a group of other human players or AI as they venture out into different areas gunning down mindless infected monsters. It’s all about gathering weapons and blowing enemies to smithereens. Again, similar to Left 4 Dead, the game offers a variety of different monster types that will show up, each with unique attacks or weak spots to aim for.

Each new playable character has a few unique attributes that may make them appealing to certain players. For instance, Hoffman comes in packing with the ability to find ammo after taking down an enemy, while Holly can replenish stamina after killing an infected. Still, even if the base attributes don’t appeal to you, there’s the card mechanic system. Players can build up their character by equipping certain cards which add additional buffs. The enemy AI has its own card system, which means you’ll be dealing with buffed enemies as well.

#7 Resident Evil 3

• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Capcom
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release: April 3, 2020

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

In 2020, fans finally got a remake of Resident Evil 3. This game takes place at about the same time as Resident Evil 2. Players will mainly take on the role of Jill Valentine on a quest to take down Umbrella legally, though when an outbreak occurs in Raccoon City and a powerful BOW is on her trail, she’s forced back into the chaos once again. It’s a fight for survival as she attempts to escape the city, but in order to do so, Jill must fight off countless zombies and invade the BOW Nemesis that’s quickly following behind.

This is a relatively short game in comparison to other installments. There’s less of a focus on backtracking and exploring areas and more emphasis on a linear cinematic storyline. With that said, it still provides a challenge with enemies, resource management, and puzzle solving. Furthermore, this game comes packed with a multiplayer component known as Resident Evil Resistance.

#6 Dying Light 2

• Publisher: Techland
• Developer: Techland
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC
• Release Date: December 2021

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

Dying Light 2 Stay Human was one of the more anticipated video game releases in 2022, and playing the first Dying Light wasn’t a prerequisite to enjoy this installment. The narrative is set years after the events of the original game. Players take on the role of a young man named Aiden, who journeys to locate his missing sister. Experimented on as children, they were eventually separated. Now, years later, Aiden is tracking down where his sister ended up, but the world is even more hostile than you might remember.

Along with hostile factions, you’ll also have to deal with the undead. The infected will roam around the world, but they also differ a bit. You’ll see the typical undead that will attempt to take a bite out of you in the open–however, there are newly turned zombies that move around fast, howlers that will alert your presence, banshees that have incredibly jumping range, and spitters that can spew acid, among several others. Fortunately, the game is essentially a giant playground. Aiden is skilled in parkour, and as a result, you’ll easily be able to vault, sprint, and climb around the area in an escape from danger. If you’re familiar with the first game, you’re also getting a vastly larger map than the original Dying Light.

#5 The Walking Dead

• Developer: Telltale Games
• Publisher: Telltale Games
• Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, PS3, PS4, PSV, X360, XBO
• Release: April 24, 2012

PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo

The Walking Dead has been a world phenomenon, spreading to a wide variety of mediums. Starting out as a standard monthly comic book series, the story has been adapted into a drama television series and a video game franchise. Arguably the strongest Walking Dead video game franchise is the series developed by Telltale Games. The development studio takes great care with whatever franchise they happened to be working on, establishing a new narrative or an in-depth retelling of a story that will undoubtedly draw you in.

The Walking Dead definitely offers fans of the comic book or television series a fresh new narrative filled with hard choices and easy gameplay mechanics, making this perfect for novice gamers.

#4 Left 4 Dead

• Developer: Valve
• Publisher: Valve
• Platforms: PC, X360,
• Release: November 17, 2018

PC

You’ve probably played one of the two Left 4 Dead titles available on the market today. The franchise was brought out by Valve and brings players together in a cooperative game mode to fight off a variety of undead. A first-person shooter action title, the undead variety adds a nice spin on how to deal with the enemy. All-in-all, the game offers relatively short levels as players are mainly tasked with reaching a certain area to escape the infected city.

With two main installments available, the Left 4 Dead series continues to find active players on the PC due to fan-created levels which are also often available for cooperative gameplay.

#3 Minecraft

• Developer: Mojang
• Publisher: Mojang
• Platforms: PC, Android, iOS, X360, PS3, PS4, PSV, Wii U, NS, 3DS
• Release: November 18, 2011

PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo

You’ve heard of Minecraft. A global phenomenon, endless worlds can be created and explored, making for quite a fun and relaxing gameplay experience. The main focus of this game is to explore and thrive in a world filled with friendly critters, NPCs, and monsters. When you start a game, you’ll need to build, harvest, hunt, and maintain your health along with your hunger. Meanwhile, you’ll have the ability to explore and find great spots to start building up a base.

It’s all about progression, getting a system established to keep resources up, improving your base, and obtaining better tools to make the overall experience a bit more seamless. Of course, if you don’t want to go through the game as a survival experience, there is a creative mode option that gives players the ability to freely create without the fear of losing a life, progression, or precious items. This game does offer the ability to allow up to four players in a local co-op. Online, you can work with up to eight players.

#2 Resident Evil Village

• Publisher: Capcom
• Developer: Capcom
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC, Stadia
• Release Date: May 2021

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

The Resident Evil franchise has continued to thrive long after it first hit the original PlayStation console. The latest mainline installment, Resident Evil Village, takes place after the events of Resident Evil 7. Players are tossed back into the role of Ethan Winters whose world is again turned upside down during the game’s opening moments when Chris shows up and seemingly takes his child. Now stranded in a remote village in the middle of nowhere, Ethan is forced into fighting all kinds of horrifying enemies from lycans to vampires. Just like with the previous installment, the game requires you to find weapons and ammo to take down enemies along the way. You’ll also have a series of puzzles to solve and some intense boss battles to fight. The weapons might be a bit limited, but you’ll get the chance to swap around between certain guns or make some slight upgrades. Don’t be fooled–this is still a survival horror video game experience, but you’ll still have a ton of gunplay throughout the campaign.

#1 Resident Evil 2

• Developer: Capcom
• Publisher: Capcom
• Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
• Release:  January 25, 2019

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

With plenty of vocal pleas for developers to bring out a remake of Resident Evil 2, fans finally saw their dream come true with a new release of the title for current generation platforms. This remake does exactly what Capcom did with the original installment.

The remake of Resident Evil 2 brought in an overhaul to the visuals which made the game look fresh and defined, while some changes were made to the overall gameplay. Likewise, there was a change to the camera system, and players aren’t dealing with a fixed camera perspective this time around. Instead, the development team decided to bring in an over-the-shoulder camera angle, bringing the player closer to the action. Luckily, the game wasn’t altered in terms of the story. Players will still take control of both Leon Kennedy and Clair Redfield as they attempt to escape the undead-filled Raccoon City.

Bonus Games

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GTFO

• Developer: 10 Chambers Collective
• Publisher: 10 Chambers Collective
• Platforms: PC
• Release: December 10, 2021

PC

GTFO is another cooperative horror game, originally released in early access in December 2019 and getting a full release in December 2021. In this game, players group up and seek out valuables deep below the Earth’s surface after an asteroid strikes the planet. However, you’ll soon find that there is something unnatural below.

Players are forced to venture around the map, gather resources, and fight off enemy hostiles as they attempt to reach the Earth’s surface once again. It’s almost like a more intense version of Left 4 Dead and many find it to be more of a challenge.

How to Survive

• Developer: EKO Software
• Publisher: 505 Games
• Platforms: PC, PS3, Wii U, PS4, XBO
• Release: October 23, 2013

PC | Xbox | PlayStation

How to Survive was developed at Eko Studios. The game plays from a top-down perspective and players are tasked with scavenging items while making their way to an exit point that will take them to safety. However, what stands in their way are hordes of infected.

The game is easy to pick up and play in spurts which later inspired the developers to go back and release a sequel known as How to Survive 2. Many of the mechanics remained the same, though the narrative followed the events of the first game. Instead of the pandemic being an island problem, the infection had spread globally making it difficult for players to escape. Instead, they are tasked with building a shelter to separate themselves from the undead.

Dead State

• Developer: DoubleBear Productions
• Publisher: Iron Tower Studio
• Platforms: PC
• Release: December 4, 2014

PC

Another unique look at the zombie genre, Dead State offers gamers a turn-based survival horror RPG. The video game was developed by DoubleBear Productions and Iron Tower Studios, and players are placed in the middle of Texas during the collapse of all civilization as we know it.

If you enjoy RPGs, especially turn-based, then this is one title to consider. Players are tasked with scavenging items, managing and building up their characters, and to top it all off, there is an emphasis on dialogue allowing players to make their own choices. Best of all, the developers have gone back and reanimated the game offering players an updated feel with improvements to the AI along with brand new game modes and areas.