Top 10 Open World Apocalypse Games to Survive In

If you're looking for the ultimate open world apocalypse games to test your survival skills, you've come to the right place. The thrill of navigating through desolate landscapes, battling hordes of enemies, and scavenging for precious resources in video games offers an exhilarating escape from reality. In this curated list, we dive into the heart of chaos and explore games where every decision shapes your path to reclaiming humanity. Ready your weapons, and let's embark on this adventure together.

Exploring the Best Open World Apocalypse Games

Surviving in a post-apocalyptic world is not just about fighting off zombies or scavenging for ammo. It's about immersing yourself in vast, open worlds full of danger, beauty, and stories waiting to be told. The games we've selected offer not just survival elements but rich narratives, complex characters, and environments that challenge your morals, strategy, and will to persevere. Let's plunge into the depths of these worlds and see what it takes to survive.

List of Top Choices

• Fallout 4: Set in a Post-Nuclear Boston
• Days Gone: Survival Against Freakers
• Metro Exodus: A Journey Across Russia
• Horizon Zero Dawn: The Machine-Dominated Earth
• The Last of Us Part II: Post-Pandemic United States
• Mad Max: The Wasteland Warrior
• Rage 2: Battling the Tyrannical Authority
• Dying Light: Survival Through Parkour
• State of Decay 2: Building a Survivor Community
• Wasteland 3: Decisions in Post-Apocalyptic Colorado

Fallout 4: Set in a Post-Nuclear Boston

• Expansive open-world exploration in a vast post-apocalyptic environment.
• Deep crafting system allows for unique customization of weapons and settlements.
• Player choices that influence the world and outcome of the story.

Fallout 4 takes you to a ravaged Boston, where every corner hides danger and opportunity. As a Sole Survivor of Vault 111, you enter a world destroyed by nuclear war. The game excels in providing a rich open-world experience, filled with complex characters, moral dilemmas, and the freedom to explore at your own pace. The crafting system stands out, offering endless possibilities to modify gear and build your own settlements. Your decisions shape the wasteland, making each playthrough uniquely rewarding.

Days Gone: Survival Against Freakers

• Dynamic weather system and day-night cycle that affects gameplay.
• Motorcycle customization and maintenance play a crucial role in survival.
• Intense combat against hordes of Freakers, animal wildlife, and human enemies.

Days Gone throws you into the role of Deacon St. John, a bounty hunter searching for a reason to live in a land overrun by Freakers. The game's dynamic weather and day-night cycle not only add to the atmosphere but also impact your survival strategies. Managing your motorcycle, your main means of transportation, brings an engaging layer of realism. Combat is visceral, requiring you to adapt quickly to changing threats. Days Gone offers a deeply personal story of loss and hope, set against the backdrop of an unforgiving open world.

Metro Exodus: A Journey Across Russia

• Mix of tense survival horror, exploration, and stealth.
• Beautifully crafted landscapes set across a year-long journey through post-apocalyptic Russia.
• Engagement with other survivors brings depth to the story with its moral complexity.

Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven journey that blends intense survival horror, exploration, and tactical combat and stealth. You flee the ruins of the Moscow Metro and lead a band of Spartan Rangers on an incredible, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia. Through spring, summer, and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter, Metro Exodus presents a magnificent, hostile world saving its gripping narrative through the eyes of Artyom. The game challenges your morality and survival skills, making for a deeply immersive experience.

Horizon Zero Dawn: The Machine-Dominated Earth

• Vivid open world filled with ancient ruins and breathtaking landscapes.
• Strategic combat that emphasizes learning and exploiting the weaknesses of machine enemies.
• Rich lore and mystery underpin the quest of protagonist Aloy.

Horizon Zero Dawn invites players into an exquisitely detailed world ruled by machine creatures. As Aloy, an outcast looking to uncover her past, you explore lush forests, towering mountains, and ruinous cities. The game is a masterpiece of storytelling, combining lore-rich quests with exhilarating combat that requires tactical thinking. Learning about the machines and using that knowledge in battle provides a satisfying challenge. Horizon Zero Dawn not only delivers a unique open-world experience but also tells a compelling story of discovery and identity.

The Last of Us Part II: Post-Pandemic United States

• Emotionally gripping narrative that explores themes of revenge and redemption.
• Stealth and strategic gameplay amidst a backdrop of a survival horror post-pandemic world.
• Highly detailed environments that offer multiple pathways and approaches.

The Last of Us Part II builds on the legacy of its predecessor by delivering a profound narrative experience, set against the backdrop of a beautifully realized post-pandemic world. Ellie's journey is one of gritty survival, emotional turmoil, and moments of tenderness, drawing players into a story that explores the depths of human emotion. The game's combat system encourages strategic thinking and efficiency, offering a challenging but rewarding experience. With its complex characters and moral dilemmas, The Last of Us Part II is a masterclass in storytelling and game design.

Mad Max: The Wasteland Warrior

• Vehicular combat and customization at the core of gameplay.
• Scavenging for resources in a vast, open wasteland.
• Intense hand-to-hand combat and tactical decision-making.

In Mad Max, players step into the shoes of Max Rockatansky as he navigates the dangerous wasteland in search of peace and redemption. The game focuses heavily on vehicular combat, with players able to customize their cars for different tactics and aesthetics. Scavenging for resources is crucial, adding a layer of survival strategy to the game. Besides thrilling car battles, Max also engages in brutal ground combat, mixing stealth and aggression. This game delivers a gritty, immersive experience that captures the essence of the Mad Max universe.

Rage 2: Battling the Tyrannical Authority

• Over-the-top action with a wide array of weapons and powers.
• Expansive world filled with mutants, gangs, and an oppressive regime.
• Combination of vehicle combat and on-foot mayhem.

Rage 2 throws players into a frenzied, colorful apocalypse where anarchy and chaos reign. With a focus on over-the-top action, the game offers an arsenal of weapons and nanotrite powers to decimate foes in creative ways. The open world is a sprawling, post-apocalyptic playground riddled with enemies, including mutants and authoritarian soldiers. Whether driving across the barren landscapes or engaging in explosive shootouts, Rage 2 delivers an exhilarating experience where freedom and firepower go hand in hand.

Dying Light: Survival Through Parkour

• Fluid parkour system for traversing the urban environment.
• Day-night cycle significantly impacts gameplay and strategy.
• Co-op gameplay enhances the survival experience.

Dying Light offers a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse genre with its focus on mobility and strategy. Set in a quarantined city infested with zombies, players must navigate the danger using an agile and fluid parkour system. The game's day-night cycle plays a critical role, as the infected become more aggressive and numerous at night, forcing players to weigh the risks of exploration. Cooperative play allows friends to join the struggle for survival, providing a dynamic and shared experience. Dying Light manages to balance intensity and fun, making every leap and sprint thrilling.

State of Decay 2: Building a Survivor Community

• Community management is at the heart of gameplay.
• Permadeath adds weight to every decision and combat encounter.
• Resource management and base building are key to survival.

State of Decay 2 expands on its predecessor by focusing on community survival in a world overrun by zombies. Players are tasked with managing a group of survivors, each with their own skills and needs. The threat of permadeath for characters adds a significant emotional and strategic layer, as every loss impacts the community. Scavenging for resources and building a safe haven are critical elements, along with making tough moral choices. This game captures the essence of survival by emphasizing the importance of every decision and fostering a sense of responsibility for your community members.

Wasteland 3: Decisions in Post-Apocalyptic Colorado

• Tactical turn-based combat with a focus on squad strategy.
• Moral choices that shape the narrative and world.
• Deep RPG elements for character and squad customization.

Wasteland 3 transports players to a frozen, post-apocalyptic Colorado where survival is a constant struggle. As the leader of a group of Desert Rangers, your mission is to build a base, form alliances, and ensure your squad's survival against a myriad of threats. The game excels in offering tactical turn-based combat, allowing for strategic planning and execution. Moral choices play a significant role, affecting the story and interactions with the world's factions. With its complex customization options and impactful decisions, Wasteland 3 weaves an intense narrative of leadership in a world clinging to the remnants of civilization.

In conclusion, these top 10 open world apocalypse games offer players a wide range of experiences, from intense survival horror and strategic base management to exploring vast, desolate landscapes. Each game presents its own unique take on post-apocalyptic survival, challenging players to adapt and overcome in worlds devastated by disaster, disease, and tyranny. Whether you're crafting the perfect weapon, leading a community of survivors, or battling through hordes of enemies, these games promise thrilling adventures in chaos. Now, it's time to choose your survival path, forge alliances, and reclaim humanity in these immersive apocalypse worlds.