Unleashing the Undead: The Ultimate Guide to 9 Highly Anticipated Zombie Games

The zombie genre has dominated the entertainment industry for most of the past decade, although audiences are currently getting tired of it. However, the post-apocalyptic setting continues to make a comeback periodically. This trend can be traced back to the release of George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead in 1968.

In today's market, a video game centered around zombies can still generate excitement and anticipation among audiences. However, it is crucial for these games to offer something fresh, unique, and of exceptional quality. With the increasing number of games being released, both by major studios (AAA) and independent developers (indie), there is always a handful of highly anticipated zombie games on the horizon.

9 Wanderlost

Update by Mark Sammut on July 3, 2023: Zombie games are no longer as prevalent and unavoidable as they were in the early-2010s, but they have not become extinct either. Throughout 2023, we have already witnessed the release of Dead Island 2, Resident Evil 4, and Dead Space, all of which offer satisfying opportunities for players to obliterate undead creatures. Although the future does not appear to be overflowing with zombie-related titles, there are several highly anticipated upcoming games in this genre that fans should definitely keep an eye out for.

Content: It's important to show love to indie games, and one zombie-focused game has caught the attention of eager fans. Wanderlost, a survival role-playing simulation game, allows players to take control of a brave adventurer with red hair in their battle against the zombie outbreak.

With its stunning artwork and a combination of RPG elements and crafting mechanics, Wanderlost offers genre enthusiasts a vibrant depiction of a post-apocalyptic world. The game is currently in beta and aims to be released within the next year, provided everything goes as planned.

8 The Last Of Us Standalone Multiplayer

Despite its main reputation as a single-player campaign, The Last of Us also introduced a captivating multiplayer mode called Factions in 2013. When its highly anticipated sequel released, it unfortunately did not include this feature, leaving fans uncertain about its potential return. However, in 2023, Naughty Dog finally announced the development of a standalone The Last of Us 2 multiplayer, although specific details about the project remain scarce.

This mode began as an expansion of the original game's Factions, but has since experienced significant growth. Its upcoming release is uncertain in terms of its exact form, yet it is expected to preserve several elements from Factions.

7 Projekt Z

It's difficult to fathom that a game called Projekt Z is set to launch in 2023. However, this World War II zombie shooter has already made a significant impact with its trailers. Beyond just immersing players in a genre that has been well explored, the game manages to introduce a touch of horror and create a captivating atmosphere. Additionally, Projekt Z impresses visually with its stunning lighting and textures.

Breaking away from the norms, this game is developed by a fresh German indie studio known as 314 Arts. Comprised of a total of nine employees, this team aims to deliver an experience that can be enjoyed both in single-player mode and through online co-op zombie-killing spectacles. As players venture into the game, their objective is to unveil hidden Nazi secrets on a occupied island.

6 Lords Of The Fallen

Lords of the Fallen proves to be perplexing due to various factors. In contrast to the game with the same title released nearly ten years ago, which presented a Souls-like adventure within its distinctive fantasy realm, this 2023 installment functions as a spiritual revitalization for the franchise, deviating from the conventional expectations of a novel zombie game.

The player confronts adversaries with a demonic essence, while the trailers and press releases suggest the presence of undead perils in the shadows. Both fans and critics share the anticipation that the critiques from the initial installment are considered, resulting in Lords of the Fallen becoming the ultimate embodiment of the series' intended goals.

5 The Day Before

The zombie genre offers great potential for ambitious video games, and The Day Before by developer Fntastic is a prime example. Positioned as an open-world MMO survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies, it stands out from the crowd with its impressive visuals and sprawling urban landscapes.

Unfortunately, due to the ambitious nature of the project, The Day Before has experienced multiple delays, resulting in significant controversy throughout its development. However, there are indications that a release is finally on the horizon for this highly anticipated zombie game powered by Unreal Engine 5. Both the publisher and developer are aiming to make it available to gamers by the end of 2023.

4 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl

Upon its announcement in 2018, the unveiling of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl ignited immense anticipation among gamers eager to immerse themselves in the world of this beloved series, which had already amassed a dedicated following since the release of its predecessor on PC. Initially intended for a late 2022 launch, the game's development faced a significant setback when the Russian invasion of Ukraine necessitated the relocation of GSC Game World, the studio based in Kyiv, to Prague in the Czech Republic.

3 State Of Decay 3

Undead Labs appears to be destined to create an exceptional zombie experience in the world of video games. Despite some bugs and issues, their first entry in the genre won the affection of gamers with its lower-budget arcade-style zombie survival game. State of Decay 2, the sequel, demonstrated progress in terms of budget, but still had elements of a learning experience.

In 2020, the studio unveiled State of Decay 3, promising to develop the ultimate zombie survival game they had always envisioned. Under the ownership of Microsoft and with oversight from Xbox Game Studios, it seems that the third installment in the State of Decay series has the potential to establish Undead Labs as a significant player in the industry.

2 Arizona Sunshine 2

Arizona Sunshine remains one of the most well-known horror games in the virtual reality landscape, and its triumph guaranteed the development of a sequel was inevitable. Arizona Sunshine 2, just like its precursor, is specifically created for a VR experience and cannot be enjoyed without wearing a headset. The project has been officially announced for both PC and the upcoming PS VR2.

1 John Carpenter's Toxic Commando

With a perfect blend of comedy and excessive bloodshed, Vertigo's title is an extravagant spectacle that is visually stunning, as its trailer and screenshots suggest. Although the main character remains largely unchanged from the first game, he now has a faithful companion in the form of Buddy, the epitome of loyalty. Yes, players can now confront the zombie apocalypse with the invaluable support of a canine sidekick, undoubtedly elevating the entire experience to new heights.

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Unveiled in June 2023, John Carpenter's Toxic Commando made its entrance with an exceptionally nostalgic '80s trailer, accompanied by the tunes of Bon Jovi. Taking place in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies, Toxic Commando seems to be a co-operative first-person shooter that incorporates a class system and a quirky sense of humor. With John Carpenter's involvement, expectations are naturally high for this horror project, but so far, the game has made a positive first impression.

Saber Interactive, known for their work on the well-received co-operative zombie shooter World War Z, has an impressive track record. Toxic Commando appears to maintain the same thrillingly overwhelming hordes that made their previous release so captivating. One can only hope that this upcoming title refines and enhances the ideas introduced in World War Z.