Top 15 Best Zombie Survival Games (2023)

A Must Know List for All You Zombie Fiends:

15. Mist Survival (Microsoft Windows)

Mist Survival gameplay

In this zombie game, you aren’t just against the infected. In this game, you contend with bandits, wildlife, resource gathering, and nature itself. The infected will only attack in the darkness or any time there is no sunlight. This includes the random times a thick mist will envelop the world around you and you can get swarmed by masses of infected. See how long you can survive.

What makes this game fun:

• Difficulty changes at random times due to fog mechanic to keep you on your toes
• Open world with vehicles to drive
• Lots of NPC to work with

Getting Ready for the Next Onslaught

Get off my lawn!

14. SCUM (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Steam OS)

SCUM gameplay

If you’ve ever wanted to play a more serious version of Deadrising then this game is right up your alley. It has a crafting system similar to Deadrising, but it’s definitely more mature. This is also an open-world game and has a lot of realism that’s been thrown in, even down to having to use the restroom.

What makes this game fun:

• Expansive crafting system
• Lots of realism thrown in by the developers
• Seems like an updated version of DayZ

Here they come, always be ready. They may be coming over the next hill.

This guy has been in the wilderness for far too long.

13. Hunt: Showdown (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One)

Hunt: Showdown gameplay

One thing that this game has going for it is the focus on more Player vs Player than the others. This also has some rogue-like qualities like retaining your experience even after you die. This game has several PvP modes to change things up every once in a while.

What makes this game fun:

• Keep your experience even if you die
• Set in the Louisiana swampland
• Set around the turn of the 20th century

Sometimes you need a buddy to watch your back.

This zombie is FAR too close for comfort.

12. Killing Floor 2 (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One)

Killing Floor 2 gameplay

This game should be renamed Gorefest 2. This game is brutal and for all long-time Doom fans that should suit well. This game takes place in Europe and it involves citizens and mercenary groups taking on hordes of infected with some similarities to Resident Evil. This game feels like an amalgamation of a lot of different zombie games that have come and gone.

What makes this game fun:

• Interesting setting
• Lots of violence and gore
• Not very difficult

Just shoot into the bunch, you have to hit something eventually.

So. Much. Gore

11. Colony Survival (Microsoft Windows)

Colony Survival gameplay

If Minecraft and tower defense games had a baby it would be Colony survival. This is a really cool idea to have a nightly swarm of zombies attack your blocky village and itt actually be the main purpose of this game. This game also has some real-time strategy and resource gathering elements as well. This is a very well-rounded zombie game, as long as you can get past the aesthetics.

What makes this game fun:

• Very unique aesthetics for a zombie game
• The tower defense mechanics suit this style of game well
• Minecraft type of villagers to help protect

Not many right now, but we all know that will change soon enough.

The calm before the storm.

10. World War Z (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One)

World War Z gameplay

This isn’t a super long game by any stretch of the imagination with only 11 chapters, but it more than makes up for it in sheer numbers. This game is loaded with massive hordes of undead coming from every direction. The weapon choices aren’t really special, but it’s a lot of fun nonetheless. If you like the book or the movie then you’ll definitely love this game.

What makes this game fun:

• Great story based on the book
• Loads of zombies to shoot
• Zombies act as they did in the book and movie (towers of zombies and all)

When did this zombie learn how to do a flying press?

I have two scary words for you: zombie tower!

9. Project Zomboid (Java, Microsoft Windows, Os X, Linux)

Project Zomboid gameplay

If Sims had a zombie mode and more RPG elements I would call it Project Zomboid too. This is a quirky game. This game is rare in the fact that unless you change some setting none of the zombies will run, just as George Romero would have wanted. This game also has several vehicles and a physics engine that will surely make them all a blast to drive.

What makes this game fun:

• Sims meets zombies
• Base creation and resource gather (usually by looting houses)
• Excellent vehicle choices

That’s too many zombies to suit my comfort level.

The Sims never got this bloody before.

8. Left 4 Dead 2 (Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, OS X, Linux)

Left 4 Dead 2 gameplay

This is the shining behemoth of a game made by Valve that will always be used to judge zombie games. To a lot of people, this is paramount of zombie games, I’m sure it’s still a lot of people’s favorite . One way this game stays fresh is the massive support that steam still gives it, not to mention it’s huge fanbase. Both steam and the community have made mods for this game to change things up, like changing zombies to Xenomorphs from Alien. Check out this classic game when you get the chance, you won’t regret it.

What makes this game fun:

• Many different types of zombies to fight
• Lots of mods available to change up the game
• Huge amounts of community support and a great multiplayer game as well

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Whoa, hey there big fella. Let’s just try to talk things out first.

7. Resident Evil 7 (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch)

Resident Evil 7 gameplay

I know I said a lot about Left for Dead being a zombie game to judge other zombie games by, but Resident Evil is the series to judge other zombie game series. This game is gorgeous and it has a lot going for it visually.. This game sees the return of Chris Redfield and the Umbrella Corporation (no surprise there). This game also supports VR, there’s nothing like being scared pantsless in virtual reality.

What makes this game fun:

• VR support
• Has a Texas Chainsaw type feel
• Has some puzzle elements

Gah, this thing doesn’t even look like a zombie anymore.

Apparently, their looks run in the family.

6. Dying Light (Microsoft Windows, Linux, Playstation 4, Xbox One, OS X)

Dying Light gameplay

Here’s one of the lowest-ranked games on this list as far as reviews go. It has some cool features going for it, but the most memorable thing is where you get to be a zombie, but that’s about it. This game does have an interesting day/night cycle, so that’s unique, I’m not sure it’s a great selling point though. The design of the zombies from this game is amazing, whoever came up with their design deserves more praise.

What makes this game fun:

• Unique zombie design
• Being able to play as a zombie
• Free-running mechanics

When all you have is a hammer…

Just run them over, they can’t feel it anymore.

5. They Are Billions (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One)

They Are Billions gameplay

This game has a very interesting setting for a zombie game. It takes place in a distant future where there are very few humans left, but billions of zombies roaming the planet. This game seems to have a Fist of the North Star kind of setting, with less Mad Max. It’s like the world is kind of reset in a lot of ways. You also get to explore old fortresses while you escape from the hordes.

What makes this game fun:

• Steampunk universe
• Real-time strategy gameplay
• Different types of zombies (even giant ones)

The pain train’s coming, choo choo!

It would probably just be easier to just blow up the bridge at this point.

4. State of Decay 2 (Microsoft Windows, Xbox One)

State of Decay 2 gameplay

In this zombie game, one of the main draws is that you can customize your character as well as your home base (or several home bases). You have to watch out for plague zombies because they can make short work of you. Like you would see in The Walking Dead these zombies respond most to noise, so you must be careful when driving or shooting loud guns, so use a suppressor if you have one.

What makes this game fun:

• Character customization
• Third-person action game with an emphasis on scavenging
• Open world game with up to four-person multiplayer

They got tired of waiting for me by the gazebo so they brought the party to me.

This looks like a good time for me.

3. 7 Days to Die (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One, OS X, Linux)

7 Days to Die gameplay

This is an early access game that you can play and has some well thought out features. One of many is that if you are carrying some kind of meat that has a strong scent, zombies will find you more easily. You have to fortify a base for yourself from the zombies because in seven days they will swarm you and try to take you down. Now you can come in contact with zombies before the seventh day, but their numbers are significantly increased.

What makes this game fun:

• Slow-moving zombies during the day and fast-moving ones at night
• You have seven in-game days to prepare for the zombies until they try to overwhelm you
• You have two multiplayer options: survival and creative

I didn’t want to hurt you, gramps, but you’ve left me no choice.

Now THAT’S a knife!

2. Death Road to Canada (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, OS X, Steam OS, iOS)

Death Road to Canada gameplay

16-bit zombie destruction at it’s finest. This delightful game reminds me a bit of Hotline Miami, but with zombies. You can have different characters that have different quirks that may help you or make things really hard for you. You start in Florida and you have to make your way up to Canada where hopefully it’s safer. There are also a lot of text-based interactive events to go through on your international journey, stay safe out there.

What makes this game fun:

• Available on almost every major platform including iOS
• You can face up to 500 zombies at once in this top-down action game
• Feels like a retro video game

Is this the result of their rampant consumerism?

Looks like I stand alone. Time to go to work.

1. Resident Evil 2 Remake (Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One)

Resident Evil 2 Remake gameplay

The T-virus is back and better than ever. Play as Leon and Claire once again in this remake of the original Playstation title. This game has received stellar reviews and is a very faithful re-imagining of the original title. You can even play it in a hardcore mode in case you are feeling masochistic today. You get to play each individual story of both Claire and Leon and when you complete it with each character you get to see the true ending.

What makes this game fun:

• A great way to relive your favorite moments from the original Resident Evil 2 with updated graphics
• No fixed cameras or tank controls like the first game. This has an over-the-shoulder camera and normal FPS-style controls
• See the horror you felt as a child, but in high definition

He’s climbing in your windows, he’s snatching your people up.

I’m burning, I’m burning, I’m burning for you.

Bonus: Days Gone (Playstation 4)

Days Gone gameplay

Have you ever wanted to play a game as a bounty hunter who also kills zombies? Then this game is just what you need. You play as Deacon St. John and you get to go through his story and also survive hordes of the undead. In this game zombies as called freakers, this sounds like a nod to The Walking Dead and them calling zombies freaks and walkers. This game has massive hordes of zombies like World War Z, but I’ve yet to see any of them form a zombie tower to try to get to me.

What makes this game fun:

• Great vehicle mechanics
• Melee combat is very satisfying
• Stealth missions threw in on occasion

Yeah, he’s being chased, but at least you can enjoy that view at the same time.

Line ‘em up!

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