When people think of zombie games, they usually associate them with zombie-killing action, with the main characters rushing in guns blazing to cull the zombie horde. However, most of the time, players often miss the emotional toll it takes on the characters in the story.
Some undead-themed games masterfully show the effects of outbreaks on their character as they cope with the isolation, loss, and realities of human nature when faced with the need for survival.
10 The Last of Us
- Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS5, and PC.
The characters in The Last of Us endure heartfelt emotional traumas and loss. Joel, haunted by his tragic past, is initially cold and distant, but he eventually creates a bond with Ellie and begins to open up emotionally. Despite her young age, Ellie has already experienced immense hardship and loss. Together they journey through danger and confront the infected and ruthless survivors threatening their lives.
The characters' moral struggles and difficult decisions add to the story's sadness. Additionally, the game features ethically questionable circumstances that make players consider the value of life, sacrifice, and human nature. Often heartbreaking, the results of these decisions leave players with a sense of sadness and reflection.
9 Telltale's The Walking Dead Series
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Android, iOS, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC.
The majority of Telltale's The Walking Dead series revolves around the character of Clementine, a young girl left alone in a world overrun by zombies. Players follow her journey as she forms relationships and grapples with the constant threat of death and loss. As players progress through the game, they witness the emotional toll these circumstances take on the characters, including the burden of making difficult choices and witnessing the deaths of loved ones.
Additionally, Telltale's The Walking Dead tackles sensitive themes such as survival, betrayal, and the loss of innocence. The game presents moral dilemmas that force players to make tough decisions, often with no clear right or wrong answer. These choices have lasting consequences, leading to heart-wrenching moments and potential tragedies. The relationships Clementine develops with the characters will make players become invested in those connections making the experience of losing one of them all the more painful.
8 Dead Space
- Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS3, and PS5.
A unique take on the zombie genre, Dead Space takes place in a spaceship called the USG Ishimura. Players follow the story of Isaac Clarke as he navigates the ship overrun by grotesque undead creatures known as Necromorphs in search of Nicole, his missing girlfriend.
As players progress, they uncover disturbing details about Ishimura's history and the events that led to the outbreak. The story delves into themes of loss, isolation, and sacrifice, with characters facing personal tragedies and grappling with their sanity. Isaac, in particular, experiences immense emotional turmoil as he tries to survive and uncover the truth behind Nicole's fate.
7 Dead Island
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
Dead Island immerses players in a vibrant tropical paradise transformed into a bloodbath. An outbreak has swept the island, making its inhabitants mindless, undead creatures. The initial joy and excitement of vacation quickly turn into terror and despair as the survivors witness the destruction and death around them. The game also has one of the saddest trailers, featuring a couple trying to defend their bitten child from the zombies, who eventually succumbs and turns on them.
Players will encounter various NPCs throughout the game, sharing their grief and loss stories. These characters have lost friends, family members, and everything they held dear, leading to hopelessness. The game's narrative focuses on the emotional toll of the zombie outbreak as survivors struggle with their fears, guilt, and the overwhelming weight of the situation.
6 Prototype
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
In most zombie games, the player is an ordinary person thrust into the middle of the apocalypse. In Prototype, though, players will follow the story of Alex Mercer, who can transform into many different forms but has no memory of his past. As Alex uncovers the truth behind his powers and the conspiracy surrounding the virus outbreak that turns people into mindless zombie creatures, he slowly discovers his past and the sinister motives of those responsible.
Alex's journey delves into themes of loss, betrayal, and the dark side of humanity as he tries to figure out who he is and the devastating consequences of his actions. Throughout the game, Alex witnesses the destruction and suffering caused by the virus, experiencing the loss of innocent lives and the gradual deterioration of society. Additionally, the game explores Alex's moral dilemmas as he battles his inner demons and powerful enemies.
5 Days Gone
- Platforms: PC and PS4.
Players follow the personal journey of Deacon St. John, a biker and former outlaw. In Days Gone, Deacon's world is shattered when he loses his wife, Sarah, during the outbreak, and she is presumed dead. This loss weighs heavily on Deacon throughout the game, fueling his motivation to find purpose in what is left of the post-apocalyptic world.
As players progress through Days Gone, they witness the hardships and tragedies that Deacon encounters. Humanity struggles to survive, facing the looming threat of the zombies that they call "Freakers" and other survivors. The story explores themes of grief, guilt, despair, and redemption as Deacon tries to make sense of the world and find a reason to keep going.
4 Dying Light 2: Stay Human
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
The story of Dying Light 2: Stay Human is often perceived as sad because of its bleak depiction of what is left of the world. Players take on the role of Aiden Caldwell, a survivor with exceptional parkour skills, as he faces the consequences of his choices. The game presents players with difficult decisions that can result in tragic outcomes, leading to the suffering and demise of characters and factions.
Furthermore, the story explores themes of loss, betrayal, and the darkness within humans. It delves into the complexities of morality and the devastating consequences of desperation and greed. The characters' journeys are often marked by tragedy and the weight of their actions, creating a sense of sadness and melancholy.
3 Resident Evil 7
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
The Resident Evil franchise is known for its horror survival gameplay. However, what players usually miss is the tragedy linked to the characters. In Resident Evil 7, players take on the role of Ethan Winters, a regular individual who embarks on a desperate search for his missing wife, Mia.
As players progress in the game, they will meet the Baker family, who will make Ethan's quest to save his wife unthinkably challenging, both mentally and physically.
2 Deadlight
- Platforms: PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.
The story follows Randall Wayne, a lone survivor searching for his family amidst the chaos. Throughout the game, players witness the struggles and hardships faced by Randall as he navigates the desolate landscape and encounters various challenges. The story delves into themes of loss, isolation, and the fragility of human existence in the face of a cataclysmic event.
Randall's desperate search for his loved ones and the harsh realities of the world he finds himself in. The melancholic soundtrack creates a sense of hopelessness and stresses the tragic nature of the world in which Randall finds himself. Deadlight explores the moral dilemmas and sacrifices made in a desperate fight for survival. It raises questions about the value of life and the lengths willing to go to protect their loved ones.
1 Project Zomboid
- Platforms: PC.
Project Zomboid masterfully depicts the relentless and grim nature of a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Players are faced with the constant threat of infection, scarcity of resources, and the ever-present danger of the undead, emphasizing the harsh reality of the outbreak.
Though the game has no built-in story, players create their own, which is sad and has a more lasting impact. Players must wrestle through the difficulties of isolation and the desperate struggle for resources, fully aware that one mistake is between them and their inevitable demise. Additionally, it's permanent when players die, and encountering their former characters' zombified remains on their new playthrough is always heartbreaking.