For a long time, zombies have been a source of both fear and excitement for gamers, and there is no end to the number of games that allow you to immerse yourself in a world filled with the undead. Zombies are the main characters in every game, from very fast shooters to very intense survival adventures and even emotional story-driven experiences.
No matter if you are into fighting large hordes, wandering through deserted and terrifying post-apocalyptic worlds, or making choices between life and death, there is a game for you. This is a list of the top zombie games of all time that everyone who is into the genre should definitely try.
1. Left 4 Dead 2
Set in a world destroyed by a terrible pandemic, the game allows you to play as four new Survivors who try to keep their lives by facing big groups of zombies known as the Infected. The disease has affected the brains of the zombified humans and, thus, making them very dangerous and aggressive.
You will have to fight your way through five different campaigns, each of which will be interrupted by safe houses where you can take a break and restock. In every campaign, the main objective is to endure the journey and reach the escape point at the end.
Left 4 Dead shows that simplicity still has its charm. No grinding, no skill trees, and no unlocks, just pure “jump in and play” fun. The AI Director makes each run feel a bit different, and the short campaigns and never-ending community mods keep the game alive even now. It is a new player-friendly game, a veterans’ playground, and still unbeatable in terms of 4-player co-op chaos.
2. Dying Light
The plot centres on Kyle Crane, who is an undercover agent and is sent to the quarantined city of Harran, which is a fictitious place in the Middle East. The agent’s task is to find the stolen document that Kadir Suleiman is using for blackmail purposes.
The game includes the whole big city with infected people as enemies. It also features a day-night cycle, where during the day, the zombies are easier to fight but at night, they are fast, strong, and very dangerous.
Dying Light still holds the title of one of the best zombie games ever produced. The parkour is smooth, the fighting is enjoyable, and the leveling gives you nice rewards for just doing the main quests like running for agility, and fighting for power. The Slums area is not only very well thought out but also very nice to walk around, and the day/night cycle adds the element of surprise with the Volatiles turning darkness into absolute horror survival.
The game is still very intuitive and can easily be learned even after the passing of years, performs well on virtually any machine, and the mood, lighting, sound, and world graphics are still impressive. Playing with friends in co-op mode is a fantastic experience, and the game still remains a source of endless fun. The finale is somewhat disappointing, and the sequel doesn’t fully capture the charm, but the original Dying Light continues to be a go-to game for relaxation.
3. Resident Evil 2
You have the chance to take on the roles of Leon S. Kennedy, a novice cop, and Claire Redfield, a university student. Both of them are trying to escape and survive Raccoon City amidst the chaos of a deadly zombie outbreak. In September 1998, a lethal virus was released in Raccoon City, and everything went out of control. The city turns into a nightmare with zombies everywhere, and those who are still living are fighting for their lives.
The RE2 Remake does everything a survival-horror game has to do, and more. The narrative is great, but the setting is the highlight in this case: the very high tensions caused by dark and scary environments, the sounds of horror, the almost non-functioning flashlight, etc., all these factors together keep you in a state of suspense all the time.
4. Project Zomboid
The action unfolds in a post-apocalyptic Knox County, Kentucky, which represents a quarantine zone filled with zombies. Your task is to outlive the others for the longest time possible, yet be aware of the fact that death is eventually going to happen.
The mood is simply astounding. The gaming universe is characterized by emptiness, solitude, and a kind of immersion that is hard to come by in most of the games. The importance of sound has been heightened, every walking zombie is a real danger, and all the tiny systems have been interconnected wonderfully. Barricading a house, sealing off the windows, settling down with the TV on and a fire crackling, it turns out that it might be one of the most pleasing gaming experiences ever.
The graphics (particularly in Build 42) not only give the world a more vibrant aura but also the level of detail in each mechanic is nothing short of amazing. It is tough, but once you get the hang of it, the game will be extremely rewarding.
5. Dead Island
An outbreak with no clear cause transforms Banoi island into a violent paradise of flesh-eating infected ones. Among them are four people who find out that they are immune, and now they must guard the remaining survivors, discovering the reason behind the outbreak, and locating a way out of the island.
The plot commences on the day following the party, when the four characters Sam B (a rapper), Xian Mei (a hotel receptionist and a secret Hong Kong agent), Logan Carter (a retired soccer star), and Purna Jackson (a former police officer turned security guard) are roused by an announcement that everyone must leave the hotel immediately. They walk around the island and soon discover that it has been overrun very quickly by a virus that has turned the major part of the population into fierce, flesh-eating monsters.
Dead Island truly represents a fun and disorganized zombie apocalypse in its best form. The plot may not be complex but the island’s environment, melee fighting, and ever-present loot enhancements together make it impossible to resist. Hitting the zombies with makeshift weapons and playing together with friends is even more pleasing. It is rough but at the same time it is one of the most captivating zombie-shooter games to play.
6. The Last of Us – Part I
The narrative unfolds in an America that has gone through a post-apocalyptic scenario, where the Cordyceps fungus has mutated and caused a very large number of humans to become aggressive and resort to cannibalism. The tale revolves around different survivors, Joel, a smuggler who lost his daughter during the very start of the outbreak, Ellie, a teenage girl who is immune to the infective virus, and Abby, a soldier who is embroiled in a savage conflict between her militia and a cult.
Among the list of best story-driven games ever produced, this is one of the best. The characters have a realistic level, the emotional scenes are very impactful, and the environment is very sad but still in a pleasant way. The gunfights are nerve-wracking, the supplies are very limited, and the encounters are significant. If you are looking for something that is close enough to a zombie game but at the same time has an enormous amount of feelings, an outstanding atmosphere, and a storytelling that can never be forgotten, then you can try it.
7. Telltale’s The Walking Dead
The game revolves around Lee Everett, a man with a criminal record, who unexpectedly takes on the role of the guardian of a little girl called Clementine during the time when a zombie apocalypse is taking place in Georgia. Every single choice you make in terms of dialogue and actions impacts the development of the story and the consequences of your decisions effects all the episodes.
An incredible gaming experience filled with emotions. The amazing characters, good writing, and an ending that will completely destroy you in Season 1 will hook you right away. Season 2 is less heavy and more action-packed, but still very emotional. Kenny’s comeback was the only reason it was worth it.
Season 3 will be a real surprise for you, thanks to Javi’s plot and more easy gameplay, even though it seemed that Clem was a little bit on the backside. And The Final Season gives a flawless, touching closure for Clementine, tying all the loose ends with real love and attention. The series will constantly leave you caring for, crying over, and really stressing about your decisions across all four seasons. There are some parts where it can be quite messy, but in the end, it is an unforgettable experience. If you’re looking for a story-driven game that gives a harder emotional punch than most movies, this one is for you.
8. World War Z
World War Z is an action game with a cooperative feature in which four players can join together in the fight against zombies. The story and missions will take you to different places around the globe. The main objective is very clear: to kill the zombies, to survive, and to get out alive together.
A very lively and chaotic co-op zombie shooter that utilizes the excitement of large hordes. It is almost the same as Left 4 Dead in the third-person perspective but with classes and progression that are not so fascinating, however, they are still very pleasant. The gameplay is quick and it is fun to play along with friends. The shooting may be a little less intense, the plot may be considered unimportant, and some missions may become dull, but if you are looking for nothing else than mindless zombie-slaying chaos, then this one is definitely your pick.
9. 7 Days to Die
In the year 2013, the nuclear bombings caused the Earth to be in ruins, and among the very few who survived were people contaminated by a strange virus. It’s not certain if the virus was a result of radiation, a biological weapon, or something else, but it changes humans to be of no use, and the zombies turn out to be ferocious and very dangerous. The player is a survivor caught in Navezgane County, Arizona, one of the very few places left on earth where it is relatively safe, and is trying to discover the truth of the catastrophe while struggling to keep himself alive.
A near-countless number of survival game players of today are already liking it. The whole process of building, looting, crafting, and getting ready for horde night is just flawless. The totally destructible world adds the thrill of creativity and sometimes even disaster to every base design. The melee fights are of good quality, and the mining is enjoyable. The story and RPG elements are not that deep, but the sandbox fun and modding scene are some of the good factors.
10. Days Gone
Days Gone starts in the Oregon landscape, two years later, the epidemic creatures resembling violent zombies took over the earth. You are in charge of Deacon St. John, a once-outlaw biker, who comes to know that perhaps there is a chance for him to meet his wife again. Thus, he embarks on a difficult journey in search of her. The game is presented from a third-person perspective, providing users with an opportunity to navigate through a massive open-world setting.
The plot is pretty good, but the main source of enjoyment is definitely in fighting with zombies (or ‘freakers’ as they are called in-game), especially the giant hordes, which are thrilling and super satisfying to wipe out. The game starts off slowly, and some of the missions in the early stages seem to be time-wasting, but once it gains momentum, it turns into a genuinely fun open-world adventure.
11. Dead Rising series
In Dead Rising, you play as Frank West, a photojournalist who gets trapped in a shopping mall in the fictional town of Willamette, Colorado, right in the middle of a zombie outbreak. Frank has to fight off groups of zombies, rescue other survivors, deal with dangerous psychopaths, and stay alive, all while trying to uncover what caused the disaster in the first place.
Dead Rising is a quirky, chaotic zombie series with a real-time timer system that keeps you constantly on edge. It’s not for everyone. The pressure, the planning, and the silly tone make it unlike any other zombie game. If you enjoy replayability, silly weapons, and the thrill of racing the clock, Dead Rising is a cult classic worth diving into.
12. State of Decay 2
The dead have come back to life, society has collapsed, and not even the military could stop the outbreak. With humanity close to disappearing, you take control of a randomly generated survivor and begin rebuilding from scratch. Over time, you’ll find and recruit new people, working together to create a strong, surviving community in a world that’s barely holding on.
Surprisingly fun survival game with smooth combat, great driving, and a really well-designed skills/traits system. Never felt grindy, and the characters actually feel unique. A big drawback is in the multiplayer, you feel like a background extra instead of a real co-op partner. Also, zombies spawning out of thin air can kill you fast.
13. COD Zombies
In this mode, you’re in a nonstop fight against waves of zombies, and the goal is simple: stay alive as long as you can. Every zombie you take down earns you points, which you can spend on better weapons or to open up new parts of the map. As you go, each wave gets tougher, with zombies becoming faster and harder to kill, so the challenge keeps rising.
COD Zombies was great, and Vanguard actually nailed it with Shi No Numa, perfect map for an otherwise rough Zombies mode. Everything else in Vanguard felt bland, and the online-only direction, plus the shift away from classic, tight, round-based design, really kills the vibe.
14. Zombi / ZombiU
Around 400 years ago, a scientist named John Dee warned of a disaster he called the Black Prophecy. In the present day, a tough ex-army survivalist known as the Prepper has been getting ready for this apocalypse, while a secret group called the Ravens of Dee studies Dee’s old predictions to try and prevent them.
Then, in November 2012, Dee’s prophecy starts coming true when a zombie outbreak hits London. Right after the chaos begins, your character is guided to the Prepper’s bunker. There, he arms you with some basic weapons and the Prepper Pad, a handy device with a built-in scanner and radar to help you survive.
Zombi really nails its atmosphere. Exploring abandoned London streets, dark tube tunnels, and filthy sewers feels tense and lonely, with a weak flashlight and creepy audio keeping the pressure on. The death system is great too, you respawn as a new survivor and have to hunt down your old zombified self to get your gear back. Enemies don’t respawn, shortcuts slowly open up, and every decision to push forward or retreat feels meaningful. But the graphics were dated even in 2012.
15. Resident Evil 7
An ordinary man goes looking for his missing wife, and his search leads him to a run-down, abandoned house. Inside, he finds a strange family living there, one that’s hiding a dark and dangerous secret, both in the house and within themselves.
RE7 brings the series back to true survival horror with a creepy first-person perspective and an unforgettable opening. Exploring the Bakers’ house is tense, atmospheric, and easily some of the best horror the franchise has ever done. The classic RE elements are here: safe rooms, limited ammo, puzzles, and they mix perfectly with modern presentation. The final act isn’t as strong, but the overall experience is excellent, and the DLC is surprisingly fun. If you want a polished, scary, back-to-basics Resident Evil, this is one of the best entries in the series.
16. No More Room in Hell
In this mode, you and the other survivors are thrown into a desperate fight against endless waves of zombies. It’s basically every survivor’s worst nightmare. You have to block the entrances, hold your ground, and protect your hideout for as long as you can.
How things end depends on your teamwork and how well you play. You might make it long enough to be rescued, or the zombies might break through and end everything. This isn’t a mode you can tackle alone. Working together is the only way to stay alive. A single run can last anywhere from a few minutes to nearly an hour, depending on how long you can hold out.
This game is nowhere near as bad as people make it out to be. Yes, it’s still early access, and yes, it’s missing replayability and polish, but the core gameplay is genuinely great. The devs are clearly listening to feedback, fixing issues, and adding new content. Two new maps are already in the works, with randomised building layouts to boost replayability, and the upcoming updates look promising.
The fact that future credits are earned only through gameplay, not microtransactions, is a huge plus. There’s still a long way to go, but the game is moving in the right direction. If the developers keep expanding it with more maps, weapons, and customisation, the final release could be something special.
17. Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
The game takes place in a flooded, ruined version of New Orleans, where you’ll move through its famous districts now turned into a harsh and dangerous wasteland. Along the way, you’ll run into other survivors, each just trying to stay alive in what’s left of the once lively city. In true Walking Dead fashion, the zombies aren’t your biggest threat; it’s the people you meet and the choices you make.
The gameplay is immersive, polished, and full of interaction with the environment. Combat feels weighty, exploration is tense, and the survival mechanics are satisfying. Time management and planning add real stakes, and the story is engaging without being overbearing.
Some minor issues with respawning zombies and Chapter 2 bugs, but patches have fixed most problems. The PSVR2 version looks amazing with OLED HDR and haptics. Easily one of the best VR games out there.
18. Resident Evil 4
After the destruction of Raccoon City and the public backlash that followed, the government finally shut down the Umbrella Corporation, leaving it nearly dead as a company. Around the same time, Leon Scott Kennedy was noticed by the government for what he did during the Raccoon City incident. They recruited him, trained him, and turned him into a special agent. Now working for a top-secret security unit, Leon is sent to rural Spain on a new mission: to rescue Ashley Graham, the U.S. President’s daughter, who has been kidnapped by a strange and dangerous cult.
RE4 Remake absolutely lived up to my expectations. The combat feels great powerful guns, smart enemy design, and movement that still retains a bit of that classic RE tension. Hardcore on a first run was tough but fair, and the game’s pacing, shortcuts, and skippable cutscenes make replaying surprisingly addictive. This was one of my best gaming experiences of the year. A must-play for fans of the original and newcomers alike.
19. Left 4 Dead 1
The game throws four survivors, either real players or AI teammates, into a world overrun by infected enemies. Most of the regular infected are controlled by the game, but in Versus mode, real players can take control of powerful Special Infected with unique abilities.
If you’re playing as a Survivor, your main goal is simple: stick together and make it safely to the end of each level. If you’re playing as the Infected, your job is to work with your team to stop the Survivors from getting there.
Left 4 Dead’s Versus mode is still one of the best multiplayer experiences ever: 4v4 chaos, teamwork, mind games, and unforgettable modded matches. It’s wild that no modern game has picked up this formula, even though the community was huge and loyal for years. Plenty of games have copied L4D’s co-op, and others went the 4v1 route, but nothing captures that perfect competitive balance of Survivors vs special infected.
20. Resident Evil 1
In 1998, a special forces team was sent to look into some strange murders happening just outside Raccoon City. But as soon as they arrive, they’re attacked by vicious, bloodthirsty dogs and have no choice but to run into a nearby mansion for safety. Inside, the place feels wrong, like death is everywhere. Supplies are limited, danger is constant, and the team has to fight to stay alive.
The original RE still holds up incredibly well. Its tank controls, fixed camera angles, and slow pacing create a tense, atmospheric horror experience that the remakes can’t fully replicate. Director’s Cut and Arrange Mode add replayability and extra challenges, while the mansion’s layout, puzzles, and enemies feel perfectly designed for suspense.
