Author: Conor Sheeran

Do you like Yu-Gi-Oh!? I think we know the answer to that, seeing as you’re reading this currently. Do you also like Mario Kart?!? If you answered yes, then I have the game for you! Kicking off the list is Yu-Gi-Oh! Wheelie Breakers—a game based on the 5Ds series, which takes place in a futuristic world where the traditional dueling mechanics that the series is known for has been combined with the high speed and intensity of motorcycle racing. A unique concept indeed, but one that seems to really work in the wide world of Yu-Gi-Oh!

In the game, you take on the role of a new “Turbo Duelist,” straddling your own “Duel Runner” motorcycle and racing for the finish. This part of the game is pretty cut and dry, you win by being the first to reach the finish line just like any other racing game—the rest is where it gets interesting. The obstacles along the way are your enemy’s entire deck full of annoying monsters, spells, and traps all working to make sure that your race is anything but easy. Each player has 4,000 Life Points, though a player does not lose if they reach zero, they just spin out.

All in all, this a very unconventional game that puts a real twist into the series unlike any other game offering available, and is frustrating at first, but rewarding once you are able to figure out how to play!

This game is a Game Boy Advance exclusive and was released in 2002, however even after 18 years, the game still holds up to some of the best names in the series. Although the card list is only ~800 in size, the game presents a real feel of dueling against your friends back in the day and still manages to be a lot of fun because of its tier-based duelists and decks.

One of the best features of the game was the ability to import real cards from the actual TCG into the game via the unique card ID codes, which was an amazing way to merge the real-world card game with the virtual one!

You are also able to (via a physical cable) link up with and battle against friends, making the game all the more versatile for its time (pre-wifi connectivity; what a time). Boasting a score of 81 on Metacritic, this game is arguably one of the truest representations of the TCG in virtual form and provides an incredible feeling of nostalgia when playing through.

Yu-Gi-Oh!’s first title on the Nintendo DS did not disappoint! The game is a pretty straightforward duel monsters game as you role-play as a novice duelist participating in the “Battle City Tournament” featuring many members of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! cast. The original “Battle City” storyline has been altered quite a bit however in order to extend gameplay and include duelists such as Maximillion Pegasus and the Paradox Brothers. The “Virtual World” story arc is also included as well, which I absolutely love (who doesn’t love a good “Five-Headed Dragon??”). 

For fans of the card game, Yu-Gi-Oh! Nightmare Troubadour is a dream come true. The game takes everything that has made the card game so popular for years and faithfully puts it all together in one convenient handheld package. The 3-D summoning was a great feature never before experienced on a hand-held device, but that’s not the only dual-screened feature that was added! There’s competition all over the place, however, you’ll have to use your duelist radar in order to be able to locate them, which requires you to drag a cursor around a city map with your stylus until the cursor starts to beep and flash red.

This would have a more immersive effect if not for the fact that the choice of your potential opponents is limited by your current in-game experience level. In addition to the traditional duels, the game also incorporated a series of puzzle matches, where the player is presented with a scenario in which you’ll have to use a specific strategy to complete successfully.

Whether you’re a beginner or not, these puzzle matches are a good way to hone your skills. At the end of both puzzle matches and regular duels, you’re rewarded with points that can be spent on booster packs at the local card shop in order to continue to build out and improve upon your deck throughout the game.

Like that of our previous title in the list, this game departs from the traditional Yu-Gi-Oh! card game style of play and introduces some completely new elements. Originally introduced via three episodes in the anime, Dungeon Dice Monsters incorporates many elements of the original game such as familiar monsters as well as having to deplete your enemy of a certain amount of starting points in order to win the game. The difference here is that we’re playing with Dice and Heart Points rather than Cards and Life Points. The goal is similar – deplete your opponent’s heart points from three to zero by attacking them directly. 

The premise is that you begin your turn by rolling a set of die and, if you are able to roll two of the same image then you’re able to summon a specific kind of monster on your side of the board, building out your paths in order to approach your opponent’s side of the playing field. Once you’ve “summoned” some monsters, you have to build a route to your opponent in order to attack them and deplete their heart points to zero before they do so to you. It may not be the deepest or most complex game, but having so many familiar monsters to use in a completely new format was a great mix of nostalgia and new experiences all wrapped up into one!

This game is amazing for the nostalgia factor of it all, if for nothing else. The game essentially takes you through the second arc of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters anime, that being the “Battle City Tournament” (which happens to be my favorite Yu-Gi-Oh! story arc of all time). 

The game allows you to take control of the main character of the game and play through the events as they unfold in the anime. You’ll run into all of your favorite characters from the show, from the prominent figures such as Seto Kaiba and Mai Valentine to more tertiary characters such as Rex Raptor, Mako Tsunami, and yes, of course even Marik Ishtar. The game gives you an extensive experience of what it would have been like if you were to have entered and competed in the tournament yourself! 

The gameplay is fun in that it allows you to walk back and forth from different distinct areas and even talk to and interact with all of the NPCs that are scattered throughout the game, giving it more of an adventurous type feel than many other Yu-Gi-Oh! games that have been released. There are some actual gameplay-related tweaks that have been made to the game as well that give it its own character in the series, such as the addition of the elemental system, which means that monsters with certain attributes will automatically destroy monsters with other, specific attributes regardless of the differential in attack/defense points. All in all, this game is a great way to relive one of the best storylines in the anime, with a few additional twists and turns along the way.

Released exclusively for PlayStation 2, this installation of the Yu-Gi-Oh! video game series is unlike any other! The game and gameplay are a reference to the 15th Century War of the Roses in both name and game setting, but the similarities don’t stop there. 

Arguably the most interesting storyline of any game (as it doesn’t have anything to do with the manga/anime storylines), the story begins with the battle between the houses of “Lancaster” and “York,” allowing you, the duelist who was summoned from another time, to choose which house to support at the beginning of the game in order to tip the scale in one direction or the other. 

The gameplay itself is the main characteristic that separates Duelist Of The Roses from other Yu-Gi-Oh! Games, in that it basically plays like Dungeon Dice Monsters, however instead of using dice and heart-points, you’re using the actual cards, and life points similar to legacy games. Other defining characteristics are that you will have a “Deck Master” who will provide certain power-ups and bonuses to you during a duel, having to navigate a labyrinth-like game board, and utilize different field power bonuses that change depending on what kind of terrain you are playing on. All of these elements combine to provide a truly unique and immersive gameplay experience in the world of Duel Monsters!

The number four pick on here is from the second saga in the Yu-Gi-Oh! series. Yu-Gi-Oh! GX focuses on the journey of a new generation of duelists attending the “Duel Academy.” Kind of like Yu-Gi-Oh!’s version of Harry Potter’s “Hogwarts.” This 2006 Game Boy Advance title operates similarly to the majority of the other games from this era, you play a digital version of the card game against characters from the show. To advance, you must beat each character a certain amount of times. GX Duel Academy adds in some extra elements that further immerse you into the story, such as periodic tests to determine if you will advance up the ranks as a duelist. There are three dorms at the Duel Academy: “Slifer Red,” “Ra Yellow,” and “Obelisk Blue” (in order of most prestigious). Much like the “Falsebound Kingdom,” I have recently made another playthrough of this title and could not stop playing until I was at the top of my class.

The number four spot on this list goes to a classic that breaks the mold of the typical Yu-Gi-Oh! game. Instead of a digital simulation of the card game, this real-time strategy/RPG takes the characters from the television series and gives you a whole new storyline to play through. 

While the plot of the game is reminiscent of one of the early story arcs of the series, it puts a new spin on the concept of the characters THEMSELVES being trapped in a video game. At the beginning of the game you choose between Yugi or Kaiba (then eventually Joey Wheeler) and then guide their respective armies of duel monsters through an epic crusade to defeat the emperor. While not a very complex game in terms of RPGs, this 2002 GameCube exclusive makes up for it with a rich storyline that you get to experience from three different points of view. It also adds a very Pokémon-like random monster encounter element on some levels.

Having played this game as a child, I recently played through it again on my computer via an emulator and couldn’t pull myself away. There is something magical about fusing three “Blue-Eyes-White Dragons” together and obliterating a squad of opposing monsters. The game puts you in the shoes of the main characters in a way I haven’t experienced anywhere else, and for this reason, it earns the number three spot.

This game burst onto the scene initially back in November of 2016 in a unique way; being released as a free-to-play game on mobile devices. Konami saw the state of the world for what it was and quickly pivoted to make sure that it remained relevant in the market, as well as appealing to a younger demographic that’s becoming more and more tech-savvy/reliant. Traditional ways of playing the game are becoming more and more outdated with considerations such as cost of entry to play in regards to buying all the cards you need, traveling to tournaments, and all the accessories needed as well (card sleeves, deck boxes, dice, etc). The dollar amounts can pile up quickly, and virtually being able to connect and play with friends at a moment’s notice is invaluable in today’s day and age.

What I appreciated most about this game is that it made things extremely easy for new players to pick up and get involved, while also keeping enough of the traditional rules intact to satisfy experienced players. Duel Links is not only a great homage to the series but also a good starting point for gamers who don’t already know its mechanics. The game limited the field to 3 monster card zones and 3 spell/trap card zones, simplifying the game overall. If new players got interested enough they would then look to the full TCG to scratch the itch that Duel Links started, acting as a gateway into the wonderful world that is Yu-Gi-Oh! 

I think the biggest drawback to duel links is that at a certain point after farming for tokens is a virtually unreliable way to build enough of a resource pool to continually be able to buy new cards in-game, players must start to buy virtual tokens with real money to be able to keep their decks relevant at high levels. The pay-to-win type of game formats can start to wither a player’s excitement and interest in a game, and quickly, which is what I saw happen to a lot of the newer players after a relatively short amount of hours spent playing.

Coming in at number one on the list is Legacy Of The Duelist: Link Evolution. Not only is this the newest game released by Konami, but it’s arguably the game that most closely resembles playing the trading card game as you would with the actual cards, and with actual people. 

Released on August 20th, 2019, this title is a remaster of the 2015 game with all the DLC included, and can be played on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Legend of the Duelist lets you choose from a robust 9,000-card library as you relive epic battles from every Yu-Gi-Oh! series to date, up through the ARC-V series. Opening booster packs to build the best deck out of the cards you pull is the perfect simulation of actually playing the trading card game, which has been desperately missed after the local scenes have practically been brought to a halt due to the spread of the coronavirus worldwide in 2020. 

Konami’s choice to not include real-money purchases whatsoever within the game helps mitigate the cost-sink that has kept many away from the physical card game in the past as well (*chef’s kiss*). This was one of the biggest problems that I had in one of the games previously mentioned on this list, that being Duel Links. Collecting cards from any TCG series is both nostalgic and rewarding, but realistically not everyone can afford to participate in such a hobby. Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution gives players a way to access over 9,000 cards by simply playing and earning them as they go along. 

There very well may never be a Yu-Gi-Oh! game that is quite the same as simply playing with real cards (at least one that’s developed and sold by Konami, which would kind of make sense seeing as that the card game is a massive revenue driver), but Legacy of the Duelist is the closest that we have ever gotten to the real thing so far, as is more than worth the time investment!

You gotta commend Konami for doing right by the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise in physical and digital form. This definitive version of the collectible card game’s most recent ruleset is a joy to play in both its dedicated single-player and multiplayer modes of play. What this game does amazingly is present newbies with playable tutorials that act as story chapters and, upon full completion, equip them with enough in-game currency from achievements to obtain new cards.

And after completing every one of those solo challenges, you’ll walk away with enough rare cards and the advanced knowledge needed to compete against fellow expert players. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is also pretty easy on the eyes, so it’s always nice watching all the action unfold across varied battlefields. Free-to-play games tend to feel like a job as you’re pushed to log in every day and fulfill all your daily objectives in order to stay strong with the rest of the game’s healthy community. With how generous this game can be when it comes to rewards, you’ll never feel like you’re not getting properly reimbursed for your efforts.

With Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, emerging victorious after a 30-minute long match thanks to careful deck building and proper strategy never feels like busywork.

• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS5, PC – Steam

The Last of Us may be all the rave right now, but the series that cemented Naughty Dog as a Playstation-exclusive powerhouse is Uncharted. Influenced heavily by Indiana Jones, Uncharted sees the adventure-seeking Nathan Drake travel around the world on various treasure-seeking adventures. Each game is filled with exciting action sequences and fantastic characterization, but what really makes them so addictive are their immersive stories and the personal dilemmas they lay out in front of the main character. More humorous than The Last of Us, the Uncharted games are a nice balance of cheery discovery and emotional manipulation.

• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Platforms: PS4, PC – Steam

The God of War franchise has been around since 2005, but it hit new highs in 2018. Instead of following Kratos as a lonely and vengeful God of War, this game expands the story-telling scope by including Atreus, Kratos’ son. An action-packed, bloody good time, God of War sees Kratos leave his Greek-pantheon surroundings and enter the territory of the Norse Gods in order to fulfill his deceased wife’s last wish. Like The Last of Us, God of War makes players partake in intense action and withhold important secrets from their loved ones to “defend” them in a tough world. Chances are you gonna love this game enough to head into the epic sequel God of War Ragnarök.

• Developer: Capcom
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam

Like The Last of Us, the Resident Evil franchise includes a virus-spurred zombie infestation that throws society completely out of whack. Tense and incredibly spooky, the Resident Evil 2 remake, released in 2019, is a must-play for any gamers looking for a creepy, zombie-filled experience. Players control cop Leon Kennedy and student Claire Redfield as they do everything they can to survive and escape the infested Raccoon City. While the story matches the original, Capcom ditched some of the stiffer mechanics for more familiar and comfortable third-person controls that allow players to navigate crowded action sequences.

• Developer: Remedy Entertainment
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam, Google Stadia

Remedy Entertainment has been making games for a while, but it’s 2019’s Control that seemingly had the biggest splash upon landing in the market. Gamers take control of Jesse Faden, the new director of the Federal Bureau of Control, a secret government agency that handles reality-warping problems, as she utilizes her own reality-warping abilities to handle a mysterious and deadly threat. A title that takes full advantage of the outgoing console generations’ spectacular graphic capabilities, Control is an adventure and twist-filled game unlike anything else currently available.

• Developer: Tango Gameworks
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC – Steam

Directed by horror legend and Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, The Evil Within is a 2014 title published by Bethesda that sees players take control of Detective Sebastian Castellanos as he tries to survive in a horrific world overrun by demonic creatures. After Sebastian and his partners arrive at the scene of a mass murder, he is suddenly pulled into a nightmarish world full of puzzles and traps. Like The Last of Us, this game also utilizes third-person action mechanics and forces players to make tense decisions as they determine the best way to progress. Make sure you check out the sequel to this one for an even darker and creepier take on this survival horror gem.

• Developer: Rocksteady Studios
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One

Batman doesn’t fight zombies per se, but he is constantly defending the citizens of Gotham City from mindless criminals. In Rocksteady’s Batman series, starting with 2009’s Arkham Asylum and continuing on to 2015’s Arkham Knight, players control the “Caped Crusader” as he embarks on dark, fight-filled adventures to defend his city. While none of the games showcase Batman focusing solely on protecting one of his child partners from dark truths, each one includes interesting puzzles and third-person mechanics that are reminiscent of The Last of Us.

• Developer: Insomniac Games
• Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC – Steam

If feeling like Batman isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps feeling like Spider-Man is more up your alley. In Insomniac’s 2018 Playstation-exclusive Spider-Man game, players get to swing through the sky as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and participate in an adventure-filled story set in a massive open world. Since the game is based on existing IP, the large ensemble is welcome and helps players feel more engrossed in the Marvel Universe instead of making things feel cluttered or overstuffed.

• Developer: 4A Games
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC – Steam, Google Stadia

Based on the post-apocalyptic Metro 2033 novel written by Dmitry Glukhovsky, the Metro video game series drops players in the middle of a Soviet wasteland filled with deadly mutants. It’s up to players to navigate the harsh surroundings and embark on a series of missions in order to help humanity rebuild society in this new world. The most recent iteration, Metro Exodus, came out in 2019 and is a frighteningly good title that is a perfect mixture of horror and stealth elements. Despite its AAA quality, the series has somehow avoided the level of coverage other big releases have received over the years, so Metro 2033 and its follow-ups are a surprisingly good time for anyone in need of exciting virtual adventures at the moment.

• Developer: Respawn Entertainment
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC – Steam, Google Stadia

2019’s Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order drops players right in the middle of the most classic Star Wars conflict of all: The rebellion versus the empire. Players take control of the new character Cal Kestis, a former Jedi who had to hide his powers after the Empire took down the Jedi Order. After a string of events causes him to come out into the open, he is quickly sprung into a galaxy-spanning adventure that sees him do everything from rescue imprisoned Wookies to fight strange creatures, all to help the Jedi dent the Empire’s power. Reminiscent of Dark Souls in the way players lose their skill progress whenever they die, the game’s tense action mechanics and intricate puzzles make it a must-play for anyone feeling one with the Force.

• Developer: Asobo Studio
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam, Amazon Luna

Perhaps a game about a deadly plague isn’t the most appealing thing right now, but Asobo Studios’ A Plague Tale: Innocence is an incredibly captivating, grim game. Released in 2019, the game follows a young noblewoman named Amicia de Rune as she tries to protect her sickly brother from a horrific environment in the 14th century. Rather than focus on action, A Plague Tale utilizes its third-person mechanics to make players stealthily avoid detection and conflict or they’ll typically face sudden death. Be sure to seek out A Plague Tale: Requiem as soon as you’re done with this one.

• Developer: Telltale Games, Skybound Games
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, PS3, Xbox 360, PC – Steam, iOS, Android

Fans of The Walking Dead comic or TV show may be surprised to hear that Telltale’s games don’t feature characters like Rick or Carl Grimes, but Telltale manages to tell a completely original, equally entertaining story set in the same world. Each iteration of the now successful series is enjoyable and follows the same episodic format, but it’s the original “season” that is the most entertaining and like The Last of Us. Telltale doesn’t give players as much control as Naughty Dog does in an exploratory sense, but the developer still knows how to deliver emotionally gripping narratives and create situations where the protagonist is making tough, consequential decisions.

• Developer: Remedy Entertainment
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam

Originally released back in 2010, Alan Wake feels like the best multimedia adaptation of a Stephen King story, but it’s actually an original idea from the team over at Remedy Entertainment. The game follows writer Alan Wake as he tries to overcome his long stretch of writer’s block while living with his wife away from the hustle and bustle of the city in a small, forested town. Things aren’t quite what they seem in the small town, though, as supernatural elements start popping up and haunting Alan. Alan Wake has a gripping story that keeps players hooked, but its unique fighting mechanics – utilizing a flashlight to weaken shadow creatures as well as more traditional firearms- separates it from other creepy adventure games. This remastered edition is a must-play.

• Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
• Platforms: PS5, PS4

First and third-person shooting games are a dime a dozen, but samurai titles are much rarer. Sucher Punch Productions’ Ghost of Tsushima, released in 2020, is set against the backdrop of a late 13th-century Mongolian invasion. Jin Sakai is on a quest to protect Tsushima Island during the carnage but his life turns upside down when all of his compatriots in the samurai army are brutally murdered. Once Jin is healed up, he has to assemble a unique crew and learn new skills to best clear the way for his Lord to reassert his authority. The game features a massive open world that is ripe for exploration, but it’s the balance between a dramatic story and careful action sequences that help it hit a similar note to The Last of Us.

• Developer: Techland
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam

A 2015 survival horror game, Dying Light is an open-world zombie game that puts the player in charge of their own survival. Developed by Techland, the game has an intriguing plot driving things forward, but the variety in zombie types and the day-night cycle make timing an important factor for a player’s success. While Dying Light doesn’t give players an emotionally charged relationship like Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us, the game’s scavenge mechanics and its focus on different survival methods make it a unique game in a cluttered zombie landscape. Dying Light 2 is also worth getting into for another batch of zombie-filled parkour action.

• Developers: Epic Games, The Coalition, People Can Fly, Splash Damage, Mediatonic
• Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC – Steam

So you’re saying you want an action-packed, third-person game filled with an extensive cover system and terrifying creatures? Well, if The Last of Us isn’t what you’re looking for, it HAS to be one of Epic Games’ Gears of War titles. It’s up to Coalition soldier Marcus Fenix to combat the Locust Horde and save humanity from their monstrous forces. Full of action, the Gears games are both fast-paced and full of world-building lore, making them the ultimate action-adventure experience.

• Developer: Crystal Dynamics
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC – Steam, Google Stadia, Nvidia Shield TV

Lara Croft is one of the most iconic characters in video games, but the reboot series that started in 2013 displays her in the most grounded light. Rather than present a pre-established Lara Croft, Tomb Raider lets fans see how the treasure hunter and ass-kicker got her start. The action-adventure title focuses on stealth and survival more than any of its predecessor titles, giving it a unique edge compared to her past experiences. Tense and action-packed, Tomb Raider is a must-play for any gamer who doesn’t mind some blood in their eye as they solve puzzles.

• Developers: Rockstar San Diego, Rockstar Studios
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC – Steam, Google Stadia

Naughty Dog and Rockstar may have different ways of displaying and allowing players to explore massive in-game worlds, but that doesn’t mean they both don’t appreciate emotional stories and exciting action mechanics. In the Red Dead Redemption series, in particular, Rockstar excels at giving players an exciting game filled with interesting, unique characters who all serve a larger, adventure-filled story. Whether you want to invest in the story or just ride around and cause havoc in the west for a few minutes, this game is the perfect pick-me-up. For anyone looking to fuse this sense of adventure with The Last Of Us’ creepy atmosphere, The Undead Nightmare DLC for the original game is a hilarious and action-packed expansion that is worth every penny.

• Developer: Guerrilla Games
• Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC – Steam

Part Jurassic Park and part Transformers, Horizon: Zero Dawn is a unique mixture of prehistoric vibes and cyberpunk aesthetics filled with mechanized dinosaurs. Released by Guerilla Games in 2017, Horizon Zero Dawn has players control the aptly named Aloy, an effective hunter who seeks more information about her own mysterious path. Customize and lean into your own fight-style thanks to the game’s skill tree system. Unique and highly entertaining, the open-world and story-driven game was such a success that a sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, arrived to equal acclaim from critics and fans alike.

• Developer: Irrational Games
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox, PS3, Xbox 360, PC – Steam

The Bioshock franchise was already thriving when 2K Games’ Bioshock Infinite hit in 2013 and pulled it into a completely new direction. Rather than explore the underwater city of Rapture, the 3rd game in the series is set in the airborne city of Columbia. Players control former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt as he tries to rescue the mysterious Elizabeth and settle certain disputes going on in Columbia. Like the other games in the series, Infinite also features a unique blend of dystopian and utopian symbols that helps draw players deeper into the action-packed world as they uncover its mysteries. Check out BioShock: The Collection to experience this and its equally amazing predecessors.

• Developer: Naughty Dog
• Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC – Steam

Maybe this is an obvious decision, but if you played and enjoyed The Last of Us, the next game you should play is the Ellie-driven sequel, The Last of Us Part II. Released in 2020, the sequel picks up five years after the original and also includes breathtaking graphics as well as tense, bloody action sequences. The game’s unique story structure, fiddling with time and player perspective in really interesting ways, distinguishes it enough from the original to make it a fresh experience for anyone concerned it would be a carbon copy of its successful predecessor. You might want to play the remake of the first game in the series before you take a stab at this one.

• Developer: Saber Interactive
• Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam, Google Stadia

The fully-transformed shambling foes and the diseases humans that run at you are terrifying enough. If you like the thrill of having to confront even bigger hordes of the undead, then you’re going to love the insane amount of zombies you’ll be able to gun down with your friends in World War Z: Aftermath. As a part of a four-player squad (either controlled by the AI or your online buddies), you’ll navigate parts of New York, Jerusalem, Moscow, Tokyo, Marseille, Rome, and Kamchatka during the zombie apocalypse. Try not to get overwhelmed by the undead masses in this one.

• Developer: Bend Studio
• Platforms: PS4, PC – Steam

Like The Last of Us, Days Gone is a single-player narrative-driven experience that takes place within a post-apocalyptic world. Exploring the Pacific Northwest on a motorcycle makes up the majority of this game’s exploratory elements. And once you hop off to handle some random tasks, many of those tasks will entail taking down hordes of shockingly fast “Freakers.” You can tackle those Freaker nest missions in a stealthy manner or go in all guns blazing if you truly want to test your skill. Days Gone is a pretty lengthy game, so prepare yourself for an emotional journey all the while.

• Developer: Undead Labs
• Platforms: Xbox One, PC – Steam

If you’re looking to live out the day-to-day operations that come with keeping a fort and your friends/family in top form as much as possible around the undead, seek out the second game in the State of Decay franchise. There’s a lot that comes with maintaining your community/resources and leaving with your fellow survivors to brave the dangers that exist outside your front door. The zombies in this game are just as ruthless as you’d expect, so stay on your toes and be ready to defend yourself from all angles.