Best Single-Player Zombie Games

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Many of the most popular zombie games are also designed for multiplayer experiences. Games like Left 4 Dead and its sequel are much more fun when played with a team of four, and Back 4 Blood follows that same formula. Plus, Call of Duty consistently offers engaging zombie modes for players to enjoy together.

Playing zombie games with friends is great fun, but going it alone can be even more thrilling and scary. Facing hordes of zombies by yourself – whether they’re caused by viruses or parasites – creates intense, unforgettable moments. Here are some excellent single-player zombie games to experience that fear.

Resident Evil 3 (2020)

Jill Faces Her Greatest Nemesis

Following the successful remake of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 received a well-made remake in 2020. Players once again control Jill Valentine, who returns to Raccoon City to deal with the remaining issues surrounding the Umbrella Corporation. However, she discovers the city overrun with zombies and relentlessly pursued by a powerful hunter known as Nemesis.

As a huge fan, I’ve always seen Resident Evil 2 as the one that really makes you think and solve puzzles while still being terrifying. Resident Evil 3, though? That one’s all about non-stop action! It doesn’t have as many puzzles, but it ramps up the scares and the shooting feels so much tighter. Honestly, both games are incredible and stand out as some of the best zombie horror experiences ever made.

The Last Of Us

Click Click Boom

As a huge fan of The Last of Us, what really struck me wasn’t just the zombies, but how much more terrifying the other survivors were! The infected – those turned by a crazy mushroom virus – are scary, sure, especially the Clickers. They’re fast, really aggressive, and even a small injury from one could be fatal. But honestly, dealing with desperate people in that world felt like the real danger.

The game focuses heavily on sneaking, silently eliminating enemies, and making useful items. While it features infected humans, the true strength of The Last of Us lies in its compelling story – the infected are simply a backdrop for the emotional drama.

Days Gone

Beware The Hordes

Days Gone is a PlayStation game set in a world after a disaster, featuring zombies. However, these aren’t your typical slow-moving undead – they’re quick and can be incredibly dangerous. The most threatening zombies appear in large groups, rushing at players like swarms of ants through forests or while they’re traveling on roads.

The hordes of zombies in this game are truly terrifying, ranking among the scariest enemies ever designed. While you’ll also have to watch out for other survivors, the most exciting part of the game is exploring the Oregon wilderness on a motorcycle.

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster

Sifting Through Seas Of Zombies

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster is an updated version of the original Dead Rising, a game Capcom made as a more lighthearted take on the zombie genre. The game traps you in a Colorado mall overrun with slow-moving zombies, and you can use almost anything you find – weapons, tools, even everyday objects like lawnmowers and ashtrays – to fight them off.

Players can create better weapons and improve their characters as they progress. While time moves quickly in the game, this updated version remains just as enjoyable as the original Xbox 360 release, especially when it comes to the satisfying zombie-killing action that the Dead Rising series is known for.

Dead Island 2

The Quick And The Dead

Dead Island 2 takes place in Los Angeles, using the city’s bright, colorful, and expensive atmosphere to create a striking contrast with the zombie-filled action. Players can select from a variety of characters, each offering unique abilities and strengths – from close-combat experts to incredibly fast fighters.

No matter which character you pick, you’ll face relentless zombie hordes, but you’ll have access to lots of weapons to defend yourself. You can creatively fight back – for example, by electrifying a machete or creating a fiery trap with gasoline. This RPG offers a complete co-op campaign, but it’s also perfectly enjoyable to play on your own.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

A New Standard For DLC

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare is an expansion to the original game, but it’s a standalone experience set in a spooky, supernatural version of the Wild West. Players control John Marston as he navigates the familiar game map, now overrun with zombies and other frightening creatures.

The game feels like a lighthearted, campy 1950s B-movie, but the events within it are actually quite serious. It’s impressive how Rockstar transformed almost the entire game world into a zombie-filled landscape, setting a new standard for downloadable content and challenging other developers to follow suit.

Yakuza: Dead Souls

Kamurocho Invaded

Yakuza: Dead Souls is a side story within the main Yakuza series, and it’s mostly set in the Japanese district of Kamurocho. Players will control characters like Kazuma and Goro as they battle zombies and move through a set series of events.

This game focuses more on exciting action than scary survival horror. Players won’t often struggle with limited ammo or health while fighting zombies and other creatures. While the side missions can sometimes feel familiar, they’re enjoyable thanks to the charming Yakuza characters, who make any situation more fun.

Lollipop Chainsaw

Buffy But With Zombies

Lollipop Chainsaw is an incredibly over-the-top game, similar to a zombie-themed Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Players control Julia, who battles waves of zombies with her chainsaw, all set to the rhythm of both new and classic pop songs. Music is central to the game’s experience – the boss characters are actually parodies of famous bands.

These days, the best way to play the game is with the updated version, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, although it removes many of the original songs. It’s still enjoyable, but if you can find the original game on consoles like the PS3 or Xbox 360, those versions offer a more complete experience.

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2025-11-06 14:37