Zombies are popular. Even if you make a bad game or film with zombies in it, people are going to play and watch them because there are zombies. Whey do we love zombies so much? They have been around for a while but we have been pretty obsessed with them as a society in recent years. Monster stories tend to rise up in times of cultural anxiety, and zombies are a perfect monster because they can be an allegory for just about anything such as death, disease, the end of the world, or even revolution.
While the film industry banked on zombie franchises, video games were never far behind. In fact, zombies are in some of the most popular video games of all time. Here are the ten best zombie games according to Metacritic.
10 The Walking Dead: A Telltale Game Series (Score: 94)
The highest rated version for this game is on the PlayStation 3. It came out in 2012, at the height of The Walking Dead TV show's popularity. While there are four seasons in total, it was the first game that got the highest ratings and it is no surprise as to why. It was an emotional roller coaster from start to finish and the writing was phenomenal.
If you watch the many Youtube videos of people playing the game, you will learn that it's okay to cry. This game has inspired many fan tears due to the fact that its a zombie game and you get very attached to the characters.
9 Dying Light: The Following (Score: 87)
In this case, an expansion got higher ratings than the base game. This is for the PlayStation 4 and came out in 2016. The Following expansion explores Kyle Crane's story, which lets you explore a big new area with new mechanics.
The base game is compared to another zombie game, Dead Island. However, it received better reviews. Also, unlike some of the more innocent games, this one can be quite violent.
8 Zombie Night Terror (Score: 81)
This indie game is only for the PC and was released in 2016. The real twist is not that you are trying to survive this zombie apocalypse. Instead, you are trying to wipe humanity off the planet by controlling the undead. The zombies are quite dumb, so it is up to you to help them get to where they need to go. It has been widely compared to the Lemmings game, but instead of suicidal rodents, you control zombies.
7 Minecraft (Score: 93)
Most people see Minecraft as a crafting game, but it is a zombie survival game as well. Two of the most common enemy types in Minecraft are zombies and skeletons. Depending on the mode you play, getting a safe home with lights is the most important starting point so the zombies cannot get you. What has made Minecraft such a popular phenomenon is also the fact that you get to decide everything. It is a sandbox game where you can decide your own goals on what to build and so on.
6 Plants Vs Zombies (Score: 87)
This game is about 10 years old, but it still holds up to this day with its PC version rated at the highest. The basics are that zombies are invading your home and your defense is plants.
It works like a puzzle game, with you overcoming obstacles like fog, the sun setting, and more. It is definitely one of the most intuitive and casual of the zombie games.
5 Death Road To Canada (Score: 91)
Rated highest for the iOS, Death Road to Canada is a game with a ton of personality. It is a randomly generated road trip action-RPG. According to the game description you "manage a group of jerks" as you explore, find odd characters, and get the excitement of facing a ton of zombies. The fun part is the game is different each time you play since everything is randomly generated. There are rare encounters and characters you can run into in some playthroughs such as a man in a horse mask or a famous wrestler named El Satan.
4 Left 4 Dead (Score: 89)
Left 4 Dead maintained itself as an amazing zombie game, and Metacritic shows that by the fact that it kept the same positive ratings for both its first game and its sequel. You play a character who is immune to the zombie virus, but you are trapped in a city full of the infected. You fight your way out with a handful of other survivors. What makes the game remarkable is the force of teamwork and strategy. The zombies are also fast... really fast.
3 Resident Evil 4 (Score: 96)
Behold, the highest-rated zombie game on Metacritic. It is also the oldest on this list, dating back to 2005 as the year of its release. It is known as the best game of the Resident Evil series. The series was not doing so well until this one came out and saved the franchise. The rave reviews are tied with both the PlayStation 2 and the Gamecube version.
2 Dead Space 2 (Score: 90)
What is better than zombies? Zombies in space of course! Released in 2011, Dead Space 2 was rated most highly for its Xbox 360 version. Like the first game, it is an intense action-horror story and you play the same character as the first, Isaac Clarke. According to Metacritic scores, the sequel is even better than the original.
1 The Last Of Us (Score: 95)
The second highest-rated zombie game on Metacritic is, of course, The Last of Us. Like Telltales Walking Dead, you play a grizzled adult man who takes care of a young girl in the zombie apocalypse. However, this girl appears to be immune to the zombie virus and even could yield a possible cure for the virus if she is handed off to the right people. The zombies of the game are also rather unique in that they are like fungi-people. A ton of critics and fans alike rated the game with a 100/100.