Best 25 Open-World Zombie Games

Zombies are fictional creatures considered undead and created by reanimating human corpses. They are often featured in fantasy and horror genres and provide a thrilling gameplay experience. These games are set in a zombie apocalypse where the undead have taken over the environment, resulting in people becoming zombies.

What Is An Open-World Zombie Game?

Open-world games allow players to roam freely in a vast environment and interact with objects to achieve their objectives. In open-world zombie games, players become survivors who must navigate the zombie-infested world and work to save citizens from becoming zombies. This article will discuss the Best 25 Open World Zombie Games listed below.

Top Open-World Zombie Games

This article will take you on a mysterious and thrilling journey as our team lists our favorite Open-World 25 Zombie Games ever created.

DayZ

• Release Date: December 16, 2013
• Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Camera: First-person, Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival
• Developer: Bohemia Interactive

In DayZ, players spawn with minimal equipment and must scavenge for supplies, weapons, and food to survive the harsh environment. The game emphasizes player interaction, with the option to work together or against other players in the massive open world. Trust and cooperation are crucial, as players can form alliances or betray others for personal gain.

The world of DayZ is full of dangers, including the ever-present threat of zombies and the potential for injury, illness, and exposure to the elements. Players must manage their health, hunger, and thirst while navigating the unpredictable terrain and avoiding hostile encounters.

Dying Light

• Release Date: January 27, 2015
• Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Camera: First-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, Survival
• Developer: Techland

Dying Light puts players in the shoes of Kyle Crane, an undercover operative tasked with infiltrating a quarantined city and finding a rogue political figure. The game combines elements of parkour, melee combat, crafting, and exploration, allowing players to traverse the city's diverse environments while battling and evading its zombie population.

The open-world design of Harran encourages exploration and provides players with numerous opportunities to engage in side quests, search for valuable resources, and discover hidden locations. As players progress through the game, they can unlock and upgrade various skills to improve Crane's combat abilities and parkour skills.

State of Decay 2

• Release Date: May 22, 2018
• Platform: PC, Xbox One
• Camera: Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, Action
• Developer: Undead Labs

State of Decay 2, developed by Undead Labs and published by Microsoft Studios, is an open-world zombie survival game released in May 2018. In the State of Decay 2, players must build and manage a community of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Players begin by selecting a pair of procedurally generated survivors with unique skills and traits.

The primary objective is establishing a base, gathering resources, and recruiting other survivors to grow and maintain the community. Players must also manage the needs of their community members, such as food, medicine, and morale while ensuring their safety against the relentless zombie threat.

7 Days to Die

• Release Date: December 13, 2013
• Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Camera: First-person, Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, Horror
• Developer: The Fun Pimps

7 Days to Die is an open-world survival horror game developed by The Fun Pimps. Released in December 2013 through Early Access, the game combines first-person shooters, survival horror, tower defense, and sandbox-style construction elements. Set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, players must scavenge for resources, craft tools, and weapons, build shelter, and defend themselves against the undead hordes.

The primary objective in 7 Days to Die is to survive as long as possible in a hostile environment. Players can either go solo or collaborate with friends in multiplayer mode. To survive the zombie hordes in the State of Decay 2, players need to scavenge for resources like wood, stone, and metal, which can be used to craft weapons, tools, and structures. Players can also hunt, farm, and cook food to maintain their health and stamina.

The Forest

• Release Date: April 30, 2018
• Platform: PC, PS4
• Camera: First-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, Horror
• Developer: Endnight Games

"The Forest" is an open-world survival game's plot revolves around a lone survivor of a plane crash who must navigate the forest while avoiding various dangers, including cannibalistic mutants.

Players must collect essential resources like food, water, and shelter to protect themselves from mutants and craft weapons and tools. State of Decay 2 features a dynamic day-night cycle where the zombies become more aggressive and dangerous at night, adding a layer of challenge and tension to the gameplay. "The Forest" also includes multiplayer capabilities, allowing players to team up and survive in the harsh wilderness. "The Forest" offers an immersive and challenging survival experience in a hauntingly beautiful but deadly environment.

Dead Island

• Release Date: September 6, 2011
• Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
• Camera: First-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, RPG
• Developer: Techland

Dead Island is an open-world action role-playing game first released in 2011. Dead Island's game is fast-paced and action-packed, featuring a combination of melee combat, ranged combat, and RPG elements. Players can choose between four unique characters with skill trees and abilities. State of Decay 2 features a dynamic day-night cycle where the zombies become more aggressive and dangerous at night, adding a layer of challenge and tension to the gameplay.

The game's vast and detailed open-world environment features various locations, such as beaches, hotels, and forests. The island is also filled with zombies of various types, each with its unique abilities and weaknesses. Players can choose to engage in combat with the zombies or use stealth to avoid them altogether.

Dead Island: Riptide

• Release Date: April 23, 2013
• Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
• Camera: First-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, RPG
• Developer: Techland

Dead Island: Riptide's game is similar to the original game, featuring a combination of melee combat, ranged combat, and RPG elements. Players can choose between the same four characters from the original game, each with their skill trees and abilities. The game also features a crafting system, allowing players to create weapons and equipment to aid them in their fight against the undead.

The game's open-world environment is once again vast and detailed, featuring various locations, such as beaches, jungles, and towns. The island of Palanai is also filled with new types of zombies, each with unique abilities and weaknesses. Players can choose to engage in combat with the zombies or use stealth to avoid them altogether.

Dead Island: Riptide has a co-op multiplayer mode, which enables players to join forces with up to three other players and battle against the hordes of zombies together. The multiplayer mode adds extra fun and excitement to an already thrilling game.

Dead Rising 3

• Release Date: November 22, 2013
• Platform: PC, Xbox One
• Camera: Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Developer: Capcom Vancouver

Dead Rising 3 is an open-world action-adventure game set in a zombie-infested world. Capcom Vancouver developed the game, and Microsoft Studios published it. Initially released as an Xbox One exclusive in 2013, it was also made available on PC. The game takes place in Los Perdidos, where players assume the role of mechanic Nick Ramos. Equipped with improvised weapons and vehicles, players must navigate through hordes of zombies while completing various missions and rescuing survivors. With a focus on exploration, crafting, and combat, Dead Rising 3 delivers a thrilling, immersive experience that challenges players to strategize and adapt in the face of a relentless undead onslaught.

Dead Rising 4

• Release Date: December 6, 2016
• Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Camera: Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Developer: Capcom Vancouver

Dead Rising 4 is an open-world action-adventure game set in a zombie-infested world. Developed by Capcom Vancouver and published by Capcom, it releases in 2016 for Xbox One and Windows and later for PlayStation 4. It expands on the series' signature gameplay with new features, such as an enhanced crafting system, more powerful weapons, and the introduction of the Exo Suit, which grants players additional strength and capabilities. The game also offers a multiplayer cooperative mode, allowing players to collaborate with friends to tackle the zombie hordes together. With its blend of humor, action, and exploration, Dead Rising 4 provides a thrilling and entertaining experience for fans of the zombie apocalypse genre.

Project Zomboid

• Release Date: November 8, 2013 (Early Access)
• Platform: PC
• Camera: Isometric
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, Horror
• Developer: The Indie Stone

Project Zomboid is an open-world survival horror game set in a zombie-infested world. It has an isometric perspective, emphasizing realism, strategy, and long-term survival. Players must manage their physical and mental well-being, forage for food, craft weapons, build shelter, and interact with other survivors. The game also incorporates a dynamic day-night cycle, changing weather, and an extensive crafting system.

The game offers single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing players to experience the unforgiving world of Project Zomboid alone or with friends. With its focus on permadeath and challenging survival mechanics, Project Zomboid delivers a tense and immersive experience for fans of the zombie survival genre.

Unturned

• Release Date: July 7, 2017
• Platform: PC
• Camera: First-person, Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, Sandbox
• Developer: Smartly Dressed Games

Unturned is a free-to-play open-world zombie survival game developed and published by Smartly Dressed Games. Gameplay in Unturned revolves around exploring vast environments, which can be both rural and urban. Players must manage their health, hunger, and thirst while gathering food, water, weapons, and crafting materials. The crafting system allows players to create makeshift tools, weapons, and even vehicles to help them survive harsh conditions.

Unturned also offers character customization, enabling players to design their unique survivor. The game supports single-player and multiplayer modes, featuring various servers with different rules and objectives, such as player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) combat.

With its engaging gameplay, charming visual style, and extensive content, Unturned provides a thrilling and accessible experience for fans of the zombie survival genre.

H1Z1: Survive

• Release Date: January 15, 2015 (Early Access)
• Platform: PC
• Camera: First-person, Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, MMO
• Developer: Daybreak Game Company

H1Z1: Survive was an open-world zombie survival game developed and published by the Daybreak Game Company. In Survive, players were placed into a vast world with limited supplies and had to scavenge for crucial resources such as food, water, weapons, and crafting materials. The game emphasized base building and crafting, allowing players to create makeshift shelters and various tools to help them survive the harsh environment. The game also featured an extensive crafting system, which included the ability to create weapons, armor, and barricades.

While players had to fend off hordes of zombies, the game also had a significant player-versus-player (PvP) component, where the fight for scarce resources could lead to tense encounters and alliances with other survivors. This added a layer of unpredictability and danger to the gameplay.

Dying Light 2: Stay Human

• Release Date: February 4, 2022
• Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
• Camera: First-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, RPG
• Developer: Techland

Dying Light 2: Stay Human is here to quench your thirst for undead-slaying action. Developed by Techland and released in 2022, this open-world action RPG delivers a gripping narrative, intense parkour-infused combat, and an expansive world to explore. The game boasts a dynamic day-night cycle, featuring a branching narrative with impactful choices, where zombies become more dangerous after dark. With its fluid parkour system and intense combat, Dying Light 2: Stay Human delivers a thrilling and immersive experience for fans of the zombie apocalypse genre. So, grab your weapon of choice, and let's dive into what makes Dying Light 2: Stay Human an absolute must-play.

World War Z

• Release Date: April 16, 2019
• Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Camera: Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, Shooter
• Developer: Saber Interactive

Hey there, zombie slayers! Are you ready to dive into a world infested with the undead? Well, gear up because we're about to introduce you to the most epic, engaging, and addictive open-world zombie game you've ever laid your hands on: World War Z.

The world is crumbling, zombies are everywhere, and you're in the heart of it all. It's time to gather your squad and unleash your inner survivor as you navigate through this insanely immersive world's post-apocalyptic wastelands, cities, and hidden havens. You can create your ultimate survivor from scratch! Choose your appearance, clothing, skills, and weapons to make your character unique.

ZombiU (Later re-released as Zombi)

• Release Date: November 18, 2012
• Platform: Wii U, PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Camera: First-person
• Multiplayer: No
• Co-op: No
• Genre: Survival, Horror
• Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier

Imagine a world devastated by a zombie outbreak, where the last remnants of humanity struggle to survive. In ZombiU: World Infected, you'll find yourself right in the heart of this nightmare. So grab your weapon, team up with friends, or go solo as you explore this terrifyingly immersive open-world game's eerie cities, abandoned towns, and secret hideouts.

Say goodbye to respawns! When your character dies, they're gone for good. But don't worry - you can continue the game as a new survivor and even hunt down your old zombified self for some sweet loot! Scavenge and gather resources to build your ultimate fortress. Customize your safe house to your liking, set up defenses, and invite other players to join your community.

Dead Matter

• Release Date: TBA (Currently in Closed Alpha)
• Platform: PC
• Camera: First-person, Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, Horror
• Developer: Quantum Integrity Software Inc.

Envision a world in chaos, where cities and towns are swarming with zombies, and the remnants of humanity struggle to stay alive. In Dead Matter: Survival Chronicles, you'll be thrown right into the thick of it. Whether you team up with friends or take on the world solo, prepare to navigate this incredibly immersive open-world game's treacherous landscapes, decimated cities, and hidden sanctuaries.

Traverse an expansive, diverse world teeming with danger and opportunity. Every location is designed to test your survival instincts, from urban centers to rural farmlands. Scavenge materials and resources to craft essential items, fortify your base, and create a haven against the zombie hordes.

Dead Frontier 2

• Release Date: September 5, 2018
• Platform: PC
• Camera: Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, MMO
• Developer: Creaky Corpse Ltd.

Dead Frontier 2 is a multiplayer online game developed and published by Creaky Corpse Ltd. It is a survival horror game in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Players must scavenge for supplies, weapons, and equipment while fending off hordes of undead creatures.

The game features an open-world environment, allowing players to explore a vast, abandoned city filled with danger at every turn. It also includes a crafting system allowing players to create weapons, ammo, and other essential items.

Players can select from diverse classes with unique abilities and gameplay styles. They can also team up with other players to tackle more demanding challenges, such as clearing out infested areas or defending against zombie hordes.

No More Room in Hell

• Release Date: October 31, 2011
• Platform: PC
• Camera: First-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, Horror
• Developer: No More Room in Hell Team

No More Room in Hell is a cooperative first-person shooter game developed and published by No More Room in Hell Team. It is a survival horror game in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies.

The game features multiple modes, including objective-based missions and survival mode, where players must fight off endless waves of zombies. It also includes a unique gameplay mechanic where players must manage their character's physical and mental health, ammunition, and supplies.

Players can choose from various characters, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, players can personalize their weapons and equipment to match their preferred gameplay style.

How To Survive 2

• Release Date: November 3, 2016
• Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
• Camera: Top-down
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, RPG
• Developer: Eko Software

How to Survive 2 is an engaging and challenging survival game that offers a lot of replay value. It has received generally positive reviews from critics and players alike, with many praising its crafting system, base-building mechanics, and cooperative gameplay. It is the sequel to the popular game How to Survive and takes place in a zombie-infested world where players must scavenge for resources, build shelters, and fend off hordes of undead creatures.

Players can choose from various characters, each with unique abilities and skills. They can also craft and upgrade weapons and equipment to help them survive. The game includes a campaign mode, where players must fulfill objectives and missions to advance through the storyline, and a survival mode, where players must endure as long as possible against an unrelenting wave of zombies.

Dead State

• Release Date: December 4, 2014
• Platform: PC
• Camera: Isometric
• Multiplayer: No
• Co-op: No
• Genre: RPG, Survival
• Developer: DoubleBear Productions

Dead State is an open-world zombie game developed by DoubleBear Productions and published by Dead State Team. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where players must lead a group of survivors to safety while fending off zombies and other dangers.

The game utilizes a turn-based combat system, enabling players to plan their attacks and defenses against the undead strategically. It also includes a resource management system, where players must scavenge for supplies and manage their group's hunger, thirst, and morale.

Players can recruit new survivors to join their group and upgrade their skills and equipment. They can also build and upgrade their base to improve their chances of survival.

Dead State emphasizes decision-making and player choice, as players must make tough decisions that can impact their group's morale and relationships.

Atom Zombie Smasher

• Release Date: January 22, 2011
• Platform: PC
• Camera: Top-down
• Multiplayer: No
• Co-op: No
• Genre: Strategy
• Developer: Blendo Games

Atom Zombie Smasher is a real-time strategy game developed and published by Blendo Games. It occurs in a post-apocalyptic world where players must rescue civilians from a zombie outbreak.

The game features an open-world environment where players must strategically place their units and defenses to rescue as many civilians as possible while fending off hordes of undead creatures. It also includes a dynamic weather system, which can impact gameplay by affecting movement and visibility.

Players can choose from a variety of different units, each with their unique abilities and strengths. They can also use airstrikes and other special abilities to help them overcome difficult situations.

Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse

• Release Date: October 18, 2005
• Platform: Xbox, PC, MacOS, Linux
• Camera: Third-person
• Multiplayer: No
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Developer: Wideload Games

Stubbs, the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse is a third-person action game created by Wideload Games and published by Aspyr Media. It takes place in a satirical version of the 1950s, where players take on the role of Stubbs, a zombie who must navigate through the city, fighting off humans and building an undead army.

The game features a variety of different abilities for Stubbs, including the ability to detach his head and use it as a weapon, as well as the ability to turn humans into zombies to join his army. Players can also use their zombie horde to overwhelm and defeat human enemies.

Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse emphasizes humor and satire, poking fun at the stereotypes and tropes of 1950s culture. The game also features a unique soundtrack, featuring covers of popular songs by artists such as Death Cab for Cutie and The Flaming Lips; all reimagined with zombie-themed lyrics.

Dead Age

• Release Date: July 14, 2016
• Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Camera: Turn-based, Isometric
• Multiplayer: No
• Co-op: No
• Genre: RPG, Strategy
• Developer: Silent Dreams

Dead Age is a survival RPG developed by Silent Dreams and published by Headup Games. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where players must lead a group of survivors to safety while fending off zombies and other threats.

In the game, players can explore various locations and scavenge for resources in an open-world environment. It also includes a turn-based combat system, where players must strategically plan their attacks and defenses against the undead.

Players can recruit new survivors to join their group and upgrade their skills and equipment. They can also build and upgrade their base to improve their chances of survival. Dead Age emphasizes decision-making and player choice, as players must make tough decisions that can impact their group's morale and relationships. 

Infestation: Survivor Stories

• Release Date: December 17, 2012
• Platform: PC
• Camera: First-person, Third-person
• Multiplayer: Yes
• Co-op: Yes
• Genre: Survival, MMO
• Developer: Hammerpoint Interactive

Infestation: Survivor Stories, previously known as The War Z, is a survival horror game developed by Hammer point Interactive and published by OP Productions. While the game initially faced criticism for its controversial launch, it has since been updated and improved with new content and features.

The game features an open-world environment, allowing players to explore a post-apocalyptic world that zombies have overrun. It also includes a variety of gameplay mechanics, such as crafting, base building, and scavenging for resources.

Dismantle

• Release Date: October 22, 2020 (Early Access)
• Platform: PC, with console versions planned for the future
• Camera: Top-down, Isometric
• Multiplayer: No (as of Early Access)
• Co-op: No (as of Early Access)
• Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
• Developer: 10tons Ltd

Dismantle is an open-world action-adventure game developed by 10tons Ltd. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where players must explore an island filled with dangerous creatures and scavenge for resources to survive.

The game features an immersive, hand-painted environment, allowing players to explore the island and uncover hidden secrets. It also includes a crafting system, where players can use the resources they gather to create new items and weapons.

Players can combat various enemies, from zombies to mutated creatures. In addition, players can utilize stealth tactics to evade detection and move past hazardous areas undetected.

Dysmantle emphasizes exploration and discovery, as players must venture into uncharted territory to find new resources and uncover the island's dark past. The game also showcases a unique skill tree system, enabling players to enhance their character's abilities and obtain new crafting recipes.

Final verdicts

The 25 open-world zombie games listed are the genre's best and most engaging games. Each game offers a unique take on the zombie apocalypse with its own set of mechanics, gameplay, and storyline.

Dying Light, State of Decay 2, The Walking Dead series, Dead Rising, Days Gone, and The Last of Us are some of the standout games on the list. These games have received positive reviews from critics and players alike, with many praising their immersive environments, engaging gameplay, and unique mechanics.

Whether you prefer survival RPGs, action-adventure games, or narrative-driven experiences, there is a zombie game on this list for everyone. Each game offers challenges and rewards, from scavenging for resources and building your base to fighting off hordes of undead creatures and making tough decisions that impact the story.

Let me know your thoughts on our comprehensive list. I personally love DayZ & 7 Days To Die the most. Let me know your personal favorites below. Thanks for reading!