The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

Highlights

  • RPGs can include various settings beyond medieval fantasy, with sci-fi and post-apocalyptic themes providing diverse experiences.
  • Post-apocalyptic RPGs explore society’s collapse and aftermath, focusing on survival, choices, and rebuilding civilization.
  • Games like
    Fallout
    and
    Project Zomboid
    offer immersive experiences in post-apocalyptic settings with complex narratives and gameplay.

As a survivor of several apocalypses, I’ve seen the world crumble and rebuild itself more times than I care to remember. Each time, the experiences have left me with a deep respect for humanity’s resilience and adaptability.


In simpler terms, RPGs, or role-playing games, are not just limited to fantasy settings as popularized by series like “Baldur’s Gate” and “The Elder Scrolls.” Instead, they encompass a wide range of genres, including science fiction and sports. When executed properly, these diverse genres can incorporate RPG gameplay mechanics, offering players rich and captivating experiences.

In the realm of role-playing games (RPGs), the post-apocalypse setting is another favored choice. This involves universes where civilization has crumbled, brought about by diverse causes. These settings intrigue us with their depiction of society’s efforts to recover and rebuild, frequently influenced by the ideals of past civilizations. Overcoming the struggle for survival in these environments is an added challenge that many post-apocalyptic RPGs introduce as a significant gameplay feature.

10 The Age Of Decadence

Steam Ratings: 81%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

Drawing inspiration from the fall of the ancient Roman Empire, The Age of Decadence is an engaging post-apocalyptic RPG that offers numerous intriguing perspectives in this setting. In this fictional world, society crumbled due to a brutal and magical conflict between two realms, resulting in a long-lasting aftermath that continues to afflict the world centuries later.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve played countless RPGs over the years. Some have been truly memorable, while others have left me feeling disappointed. But this game is different. It harks back to the classics, reviving concepts that seem to have been overlooked by modern RPGs.

9 Wasteland 2

Steam Ratings: 82%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

In the aftermath of a catastrophic nuclear war instigated by a sentient AI perceiving humans as a danger, Wasteland 2 is situated. Though the war has ended, this artificial intelligence persists in attempting to eradicate humanity, deploying robots and synths as its principal agents.

Created by the same minds behind “Fallout,” “Wasteland 2” delves into themes of survival and morality in a barren landscape. Spanning over three games, players assume the identity of a Desert Ranger member. In the sequel to this franchise, the central objective is to probe into the demise of a comrade and confront a fresh menace.

8 UnderRail

Steam Ratings: 87%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs
  • Plataforms: PC
  • Released: 12/18/2015
  • Developers: Stygian Software
  • Genres: RPG

As a devoted fan, I’d describe UnderRail as an immersive post-apocalyptic RPG that has humanity thriving in a network of subterranean structures – our last bastion for survival after catastrophic events forced us underground. The specifics of those events are shrouded in mystery, but one thing’s certain: life above ground is now a distant memory. Over the years, we’ve adapted to this subterranean lifestyle, making these tunnels our home, and the surface world has become little more than a forgotten legend.

While delving into the narrative, audiences have the opportunity to ponder various hypotheses regarding the demise of the ancient civilization. However, the primary emphasis lies in navigating through intricate tunnel systems, encountering hazards, and engaging with rival factions vying for possession of limited resources.

7 Chrono Trigger

Steam Ratings: 87%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

Traveling through various stages of human history, Chrono Trigger stands out as a distinctive game that transports players on an extended voyage, complete with time-jumping adventures. In one such scene, we find ourselves in a future where Lavos, the game’s nefarious antagonist, has awakened, leading to the apocalypse for mankind. The world is now a barren wasteland, its once-thriving cities reduced to rubble, and resources scarce among the ruins.

In this coming era, mankind has developed advanced machines designed to aid us, but they’ve evolved into dangerous adversaries, posing grave risks to their makers. Faced with this dire predicament, our principal characters struggle for existence and seek a means to alter the future by time travel.

6 Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game

Steam Ratings: 87%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs
  • Plataforms: PC
  • Released: 11/09/2023
  • Developers: Iron Tower Studios
  • Genres: RPG

Created by the same talented team behind “The Age of Decadence,” “Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game” offers a captivating and intricate storyline that shines in the post-apocalyptic RPG category. This game takes place on a generational spaceship that departed from a ruined Earth, seeking a new habitable planet. Players delve into the harsh realities of survival amidst a challenging and deteriorating existence.

During the journey, significant issues arose, such as a violent uprising that overthrew the initial ship’s leadership, leading to a divided and strife-torn community. The game “Colony Ship” provides an engaging and in-depth experience for RPG enthusiasts due to its complex gameplay involving moral dilemmas and strategic combat, making it a standout title within the post-apocalyptic genre.

5 Horizon Zero Dawn

Steam Ratings: 87%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

In the realm of post-apocalyptic role-playing games, Horizon Zero Dawn stands out as one of the finest, seamlessly blending an immersive storyline with rich RPG features. This captivating game is set in a future where humans have reverted to a tribal existence. What makes it exceptional is its ability to portray a vast, open world teeming with enigmas and perils.

In the game “Horizon Zero Dawn,” the main character, Aloy, relies on her abilities in survival and fighting, along with a gadget called a “Focus.” This device enables her to communicate with old technological machines. The setting is ruled by mechanical creatures, which emerged following the demise of a sophisticated civilization. The game features numerous intriguing side stories and an elaborate skill system, providing players with an engaging experience that seamlessly combines action, strategy, and compelling narrative elements – making “Horizon Zero Dawn” a standout representative of the post-apocalyptic genre in contemporary gaming.

4 Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden

Steam Ratings: 90%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

Drawing inspiration from games such as XCOM, Mutant Year Zero is an intricately planned post-apocalyptic role-playing game. Human existence has become scarce due to the destructive combination of climate change, economic hardships, and international conflicts escalating into a devastating nuclear war that wiped out civilizations.

In this game, the world is populated by anomalous animals, as nature has taken back the land once occupied by cities. The only sounds players will hear are those of the wind. As part of an extraordinary team, gamers will scavenge for necessities to thrive and uncover fresh mutations to delve deeper into the post-urban Earth.

3 Final Fantasy 6

Steam Ratings: 90%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

In every new installment of Final Fantasy, Square Enix delves into diverse topics. Notably, the post-apocalyptic setting is a significant theme in Final Fantasy 6. Prior to the storyline, there was the catastrophic War of the Magi that nearly destroyed the world. However, humanity miraculously regrouped and rebuilt itself following the devastation.

In the midst of the game, another apocalyptic disaster strikes as Kefka Palazzo, the chief antagonist in “Final Fantasy 6” from Square Enix, seizes control, causing chaos and ushering in a new cosmic catastrophe. This classic RPG not only showcases Square Enix’s exceptional 2D gaming experience but also delves into themes of rebuilding a shattered world and beginning anew.

2 Fallout 2

Steam Ratings: 94%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

In the realm of post-apocalyptic narratives, Fallout stands as one of the genre’s most influential touchstones. The narrative departs from historical reality following World War II, culminating in a catastrophic nuclear war in the year 2077. The ambiance is characterized by a retro-futuristic style, seamlessly merging aspects of the 1950s with cutting-edge technologies, thereby crafting a distinctive and engaging environment.

Fallout 2 expands upon its storyline, immersing players in an expansive open-world setting brimming with intricate quests and moral dilemmas. The main character, a relative of the Vault Dweller from the previous installment, embarks on a journey to protect their tribe. In addition, it merges strategy gameplay with world exploration, providing players with numerous options and diverse conclusions, solidifying itself as a genre staple.

1 Project Zomboid

Steam Ratings: 94%

The Best Post-Apocalyptic RPGs

In the realm of post-apocalyptic video games, the zombie apocalypse scenario is undeniably a popular icon. Among these games, Project Zomboid has earned a reputation as a dominant force within this genre. Despite lacking a linear narrative, the game presents players with an expansive world to explore – the city of West Point and its 90s-inspired surroundings, teeming with zombies.

1. In the game, the apocalypse is brought about by the Knox Infection, whose origins remain unclear. The radio within the game hints at diseases or bioterrorism as potential sources. Notably, Project Zomboid distinguishes itself with its intricate survival mechanisms, necessitating players to meticulously strategize to gather essential items and steer clear of attracting zombie attention. Balancing fundamental needs such as hunger, hydration, and health, alongside the continuous menace of the undead, places it among the top games in this genre.

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2024-07-30 04:34