Best Zombie-Themed Roguelikes & Roguelites

Key Takeaways

Some of the most popular Steam indie games are roguelikes like Slay The Spire and Hades.
Classic roguelikes like Door In The Woods offer challenging, oppressive gameplay.
1 Bit Survivor is a stylish, addictive, and easy-to-pick-up retro roguelike experience.

Ah, my dear friends, it seems we have stumbled upon a veritable cornucopia of undead-themed video games that promise to tickle our survival instincts and satiate our thirst for post-apocalyptic adventure! From the zombie-infested landscapes of Terminus: Zombie Survivors to the deep, heavily simulated traditional roguelike of Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead, each game offers a unique take on the undead apocalypse.

Among the most played games on Steam are Roguelikes and Roguelites, which include well-known indie games like Slay The Spire, Hades, Balatro, and Risk Of Rain 2. These titles have gained significant popularity worldwide. Meanwhile, more traditional experiences such as Caves Of Qud and Cogmind, known for their turn-based gameplay, permanent death feature, and procedural generation, have also found favor with Steam players.

Specifically, roguelike games are renowned for being tough due to factors like limited advancement and permanent character death. Consequently, the gameplay can be harsh and unmerciful, fittingly mirroring the grim and perilous setting of the undead world.

1 Door In The Woods

A Classic Roguelike With A Dark And Creepy Atmosphere

Platform(s): PC
Released: 2019
Developer(s): teedoubleuGAMES
Genre: Roguelike

The Game Known as “Door In The Woods” is a classic roguelike that exudes a chilling, eerie ambiance. Despite its use of ASCII graphics, this game manages to make the most out of its constraints, giving it a unique, almost artistic feel. It’s not a game where you’d typically lose yourself for hours, but the challenging and unforgiving gameplay paired with the palpable, ominous atmosphere makes it an experience that any fan of old-school roguelikes or horror games should consider.

In this game, titled “Door In The Woods“, the monochromatic color scheme intensifies the ominous ambiance, while its atmospheric soundtrack offers a surprising level of immersion. Despite its minimalist design, even the zombies (represented simply as the letter ‘Z’) can instill a sense of danger and tension. This game might not win over those who aren’t already fans of traditional roguelikes, but enthusiasts of classic gameplay mechanics, particularly in the realm of zombie games, should give this retro title a try during an afternoon gaming session.

2 1 Bit Survivor

A Stylish Roguelike That’s Easy To Pick Up And Play

Platform(s): PC, Mobile
Released: 2023
Developer(s): Chaz Acheronti
Genre: Roguelike

If you’re seeking a brief, engaging game to pass the time during your lunch break or as a break from heavier games, then the aptly named 1 Bit Survivor could be just what you need. With its authentic retro aesthetic, featuring sparse pixel art and crisp audio, and a skillfully blended mix of top-down and first-person viewpoints, it offers an aesthetically pleasing gaming experience. Yet, 1 Bit Survivor excels not only in visual appeal but also in gameplay.

1 Bit Survivor offers a straightforward yet emotionally engaging storyline that drives players to complete the game within 28 days, seeking shelter in a bunker to protect themselves and their newly adopted feline companion from an approaching explosion. The gameplay loop is uncomplicated but captivating, with a user-friendly learning curve that presents numerous turn-based combat puzzles for players to solve. While the zombies are rather simple in design and function, they can be deadly. Overall, 1 Bit Survivor is stylish, gratifying, and effortless to play anytime.

3 Terminus: Zombie Survivors

An Accessible, Traditional Experience With Multiple Endings

Platform(s): PC
Released: 2024
Developer(s): Longplay Studios
Genre: Roguelike

Despite some resemblances between Terminus: Zombie Survivors and the well-known roguelike game Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead, it carves out its unique identity as a user-friendly version of a roguelike, boasting an impressive pixel art design. This accessibility makes Terminus: Zombie Survivors an excellent introduction to traditional roguelikes, blending aspects of the roguelite genre by offering permanent unlocks.

In a nutshell, the fight sequences in this game stand out due to their unique simplicity, although they might demand slightly more steps and brainpower from the player compared to other roguelikes. What’s more, the game’s zombies exhibit diverse conditions – from the path-blocking, limbless ones to the weaker crawlers, up to standard, powerful undead. This game is called Terminus: Zombie Survivors. It offers crafting and cooking mechanics, and its multiple endings motivate players to conquer it numerous times.

4 Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

A Deep, Heavily Simulated Traditional Roguelike

In the game titled “Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead“, there’s a wealth of activities to engage in, provided players can endure long enough to participate. Essentially, it is a conventional roguelike that incorporates turn-based gameplay and RPG character advancement with an undercurrent of survival-horror. Players who appreciate the challenge of classic roguelikes and grueling survival games will feel at home, but newcomers to the genre might find “CDDA” a bit challenging.

In the game named “Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead“, there’s a vast array of foes to encounter, not just limited to zombies. While the variety is immense when it comes to zombie adversaries, ranging from ordinary undead humans to colossal zombie frogs, other types of enemies also exist. The gameplay in “Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead” resembles that of games like “Project Zomboid“, focusing on survival and detailed simulation. Nevertheless, the game’s dedication to traditional design and unique gameplay elements make it stand out, offering a distinct experience even with its relatively simple graphics.

5 Death Road To Canada

A Fun, Fast-Paced Arcade Road Trip Through The Apocalypse

By drawing heavily on the fundamental mechanics of The Oregon Trail, the game Death Road To Canada offers an adventure where players must navigate through a zombie-ridden nation while heading towards a supposed sanctuary. The game’s brutal, crisp pixel art design and retro arcade gameplay mesh seamlessly, creating an engaging and delightful experience, particularly when played cooperatively with another player in local multiplayer mode.

In the game ‘Death Road to Canada’, death is irreversible and it’s not difficult to find yourself swarmed by a horde or pinned down by a mob of shuffling undead, which keeps the simple arcade-style gameplay exciting. These zombies may not be overly intelligent, but their reactive behavior can prove remarkably dangerous in chaotic circumstances. Additionally, ‘Death Road to Canada’ incorporates random generation, ensuring that each playthrough offers a fresh experience for some time.

6 Dead Estate

A Stylish Run-And-Gun Action Roguelike With A Horror Twist

This game, categorized as a roguelike, incorporates horror themes reminiscent of survival-horror icons like Resident Evil. Notably, it features an unstoppable creature that pursues players when they linger excessively, similar to the legendary Mr. X. However, the isometric view can be challenging at times, particularly during intense combat sequences. Yet, the straightforward design of each room aids in maintaining order amidst the chaos.

In Dead Estate, the gameplay is fast-paced, heavily emphasizing quick movement and dodging through narrow areas while jumping over obstacles to dodge numerous monsters and zombies. The game’s appeal is significantly enhanced by its extensive arsenal of weapons that prevent combat sequences from feeling repetitive.

2024-10-24 02:35