The Best Zombie Games Made in Japan: From Yakuza to Resident Evil

Summary

Japan has produced some incredible zombie games, including spin-offs like Yakuza: Dead Souls.
Kuon offers an atmospheric, terrifying experience set in Japan’s feudal past with spooky spirits and undead.
The Typing of the Dead creatively combines horror action with typing skills, offering addictive gameplay.

Zombies are a popular subject that video games were designed around, and some exceptional games within this genre originate from Japan. Swarms of bloodthirsty, shambling undead are common elements in gaming. Although the first zombie game, “Zombie Zombie” from 1986, was created outside of Japan, since then numerous impressive Japanese titles have emerged from studios like Capcom.

In the realm of zombie video games, iconic series such as “Resident Evil” and “The House of the Dead” have become almost synonymous. However, there are lesser-known jewels hidden amidst these heavyweights, like a game from the “Yakuza” franchise and creations from smaller studios, such as FromSoftware. To guide gamers through the vast sea of options, here is a curated list, ranked in order of quality, showcasing the top zombie games crafted in Japan.

8. Yakuza: Dead Souls

Gangsters Vs. Zombies

The Yakuza series offers an exciting blend of fighting games, life simulations, gangster stories, and diverse mini-games. Over the years, it has built a dedicated fanbase. One of its spin-offs is this 2012 game, which takes place in Kamurocho after a zombie apocalypse. The story focuses on four main characters as they struggle to survive and escape the disaster.

In contrast to previous games in the Yakuza series, Yakuza: Dead Souls shifts its emphasis significantly, concentrating primarily on combat and using firearms as the primary method to eliminate enemies instead of traditional hand-to-hand combat or bicycles. Although it may not provide the same level of depth as other installments, it offers numerous enjoyable moments, such as some truly impressive boss battles. Moreover, it maintains the series’ characteristic charm effectively.

7. Kuon

A Rare Find And A Terrifying Experience

In this atmospheric game, Japan’s feudal past is vividly recreated, even drawing inspiration from classic J-horror films such as Onibaba. The lesser-known masterpiece, Kuon, was developed by FromSoftware – the same team behind the Soulslike games and Elden Ring. This game employs ancient folklore to narrate the tale of protagonists Utsuki and Sakuya, who venture into a haunted manor filled with not just zombies, but also frightening spirits and eerie dolls. As the narrative unfolds, the townswomen uncover a horrifying realm of rituals, curses, and dark sorcery.

Among numerous PlayStation 2 games, this one was primarily released in limited quantities outside Japan. As a result, original copies have become quite sought after by collectors. If you ever get an opportunity to play it, I strongly recommend doing so right away. It’s renowned as one of the most unique and impactful survival horror games from its era, although it’s not exactly a game to be played in the dark.

6. The Typing Of The Dead

Type Or Die

Released: 1999 (initial Arcade), 2000 (Dreamcast, PC)
Platform: PC, PlayStation 2, Dreamcast, iOS, Arcade
Developers: WOW Entertainment, Smilebit

Over the years, the “The House Of The Dead” series has delivered numerous thrilling and chilling experiences with zombies. Besides the primary games, there have been some unique spin-offs, such as this one that blends intense action horror with typing proficiency. In essence, players are given a specific timeframe to type out words, which results in killing onscreen adversaries. As the game advances, the complexity of words and sentences increases.

As a gaming enthusiast, let me tell you from personal experience that The Typing Of The Dead is surprisingly hard to resist once you start playing. It’s every bit as engaging as its shooter counterpart, but with a unique twist – instead of guns, the characters now wield keyboards! This game offers a lot of fun and replayability, making it one of the most enjoyable zombie action spin-offs, especially if you have the keyboard peripheral. Its clever humor and innovative concept make it stand out in the genre.

5. The Last Guy

He Who Saves One Life Saves The World Entire

Originally launched as a digital-exclusive game on PlayStation 3 in 2008, “The Last Guy” carries an unusual charm that seems fit for the Steam store. This game revolves around its titular protagonist, who embarks on a rescue operation to save as many people as possible after a global zombie outbreak. The perspective shifts from above, and although it maintains a playful tone, it uses satellite imagery from Google Earth for its settings.

In this scenario, anyone who’s still alive needs to stick closely behind their leader, as navigating a city filled with zombies can be quite tricky. Our goal is to escort civilians safely out of harm’s way before the clock runs out, creating an enjoyable blend of the classic game Pac-Man and the post-apocalyptic thrills of 28 Days Later.

4. Lollipop Chainsaw

Once You Pop, You Can’t Stop

Lollipop Chainsaw stands out as an unusual combination; it’s a product born from the partnership between an indie developer, Grasshopper Manufacture (renowned for their work on the No More Heroes series), and a celebrated Hollywood director, James Gunn of Guardians of the Galaxy fame. In this game, players assume the role of Juliet Starling, a cheerleader at San Romero High School, who takes action when a portal to Hell opens, unleashing hordes of zombies onto the streets, leaving her to save the day.

Just as you’d anticipate from a game created by James Gunn, it showcases a razor-sharp humor, peculiar allure, and a mischievous sense that borders on the playful. These elements harmoniously blend with Grasshopper Manufacture’s vibrant visuals and excessive gameplay style. The game, which has a knack for not taking itself too seriously, falls within the slapstick category but offers a distinct gaming experience nonetheless.

3. Dead Rising

Chop ‘Til You Drop

Remarkably groundbreaking for its era, Dead Rising stood as a marquee game for Xbox 360, blending survival horror with roguelike aspects, and simultaneously honoring one of the most iconic and impactful horror films – Dawn Of The Dead. This game drew heavy inspiration from the movie, where zombies overrun a shopping mall. Players must creatively employ everyday shopping items like pool cues or lawnmowers to eliminate their adversaries.

As a gamer, I jumped right into this thrilling adventure, finding 141 diverse weapons, from miniature to mammoth, each packing its unique punch. The game was dripping with dark comedy that had me chuckling between the heart-pounding moments. But be warned, it’s no walk in the park – the difficulty level is sky-high! You’ve got to remain alert at all times to dodge the relentless onslaught of zombies. Over the years, it spawned several sequels and just last year, I experienced a breath of fresh air with the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, which brought some fantastic quality-of-life upgrades!

2. The House of the Dead 2

A Lightgun Masterpiece With Plenty Of Bite

In the tail end of the 1990s, this rail shooter game made its debut in arcades, yet it manages to maintain a sense of novelty and thrill in today’s time. It builds upon the foundation set by “The House of the Dead” with an increased number of zombies, diverse settings, and amplified chaos. Characters assume the identities of AMS agents James Taylor and Gary Stewart, as they delve into a Venice, Italy-based investigation triggered by their longtime foe, Goldman, who orchestrated the outbreak.

The game was both exhilaratingly swift and indefatigable, featuring multiple storylines that made it ripe for repeated playthroughs. This title was ported to Sega’s Dreamcast and continues to be hailed as one of the top horror light-gun shooters. Although Sega has launched subsequent games within this series, this specific game remains a notable achievement in the franchise, even boasting some dubious voice acting performances.

1. Resident Evil 2 Remake

An All-Time Classic Gets A Triumphant Makeover

Originally, Resident Evil 2, initially launched for PlayStation, was acclaimed as a survival horror masterpiece. After quite some time, developer Capcom revealed it would be reimagined, causing apprehension among fans regarding the remake’s quality. However, their concerns subsided when the remake hit the shelves and gamers found themselves captivated by an astounding, cutting-edge game that skillfully modernized its foundation material.

This faithful reboot preserves the elements that made the initial release captivating – puzzles, action, and discovery – while enhancing them with cutting-edge visuals and audio. It honors the 1998 classic while modernizing it to its fullest potential. Both Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield are playable characters, and iconic set pieces and boss battles remain unchanged. Few zombie games can match this one’s quality.

2025-03-03 06:24