7 Best Zombie Games That Aren’t Resident Evil

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While Resident Evil is often considered the top zombie game series, many other great options exist. Zombies have been popular for a long time, and some might think the concept is getting old. We’ve seen them everywhere – in countless movies, shows, and games – with stories of people either avoiding or fighting the undead. Despite this, there’s still a lot of enjoyment to be found in blasting through hordes of zombies in a video game. That’s why zombie modes, like the one in Call of Duty introduced almost 20 years ago, remain so popular.

If you enjoy fighting zombies in video games, here’s a list of some great options that aren’t part of the Resident Evil series.

7) Days Gone

When it first came out, Days Gone didn’t receive as much praise as other PlayStation exclusives, and it’s often considered one of the less popular titles. However, it’s still a really good zombie game. It successfully combines the challenge of a survival game with exciting, action-packed gameplay, featuring a customizable motorcycle, diverse weapons, and plenty of different enemies to fight.

One of the best things about Days Gone is how overwhelming the zombie hordes are. The game throws huge groups of enemies at you, trying to trap and devour you, which creates incredibly tense and exciting gameplay. You can fight them with guns and explosives, or strategically set traps to thin their numbers. It’s a really well-made zombie game, so it’s a shame that the studio won’t be able to make a sequel and expand on these ideas.

6) Left 4 Dead 2

Released only a year after the original Left 4 Dead became a huge hit, Left 4 Dead 2 improves on almost every aspect of the first game. While some players prefer the original’s scarier atmosphere, the sequel offers a more fun and action-packed experience. With new enemies, weapons, and more detailed gameplay, Left 4 Dead 2 is generally considered the better of the two. It remains a highly praised co-op game and one of the best zombie games ever created.

5) Dead Rising 2

Dead Rising 2 expanded on the original in every way. Instead of being confined to a mall, you now explore a sprawling casino resort with diverse locations. The game introduced vehicles, like a customizable dirt bike you could equip with chainsaws to mow down zombies. Plus, the crafting system was significantly improved, letting you combine items to create bizarre and effective weapons to fight the infected.

Dead Rising 2 built on the original by adding a co-op mode, making it even more enjoyable to explore the game’s many locations like shops and casinos. It also featured a surprisingly good competitive multiplayer mode where players faced off in outrageous and dangerous challenges within a fictional game show setting, all to win prizes. Overall, it was a fun, fresh take and a strong sequel.

4) Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare

In 2010, Rockstar Games released what many consider the best western-style video game ever made: Red Dead Redemption. The game was known for its realistic and moving story, combined with the enjoyable open-world gameplay Rockstar is famous for. Surprisingly, they later added zombie-themed content to the game.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare is an expansion to the original game that throws a terrifying twist into the Wild West. John Marston now has to deal with a zombie plague and protect his family from the undead. Instead of just outlaws, players face hordes of zombies wandering the landscapes. It’s a fantastic addition to an already great game and a welcome take on the zombie genre.

3) The Last of Us

As a huge fan of The Last of Us, I always get asked about the infected – are they zombies? Well, technically, no! They’re not like the typical zombies we see in movies. These aren’t reanimated corpses; they’re actually still living people, but infected with a fungus that controls them. It’s more like a really terrifying, parasitic mind control situation. That said, the show definitely feels like a zombie story, and it uses all the best parts of that genre – a world falling apart, that constant fear if someone gets bitten, and the tough choices people make when everything goes wrong. It’s the tropes we love, just with a really interesting twist!

The Last of Us stands out by going beyond typical enemy encounters. While there are dangerous infected creatures, some are completely blind and hunt by sound, which adds a new layer of challenge and makes the gameplay feel fresh. Beyond the action, the game is also praised for its compelling characters and story, making it one of the best in its genre.

2) Dying Light

Dying Light is incredibly enjoyable. Techland really innovated the genre with its intense melee combat – you can realistically slice off zombie limbs, often in slow motion – while still delivering satisfying gunplay. But what truly sets Dying Light apart is its fluid parkour system, letting you leap across rooftops and creatively use the environment to escape or ambush enemies.

When Dying Light came out, zombie games were becoming less frightening because audiences had seen so many already. But Techland managed to make their zombies scary again. During the day, the zombies were weak and easy to defeat, but at night, they became much more powerful. Getting caught outside at night often led to intense, heart-pounding chases. While the sequel was also well-received, many fans consider the original Dying Light to be the strongest entry in the series.

1) State of Decay 2

State of Decay 2 is a fantastic zombie game to play with friends, but what really sets it apart is how much it emphasizes true survival. You’ll need to build and improve a home base, find and rescue other survivors, and constantly scavenge for supplies to keep everyone alive. It’s a huge game with lots of different elements that keep the gameplay engaging.

In State of Decay 2, you can control any of your survivors, which is important because characters who die are gone permanently – there are no second chances. This makes every decision feel weighty, as losing a survivor to a dangerous situation means losing them forever. It’s a deeply engaging and replayable zombie game, offering more complexity than many others. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of State of Decay 3.

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2025-12-22 02:43