9 Post-Apocalyptic Games Not Set In America

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I find a sense of familiarity in Death Stranding and the ’50s melodies of Fallout always tug at my emotions. Essentially, I have a soft spot for post-apocalyptic video games from you.

…but I can’t subsist solely on them. How would it feel if disaster struck not in St. Petersburg, Florida, but in the one nestled within the Gulf of Finland? Isn’t paradise also tainted with despair when all life is lost?

These games have been selected due to their innovative approach to portraying the end of life, offering something novel and intriguing. With these titles, you might find your next gaming session in the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout or Days Gone remake less monotonous.

For qualification purposes, we’re considering a post-apocalyptic setting as any area that has transformed into an uninhabitable landscape, leading to the demise of many of its residents.

Indeed, that implies that a local catastrophe is included, since the fact that life continues normally in Montana won’t alleviate your struggles if your region has been transformed into glass.

9.
Vigor

True Norwegian Extraction Shooter

In essence, Norway is famed for numerous aspects such as fjords, black metal music, abundant seafood, and a high quality of life. However, in the context of your suggested sentence, it could be rephrased as: “While Norway encompasses all that natural beauty, comforts are not part of the experience in Vigor.

Although the ARMA series has achieved significant success, as well as spin-offs like DayZ and PUBG, Bohemia Interactive has yet to make Vigor a lasting hit.

At its initial release, the game encountered major technical problems, but these have since been addressed. However, much like many other extract-based shooter games, it continues to struggle with widespread cheating issues.

The game is structured as a third-person extraction shooter, offering a blend of elements similar to Escape From Tarkov and Helldivers 2. While Vigor may not reach the same level of immersion provided by these games, it stands out as an enjoyable, free gaming experience that’s great for playing with friends.

8.
Atom RPG

Dying Like It’s 1986

If you’re perusing this list, there’s a good likelihood you’ve been yearning for an experience quite similar to Fallout, minus its distinctly American flair. That’s precisely what Atom RPG offers, placing you in the Soviet Union following World War 3, which annihilated all major world powers in 1986.

In Atom RPG, the gameplay is heavily influenced by traditional role-playing games, yet manages to remain unique. You create your character and embark on a journey to not only ensure your own survival but also prevent the remaining remnants of humanity from disappearing entirely.

If you’re more focused on experiencing the game’s story at a leisurely pace, Atom RPG shares similarities with Project Zomboid. You can roam about, savor life, engage in procrastination, homesteading, and pretend normality persists even as the world around you deteriorates.

Once you’ve completed the current game, feel free to progress to its follow-up titled Trudograd. Compared to the initial Atom RPG, this sequel boasts a more polished appearance and offers an exciting feature where you can transfer your existing character.

7.
Frostpunk 2

Ice, Ice, Baby

11 Bit Studios has achieved a divine reputation within the “survive longer than everyone else” genre, and that’s certainly true for the Frostpunk series. In Frostpunk 2, you take on the role of ruler in the city of New London, which is now thirty years into a volcanic winter.

As a gamer immersed in the virtual city of New London, I can tell you firsthand that things have taken a turn for the worse. The once vibrant cityscape is now blanketed under an unending blizzard, making survival a constant battle against the relentless cold.

In Frostpunk 2, the chill is fierce, yet…

It’s not just the cold that poses the greatest challenge in this game; rather, the toughest adversary is the frayed human spirit.

Maintaining the vitality of your city in an obviously hostile environment for human existence necessitates sacrifices; some individuals may be reluctant to make these sacrifices without incentives. Now might be a good time to reacquaint yourself with the role of a tyrant, and pray that the people do not overthrow you before the cold weather does.

6.
Escape From Tarkov

Unleash Your Loot Goblin

Many players who enjoy shooting games find it difficult to escape unhealthy gaming connections they’ve formed. For me, that game is Escape From Tarkov, a title notorious for its intense player community, multiple incidents of cheating, and an early access phase that lasted longer than both World Wars combined.

In the heart of northwestern Russia, nestled within the fictitious Norvinsk region, lies a secluded landscape shrouded by mystery. This once peaceful corner of the world is now cut off from global connections due to a brutal conflict sparked by ruthless corporate interests. As a participant in this struggle, I find myself engaged in a relentless war, not as a soldier or a hero, but as a mercenary. The game Escape From Tarkov immerses me in this intense and unforgiving reality.

Regardless of its noticeable flaws, Tarkov established a benchmark for contemporary extraction shooters as it became intriguingly challenging and, in a peculiar way, enjoyable due to its complexity and demanding nature.

What’s often overlooked about the game is its exceptional level design. If you’ve ever ventured beyond Germany, you’ll find a striking resemblance to a decaying eastern European metropolis in this game. Easter eggs are cleverly scattered throughout the entire map for those keen-eyed players.

5.
Dying Light

Fear Of The Dark

In Poland, there appears to be an environment conducive to success for game developers like 11 bit studios and Techland. Despite having distinct styles in game design, they both excel at creating vivid portrayals of sorrow and desolation.

In the imaginative, Middle-Eastern urban landscape of Harran, Dying Light combines the chilling atmosphere of a neighborhood-wide zombie outbreak with the exhilaration of free-running movement. At first glance, this fusion might seem peculiar, but it proves to be remarkably effective.

In Dying Light, what makes it distinct is that the infected are easy to navigate during daylight hours, but they become much more dangerous once night falls – increasing the challenge for survival based on your skills and preparation when the undead are at their most active.

Regardless of its release over a decade back, the graphics remain impressive, functioning smoothly even on older computer systems.

4.
Gray Zone Warfare

Soldier of Fortune

Over time, various popular video games have featured the Vietnam War. However, this conflict seems to have inappropriately dominated the thematic representation of Southeast Asia.

Gray Zone Warfare breaks away from traditional trends by offering a post-apocalyptic open world that loosely resembles Laos. After a civil war on the tropical island of Lamang, an undefined incident transformed the core of the nation into a radioactive wilderness, secluding it from global connections.

In the conflict involving rebel groups, the army, and hired soldiers seeking to capitalize on the turmoil, the civilian populace either perished or evacuated, unfortunately finding themselves caught in the middle of the gunfire.

Some of the missions left me feeling deeply saddened because they revealed the stark consequences of chaos and violence. Yet, there’s nothing quite like embarking on a 2-kilometer trek through the wilderness to momentarily escape the unimaginable atrocities witnessed.

3.
DayZ

Post-Soviet Zombie Bonanza

Poor Chernarus has been through a tough time. After struggling to find its footing following the turmoil of the ’90s, it was hit by an outbreak where people transformed into something akin to zombies due to a virus.

Originally, DayZ was just a mod for ARMA 2, yet it swiftly emerged as the core experience within the zombie survival genre. The gameplay mechanics might seem straightforward at first: you find yourself stranded on a shore, among the rare individuals who are resistant to the virus.

Beyond that point, fortune fades, and the remainder of the game becomes a test of survival, where the goal is to keep yourself alive for as long as possible. This involves searching for food, clothing, shelter, and protection, all while interacting with up to 60 other individuals who are in the same predicament.

Among all aspects of DayZ, what I enjoy the most is its profound feeling of liberty. It allows you to enact your dreams from The Walking Dead, or simply embark on a peaceful journey into the wilderness, focusing on hunting and gathering resources. However, remember that in this game, even if you’re deep in the woods, someone might still take a shot at you from 100 meters away – that’s just part of the experience.

2.
STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl

Meet Me At 100 Rads

The catastrophe at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 resulted in an area resembling a post-apocalyptic landscape along the border of Ukraine and Belarus. In the fictional STALKER universe, another disaster, even more lethal, occurred there in 2006.

You might have chosen STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl due to its exceptional, eerie ambiance that is a must-experience for fans of survival horror games. It’s particularly beneficial if you wish to fully appreciate subsequent installments in the series.

In this scenario, you find yourself stepping into the forbidden territory of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. You’re not just any visitor though; you’re a mystery stalker, suffering from amnesia. The one thing that seems familiar to you is a mission: locate and eliminate Strelok. This journey will lead you down numerous unexpected paths, but I won’t give away the secrets for you to uncover on your own.

In today’s context, playing this game might feel a bit jarring, given that it was released in 2007. However, it has such an abundance of Slavic atmosphere that it could potentially trigger another nuclear incident. Despite its age, the experience is so immersive that just the sound of the Agroprom underground lamps sends chills down my spine.

1.
Metro: Exodus

A Railroad To Nowhere

Suppose we gather the same team behind STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, pair them with a substantial budget, and add an accomplished writer to their ranks. What do you believe would result from such collaboration?

Despite being the third installment in the Metro series, Metro: Exodus deviates more from Dmitry Glukhovsky’s books than some older Star Wars spin-offs. Typically, departing significantly from a solid source material leads to failure, but this instance resulted in one of the finest post-apocalyptic video games ever created.

Initially, the first pair of games were confined to Moscow following a devastating nuclear disaster that made Earth unlivable in 2013. However, Metro: Exodus leads Artyom on a journey through Russia and Kazakhstan as he seeks answers.

Traveling from Moscow to Vladivostok offers an amazing diversity of landscapes and cultures, yet this extensive trip provides ample opportunity for human-made atrocities and sorrowful moments along the route.

In a more conversational tone:

The journey from Moscow to Vladivostok showcases a fascinating mix of terrains and cultures, but it also means you might come across some heartbreaking man-made incidents during your trip.

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2025-04-27 16:10