Best Apunkalypse Games, Ranked

Highlights

In post-apocalyptic worlds, human factions can be scarier than monsters, focused on violence, destruction, and anarchy.
Games like Batman: Arkham Knight, Far Cry: New Dawn, and Borderlands show how humanity can devolve into chaos.
These games take players through desolate cities and wastelands, highlighting the importance of heroes like Batman and Deacon.

As a seasoned survivor of the post-apocalyptic wastelands myself, I can wholeheartedly vouch for these thrilling gaming adventures! Each title offers a unique perspective on survival and resistance against the chaos that has taken over our world.

Instead of roaming through an apocalyptic game battling zombies or monsters, which can be thrilling, it’s also captivating to engage with gangs and looters in a devastated landscape. For quite some time now, video games set in a post-catastrophe world often include a human group as the adversaries that you face throughout the narrative or open environment.

The concept is that when society collapses, humans can produce even more horrific aberrations than actual monsters. Typically, they descend into chaotic factions driven by violence, destruction, conquest, and even darker intentions. Many games have leveraged this theme to heighten the gaming experience. (Paraphrased)

9 Batman: Arkham Knight

Crime And Anarchy Controlling Gotham City

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my excitement about diving into the turbulent world of “Batman: Arkham Knight.” Although it’s not strictly set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, it certainly feels that way. The city has been left desolate due to Scarecrow’s terror attacks, forcing its citizens to flee. In this absence, gangs, supervillains, and the Militia have seized control, turning the once peaceful Gotham into a chaotic battlefield for none other than the Dark Knight himself – Batman. The open world is now a warzone, a testament to the relentless struggle that lies ahead for our hero.

In a grim and chilling manner, the forsaken Gotham City teeming with Batman’s foes instills an ominous and frightening ambiance in the game titled Arkham Knight. It’s almost inconceivable that the entire narrative unfolds within a single night, but this underscores the vital role Batman plays in maintaining the city. In his absence, Gotham serves as a grim reminder of what could happen to other cities without their own vigilant guardian.

8 Far Cry: New Dawn

Mayhem, Mutants, & Montana

The change of scenery to Montana in Far Cry 5 was appreciated, but the post-apocalyptic setting of Far Cry: New Dawn, using the same game engine, offered more enjoyment. In this altered version of Montana, the characters Mickey and Lou, along with their followers known as the Highwaymen, have become beloved antagonists in the Far Cry series, making for an unforgettable challenge.

In the revamped version of Hope County, Montana within the game ‘New Dawn’, you’ll encounter human adversaries reminiscent of ‘Mad Max’ and mutated animals to battle against. This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a more fantastical journey in the ongoing ‘Far Cry’ series. Essentially, ‘New Dawn’ is a thoughtfully modified version of ‘Far Cry 5’, offering a gaming experience worth exploring.

7 Borderlands 2

Pandora Lives Up To Its Name

In Borderlands games, we see what transpires when ruthless corporations allow lawlessness and psychotic killers to rule a hostile world. Borderlands 2 immerses players in the chaotic core of Pandora, swarming with bandits who stand between players and their riches. The heroes themselves are just as extreme as the villains.

In Borderlands 3, although fans adored it, the narrative leaned more towards corrupt corporations rather than the native creatures of Pandora. Conversely, the second installment preserves its punk style, not just through the bandit forces, but also due to the devious deeds of one of the franchise’s most wicked antagonists: Handsome Jack. This combination has left an indelible mark on the looter shooter genre, forever altering it.

6 Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

A Modern Classic Thanks To Years Of Content

In a blend of first-person shooter and massively multiplayer online role-playing game genres, Tom Clancy’s The Division games are distinctive as live-service titles, offering cooperative gameplay in teams. What sets them apart is their setting – depictions of once-familiar cities like Washington D.C. and New York City, now desolate ruins. Traversing these haunting cityscapes feels unsettling.

Over a span of more than five years, The Division 2 has managed to stay relevant due to its diverse missions, rewards, and regular updates, patches, and fresh content. Its robust gameplay is one of the main reasons it has outlasted many other live-service games.

5 Wasteland 3

Carnage And Cold-Blooded Tactics

Similar to the XCOM series, Wasteland 3 allows players to lead characters through tactical, turn-based combat missions with an emphasis on strategic thinking. Unlike many post-apocalyptic punk games set in desert landscapes, Wasteland 3 is situated in a frozen world affected by a new ice age, offering a refreshing twist to the genre.

In Wasteland 3, the adversaries aren’t just the lawless punk raiders and vandals you’ll battle against. The team the player creates can be just as unruly and outlandish as the enemies they face. Ranging from murderous clown gangs to strange cults, Wasteland 3 ensures its world is both ominous and entertaining.

4 Rage 2

A Borderlands Clone In The Best Ways

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the striking resemblance between my new adventure, Rage 2, and the beloved Borderlands. Just like its predecessor, it invites me to traverse an expansive open world on foot or by vehicle, battling waves of mad raiders in a desolate wasteland.

In the second installment of Rage, they improved upon the strengths of the original game and upgraded its shortcomings with more appealing elements. Although it didn’t break new ground, Rage 2 was generally well-received and offered an enjoyable journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape.

3 Days Gone

Bikers Taking Down Zombies

As a grizzled biker roaming the post-apocalyptic woods of Oregon in Days Gone, I find myself battling hordes of zombies and corrupt government organizations that have overrun the land. Though Deacon isn’t your typical hero, he stands as a beacon of hope against the vile factions and monstrous creatures I face during my treacherous journey.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at Sam Witwer being both the face and voice behind the gripping character, Deacon. His performance is instantly memorable, adding depth to the game’s more grounded atmosphere as Deacon offers insightful commentary on the challenges he encounters. Moreover, what sets Days Gone apart is its distinct open world, where careful management of fuel in Deacon’s motorcycle becomes crucial for survival.

2 Fallout 4

Traveling Through Wastelands With Class

The Fallout series is brimming with well-known apocalyptic elements, such as its colossal mutated insects and chilling landscapes scarred by post-nuclear destruction. Among them, Fallout 4, which stands out as the most approachable and beginner-friendly game in the series, additionally showcases hordes of deranged raiders preying on the innocent.

In the world of Fallout 4 across the Commonwealth, you’ll find unpredictable encounters and immersive quests that pit you against various factions wreaking havoc in the wasteland. Raiders are merely one challenge. You’ll also face off against fanatical groups like the Children Of The Atom, Super Mutants, Harbormen, among others, all of whom share a common goal: your destruction.

1 Mad Max

Just As Good As The Movies

In a gamble where games inspired by well-known films often fall short, Mad Max surprisingly hit the jackpot. Guided by Avalanche Games, Mad Max skillfully mirrors the universe of George Miller, brimming with various factions of mad marauders that have become iconic due to the movies, solidifying themselves as a significant part of pop culture.

In terms of personalized vehicles, advanced upgrades for Max Rockatansy, exploring vast desolate lands, and battling War Boy-occupied outposts, “Mad Max” is an impressive game that clearly demonstrates devotion to the series. Despite drawing elements from games like “Batman: Arkham” and “Assassin’s Creed“, it manages to avoid feeling repetitive or tedious.

2024-08-05 06:04