Fails And Triumphs
Much like the undead, zombie games are unpredictable. One title can promise nonstop thrills, but end up feeling empty. Another might surprise everyone, carving out an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. That unpredictability is part of the charm—especially with such a highly saturated genre. You never quite know if you’re stepping into a groundbreaking journey or a frustrating mess. So let's get you on the right track and explore the vast array of zombie games out there. To begin with, let’s look at some clunky, forgettable releases.
1. The Walking Dead: Destinies
No professional reviewers recommended this 2023 catastrophe—literally 0% on OpenCritic. GameMill Entertainment charged $50 for what people called "the worst game we've played," despite releasing alongside genuine classics. It features wooden voice acting, a bland storyline, and zombies that pose no threat.
The Walking Dead: Destinies - Part 1 - The Beginning by TmarTn2
2. Amy
Released during 2012's Christmas season, this survival horror disaster takes place on Christmas Eve yet contains no holiday references beyond one throwaway conversation. VectorCell's escort mission nightmare forces players to protect an autistic 8-year-old through zombie-infested Silver City while managing an infection meter.
AMY | Full Game Walkthrough | No Commentary by The Game Archivist
3. Land Of The Dead: Road To Fiddler's Green
Brainbox Games somehow managed to take George A. Romero's thoughtful 2005 film and turn it into GameSpot's official "Worst Game of 2005." This movie tie-in featured zombie AI so embarrassingly broken that undead enemies would get stuck on open doors and cardboard boxes.
Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddler's Green (2005) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
4. Infestation: Survivor Stories (The War Z)
Originally launched as The War Z in 2012, this notorious cash grab became synonymous with false advertising and exploitative business practices in the gaming industry. The developers faced universal condemnation for implementing pay-to-win mechanics where real money could purchase weapons.
The War Z - Name change to "Infestation: Survivor Stories" by J.C.'s Channel
5. Dead Alliance
IllFonic and Psyop Games created a multiplayer disaster that managed to alienate both zombie game purists and competitive shooter fans simultaneously. The bizarre core concept lets gamers control zombies using pheromone grenades and strategic environmental triggers, completely abandoning traditional undead lore for inexplicable gameplay mechanics.
Dead Alliance Multiplayer Gameplay No Commentary by Medic Games
6. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
GamesRadar summarized their review with "poor design choices, narrative missteps, and technical issues combine to make this one of the most horrible Resident Evil games to date." Due to the broken cover system, players would accidentally slide into enemy fire instead of taking refuge.
I forced myself to play RESIDENT EVIL: Operation Raccoon City by Kevduit
7. Metal Gear Survive
The audacity of charging everyone $10 for additional character save slots became an industry scandal, with many calling it the most egregious microtransaction ever implemented in a full-price game. It was set in an alternate dimension filled with crystalline zombie-like “creatures.”
Metal Gear Survive - Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - Prologue (Full Game) PS4 PRO by Shirrako
8. Overkill's The Walking Dead
Four years of development and millions of dollars in investment couldn't save this 2018 cooperative mess from being completely removed from Steam within just four months of its launch. The console versions were outright cancelled after witnessing the PC version's reception.
Overkills The Walking Dead - Aidan: The First Trailer | PS4 by PlayStation
9. Umbrella Corps
Capcom's 2016 competitive multiplayer experiment represented a complete misunderstanding of what made Resident Evil appealing to millions of fans worldwide. The game attempted to blend tactical zombie combat with standard arena shooting mechanics, resulting in a confusing experience that satisfied neither demographic.
I forced myself to play the WORST Resident Evil game by Kevduit
10. The Day Before
When the self-proclaimed "open-world survival-horror MMO" finally released, players discovered a broken, incomplete experience that bore little resemblance to the ambitious trailers. The developer announced the studio's closure within months, leaving purchasers of the game with a permanently dead multiplayer title.
The Day Before - Announcement Trailer by IGN
On the flip side, some developers understood the assignment and delivered experiences that changed gaming forever.
1. Resident Evil (1996)
March 22, 1996, marked a seismic shift in gaming when Capcom released this PlayStation exclusive that coined the term "survival horror." The Spencer Mansion became gaming's equivalent of the Overlook Hotel, with its pre-rendered backgrounds and fixed camera angles bringing atmospheric tension.
Longplay of Resident Evil (1996) by LongplayArchive
2. The Last Of Us
Naughty Dog's 2013 emotional powerhouse proved that zombie games could prioritize character development over mindless action. The cordyceps fungus infection crafted scientifically plausible infected creatures that evolved through distinct stages. Joel and Ellie's cross-country journey bagged over 240 Game of the Year awards.
The Last of Us Part 1 Gameplay Walkthrough FULL GAME (No Commentary) by Gameplay Only
3. Left 4 Dead 2
Another 2009 masterpiece introduced dynamic difficulty scaling that monitored player performance and adjusted scenarios in real-time. The game converted zombie encounters from scripted events into procedurally generated nightmares, ensuring no two playthroughs felt identical. Its influence spawned an entire subgenre of “Left 4 Dead-likes.”
Left 4 Dead 2 - FULL GAME Expert Walkthrough Gameplay No Commentary by Gamer Max Channel
4. Dead Rising
Here, the Willamette Parkview Mall became a playground of destruction. The 72-hour time limit built genuine urgency rarely seen in open-world games, forcing players to prioritize objectives while managing limited save opportunities. Frank West's photojournalism mechanics added a unique investigative layer.
DEAD RISING | THE COMPLETE RETROSPECTIVE by NedleyTV
5. Plants Vs. Zombies
Sunlight became currency in this tower defense revolution, which demonstrated that zombie games didn't need gore or mature ratings to achieve a massive cultural impact. The brilliant resource management system, where players collected solar energy to deploy defensive plants, gave rise to addictive strategic gameplay.
Plants vs. Zombies Game Trailer by Plants vs. Zombies
6. Call Of Duty: World At War (Nazi Zombies)
Call of Duty: World at War was hidden until campaign completion. Treyarch's round-based survival format with mystery boxes, Pack-a-Punch machines, and elaborate Easter egg storylines became the template countless games still follow today.
Call of Duty World at War - Zombies - Nacht Der Untoten by AFGuidesHD
7. Telltale's The Walking Dead
Lee Everett's paternal relationship with Clementine transcended typical video game character dynamics. It developed genuine emotional bonds that left people devastated by the story's conclusion. The game revitalized the entire adventure genre and won numerous Game of the Year awards.
The Walking Dead FULL Season 1 (Telltale Games) All Cutscenes1080p HD by Gamer's Little Playground
8. Project Zomboid
Death is inevitable in this isometric survival creation. Here, the game's motto, "This is how you died," captures its unique philosophy toward player failure. The Indie Stone's Early Access simulation has continuously evolved since 2011, building unprecedented depth around cooking and carpentry.
Why Project Zomboid Is So Awesome by RoboKast
9. Dying Light
The day/night cycle fundamentally altered dynamics. Superior Volatiles emerged to hunt players with overwhelming speed and aggression. The first-person perspective intensified every leap between buildings and the desperate climb away from pursuing the infected. This resulted in genuine vertigo.
10. State Of Decay
State of Decay showed that such games could focus on long-term consequences and community survival rather than individual heroics. It has numerous imitators but has never been truly replicated in scope. Base building became meaningfully integrated with resource scarcity and survivor morale systems.
tate of Decay Gameplay Walkthrough Part 1 - Intro by theRadBrad
