The Best Zombie Games That Are Not Horror

Key Takeaways

Many zombie games are more about satisfying gameplay than genuine horror.
DayZ
focuses on survival mechanics; Zombies are a minor inconvenience.
State of Decay 2
emphasizes base-building and community over terrifying zombies.

As a seasoned gamer with decades under my belt, I must say, these zombie games from yesteryears still hold a special place in my heart. Let me take you on a nostalgic journey through these undead adventures that have left indelible memories etched into the annals of gaming history.

Zombies. Whether you adore them or shudder at their mention, it’s clear that they remain an irresistible subject for video game developers. While the fascination with zombies in popular culture may have slightly subsided in recent times, there’s no disputing the vast array of zombie-themed games available today. From top-tier retro zombie games to humorous titles and, naturally, heart-pounding horror games set in a zombie apocalypse, there’s something for every type of gamer out there.

That’s great news for those of us who enjoy crushing zombie skulls. There’s something uniquely satisfying about squashing hordes of shambling undead. The truth is, zombies really aren’t all that scary. Many zombie games aren’t even horror games anymore, and we’ve put together a collection of some of the best examples. They might be a little scary or creepy in places, but even the biggest scaredy-cat can work their way through these games. We’ve limited the list to games featuring genuine zombies and ignored games like The Last of Us and Days Gone, which feature enemies that look and sound like them but aren’t technically zombies.

9 DayZ

Zombie’s Are Nothing But A Minor Inconvenience

DayZ boasts an extensive and intriguing background. Originating as a well-liked mod for the military simulator Arma 2, it later evolved into a self-contained game on a minimal budget. Beyond contributing significantly to the rise of hardcore survival games, DayZ also played a crucial role in sparking the creation of the original PUBG. The initial mod was launched in 2013, followed by the standalone game in 2018. As such, DayZ has been under continuous development for several years now.

Initially, Bohemia Interactive intended for DayZ to be a survival horror game, but over time, the terrifying elements were phased out. Now, DayZ primarily emphasizes authentic survival tactics and evading hostile players. If you’ve played a recent version of DayZ, you’d agree that zombies are more like background obstacles rather than genuine threats. The game can be quite tense, but it lacks the frightening elements (except for certain custom servers). In DayZ, the true source of dread comes from other players.

8 Project Zomboid

Surviving The Zombie Hordes Has Never Been More Difficult

Project Zomboid is often labeled as a survival horror game, but it’s more accurately described as a challenging zombie game that drops players into a densely populated urban setting and tasks them with staying alive for as long as they can. It’s a hardcore survival experience where, apart from the occasional human, all threats come from zombies. These classic-style zombies are dangerous in one-on-one encounters, but running into a horde could be disastrous.

The game titled Project Zomboid employs a 2D top-down viewpoint which tends to dilute the terror inherent in its concept. Though one might imagine that a first or third-person perspective could generate fear, Zomboid’s graphical style is more whimsical than frightening. While moments of tension can occur and a sudden zombie attack may startle you, Zomboid seldom induces true horror. After spending a few hours familiarizing oneself with the game mechanics, the player can transform their character into a zombie-slaying force armed with firearms. The survival aspects continue to pose a threat, but the same cannot be said for Zomboid’s undead creatures.

7 Dead Island 2

A Zombie RPG All About Power Fantasy Wish Fulfullment

Among the Dead Island series, we opted for Dead Island 2 as it offers the most intense action and least amount of horror compared to other games in the franchise. One of the top zombie RPGs in recent memory, Dead Island 2 focuses on players developing their survivor character and hacking through hordes of zombies. Although the narrative is minimal, and the game is relatively brief for a contemporary title, it delivers an enjoyable experience while it lasts.

In the backdrop of Los Angeles, Dead Island 2 places you right smack in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, where you traverse through grand Hollywood mansions, overrun movie sets, and bustling city streets teeming with the undead. The game primarily revolves around getting up close and personal, annihilating zombies using an impressive arsenal of melee weapons. To add a twist, developers have included some firearms as well. Most zombies are feeble and offer little resistance, but beware of aggravating special-type zombies such as the Screamer or Brute. The game occasionally delves into horror elements, notably during the theme park boss battle against a zombified clown, which might not be particularly frightening on its own, but could trigger those suffering from coulrophobia.

6 State Of Decay 2

Bringing Civilization Back To The Zombie Apocalypse

State of Decay 2 is another installment in the zombie survival genre where the undead are more of a bothersome nuisance rather than a heart-pounding terror. Known for its robust base-building mechanics, this game, titled State of Decay 2, allows players to select their base and concentrate on establishing a thriving community of survivors. Unlike traditional games, there isn’t one main character. Instead, each survivor you recruit has unique skills and personalities that you can control. Since survivors get tired quickly, you will frequently need to switch between them as they rest.

In smaller teams, managing zombies becomes manageable, particularly after acquiring good weapons and enhancing your team members’ abilities. However, the fear comes from the game’s permanent death mechanic, which means a single mistake could result in the loss of a beloved character. The game lacks jump scares, and the high number of zombies encountered reduces any sense of intimidation. Moreover, the game’s visual style leans more towards cartoony aesthetics rather than realistic horror.

5 Zombie Army 4

A Zombie-Themed Sniper Elite Spin-Off

For individuals unfamiliar, the Zombie Army game series is derived from the renowned Sniper Elite series. Unlike its predecessor which emphasizes stealth, precise shooting, and strategic planning, Zombie Army focuses on eliminating swarms of zombies in a cooperative setting with friends. The franchise shares aspects such as realistic sniping mechanics and kill cam with Sniper Elite but offers a distinct gaming experience altogether.

As a gamer, I must say that Zombie Army 4 feels like a significant departure from the stealthy world of Sniper Elite. Instead of relying solely on long-range sniping, I find myself battling hordes of zombies in close quarters. The maps are more linear and guide me from point A to B, creating an action-packed journey filled with undead mayhem. It’s a straightforward yet satisfying experience for anyone craving some good old zombie slaying fun. Add a few friends in co-op mode, and you’ve got one of the top tier zombie shooters out there.

4 Dead Rising 2

Inflicting Cartoon Violence On As Many Zombies As Possible

In simpler terms, the game Dead Rising 2 revolves around a narrative where you search for Zombrex to prevent your character’s daughter from becoming a zombie, while also escaping a mall overrun with the undead. However, the main focus of the game is providing various absurd and violent methods for players to eliminate these zombies, often while wearing outlandish costumes. To put it in a fun way, if Bugs Bunny found himself amidst a zombie apocalypse and was given an R rating, that would give you a good idea of what Dead Rising is like.

The Dead Rising series is known for an assortment of unconventional and eccentric weapons. These tools are often concocted by combining various items, ranging from a spiked baseball bat and knife-wielding boxing gloves to more extraordinary creations like a gun-equipped wheelchair or a DIY lightsaber. The wackier the weapon, the more effective it tends to be against zombies. In an earlier installment, Dead Rising 2, players had to navigate through massive zombie swarms while aiming for the highest possible combo score. Killing zombies was rarely challenging; instead, the primary danger came from the game’s psychos – powerful human adversaries who served as bosses. Unfortunately, the series never surpassed Dead Rising 2. Dead Rising 3 fell short of expectations, and what made Dead Rising 4 most unsettling was Capcom restricting the ending to downloadable content.

3 Lollipop Chainsaw

No One Said The Zombie Apocalypse Had To Be Serious

In a nod to the good old days of gaming, I can’t help but rave about Lollipop Chainsaw! This hilarious zombie comedy game features an 18-year-old cheerleader who’s not just overly-sexualized, she’s got a unique accessory – her boyfriend’s severed head. Armed with a chainsaw, she gleefully dispatches the undead. The game never missed an opportunity to poke fun at its concept, making it as entertaining as could be!

In simpler terms, “Lollipop Chainsaw” is an iconic hack-and-slash game that offered intense, bloody battles with a focus on stringing combos together and utilizing special abilities. The action was occasionally interrupted by amusing mini-games and simple character customization options. The game’s vibrant, comic-book aesthetic matched its quirky, humorous tone, making it a favorite among many gamers. Today, it’s considered something of a cult classic, with a remastered version set for release in the future.

2 Plants Vs Zombies

One Of The First Big Mobile Games

These days, mobile games are often seen as commonplace, but in 2009, they were quite significant. Games like “Angry Birds” and “Plants vs. Zombies” played a crucial role in transforming the mobile gaming landscape. “Plants vs. Zombies”, a tower defense game, demonstrated that even compact games could generate huge franchises. The player would defend against hordes of zombies using various types of plants in this relatively straightforward game.

Back in 2009, this game on people’s phones was incredibly captivating, despite being easy to grasp. In fact, it became so popular that everyone from grandmothers to teenagers were playing it. The cute and humorous zombies combined with the charming plant units made the game irresistible. The original release quickly gained traction, leading to numerous sequels and spin-offs, even a peculiar third-person competitive shooter. Although its popularity has waned over time, there’s no denying that Plants vs. Zombies was an exceptional zombie tower defense game with unexpected layers of complexity.

1 World War Z

Some Of The Best Zombie Hordes Ever Seen In A Video Game

Inquire any ardent fan of zombie movies about the most disheartening zombie film, and you’ll likely hear Brad Pitt’s “World War Z” mentioned frequently. While this movie shares a title with its literary counterpart, it fell short on almost all aspects that made the book a cult classic. When a video game adaptation was announced, fans expressed caution.

The video game version of World War Z draws more from the movie than the original book. This cooperative-oriented zombie title lets players choose a survivor and embark on various missions that primarily involve achieving objectives while fending off enormous swarms of zombies, much like the classic game Left 4 Dead. Despite its larger scale, it’s less frightening than Left 4 Dead, but still holds a top spot among cooperative zombie games. The initial release wasn’t well-received, but the Aftermath rerelease addressed many of the criticisms and ran much more smoothly. In terms of gameplay, World War Z shines brightest when players collaborate to eliminate the relentless hordes of zombies that appear on screen, although its quieter sections can feel a bit tedious at times.

2024-09-20 12:34