Our cultural obsession with the undead is astounding. From classic George A. Romero films to the 100th season of AMC’s The Walking Dead, zombies have infected almost every facet of our lives — and video games are no exception. We’ve been looking for any excuse to kill, dismember, and humiliate the undead since the first Resident Evil blew the genre wide open. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the seven best zombie games currently available for Xbox One. Thankfully, most of these titles are compatible with the Xbox Series X/S and are available on PlayStation and PC.
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Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Turtle Rock Studios
Publisher
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Release
October 12, 2021
Before they were left for dead, now, they’re back for blood. Back 4 Blood, the spiritual successor to the iconic Left 4 Dead franchise, puts fans right back in the thick of co-op zombie-slaying action. With a roster full of unique characters with special abilities, Back 4 Blood keeps things fresh on every run. The card system allows players to build the zombie-killing loadout of their dreams while inspiring them to progress further to unlock new cards. Back 4 Blood’s most satisfying upgrade is, perhaps, the wide variety of weapons available to each player. Of course, those trusty pain pills still make a regular appearance.
Read our full Back 4 Blood review
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Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Techland
Publisher
WB Games
Release
January 26, 2015
Play as Kyle Crane, an undercover operative sent to the Turkish city of Harran, amid a viral pandemic. Its inhabitants have been overrun with undead hordes and deadly human factions. Venture out after dark at your own risk, as the zombies grow far more lethal and are led by swift apex zombies that will chase Kyle across Harran’s rooftops. Dying Light‘s unique blend of parkour and zombie survival will have players running across roofs, sliding under obstacles, and gliding on ziplines to traverse the vast open world. Dying Light also features an online co-op, where friends can help each other progress through the game or challenge other players in a human versus zombies competitive multiplayer. Dying Light 2 releases on February 4th, 2022.
Read our full Dying Light review
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Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Simulator
Developer
Undead Labs
Publisher
Microsoft Studios
Release
May 22, 2018
State of Decay 2 is an open-world zombie survival game focused more on scavenging and crafting than pure zombie slaying. Recently optimized in December 2020 for Xbox Series X/S, State of Decay 2 will have players building communities, producing resources, and fending off hordes of zombies. As custom to most zombie media, other humans will prove the biggest threat to your survival. Make friends or enemies; it’s up to you. Co-op with up to three other players as you scavenge and survive in third-person. State of Decay 2 has received mixed reviews, as critics praise its combat engine but find the survival mechanics monotonous at times. Those looking for casual zombie survival will enjoy State of Decay 2. However, those looking for something high-octane may prefer some other titles on this list. Be sure to purchase the Juggernaut edition of the game, which improves many quality-of-life issues as far as pugs, patches, and gameplay are concerned.
Read our full State of Decay 2 review
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Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Saber Interactive
Publisher
Paramount Pictures, Focus Home Interactive
Release
April 16, 2019
Speaking of high-octane zombie survival, World War Z is nothing but. Loosely based on the 2006 book of the same title and set in the same universe as the 2013 film starring Brad Pitt, World War Z plays in third-person as you and a team of friends co-op through major infested cities with one objective in mind: Survival. New York, Moscow, Jerusalem, Tokyo, and Marseille feature their own unique plot and characters as the outbreak has affected every corner of the earth. Players will fend off waves of undead as dozens, if not hundreds, of them charge at you full sprint.
Read our full World War Z review
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Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Point-and-click, Adventure
Developer
Skybound Games
Publisher
Skybound Games
Release
September 10, 2019
The Walking Dead franchise has staked its claim as a leader in zombie entertainment. From AMC’s long-running series to multiple spin-off shows, The Walking Dead has even made its way into the world of video games. This narrative-driven, choice-based game will have players moving through chapters of engaging stories comparable to that of the AMC flagship show. The game itself is more in line with the comic book series that put The Walking Dead on the map in the first place. Developed by Telltale Games back in 2012, The Walking Dead has since released four full seasons, each containing between four and six episodes and one minor season focused on Michonne.
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Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Tango Gameworks
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
October 13, 2017
The follow-up to 2014’s title of the same name, The Evil Within 2 is at the pinnacle of horror games. While fans can argue that it isn’t a strict zombie game, there are certainly elements present that players would expect out of any undead action-adventure. Players control Sebastian Castellanos, a former police sergeant and detective now faced with exterminating the horrific creatures he’ll encounter on his expedition. The Evil Within 2 is more in line with Resident Evil’s play style, as players control a third-person protagonist and engage in over-the-shoulder combat. It makes sense that The Evil Within follows the Resident Evil formula, as Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami designed the game.
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Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Capcom Production Studio 4
Publisher
Capcom
Release
September 08, 2011
Those who haven’t experienced Resident Evil 4 certainly missed out. Control Leon Kennedy, Racoon City’s most dedicated police officer turned special operative, as he embarks on a search-and-rescue mission for Ashley Graham, the president’s daughter. Leon heads to a remote part of Spain and engages with Los Illuminados, the cult that kidnapped Ashley. Leon will face some of the most elaborate creatures ever presented in a Resident Evil game and tell a story that rivals The Last of Us. Outside the main campaign, you can also test your skills in Mercenary mode, a wave-based, timed survival mini-game that will reward players with equipment to replay the campaign.
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