Apocalyptic Video Games

A little bird dropped in my ear that our readers were wanting a list of apocalyptic, SHTF, TEOTWAWKI, Zombie style games so I thought I would do a little research and put that together for all of you. I hope this helps you out!! All comments are welcome on any good ones I missed.

(Note: Some of these games might be a bit older but are still very popular today. They are listed in no particular order.)

The first place I looked was Forbes. They had some pretty decent top picks. I listed the pertinent ones below as well as links if you are interested in the game yourself.

Gears of War: Gears of War is a military, science fiction, third party, shooter game. The series focuses on the conflict between humanity, the subterranean reptilian hominids known as the Locust Horde, and their mutated counterparts, the Lambent. The franchise consists of four third-person shooter video games. Gears of War became one of the bestselling franchises for the Xbox 360.The series is well known for its emphasis on cover-based combat system, in which players can use objects to avoid gunfire or safely engage enemies.All four installments in Gears of War featured several multi-player modes that allowed players to compete against each other or team-up to battle AI opponents on Xbox Live. The Gears of War games have been amongst the most popular and most played titles on Xbox Live.

• Gears of War
• Gears of War 2
• Gears of War 3
• Gears of War Judgement

Darksiders: The game was released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.  (Or PlayStation 4) Darksiders is an action-adventure hack and slash video game in which the player takes control of War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In third-person perspective, the player engages in combat, puzzles and exploration. The world is divided into separate locations with many areas initially inaccessible until War regains many of his lost weapons and abilities.  Each contains a series of linear and non-linear paths, platforming, climbing and swimming along with environment-based puzzles that impair progress and require the use of newly gained abilities. He fights mainly against angels and demons, and has a unique way to kill each particular type of enemy, usually tearing them apart painfully.

• Darksiders
• Darksiders II
• Darksiders Greatest Hits

Metro 2033 is an X Box 306 survival horror first-person shooter video game, based on the novel Metro 2033 by Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky. The game is played from the perspective of Artyom, the player-character. The story takes place in post-apocalyptic Moscow, mostly inside the metro system, but occasionally missions bring the player above-ground. As a first-person shooter, Metro 2033 features a variety of firearms, some fictional and some based on real weapons, which the player will use in combat. Combat alternates between the player fighting mutants and the player fighting hostile humans. Mutants do not possess weapons and tend to physically attack the player in swarms, while humans fight with the same firearms available to the player.

• Metro 2033
• Metro 2033 Last Light
• Metro 2033: The first US English Edition, book
  

The Walking Dead: Do I really have to explain?

• The Walking Dead
• The Walking Dead: Survivor Instincts
• The Walking Dead: The Game of the Year Edition
• The Walking Dead: Season For Playstation and X box
• The Walking Dead Battle Ground Edition

S.T.A.L.K.E.R: The PC  S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games all take place in “The Zone”, and each follow the story of a different protagonist in the area. Each of these characters are S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s and as a result are used to the horrors of “The Zone”. Each of the games share a common trait in terms of plot; the story changes depending on the choices that the player makes. For the purpose of efficiently summarizing the plot, this article will assume that the ‘optimal’ choices were picked during gameplay.

• Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl
• Stalker: Clear Sky
• Stalker: RadioActive Edition
• Stalker: Call of Pripyat

Half Life: Half-Life is a first-person shooter game that requires the player to perform combat tasks and puzzle solving to advance through the game. Unlike its peers at the time, Half-Life used scripted sequences, such as a Vortigaunt ramming down a door, to advance major plot points. Half-Life‘s story is told entirely by means of scripted sequences, keeping the player in control of the first-person viewpoint. In line with this, the game has no cut-scenes, and the player rarely loses the ability to control Gordon, who never speaks and is never actually seen in the game; the player sees “through his eyes” for the entire length of the game. Half-Life has no “levels”; it instead divides the game by chapters, whose titles flash on the screen as the player moves through the game.

• Half Life
• Half Life 2
• Half Life: Game of the Year Edition (PC)
• Half Life: Collectors Edition (PC)

Fallout is an open world role-playing video game. The game has a post-apocalyptic and retro-futuristic setting, in the aftermath of a global nuclear war in an alternate history timeline mid-22nd century. The protagonist of Fallout is an inhabitant of one of the long-term shelters known as Vaults who was tasked to find the Water Chip to save other dwellers from water’s shortage. Fallout is considered to be the spiritual successor to the 1988 role-playing video game Wasteland.

• Fallout Online Gamecode
• Fallout 2
• Fallout 3
• Fallout 4
• Fallout: New Vegas

After searching through the list on Forbes, I moved on to Gameranx.com and several other sites to see what they came up with and this is what I found that was NOT on Forbes list.

Frontlines: Fuel of War is a first-person shooter game for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360. Frontlines includes a multi-player mode as well as a single-player campaign that uses the Frontlines system found in the multi-player component. Single-player mode limits the players to the fictional Western Coalition, while online modes let players play as either the Western Coalition (WC) or Red Star Alliance (RSA). It is not bot compatible.

The game-play focuses on a central mechanic, the frontline. This is designed to keep the action in one place, by focusing objectives closer together on the battlefield. The frontline also has bonuses. By moving it back and forth across the battlefield, the player may gain or lose weapons and equipment. The frontline mechanic is used in all game-types, which forces players to choose which objectives they will pursue or defend, adding a strategic level to the game-play.

The UCAV Drone plays a crucial role in gathering information in real time on the battlefield. The drone reconnoiters enemy units, which are visible through walls, and then show them on the player’s HUD and map. Some drones can also be used as a kamikaze bomb, by running them into enemy infantry and self destructing them.

• Frontlines: Fuel of War

The Last of Us: The player controls Joel (voiced and motion-captured by Troy Baker) escorting the young Ellie (Ashley Johnson) across a post-apocalyptic United States that has been ravaged by infection. The player uses firearms, improvised weapons and stealth techniques to defend against hostile humans and zombie-like creatures infected by a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus. The Last of Us received wide critical acclaim for its writing, voice acting, sound design, level design, and art direction. Its narrative was praised for its characterization, subtext, and depiction of the human condition. Considered one of the most significant titles of the seventh generation video game era, The Last of Us received over 200 “game of the year” awards from numerous publications.

• The Last of Us
• The Last of Us Left Behind
• The Last of Us Remastered (PS4)

Seven Days to Die:

In the year 2034 nuclear attacks have decimated the Earth and the remaining population is infected by an unknown virus. The infected die within 7 days and soon reanimate becoming blood-thirsty zombies. No one believed it; nobody expected it and nothing can stop it! You are a survivor in Navizgane County Arizona, a rare Eden in a world of devastation. Ironically, the Apache word “Navezgane” means Killer of Monsters, and kill you will as you fight, scrap, craft, salvage and fortify your way to survive looking for the truth behind what really happened.

“7 Days to Die” is an open world, voxel-based, sandbox game blending the best elements of FPS, Survival Horror, RPG and Tower Defense style games. “7 Days to Die” looks to carve out its own space giving gamers what they really want with a unique combination of combat, crafting, exploration, and character growth. It’s not just Survival Horror anymore its “Survival Horde.”  Free Download Available Here.

State of Decay is a third person open world stealth zombie-survival horror video game.

State of Decay focuses on survival tactics: stealth, evasion, distractions, base building, survivor community, securing resources, and moving through the world more than actual zombie combat. The game is in an open world, where the player’s choices are an important factor. Players are able to choose from a large variety of locations to build a base in. Structures such as watch towers, gardens, sleeping quarters, kitchens, workshops, medical bays, and barricades can be constructed to defend against the infected population, help survivors recover faster, and build explosives and other tools.

Food, medicine, shelter, ammo, and construction materials are necessary for survival and should be used wisely. To obtain these supplies, the player will need to go on raids to abandoned supermarkets and many other locations, although food can be grown at the base. The player can also find other groups of survivors that are willing to trade their resources with the player, in exchange for ammunition.

• State of Decay
• State of Decay- X-Box

Contagion: Contagion is a Cooperative Zombie Survival Horror FPS game built on a heavily modified version of Valve’s Source Engine. The game challenges players to conserve ammo, rely on your team, and work together to survive the zombie onslaught. Players will face traditional (NPC) zombies as well as former teammates who have been passed on and joined the walking deceased, fueling the carnage to come. The game has been in development for two and a half years after recovering from a disagreement with the original co-founder thus the delay.

H1Z1: Enter a world that is over run by Zombies and fellow survivors since the H1Z1 virus outbreak. Currently being developed for early release. You can check it out here.

Dead Rising story centers on Frank West, a photojournalist who ends up trapped in a shopping mall in the fictional town of Willamette, Colorado, that is infested with zombies. Frank must defend himself from zombie attacks, rescue survivors, contend with crazed psychopaths, and stay alive while still attempting to uncover the truth behind the incident. The player controls Frank as he explores the mall, using any available object as a weapon. The player can complete several main and optional missions to earn Prestige Points (PP) and gain special abilities. The game is designed as a sandbox game and features several endings, depending on the decisions the player makes along the way.

• Dead Rising
• Dead Rising 2
• Dead Rising 3

Dead Island features an apparent open world roaming, divided by relatively large areas, and played from a first-person perspective. Most of the gameplay is built around combat and completing quests. Dead Island is an action role-playing game and uses experience-based gameplay and character customization, though options are quite limited, it is more character selection rather than “customization”. The player earns XP by completing tasks and killing enemies. Upon leveling up, the player gains health and stamina, and can invest one skill point into a skill tree and level up one of their skills.

• Dead Island
• Dead Island Rip Tide: Special Edition

Left for Dead or L4D is a cooperative first-person shooter arcade-style video game. Set during the aftermath of an apocalyptic pandemic, the game pits its four protagonists—dubbed the “Survivors”—against hordes of the infected. There are four game modes: a single-player mode in which allied characters are controlled by AI; a four-player, co-op campaign mode; an eight-player online versus mode; and a four-player survival mode. In all modes, an artificial intelligence (AI), dubbed the “Director”, controls level pacing and item placements, in an attempt to create a dynamic experience and increase replay value.

• Left for Dead
• Left for Dead 2

Boarderlands is an action role-playing first-person shooter video game.  Borderlands includes character-building elements found in role-playing games, leading Gearbox to call the game a “role-playing shooter”. At the start of the game, players select one of four characters, each with a unique special skill and with proficiencies with certain weapons. The four characters are: Roland the Soldier, Mordecai the Hunter, Lilith the Siren, and Brick (a Berserker) “as himself”. From then on, players take on missions assigned through non-player characters or from bounty boards, each typically rewarding the player with experience points, money, and sometimes a reward item. Players earn experience by killing both human and non-human foes and completing in-game challenges (such as getting a certain number of kills using a specific type of weapon). As they gain levels from experience growth, players can then allocate skill points into a skill tree that features three distinct specializations of the base character; for example, Mordecai can become specialized in sniping, gunslinging with revolvers, or using his pet Bloodwing to assist in kills and health boosting. Players can distribute points among any of the specializations, and can also spend a small amount of in-game money to redistribute their skill points.

• Boarderlands
• Boarderlands 2
• BoarderLands: The Pre-Sequel

Destiny is an exclusive content for PlayStation 3 owners includes the Exodus Blue Competitive Multiplayer Map, Dust Palace Strike, Weapons, Ships and Gear. An incredible story set within a newly-imagined, always-connected universe filled with action and adventure. Create your character, forge your legend by defeating powerful foes, and earn unique and customizable weapons, gear, and vehicles. Unprecedented variety of FPS game play that redefines the genre and breaks traditional conventions of story, cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.

Destiny: Standard Edition

From Dust (PC only)  is the latest original game concept by Eric Chahi, creator of the cult classic, Another World.

Tom Clancy’s Division: Immerse yourself in a world as exotically beautiful as it is dangerous! You control the destiny of a primitive tribe against the backdrop of a world in constant evolution – a universe where mighty Nature reclaims what is hers; and your mastery of the elements is your people’s only chance of survival…

• Groundbreaking Technology – Play in the sandbox of one of the most advanced real-time nature simulations, where everything you see and interact with evolves dynamically, offering a constantly renewed experience.
• Unique Art Direction – Discover a large variety of environments: Tropical islands, volcanic landscapes, deserts and so much more…
• Rich Story Mode – Explore 13 breathtaking territories of emergent gameplay. Master the natural forces at play on a mysterious archipelago and help a primitive tribe to recover the lost powers of their ancestors.
• Confront Mighty Nature – Protect your tribe against Nature’s most devastating attacks. You’ll be face with tsunamis, wildfires, earthquakes, volcanoes, torrential rains…
• Master Godlike Powers – Control the forces of nature to sculpt the world in your image. Hold back lava, stop raging waters, empty lakes, grow forests, and raise mountains!

Fallen Earth:

Product Description

HomeFront:

Product Description

The year is 2027. The world as we know it is unraveling after fifteen years of economic meltdown and widespread global conflict over dwindling natural resources. A once proud America has fallen, her infrastructure shattered and military in disarray. The USA is powerless to resist the ever expanding occupation of a savage, nuclear armed Greater Korean Republic.

Homefront is a first-person shooter that challenges players to survive and impact a fictional future scenario in which America has been economically devastated and occupied by a foreign power. In the face of overwhelming oppression, you must choose whether to submit to military forces, take the fight to the enemy or even throw your lot in with the invaders. Additional features include: a single player campaign written by Hollywood screenwriter John Milius, online multiplayer support for up to 32 players, ground and vehicular combat, and more.

Home Front

Home Front the Revolution

Brink: Brink takes place on the Ark, a man-made floating city that is on the brink of all-out civil war. Originally built as an experimental, self-sufficient and 100% “green” habitat, the reported rapid rise of the Earth’s oceans has forced the Ark to become home to not only the original founders and their descendants but also to thousands of refugees. With tensions between the two groups growing, Security and Resistance forces are locked in a heated battle for control of the Ark. Which side will you choose?

Brink is an immersive shooter that blends single-player, co-op, and multiplayer gameplay into one seamless experience, allowing you to develop your character across all modes of play. You decide the role you want to assume in the world of Brink as you fight to save yourself and mankind’s last refuge for humanity. Brink offers a compelling mix of dynamic battlefields, extensive customization options, and an innovative control system that will keep you coming back for more. Story: A man-made floating city called the Ark, made up of hundreds of separate floating islands, is on the brink of all-out civil war. Originally built as an experimental self-sufficient and 100% “green” habitat, the reported rapid rise of the Earth’s oceans has forced the Ark to become a refuge for humanity. Crammed with the original Ark founders, their descendants, as well as tens of thousands of refugees, the Ark exists in total isolation from the rest of the world. With 25 years of social unrest, the inhabitants of the Ark have reached their breaking point. It’s up to you to decide the future of the Ark and the human race.

For now that is all I have come up with, but please feel free to leave a comment with suggestions for other games that can (or you feel should be) added to the master list!! Make sure to check back with us for updates on new games or some that have been forgotten on the list. Happy Gaming Everyone from APN!!

Keepin It Spicy,

Jalapeno Gal aka Cari Schofield

Sources for descriptions from Wiki and The gamers websites.