Top Zombie Games That Stand the Test of Time: Play Them Now!

Summary

7 Days to Die remains popular due to constant updates, offering intense gameplay.
The Walking Dead offers a gripping narrative within a zombie-infested world.
Plants vs Zombies’ accessibility and addictive gameplay make it a timeless classic.

Zombies are one of the most commonly seen enemies in video games, but the ways that developers decide to use them have led to plenty of very unique and experimental games over the years. Keeping these undead freaks slow but powerful can make for an intense and horrifying adventure, while speeding them up can result in more of a horde mode which is faster-paced and exciting, especially when jumping in with friends. Simply put, there’s a reason why zombies have been around in video games for so long, but it was really from the 2000s to the mid-2010s that they began to oversaturate the market.

As a result, many games at this time that featured the undead ended up going under the radar or fading into obscurity, but there have still been a fair few classics that many zombie fans are still returning to even to this day, thanks to their innovative gameplay, exciting modes, and enemy variety. Here are zombie games from over 10 years ago that have aged the most gracefully since they were released.

8. 7 Days To Die

Thanks To Consistent Developer Support, 7 Days To Die Remains To Be One Of The Best Zombie Survival Games Out There

7 Days to Die was first released in early access back in 2013, but since then, the developers have continued to update the game with quality-of-life improvements, enhanced zombie AI, new items, and tons more content for players to enjoy. As a result, the zombie survival game has managed to retain a sizable fanbase which only grows with each passing year, making it one of the most popular zombie games on the market today.

As players build shelters and keep their character’s stats perked up, they will need to venture out of their safe haven every so often to grab supplies. Considering the streets are littered with zombies of all shapes and sizes, actually going about this is much easier said than done, with players being encouraged to craft weapons and tools to make each supply run easier than the last. There’s never a bad time to jump into a new world on 7 Days to Die, especially now that crossplay is enabled so that players from all platforms can join in on the survival fun.

7. The Walking Dead

Telltale’s Experimental Story-Heavy Adaptation Still Features One Of The Best Narratives In A Zombie Game

It’s safe to assert that Telltale Games left quite an impression when they unveiled their 2012 adaptation of The Walking Dead video game, as it was immediately hailed by many as a timeless masterpiece. What sets this game apart is its innovative gameplay mechanics, which compel players to confront challenging decisions with far-reaching impacts on both the narrative and characters.

However, this is still a zombie game at the end of the day, so with the undead lurking around every corner, it makes for some very tricky scenarios and choices when people start getting bitten and infected. At the heart of the narrative is the bond between Lee, who recently escaped from prison, and Clementine, a young girl who comes to learn the harsh reality of the world that she is forced to grow up in. There aren’t many games in any genre that pull off the choice and consequence mechanic as effectively as The Walking Dead, and with the cel-shaded art style and memorable characters, it’s a game that just never gets old.

6. Plants VS Zombies

The Satisfying Gameplay Loop Of Plants VS Zombies Has Made It An Accessible Timeless Classic

As mentioned before, zombie games can take all kinds of forms, even if that means dipping into the tower defense strategy genre, as proven with Plants vs Zombies. This arcade-style strategy game is one that anyone can pick up, play, and enjoy, no matter how much prior experience they have had with zombie games before, as it’s easy to learn and get accustomed to.

In this game, you’ll be on the side of defending plants against zombies. Your goal is to strategically place sunflowers, walnuts, peashooters, and various other units across a large grid to keep the zombies from reaching Crazy Dave’s house. By experimenting with different combinations of plants, you can create an effective defense and enjoy an addictive gameplay experience that keeps you coming back due to its user-friendly design.

5. Dead Rising

Frank’s Hellish Adventure Through A Zombie-Infested Mall Just Never Gets Old

Though Capcom did decide to remake the original Dead Rising, this recent game was primarily just a visual upgrade, with the gameplay being largely untouched, outside of the companion AI. This is a testament to just how absurdly fun and satisfying the core of Dead Rising’s experimental gameplay loop continues to be after all these years. Even to this day, the whole system of completing objectives within strict time deadlines, all while wiping out a mall full of zombies with a myriad of wacky everyday tools is still an absolute joy to experience.

One notable feature that has contributed to the lasting appeal of Dead Rising is its ability to display large numbers of zombies on screen simultaneously. By confining most of the narrative within a single building, Capcom managed to cram in vast swarms of shambling undead into the player’s line of sight, creating an incredibly immersive gaming experience as Frank can be killed by just a few hits. Even though Dead Rising was launched in 2006, other zombie games have struggled to reproduce its distinctive gameplay and entertainment value, with many still finding it as engaging today as it was upon initial release.

4. The Typing Of The Dead

A Bold And Experimental Twist On The Zombie Rail-Gun Genre Which Hasn’t Been Seen Since

When creating a spin-off to a mainline series, developers are given a bit more leeway to flex their creative muscles, with a prime example of this being The Typing of the Dead. As a sort of parody of the on-rails House of the Dead, in this game, players must type out a word or sentence to kill a zombie, meaning they always need to be on their A-game to avoid being caught out by a random tongue twister.

Nowadays, it’s uncommon to encounter a zombie game with such unique gameplay mechanics as Typing of the Dead. What sets this game apart is its distinctiveness – there isn’t anything else quite like it. The idea of participating in a spelling bee and decapitating zombies might initially seem strange, but Typing of the Dead pulls it off successfully while serving as an educational resource as well.

3. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

Undead Nightmare Still Stands As A Spooky But Fun Standalone Expansion To The Iconic Red Dead Redemption

Red Dead Redemption on its own was already a game that people came to adore upon its release, but Rockstar didn’t stop there, as they would also offer players a standalone expansion known as Undead Nightmare. While there have been several open-world zombie games released since Undead Nightmare dropped, the reason people look back so fondly on this game is the charm of the story and characters.

Rockstar dialed their signature quirky humor up to 11 this time around, which essentially turns the game into a dark comedy, given how much gore and bloodshed is still included here. Undead Nightmare also features some of the most rewarding bonus content of any open-world zombie game, especially the Horses of the Apocalypse, who all look as cool as they sound.

2. Left 4 Dead 2

For Many People, The Definitive Zombie Horror Co-Op Experience

It’s surprising to think about, but it’s been over 15 years since the follow-up to Valve’s massively successful game, “Left 4 Dead,” was released. The reason this seems unbelievable is that the game remains remarkably vibrant and distinctive. Although a few games, like “Back 4 Blood,” have attempted to emulate the intense 4-player cooperative gameplay of “Left 4 Dead 2”, none have managed to do it as effectively.

After picking a campaign, players will find themselves thrust into a terrifying situation, teaming up with three other individuals to navigate their way towards the next secure location while constantly evading swift-moving zombies. Alongside the usual crowds of undead, there are also Special Infected – unique types of zombies whose special abilities bring an exciting mix-up in gameplay and enemy variety. In keeping with Valve’s legacy, Left 4 Dead 2 remains one of the best when it comes to delivering nail-biting, spine-tingling, yet enjoyable zombie gaming experiences, despite not being the third installment in the series.

1. Resident Evil (2002)

One Of The Best Remakes Which Is Itself Considered A Timeless Classic By Many Fans

Though the Resident Evil franchise is still going strong thanks to the impressive remakes and high-quality mainline releases, it’s honestly been hard to beat the 2002 remake of the original. In terms of pure survival horror, no game has been able to pull it off quite like Resident Evil thanks to its haunting environment, eerie music, and, of course, the many scares that are provided by the zombies.

The grand Spencer Mansion, though vast and sprawling, consists of narrow passages which allow zombies to surprise players if they don’t have a strategy in place when traveling from point A to B. Despite this, the puzzles remain enjoyable to solve, the whimsical narrative continues to be entertaining, and the Crimson Heads remain among, if not the scariest enemies in the franchise. In essence, Resident Evil is an enduring classic that effectively uses its terrifying zombies.

2025-03-16 02:44