Games

The Best Post-Apocalyptic Games of All Time, Ranked

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December 4, 2024

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Post-apocalyptic settings are one of the few things that excel in all forms of media, whether that be books, movies, or video games. The idea of a post-apocalyptic landscape seems to bring out numerous emotions in people, whether it be fear, intrigue, or even adrenaline-pumping excitement depending on the theme. In theory, video games can offer a superior post-apocalyptic experience to books and films, as they can uniquely put their audience in the shoes of the main character as they journey through the deprived world before them.

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Unfortunately, many development teams fail to realize the potential of how immersive a post-apocalyptic game can be and instead use the genre as a gimmick to improve otherwise bland and generic games. The games on this list, however, offer fantastic post-apocalyptic worlds that excel in either letting the player explore its landscape, telling a gripping story, or offering unique gameplay mechanics to fit the morbid reality.

Updated November 4, 2024, by Tom Bowen: The best post-apocalyptic games are able to paint incredibly grim pictures while simultaneously evoking feelings of desperation and despair within their players. Naturally, this style of immersive storytelling best suits horror games, but that’s not to say that other genres can’t also offer up an excellent end-of-the-world experience when given the chance. The best post-apocalyptic games of all time span a multitude of genres and are well worth experiencing at least once before the world comes to an end.

22 Stray

OpenCritic Rating: 83

Many of the best post-apocalyptic games make a point of letting the player know exactly what caused the world to fall into a state of ruin. In a lot of cases, this ends up being pretty obvious, with zombies (or something similar with a slightly different name) being the main culprits. Stray takes a somewhat different approach though, instead thrusting players into a futuristic version of Hong Kong with very little explanation.

Exploring this neon-infused world as a cat provides players with a brand-new perspective, which in turn helps to distract from some of the bigger issues at hand. Questions like “What happened to all of the humans?” and “What’s the deal with the Zurks?” will soon fall by the wayside, with players quickly getting lost in a world that’s full of character and adorable feline interactions that are just waiting to be uncovered.

Developer(s): BlueTwelve Studio
Released: July 19, 2022

21 Rust

OpenCritic Rating: 67

Image from Rust showing an abandoned structure in the middle of a woodland area.

In most other post-apocalyptic games, it is the life forms that have come to inhabit the world that players find themselves in that serve as the main source of danger, be that terrifying video game zombies or some other form of mutated creature. Rust does feature irradiated animals, such as bears and wolves, but it ends up being other humans that players really need to worry about rather than these monstrous mammals.

The shoot-on-sight nature of online survival games can be frustrating at first, but it’s arguably a lot more realistic than a post-apocalyptic game in which all NPCs are friendly. Resources are limited, after all, with food and healing supplies being in particularly short supply. With that in mind, it’s only natural that players would be willing to kill for these rare items when push comes to shove.

Released: February 8, 2018

20 Stellar Blade

OpenCritic Rating: 82

Much like Guerilla Games’ Horizon series, Stellar Blade serves as proof that a post-apocalyptic world can still be beautiful. Granted, the 2024 title takes a much more reserved approach when it comes to the idea of a world being reclaimed by nature, but there’s still an inherent beauty in some of its dusty and desolate locales.

Unlike a lot of other great games with post-apocalyptic settings, Stellar Blade has no real survival elements to speak of, though that’s not to say that players should expect a walk in the park. Combat can be brutal, albeit equally rewarding, making this a great option for those looking for a fun and stylish challenge.

Systems

Developer(s): Shift Up
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: April 26, 2024

19 Days Gone

OpenCritic Rating: 72

Days-Gone-2-Canceled-Pitch-Sequel-Details-Jeff-Ross

Despite hundreds of thousands of people signing a petition calling for Sony to release a sequel, the chances of a new Days Gone game seem pretty slim right now. That’s unfortunate, as, despite its somewhat disappointing Metascore, many consider it to be one of the best open-world survival games of the modern era thanks largely to its immersive storytelling and well-written characters.

Players assume the role of Deacon St. John, a former bounty hunter struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombie-like creatures called Freaks. Though players are surrounded by death and danger on all sides, the world that they get to explore feels as though it’s truly alive, which can encourage players to take risks when they probably shouldn’t. The experience on offer is therefore a tense one, but also a lot of fun.

Open-World

Action

Adventure

Systems

18 State of Decay

OpenCritic Rating: 74

Running away from zombies in State of Decay

Like Days Gone, Undead Labs’ State of Decay series struggled to impress critics, though has garnered something of a cult following within the Xbox ecosystem. Both the original and its sequel take place in a post-apocalyptic world that’s infested with zombies and take players on a somewhat singular journey that very few other games can match.

With an infinite supply of zombies and a wide array of weapons with which to dispatch them, the State of Decay games are more about having fun picking apart zombies than they are about evoking feelings of fear. In that respect, they’re a lot like the Dead Rising games, only they boast a much larger sandbox in which to play around and place a lot more emphasis on crafting and resource management.

Action

Adventure

Survival Horror

Systems

17 The Division

OpenCritic Rating: 79

After a genetically engineered super-virus known as Green Poison brings humanity to its knees, civilization collapses and chaos and anarchy soon fill the void. Players are left to explore what remains of New York City, which now boasts an ever-expanding dark zone in which all decency and decorum are consumed by evil inclinations and despicable desires.

In many ways, The Division is exactly what one might expect from a Tom Clancy game, particularly when it comes to combat and mechanics. However, the game’s wonderfully well-realized post-apocalyptic depiction of New York really helps to set it apart from many of its peers and is well worth a visit for those curious about what the end of the world might look like.

Tom Clancy's The Division Tag Page Cover Art

Third-Person Shooter

Open-World

16 Mad Max

OpenCritic Rating: 69

Mad Max game front cover with man standing

Mad Max was released in 2015 but isn’t a tie-in to the hit movie Mad Max: Fury Road, which was released in theatres just four months earlier. Although the film was well-received by fans and critics, many players were happy that the game wasn’t a direct tie-in, as movie tie-in games have a poor reputation today following numerous releases in the 2000s that felt like cash grabs.

Mad Max impressed fans and critics with its explosive action and well-designed open world that is a joy to explore. For this reason, many regard it as one of the most underrated video games of the past decade, with very few people having checked it out despite its obvious quality.

Action-Adventure

Open-World

Released: September 1, 2015

15 I Am Alive

OpenCritic Rating: N/A

Ubisoft’s I Am Alive may not be able to hold a candle to the other games on this list in terms of its objective quality, but it deserves a spot nonetheless for implementing some of the most ambitious and forward-thinking ideas that the post-apocalyptic genre has ever seen.

Such ideas include the devastating impact that climbing, jumping, and other strenuous movements can have on the player’s well-being; as well as the lack of ammunition that forces players to utilize bold strategies like aiming an empty gun at enemies, in hopes that they believe it’s loaded. The realistic take on combat was a breath of fresh air for the genre, and one that makes many other self-proclaimed realistic post-apocalyptic adventures look like Rambo in comparison.

I Am Alive

Developer(s): Ubisoft Shanghai
Released: March 7, 2012

14 Death Stranding

OpenCritic Rating: 83

When Death Stranding was announced, it instantly became one of the gaming industry’s most highly anticipated titles. The baffling trailers intrigued players who had no idea what type of game Death Stranding was going to be, a theme that continued when Hideo Kojima confusingly described it as the first “strand game.”

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Most gameplay predictions from fans proved to be completely wrong, as there weren’t many who predicted that Death Stranding would predominantly consist of extreme post-apocalyptic Amazon delivery. The unique gameplay divided players, but the story was universally praised, making Death Stranding worth considering even if the gameplay sounds off-putting.

Released: November 8, 2019

13 Wasteland 3

OpenCritic Rating: 86

wasteland-3-turret-shooting-laser-into-wall

Wasteland 3 was initially released in August 2020 and had the tough task of improving upon its critically acclaimed predecessor, Wasteland 2. The game features a similar style of turn-based tactics combat as the XCOM series but differentiates itself with its heavier focus on role-playing mechanics.

InXile Entertainment’s game was well-received by fans and critics, exemplified by its 85 Metascore on PC and Best Role-Playing nomination at The Game Awards 2020, an award that eventually went to the remake of Final Fantasy 7. Still, those looking for a great post-apocalyptic video game could certainly do an awful lot worse.

Systems

12 Resistance: Fall of Man

OpenCritic Rating: N/A

Following the enormous success of the PlayStation 2, the PlayStation 3 became one of the most highly anticipated console releases of all time when it was announced. Unfortunately, the months leading up to its release were anything but smooth, with numerous delays and an excessive starting price handing the initiative to Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

Consequently, the console needed to hit the ground running upon release, which it managed to do thanks to its smash-hit launch title Resistance: Fall of Man. Fall of Man gave gamers a glimpse of what the seventh generation of consoles had to offer, thanks to its significant graphical and technical improvements from first-person shooters on the PlayStation 2.

Systems

Publisher(s): Sony Computer Entertainment
Released: November 17, 2006

11 Final Fantasy 6

OpenCritic Rating: 86

The iconic Final Fantasy series received its sixth main series game in 1994 on the SNES, which is still considered to be one of the best entries today. In fact, some consider the ’90s release to be one of the greatest RPGs of all time, a view shared by IGN, who ranked the game 2nd only to Chrono Trigger in their list of the top 100 RPGs of all time.

Final Fantasy 6 excels in every key area of a Final Fantasy game, thanks to its memorable soundtrack, tear-jerking story, well-crafted combat mechanics, and charismatic characters. Players can now enjoy it in full HD too thanks to Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, though only on PC and Mobile for the time being.

Developer(s): Square Enix , Square
Publisher(s): Square Enix , Square
Released: October 11, 1994

10 The Walking Dead

OpenCritic Rating: 85

Much like I Am Alive, The Walking Dead ensures that it doesn’t become an unrealistic post-apocalyptic adventure that relies on traditional action-gameplay tropes, thanks to Telltale Games’ unique decision-centric gameplay.

Telltale Games’ brand of storytelling and gameplay ensures that The Walking Dead can focus on creating a compelling story that shows the bleak horror a post-apocalyptic world would provide, while still making it engaging for the player.

9 Metro Exodus

OpenCritic Rating: 83

4A Games’ Metro series has carved itself a spot in the post-apocalyptic genre with its fantastic trilogy of survival horror first-person shooters. Metro Exodus marked the franchise’s first attempt at implementing an open world, which expanded on the game’s narrative in a natural way and offered players a stunning visual journey.

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Metro Exodus was nominated for the Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design accolades at the Golden Joystick Awards but lost out to Bend Studio’s Days Gone and Capcom’s Devil May Cry 5 respectively. That hasn’t stopped people from buying it though, with many considering it one of the best post-apocalyptic video games of all time.

Released: February 15, 2019

8 STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl

OpenCritic Rating: N/A

Stalker Shadow Of Chernobyl - gun loading

STALKER Shadow Of Chernobyl was released in 2007 and likely became a significant source of influence for subsequent post-apocalyptic titles like Bethesda’s Fallout 3. It also became a fan favorite for those who enjoy post-apocalyptic video games, thanks largely to the care and attention that went into its creation.

The gameplay mechanics in STALKER Shadow Of Chernobyl may not be up to scratch with 2009’s STALKER Call of Pripyat. However, the atmospheric setting and encapsulating story of Shadow Of Chernobyl make it the better option for those looking to find the best post-apocalyptic games.

7 Left 4 Dead 2

OpenCritic Rating: N/A

Left 4 Dead 2 is an action-heavy shooter that makes no apologies for the way that it focuses on fun gameplay over realism and storytelling. Fans of the game certainly wouldn’t have it any other way, as Valve’s modern classic is one of the most enjoyable shooters to play either alone or with friends.

Although Valve seemingly has no plans to bring the series back for a third installment, there is a spiritual successor in the form of Back 4 Blood. Sadly, it’s nowhere near as enjoyable as the original Left 4 Dead games, though should be able to scratch the itch of those looking for a bit more multiplayer zombie fun.

Systems

Released: November 17, 2009

6 Fallout 4

OpenCritic Rating: 87

fallout-4-survival-mode-heartbreaking-death

Just like war, Bethesda games seldom change, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Fallout 4 brought with it more of the same post-apocalyptic goodness that the series is best known for, providing players with a rundown rendition of Boston that is well worth exploring.

It still has its fair share of bugs and glitches, but these shouldn’t be enough to stop players from having fun. The game’s ninth-gen update did help to fix a few of these issues, but even before being optimized for PS5 and Xbox series, Fallout 4 already held up surprisingly well for its age.

Released: November 10, 2015

5 Horizon Zero Dawn

OpenCritic Rating: 89

Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn was released in 2017 and is today recognized as being one of the highlights of the eighth generation of consoles. Horizon Zero Dawn was unfairly criticized before it was released for having similar post-apocalyptic themes to Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which was released just a few days later and understandably had far more hype behind it.

Now that a bit more time has passed, the games have naturally separated from one another in people’s minds, ensuring that Guerrilla Games’ adventure now receives the respect that it always deserved. Unfortunately, though, the game’s sequel was equally unlucky, with Horizon Forbidden West arriving within a few weeks of the hugely popular Elden Ring.

Systems

Released: February 28, 2017

4 Gears of War

OpenCritic Rating: 84

Released just four days before the launch of the PlayStation 3, Epic Games’ Gears of War was Microsoft’s last opportunity to convince gamers to opt for their Xbox 360 instead of Sony’s follow-up to the highest-selling console of all time. Looking back, it seems safe to say that the company succeeded.

Epic Games couldn’t have done much more to sway the opinion of even the most die-hard PlayStation fans, as Gears of War offered one of the most intense and gritty third-person-shooter experiences up until that point. The game’s whopping 94 Metascore is a testament to this, as too are its many sequels.

Systems

Released: November 7, 2006

3 Fallout: New Vegas

OpenCritic Rating: N/A

Fallout: New Vegas hit stores in 2010 to a fair amount of skepticism, due to many players seeing the lack of visual improvement from Fallout 3 and subsequently believing the game to be a glorified DLC. This viewpoint seems ridiculous today, as Obsidian Entertainment’s Fallout: New Vegas has not only become one of the most beloved post-apocalyptic games of all time but also one of the best RPGs ever.

As well as expanding upon the gameplay mechanics of Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas improved upon its predecessor with the increased freedom of choice available to players, something that many open-world RPGs are still struggling to top today. This includes the Fallout series, with neither Fallout 4 nor Fallout 76 able to match Fallout: New Vegas when it comes to quality.