The genre of horror within video games is often typified by the supernatural antagonists that populate them, leading to a litany of sub-genres that fall under the broader umbrella of horror. Of these sub-genres, zombie video games have proven to be a massive hit over the years, with some of the most iconic titles in gaming falling under this categorization.
With such a long and varied history, many zombie games have become regarded as iconic, be it thanks to a title's revolutionary game mechanics or the general popularity it has brought to the zombie video game genre. From Left 4 Dead to Resident Evil, there are plenty of zombie titles and franchises to choose from when considering which is the most iconic.
Resident Evil - 1996
Resident Evil as a franchise is one of the first IPs that many players will think of when regarding the most influential horror titles in gaming, with zombies often playing a core role in establishing these supernatural elements. The original Resident Evil, which released in 1996, is considered by many to be one of the first true horror zombie titles that resonated with fans across the industry in such a mainstream and significant manner.
Taking control of fan-favorite characters Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, the original Resident Evil was renowned for its at the time unmatched level of atmospheric horror and tension, with the many zombies and monsters of the title being at the forefront of this ambiance. While also being credited with launching the survival horror genre into the mainstream of gaming, it is no wonder that Resident Evil is widely considered to be one of the most influential zombie titles of all time.
Dead Rising - 2006
Dead Rising is another game that is synonymous with the zombie genre of video games, more so for the scale and depth of game mechanics that the title fostered, as opposed to the atmospheric praise that the likes of Resident Evil received. Playing as investigative journalist Frank West inside a zombie-infested mall, Dead Rising's gameplay is typified by having hundreds of zombies on-screen at any given time, with a focus on weapon crafting and scavenging to navigate the treacherous mall while helping other survivors.
With the player working against the clock while also fighting memorable human enemies known as psychopaths, the heavily populated open world of Dead Rising has seen it be regarded as iconic and influential in the eyes of many longtime fans of the zombie genre. As the launch title of what would be a defining zombie gaming IP, it is clear that Dead Rising is deserving of the reputation it has developed over the years.
Left 4 Dead - 2008
The first Left 4 Dead came during a time in which Valve was arguably at the peak of its creative output, and this is more than reflected in the reception and legacy that the title now possesses. Like Dead Rising, Left 4 Dead was lauded for the high density of AI that could be on the screen at any given time, with ominous hordes of zombies often overwhelming the player in-game.
Unlike Dead Rising, however, Left 4 Dead is a gritty first-person shooter with a deep focus on cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Playing with a maximum squad of four survivors, Left 4 Dead necessitates teamwork and resource management as players navigate a series of tense linear missions against swathes of infected and periodically implemented special infected. The efficacy of the AI behind Left 4 Dead is arguably what has seen it become so influential, with the game utilizing an AI known as "the director" to organically implement what enemy types players will face based on a variety of in-game factors, essentially meaning that no two playthroughs of the game are identical. With the visceral cooperative gameplay of Left 4 Dead being complimented by the unpredictability and replayability of the title, it is clear why the game is considered such an influential installment to the zombie genre.
Call of Duty: World at War - 2008
Call of Duty: World at War took an admittedly bold direction with its tertiary game mode, introducing the now famous Zombies mode to the Call of Duty franchise. World at War was already known for its comparatively darker and more sinister overall themes when compared to its preceding CoD titles, but many players did not expect to be thrown into an endless survival mode against Nazi zombies upon beating the campaign of World at War.
While solo play is a viable option, Call of Duty Zombies is known for its cooperative gameplay and addictive replayability, with Zombies now being a core staple of the majority of Treyarch CoD titles and beyond. New post-launch zombies maps usually brought with them brand-new Easter eggs for players to work together to complete, often being tied to achievements and in-game benefits. The addictive round-based gameplay of CoD Zombies has only been aided over the years by the mode's interactive storytelling and hidden narratives, earning World at War the title of one of the most influential zombie games.
Telltale's The Walking Dead - 2012
The first season of The Walking Dead, developed by Telltale Games, perhaps offers one of the most unique takes on the zombie horror genre. As is the case with all Telltale titles, The Walking Dead offered a deeply intimate and narrative-driven experience via point-and-click adventure mechanics, with the title focusing much more on storytelling than traditional gameplay elements.
Players take control of university professor Lee Everett, who is being taken to prison for murder when the zombie outbreak first occurs. After begrudgingly taking responsibility of a young girl named Clementine, the player must then control the branching narratives of the game's episodic installments while maintaining relationships between the main characters of the game as the narrative unfolds.
The Walking Dead spoke more towards the unique and gripping storylines that a zombie setting can easily foster, and it was ultimately this that set the game apart from the other influential aforementioned entries to the genre. Several other Telltale Walking Dead mainline games and spinoff titles spawned as a result of this original game, giving further credence to the level of its positive reception.
The Last of Us - 2013
The Last of Us is considered to be one of the best narrative-driven games of all time and is an obvious contender for being one of the most influential zombie titles, given its post-apocalyptic setting. Players take control of the cynical Joel Miller, who once again follows the zombie trope of reluctantly taking custody of a young girl, this time named Ellie.
The title was praised for its unique take on the zombie threat, with the infected being under the control of an invasive brain fungus that can see humans turned into horrific mutated versions of their past selves. With its deep level of character interaction and storytelling combined with its atmospheric and immersive game mechanics, the fact that The Last of Us received an equally beloved sequel as well as a HBO live-action adaptation speaks volumes as to the level of influence that the title has had on the zombie game genre. The zombie genre of video games is so popular that it can feel oversaturated, but there are a select few titles that stand a cut above the rest and stand as deeply influential and must-play entries for any fan of the genre.