Enjoy 10 More Fun Zombie-Themed Games!
Dead Rising may have gone downhill at some point, but that shouldn’t make players ignore its glory days. It offers an enticing take on the zombie apocalypse theme and features engaging game mechanics that’ll keep you hooked. With its multiple protagonists, unique zombie and psychopath encounters, and countless weapons for you to use against them, Dead Rising is a fun zombie-themed game that’ll entertain horror and action fans.
If you’ve finished playing Dead Rising and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks.
Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
So without further ado, we present 10 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Dead Rising.
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 is an incredible sequel that builds upon what made the first zombie FPS game great. Although its gameplay structure is different from what you’d find in Dead Rising, both games involve surviving zombie hordes in glorious environments.
In Left 4 Dead 2, players must navigate through various campaigns, fighting off waves of infection while searching for safe zones. The combat is fast-paced and creates a thrilling and survival-focused gameplay loop Dead Rising fans will love.
Both games deliver great suspense, gore, and horror elements. Where Dead Rising offers a mix of comedy and horror, Left 4 Dead 2 feels more serious and intense. Nevertheless, those who enjoyed fighting Dead Rising’s psychopath enemies will enjoy contending with Left 4 Dead 2’s varied array of zombies from the iconic Tank to the disgusting Jockeys.
Give this game a shot if you’re looking for something on the shooter side.
The Last of Us
The Last of Us is a great story-driven game with superb horror elements. Like Dead Rising, The Last of Us is a fabulous action-adventure title where players explore a world brimming with zombified lifeforms.
In this game, you must help our protagonists Joel and Ellie navigate a world brimming with fungi-infected humans and encounter many hostile survivors. This will remind folks of the Dead Rising series. In those games, you play as a male protagonist and must survive encounter with the undead and deranged psychopathic humanoids.
In both titles, you must scavenge for resources, manage your protagonists’ health, and make difficult decisions to stay alive. Both games offer a mix of melee and distance-based combat to give players a fun experience. Where Dead Rising allows you to harm zombies and psychopaths with chainsaws, baseball bats, and guns, The Last of Us lets you perform close-quarter maneuvers and third-person shooter-based attacks toward your enemy.
In addition to having narratives that highlight the cast’s relationships with the people they meet and have known for years, The Last of Us is a great alternative for Dead Rising fans.
Dying Light
Dying Light, like Dead Rising, is a survival horror game that combines elements of action and humor. Both games feature a protagonist trapped in a zombie-infested location, where they must navigate dangerous environments, scavenge for supplies, and face many hordes of undead creatures.
Dying Light allows players to arm themselves with many weapons to dispatch zombies in fun ways. This game’s robust crafting system allows players to create and modify weapons with items found in the environment. Players can combine, for example, a baseball bat and a Molotov to create a flamed weapon that deals extra damage to enemies. This weapon versatility adds strategy and fun to the gameplay experience and will remind folks of the times they made weird items in Dead Rising.
Despite its first-person perspective, Dead Rising fans will enjoy the chaos that ensues in Dying Light.
Resident Evil (Series)
The Resident Evil series consists of other zombie-themed games developed by the folks over at Capcom. This series is a bit more popular than Dead Rising, as the company continues to churn out remakes and new entries for its franchise. Nevertheless, this gaming franchise will appeal to everyone who loves slaying zombies in the Dead Rising series.
In Resident Evil, players must contend with numerous undead creatures and biologically-engineered monstrosities. Like Dead Rising, Resident Evil’s known for providing players with intense and thrilling experiences as they fight against overwhelming odds.
Both games give players reasons to explore their locations fully and emphasize resource management. In Resident Evil, you’ll find yourself traveling through eerie locations, solving puzzles, and searching for key items to progress. This will remind Dead Rising folks of the times when they were exploring the mall in search of new weapons, attire, or psychopaths to defeat.
If you’re in need of another Capcom zombie-themed game, check out the Resident Evil series.
Days Gone
Days Gone is an interesting action-adventure title that takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting. In it, you control Deacon St. John as he navigates a world ravaged by a global pandemic, leading to the emergence of zombie-like creatures called Freakers. Both games use their apocalyptic circumstances to create a sense of danger and survival.
Days Gone and Dead Rising count on players to explore their locations to find resources. You’ll be traversing Days Gone’s open world on a motorcycle in search of new weapons, missions, and enemies to defeat. The missions can get tedious at times, but the narrative it delivers should entice you to continue progressing through it all.
If you’re looking for a game with richer graphics, enjoyable gameplay, and a nice storyline, check out Days Gone.
World War Z: Aftermath
Although World War Z: Aftermath is a co-op-based third-person shooter game, it shares many similarities and vibes with the Dead Rising series.
Firstly, these games feature worlds overrun by zombies and have a tight emphasis on intense action-filled gameplay. In Aftermath, players must confront numerous zombies in different locations across the world. This mirrors the core gameplay mechanics found in Dead Rising, where players must fight waves of zombies using different weaponry.
Next, Aftermath and Dead Rising require players to scavenge for items to increase their chances of survival. The need to keep maintain proper resources adds extra attention and strategy to both games, resulting in a more challenging and pleasing experience.
If you’re fine with a zombie game from a genre different from Dead Rising’s, then check this one out.
Killing Floor
Killing Floor is a six-player co-op zombie horror title that packs a punch. In it, players participate in cooperative multiplayer battles against waves of mutated specimens. Like Dead Rising, you must use an array of weapons and combat skills to survive the onslaught of undead adversaries. Both games contain satisfyingly gory gameplay that captures the spirit of classic zombie works.
The weapon variety in Killing Floor is as great as Dead Rising’s. You can choose from a myriad of firearms, explosives, melee weapons, and unique class-specific weapons to assist you in your journeys. This mirrors the assortment of goods you can use and find in the Dead Rising series.
On top of having stellar visuals and great enemy designs, you’re bound to have a blast playing this game with your buddies.
Dead Island
Dead Island is a popular zombie game with a rich storyline and a fun open world brimming with the undead. In Dead Island, players assume the role of a survivor whose stranded on a tropical island. This island contains all sorts of zombies, so you must look for weapons and supplies that’ll help you survive the outbreak. This mirrors the premise found in the Dead Rising titles.
Dead Island also provides players with enough freedom to explore its setting to the fullest degree. You’ll enjoy the level of craftsmanship that went into the game’s background elements and animations.
Dead Island and Dead Rising share a focus on melee combat and using improvised weapons. From machetes to baseball bats, you have a lot of options to defeat the undead in Dead Island.
On top of having fun quests and character interactions, Dead Island is a great open-world zombie game that’ll interest Dead Rising enjoyers.
DayZ
DayZ is an open-world multiplayer zombie title that’s sure to entertain you. In it, you assume the role of a survivor and must search the terrain for resources, manage your hunger and thirst, and avoid or confront threats to survive. This mirrors the obvious objectives you’d find in the Dead Rising series.
You’ll find yourself searching all types of areas in DayZ from abandoned homes to decrepit buildings. Each area contains many secrets and useful tools, making world traversal feel authentic and delightful. The focus on resource management adds an element of strategy to both titles.
On top of having some form of interactivity in the game with other survivors and nearby players, DayZ is a fantastic zombie-slayer with enough content to hold you over.
State of Decay
State of Decay is a zombie game with a vast world and one that’s fun to traverse. In it, players control a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world filled with undead monstrosities. Like the others listed here, searching for resources and using them accordingly is the goal in State of Decay.
Like Dead Rising, State of Decay offers players enough freedom to explore and make solid decisions. It is another zombie title with an emphasis on resource management. You must search for food, medicine, and other essential tools to keep the survivors healthy and well-equipped. These items are limited, so it’s important for you to use them effectively, otherwise, it’s curtains for your characters.
Give State of Decay a shot if you crave more zombie games with fun gameplay.
So there we have it, our 10 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Dead Rising.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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