The 23 Best Post-Apocalyptic Games 2018

post-apocalyptic games, best 2016 post-apocalyptic games, best post-apocalyptic games

Updated:

22 Aug 2024

Looking for the Best Apocalyptic Games?

Earth may not have seen a planet-crashing apocalypse, but who knows how much longer we have? Prepare yourself for the potential of our world getting plunged into a real post-apocalyptic age by fighting your way through these incredible games that focus on our planet after a great downfall. For starters, take a look at a long-awaited sequel to a smash hit from the last century, the Wasteland sequel that incorporates state-of-the-art graphics and sound: Wasteland 2…

23. Wasteland 2

Wasteland 2 Opening Movie

After a meteor event sparks an all-out nuclear war between Russia and the United States in 1998, a group of U. S. Army Engineers regrouped with local survivalists to form the Desert Rangers, a group dedicated to helping the remnants of humanity survive. Now it’s 2102, and the Rangers are in control of Guardian Citadel, where General Vargas leads the hard-core survivalist movement. After Vargas sends his top agent, Ace, on a special mission to investigate a strange and troubling radio broadcast, Ace’s body turns up two days later, and the trouble begins.

The communication text-box in the lower right-hand corner—already familiar to players of the original Wasteland—is now part of a much more graphic imaging system that displays from an angled overhead view. Players can have up to 7 team members, 4 of which are created in detail by the player, and 3 of which are pre-generated, personality-packed non-player characters.

Your Team Must Search High and Low for Goods and Information

22. Mad Max

Official Mad Max “Stronghold” Trailer

In the dusty post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max, you must fight to survive and find fuel for your Interceptor. Building improvements on your vehicle such as armor and weapons is critical to staying alive, as is staying on the move.

Fans of the film series will recognize the same dusty, gritty flavor featured in the movies, and the action and atmosphere do not disappoint.

Driving the Action is the Driving Action

21. Fallout 4

Fallout 4 Launch Trailer

Nuclear war devastated the planet in 2077. Now it is the year 2287, and you emerge from Vault 111, a sturdy nuclear fallout shelter. Your simple task is to explore the post-apocalypse world to find the things you will need to survive the next day.

This game is already huge, and the company continues to release more content, such as the Far Harbor DLC release of May 2016 and the Nuka World DLC set to be released this summer.

Hardcore Weapons and Armor Might Get You Through to Tomorrow

20. Tom Clancy’s The Division

Tom Clancy’s The Division Launch Trailer

Tom Clancy’s work has experienced great popularity, and The Division claims success in post-apocalyptic shooters. Set in New York in the near future, the game takes place after a smallpox pandemic has decimated the population and crumbled civilization as we know it. As part of the Strategic Homeland Division—or simply, “The Division”—you must help your beleaguered comrades reclaim your home from rampant criminal gangs controlling Manhattan and investigate the nature of the smallpox outbreak.

Everything you expect is here: multiple weapons, bombs and grenades—all the firepower you want—and three wings in your base offering specialized missions and rewards. The game contains a special section called the Dark Zone, where players can compete in deathmatch-style PvP action to win unique and powerful weaponry.

Fight Gangs Throughout the City to Restore Order and Peace

19. The Last of Us

The Last of Us Trailer

Currently only available on Playstation, The Last of Us is set to be released on PC, although an official released date has not been announced. The story: after a mutated strain of a fungus called Cordyceps changes humans into cannibalistic zombies, our hero, Joel (played by you) is charged with escorting a mysterious young girl named Ellie across the U.S. in an attempt to find a cure. The game is heavy on character interplay and features unbelievably realistic graphics.

The Last of Us features everything you expect in a post-apocalypse game and more: the special “listen mode” allows players to locate enemies using stealth and heightened awareness. Petitions for a release of this game for PC are not going unnoticed by the developer or by hackers: one hacker cracked into the game and located evidence that a PC version was indeed being developed, though there is still no official confirmation.

Keep Ellie Alive to Keep Hope Alive

18. State of Decay

State of Decay “Year One Survival Edition” Trailer

Marcus and his buddy Ed come back from a fishing trip to find their home, Trumbull Valley, devastated and besieged by a population of zombies. Gameplay revolves around the Army’s investigation of the cause of the zombie plague and the plight of citizens to survive. There are a host of characters, both playable and non-player. State of Decay mixes combat with an array of problem-solving and role-playing for the complete zombie-filled, post-apocalypse experience: players must manage dwindling resources, look after group morale, set and maintain base defenses, and (of course) exterminate the mobs of zombies.

State of Decay’s Trumbull Valley setting was expanded by the release of the “Breakdown” DLC that allows players to repair an old RV in order to escape the valley, allowing for infinite gameplay outside the storyline setting. The sequel—State of Decay 2—is set to be released in 2017.

Sometimes the Best Option is to Run Like Hell

17. Grim Dawn

Grim Dawn Gameplay Trailer

In the fictional world of Cairn, the human species has been driven to the edge of extinction, crushed in the middle of an eternal war between Aetherials and Chthonians, other-wordly beings locked in deadly rivalry—Aetherials want to use human bodies, but Chthonians want to destroy the humans altogether. Grim Dawn is a dark game that plays as an action shooter with a top-down view. Character development and interaction takes a backseat to the combat due to the overwhelming amount of monsters storming the world.

This game has already seen multiple builds, including the August 2016 release of the Crucible, an arena pitting players against each other, and more content is promised to be released soon.

Clean Out the Graveyard Nests of Horrible Creatures

16. DayZ

DayZ Cinematic Trailer “The Beginning”

Who knows why the world is filled with zombies? Survive in DayZ long enough, and you might find out. Set in the fictional post-Soviet state of Chernarus, DayZ players awaken to find themselves inside the 225-square-kilometer Chernarus. You begin with some clothes, a rag, and a single road flare, but your meager beginnings can quickly improve as you explore.

Player interaction is big in DayZ, and while text chat is available, players with the proper hardware can video chat as well. A number of mods such as new diseases, item damage due to injury, and base-building are planned for release in the near future.

You Will Need More Than a Road Flare to Survive

15. Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid Gameplay Teaser Trailer

So, you live in Knox County? Too bad about that government quarantine, but those zombies have to be contained somehow. Project Zomboid, which uses a top-down view, the player moves through Know County, avoiding or killing the infesting zombies while facing other trials such as hunger, exhaustion, and the ongoing endeavor for mental stability.

Like many zombie apocalypse games, destroying the undead will inevitably take most of your time in Project Zomboid. A major difference here is that you will inevitably die… or will you? Try your hand at Project Zomboid and see if you can survive indefinitely.

This Many Zombies Means You are in Deep Trouble

14. Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 Cinematic Trailer

Left 4 Dead 2 is a first-person shooter set in a zombie apocalypse. Players choose from one of four characters—Nick, Rochelle, Coach, and Ellis—who have survived the zombie plague. Five epic campaigns range across the American southeast from Savannah, Georgia, to New Orleans, Louisianna and offer challenges including tricky character interaction, the scavenging of resources and, of course, the killing of a lot of zombies.

If the zombies aren’t bad enough, beware the “uncommon” zombies that are even deadlier. The game has multiple add-on missions already released and more planned.

Learn to Fight Together to Avoid Dying Alone

13. This War of Mine

This War of Mine: The Little Ones Launch Trailer

This War of Mine takes a unique angle from which to view a post-apocalyptic world: a child’s view. You play as one of a group of civilian survivors, struggling to maintain your base defenses during the day and scrambling at night to scrounge invaluable resources. This 2D side-view game scrolls from scene to scene to follow your struggles.

This game takes the civilian view of war in a blasted land, inspired by the Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s during the Bosnian War.

Scavenge for Goods Before Sunrise Brings Sniper Fire

12. Metro Redux

Metro Redux Launch Trailer

After a nuclear war all but exterminates humanity, survivors gather in underground subways to band together. Metro Redux takes place in Moscow, where Russians have formed a force to fight against the mutant creatures known as the Dark Ones in a struggle to survive. Players act as Artyom, a Russian Metro agent investigating a mysterious child in the hopes of establishing some security for his people.

Metro Redux is an updated compilation of two previous games—Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light. The game can be played in two difficulty modes and features unbelievable imagery.

Remnants of Humanity Fight for Survival in Moscow’s Underground

11. The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead: Episode 1 Launch Trailer

Wildly popular graphic novel series turned wildly popular TV series turned wildly popular video game series, The Walking Dead has become the new standard in the zombie apocalypse universe. In the game, players control Lee Everett, a university professor and convicted killer on his way to prison. When the cruiser transporting him crashes, Lee survives only to find a zombie apocalypse sweeping the land.

The game’s first episode has been followed by two sequels, and more are sure to follow as the popularity of the franchise continues to spiral into greatness.

Zombie Fighting Requires Speed, Brains, and a Little Bit of Luck

10. Zombie Army Trilogy

Zombie Army Trilogy Official Teaser Trailer

In the final days of World War 2, as Germany is driven back and nearing defeat by the Allies, Adolph Hitler executes his plan to create an unstoppable army by reanimating dead Nazi soldiers. Fight Nazi zombies and the other unspeakable horrors of the Third Reich’s unholy occult regime in Zombie Army Trilogy, a third-person shooter that includes elements of horror, stealth, and lots of action.

This set of games includes quite a lot of content, and expansions are currently planned but have not yet been scheduled. On a personal note, Zombie Army Trilogy is a MUST-HAVE for any gamer that enjoys post-apocalyptic games, action games, role-playing games, shooters—anyone will like this. There is only one kind of bad-guy more fun to kill than both zombies and Nazis, and that is Nazi zombies.

Nazi Troops Rise from Death to Serve Hitler as Zombie Soldiers

9. Survivalist

Survivalist Official Trailer

One year after the collapse of civilization, you must fight the zombie hordes, gather resources, and interact with others to ensure your survival. This game is a top-down shooter that focuses equally on action and roleplay.

This game features a co-op mode that allows players to connect and create strong allegiances. Survivalist was followed by the sequel, Survivalist 2, also available on PC.

Interact with Characters to Find Resources and Form Helpful Alliances

8. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat Debut Trailer

Developed by GSC Game World, Call of Pripyat is the third game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series for PC; it is the continuing story in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky. Set in the Ukraine, the game takes place in the three areas of Zaton, Yanov, and the city of Pripyat, most of the action centered around the Exclusion Zone at Chernobyl. This game uses action, role-playing, horror, strategy, economy and trade—the total package.

The action in this game might start with zombies, but the enemies don’t stop there: rivalries among humans and mutated creatures will keep you on your toes.

Zombies in Russia Hunt the Living as Meals for Undead Mouths

7. The Long Dark

The Long Dark Sandbox Mode Official Trailer

Post-apocalypse with a twist, The Long Dark is set in Canada’s northern territories and steps away from the heated action of zombies and the like in favor of a quieter but more powerful opponent: nature. Players live in a period after a geomagnetic disaster destabilizes and crumbles civilization, and survival involves fighting hunger, animals, and the deadly forces of the elements.

Updates are numerous in The Long Dark and are released regularly, offering new locations to explore, resources to harvest, and dangers to face.

Your Survival Pits You Against Mother Nature in The Long Dark

6. 7 Days to Die

7 Days to Die Live Action Trailer

The Third World War satisfied everyone’s expectations by obliterating the vast majority of the planet and leaving only tiny patches of quasi-inhabitable land. Unfortunately, it also brought about a zombie apocalypse as well, and in 7 Days to Die, players awaken in a fictional Arizona county called Navesgane and are forced to scavenge for food, water, and weapons.

Everything degrades in this game: you get thirsty and hungry, growing weaker if you don’t eat, weapons and tools wear down and break and must be repaired or replaced, and the structures you build require upkeep and maintenance, not to mention sound construction, or they will collapse. Zombies are slower in the daytime, but faster when the sun goes down, and they become faster and more aggressive as you get further into the game.

Irradiated Corpses Rise as Zombies Intent on Eating Your Flesh

5. LISA

LISA 2014 Trailer

In the fictional world of Olathe, a mysterious event called the White Flash killed nearly every female in the world. Only one known female survived, an infant found and raised by the main character, the drug-addicted Brad Armstrong, who raised the child and named her Buddy. When Buddy is kidnapped, Brad assembles a team to find her, and the search for her drives gameplay through the post-apocalyptic world. The storyline is affected by the player’s decisions, the same being true for the health and well-being of the characters in your exploration party.

LISA is a side-view 2D scrolling game that employs toon-like animations and dark humor to mask its content of weighty moral decisions and utterly disgusting events, making it a quirky and refreshing change of pace in the post-apocalyptic game genre.

Blood and Gore, Cartoon-Style, Abound in LISA

4. Dying Light: The Following

Dying Light: The Following Enhanced Edition Launch Trailer

Dying Light: The Following is an expansion for the game, Dying Light, that adds not only new weapons and characters, but also some new game mechanics and even a new storyline; the Enhanced Edition includes the original game and all its DLC. Players control the main character, Kyle Crane, who learns that a cult outside the infested city have developed a method for successfully controlling the virus. Your mission will be to obtain the knowledge of this method and return it successfully to your people.

Dying Light: The Following is packed with great weapons like the flame-thrower (my personal favorite) and incorporates an array of movement options including scaling, sliding, jumping and even zip-lining.

If You Are Seeing This, You Are About to Die

3. H1Z1

H1Z1 “Just Survive” Official Teaser Trailer

The H1Z1 virus, allegedly having spread from the 18th century plague station of Poveglia Island near Venice, eradicated most of humanity and left a world of zombies in its wake. Staples of gathering resources, scavenging weapons, and killing zombies are peppered by encounters with humans, some friendly, some not so much. This game is a third-person shooter that features co-op play.

H1Z1 features a lot of in-game construction options. Many expansions to the building mechanics have already been released and more are scheduled for later this year.

Beautiful Environments and Gorgeous Lighting Effects Will Give Way to Zombie Hordes

2. How to Survive

How to Survive Launch Trailer

EKO Software’s How to Survive is an angled overhead-view action game set in the zombie apocalypse. Play begins as you awaken on an isolated island, shipwrecked, and discover that the zombies are everywhere. It’s hard enough to gather precious resources like food, water, and weapons, but what about the book? You must gather the pages of the tattered Survival Guide as well. Choose from three playable characters, each with their own skills.

How to Survive offers plenty of options in construction and handmade weapons. If you find yourself having too easy a time (not likely), try the Iron Man difficulty setting for super-hardcore action.

Build a Base from Whatever Materials You Can Find

1. No More Room in Hell

No More Room in Hell Release Trailer

This game was first a mod for Half-Life 2 that was created as a tribute to classic zombie movies, particularly those made by horror film legend George Romero. Now a stand-alone game with a growing player and fan base, No More Room in Hell offers 2 distinct game play modes: Objective mode, in which missions are completed, and Survival mode, in which wave after increasingly-hard wave of zombies arrive to eat the living.

Play with up to 8 total in co-op mode and work together to solve each new problem in Objective or face each new wave in Survival mode.

Friends and Neighbors Now Desire Nothing More Than to Eat Your Brains

The Final Word

Okay, Y2K and the Mayan Calendar scares turned out to be busts. Don’t let that fool you. The REAL apocalypse could be days or even hours away, and won’t you be glad you prepared by practicing your skills in these fantastic games? Of course, you will, and you’ll have fun doing it. If you didn’t get enough here and want some other options in post-apocalypse games, have a look at these articles:

Whatever you do, try your hand at post-apocalyptic survival in one or more of these awesome games; they are sure to satisfy even the most survival-ready gamer.