After the end of the world: games set among ruins and wasteland where you fight to survive in the remains of the old civilisation.
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How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 50 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
A sprawling irradiated wasteland around Washington D.C. to roam freely, full of darkly funny stories and VATS-assisted gunfights. Moral choices shape towns, factions and the ending.
As the lone survivor of Vault 111, you roam the irradiated ruins of Boston, blending gunplay with the slow-motion V.A.T.S. targeting system and building your own settlements. Faction choices and countless darkly funny side quests shape the fate of the Commonwealth.
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
A sprawling irradiated wasteland around Washington D.C. to roam freely, full of darkly funny stories and VATS-assisted gunfights. Moral choices shape towns, factions and the ending.
2008PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable9.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 18,103 reviews on Steam
Open world
Lots to discover
Dense, handcrafted world
A sprawling irradiated wasteland around Washington D.C. to roam freely, full of darkly funny stories and VATS-assisted gunfights. Moral choices shape towns, factions and the ending.
As the lone survivor of Vault 111, you roam the irradiated ruins of Boston, blending gunplay with the slow-motion V.A.T.S. targeting system and building your own settlements. Faction choices and countless darkly funny side quests shape the fate of the Commonwealth.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified19.99 €81 % positive
Very positive, 292,040 reviews on Steam
Open world
Sci-fi setting
Building and crafting
As the lone survivor of Vault 111, you roam the irradiated ruins of Boston, blending gunplay with the slow-motion V.A.T.S. targeting system and building your own settlements. Faction choices and countless darkly funny side quests shape the fate of the Commonwealth.
An episodic narrative adventure where Lee protects young Clementine through a zombie apocalypse, forced into agonizing timed moral decisions. The bond between the two makes it one of the most emotionally powerful games of its kind.
2012PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €97 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 54,085 reviews on Steam
Emotional impact
Strong, story-driven narrative
Companions and relationships
An episodic narrative adventure where Lee protects young Clementine through a zombie apocalypse, forced into agonizing timed moral decisions. The bond between the two makes it one of the most emotionally powerful games of its kind.
A punishing survival shooter set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where deadly anomalies, mutants and rival factions wait around every corner. You scavenge for gear, hunt rare artifacts and make decisions that shape the story, all wrapped in a thick, oppressive atmosphere.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox59.99 €81 % positive
Very positive, 108,641 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Loot and gear
Open world
A punishing survival shooter set in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where deadly anomalies, mutants and rival factions wait around every corner. You scavenge for gear, hunt rare artifacts and make decisions that shape the story, all wrapped in a thick, oppressive atmosphere.
A classic isometric RPG set in nuclear-ravaged California, celebrated for its sweeping freedom of choice, dark humor and morally grey factions. Nearly every problem can be solved through combat, persuasion, stealth or trickery.
1998PC, Steam Deck playable9.99 €93 % positive
Very positive, 13,970 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
Turn-based combat
Strong character progression
A classic isometric RPG set in nuclear-ravaged California, celebrated for its sweeping freedom of choice, dark humor and morally grey factions. Nearly every problem can be solved through combat, persuasion, stealth or trickery.
A claustrophobic first-person shooter set in Moscow's post-nuclear metro tunnels, where scarce ammo, gas mask filters and darkness turn every encounter into a fight for survival. Hidden moral choices quietly shape which ending Artyom reaches.
2010PC, Xbox, Steam Deck playable92 % positive
Very positive, 34,234 reviews on Steam
Resources and survival
Dark, serious atmosphere
Lavish presentation
A claustrophobic first-person shooter set in Moscow's post-nuclear metro tunnels, where scarce ammo, gas mask filters and darkness turn every encounter into a fight for survival. Hidden moral choices quietly shape which ending Artyom reaches.
Aloy heads into a breathtaking post-apocalyptic West to hunt colossal robotic beasts, using bows, traps and tactics to strip their components and exploit weak points. A lush open world full of secrets is tied to a gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world.
2022PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck playable59.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 20,787 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Sci-fi setting
Boss fights as highlights
Aloy heads into a breathtaking post-apocalyptic West to hunt colossal robotic beasts, using bows, traps and tactics to strip their components and exploit weak points. A lush open world full of secrets is tied to a gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world.
The classic that defined the post-nuclear RPG: as a Vault 13 dweller you roam irradiated California, solving problems through talk, stealth or turn-based combat while your choices reshape towns and factions. Dark humor meets a bleak, open wasteland under the pressure of a ticking clock.
The classic that defined the post-nuclear RPG: as a Vault 13 dweller you roam irradiated California, solving problems through talk, stealth or turn-based combat while your choices reshape towns and factions. Dark humor meets a bleak, open wasteland under the pressure of a ticking clock.
As biker Deacon St. John you roam a Freaker-infested Oregon, maintaining your motorcycle and surviving massive hordes that flood entire valleys. A gritty, emotional story about loss and loyalty set in a tense open world.
2019PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck verified39.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 83,463 reviews on Steam
Open world
Driving or flying
Lavish presentation
As biker Deacon St. John you roam a Freaker-infested Oregon, maintaining your motorcycle and surviving massive hordes that flood entire valleys. A gritty, emotional story about loss and loyalty set in a tense open world.
An open-world action game set in a sun-scorched wasteland where you hunt convoys, raid strongholds and brawl with Batman-style counter combat while endlessly upgrading your car, the Magnum Opus. Vehicular combat and the striking desert atmosphere are the highlights.
2015PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified19.99 €91 % positive
Very positive, 58,131 reviews on Steam
Driving or flying
Open world
Action-packed real-time combat
An open-world action game set in a sun-scorched wasteland where you hunt convoys, raid strongholds and brawl with Batman-style counter combat while endlessly upgrading your car, the Magnum Opus. Vehicular combat and the striking desert atmosphere are the highlights.
As hunter Aloy you roam a lush post-apocalyptic wilderness full of animal-like machines that you take apart with bows, traps and tactics. A gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world ties it all together.
2017PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck verified87 % positive
Very positive, 95,902 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Sci-fi setting
Open world
As hunter Aloy you roam a lush post-apocalyptic wilderness full of animal-like machines that you take apart with bows, traps and tactics. A gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world ties it all together.
An online Fallout set in the irradiated hills of Appalachia, where you explore a huge world solo or with friends, build camps, join public events and shape your character with perk cards. After a rocky launch, NPCs, factions and steady updates turned it into a lively post-apocalyptic sandbox.
An online Fallout set in the irradiated hills of Appalachia, where you explore a huge world solo or with friends, build camps, join public events and shape your character with perk cards. After a rocky launch, NPCs, factions and steady updates turned it into a lively post-apocalyptic sandbox.
A bleak, emotionally uncompromising revenge story in a post-apocalyptic America, told from two perspectives. Brutal stealth and gunfights plus cinematic presentation make it intense; the remaster adds technical upgrades.
2024PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck verified49.99 €90 % positive
Very positive, 36,532 reviews on Steam
Emotional impact
Lavish presentation
Strong, story-driven narrative
A bleak, emotionally uncompromising revenge story in a post-apocalyptic America, told from two perspectives. Brutal stealth and gunfights plus cinematic presentation make it intense; the remaster adds technical upgrades.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch47.99 €78 % positive
Unforgiving multiplayer survival across a vast zombie-infested countryside where hunger, sickness and above all other players are the real threat. Every encounter can turn into an alliance or a betrayal, and death means starting over from nothing.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch47.99 €78 % positive
Mostly positive, 390,707 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Resources and survival
Open world
Unforgiving multiplayer survival across a vast zombie-infested countryside where hunger, sickness and above all other players are the real threat. Every encounter can turn into an alliance or a betrayal, and death means starting over from nothing.
First-person parkour zombie survival where you free-run across Harran's rooftops by day, scavenging and crafting brutal weapons, then flee terrifying hunters at night. Fluid movement and gritty melee shine even more in co-op.
First-person parkour zombie survival where you free-run across Harran's rooftops by day, scavenging and crafting brutal weapons, then flee terrifying hunters at night. Fluid movement and gritty melee shine even more in co-op.
As a Desert Ranger you lead a squad through frozen, post-apocalyptic Colorado, fighting in turn-based tactical combat. Your choices between warring factions visibly reshape the world, and a streak of dark humor gives it its own voice. The whole campaign can also be played in co-op.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable33.99 €84 % positive
Very positive, 17,359 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
A party of several characters
Tactical depth
As a Desert Ranger you lead a squad through frozen, post-apocalyptic Colorado, fighting in turn-based tactical combat. Your choices between warring factions visibly reshape the world, and a streak of dark humor gives it its own voice. The whole campaign can also be played in co-op.
Hideo Kojima's singular courier odyssey turns traversal itself into the game: balancing cargo, planning routes across haunting terrain, and building roads and bridges with unseen fellow players. It wraps this in a surreal, melancholic story about death and human connection.
2019PC, PlayStation93 % positive
Very positive, 81,134 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Strong soundtrack
Strong, story-driven narrative
Hideo Kojima's singular courier odyssey turns traversal itself into the game: balancing cargo, planning routes across haunting terrain, and building roads and bridges with unseen fellow players. It wraps this in a surreal, melancholic story about death and human connection.
Parkour across a zombie-infested city where daytime rooftop runs turn into tense nighttime survival against the infected. Brutal melee combat and faction choices that reshape whole districts define the experience.
Parkour across a zombie-infested city where daytime rooftop runs turn into tense nighttime survival against the infected. Brutal melee combat and faction choices that reshape whole districts define the experience.
You play as Clementine, now forced to survive on her own in a brutal zombie apocalypse, and make tough moral calls that shape relationships and fates. It's a bleak, emotional narrative adventure with a comic-book look.
2013PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable14.79 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 26,940 reviews on Steam
Emotional impact
Strong, story-driven narrative
Dark, serious atmosphere
You play as Clementine, now forced to survive on her own in a brutal zombie apocalypse, and make tough moral calls that shape relationships and fates. It's a bleak, emotional narrative adventure with a comic-book look.
Four survivors fight through relentless zombie hordes together, with an AI Director reshaping enemy waves and special infected so every run feels tense and different. Teamwork is essential – stray from the group and you'll be pinned down fast.
Four survivors fight through relentless zombie hordes together, with an AI Director reshaping enemy waves and special infected so every run feels tense and different. Teamwork is essential – stray from the group and you'll be pinned down fast.
An isometric action RPG where a gravelly narrator reacts to everything you do as you mix weapons and rebuild a refuge in a gorgeous hand-painted, shattered world. Its soundtrack and poignant ending choices make it unforgettable.
2011PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable14.79 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 28,260 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Strong soundtrack
Fantasy setting
An isometric action RPG where a gravelly narrator reacts to everything you do as you mix weapons and rebuild a refuge in a gorgeous hand-painted, shattered world. Its soundtrack and poignant ending choices make it unforgettable.
A claustrophobic first-person shooter set in the post-nuclear Moscow metro, where scarce ammo, gas mask filters and stealth turn every encounter into a fight for survival. Dense atmosphere and a grim story following Artyom drive the experience.
A claustrophobic first-person shooter set in the post-nuclear Moscow metro, where scarce ammo, gas mask filters and stealth turn every encounter into a fight for survival. Dense atmosphere and a grim story following Artyom drive the experience.
A tactical squad-based spin-off in the Fallout universe where you lead Brotherhood of Steel recruits through mission-based wasteland campaigns. It emphasizes squad combat in turn-based or real-time modes, varied weapons and character building over free-roaming exploration.
2001PC9.99 €79 % positive
Mostly positive, 2,379 reviews on Steam
Tactical depth
A party of several characters
Turn-based combat
A tactical squad-based spin-off in the Fallout universe where you lead Brotherhood of Steel recruits through mission-based wasteland campaigns. It emphasizes squad combat in turn-based or real-time modes, varied weapons and character building over free-roaming exploration.
A grim survival adventure set in a dust-shrouded ruined city where limited stamina, scarce resources and risky climbing define the experience. Instead of constant gunplay it relies on bluffing with an empty weapon and tension while searching for the hero's family.
A grim survival adventure set in a dust-shrouded ruined city where limited stamina, scarce resources and risky climbing define the experience. Instead of constant gunplay it relies on bluffing with an empty weapon and tension while searching for the hero's family.
Artyom and his companions ride the Aurora steam train across an irradiated Russia, travelling through every season of the year. The journey blends scarce ammo, improvised weapons and tense survival horror with wide sandbox areas to explore.
2019PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable29.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 118,942 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Strong, story-driven narrative
Dark, serious atmosphere
Artyom and his companions ride the Aurora steam train across an irradiated Russia, travelling through every season of the year. The journey blends scarce ammo, improvised weapons and tense survival horror with wide sandbox areas to explore.
A classic turn-based party RPG set in a nuclear-ravaged desert, where you lead a squad of Desert Rangers and your decisions noticeably reshape the regions you visit. Tactical combat and a wide skill system give it depth.
2014PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable24.99 €82 % positive
Very positive, 4,665 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
A party of several characters
Choices with consequences
A classic turn-based party RPG set in a nuclear-ravaged desert, where you lead a squad of Desert Rangers and your decisions noticeably reshape the regions you visit. Tactical combat and a wide skill system give it depth.
Game Freak's dark action RPG sends Emma and her dog Koo across a ruined, post-apocalyptic Japan. Its core is demanding, technical combat built around the two fighting as a duo.
Game Freak's dark action RPG sends Emma and her dog Koo across a ruined, post-apocalyptic Japan. Its core is demanding, technical combat built around the two fighting as a duo.
2007PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch19.99 €94 % positive
A bleak survival shooter set in the irradiated Zone around Chernobyl, where anomalies, mutants and rival stalkers make every expedition a gamble. Its oppressive atmosphere and multiple endings have made it a cult classic.
2007PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch19.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 38,069 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Lots to discover
Challenging difficulty
A bleak survival shooter set in the irradiated Zone around Chernobyl, where anomalies, mutants and rival stalkers make every expedition a gamble. Its oppressive atmosphere and multiple endings have made it a cult classic.
As War, a Horseman of the Apocalypse, you carve through a ruined Earth caught between Heaven and Hell. Weighty hack-and-slash combat blends with Zelda-style dungeons, gadget puzzles and a bold comic-book art style.
2010PC, PlayStation, Xbox19.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 8,585 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Distinctive, stylised art style
As War, a Horseman of the Apocalypse, you carve through a ruined Earth caught between Heaven and Hell. Weighty hack-and-slash combat blends with Zelda-style dungeons, gadget puzzles and a bold comic-book art style.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−90 %29.99 € 2.99 € until tomorrow92 % positive
Lead the last city on a frozen, steam-powered Earth, juggling heat, coal and food while signing laws that test your morals. A bleak, tense city-builder where survival constantly clashes with humanity.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−90 %29.99 € 2.99 € until tomorrow92 % positive
Very positive, 115,212 reviews on Steam
Economy and management
Tactical depth
Resources and survival
Lead the last city on a frozen, steam-powered Earth, juggling heat, coal and food while signing laws that test your morals. A bleak, tense city-builder where survival constantly clashes with humanity.
Kyle Crane returns to hunt for revenge across an open, zombie-infested valley, mixing fluid parkour, brutal melee combat and terrifying nights. His beast powers let him periodically unleash a savage, monstrous fighting mode.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified59.99 €86 % positive
Very positive, 61,631 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Action-packed real-time combat
Lavish presentation
Kyle Crane returns to hunt for revenge across an open, zombie-infested valley, mixing fluid parkour, brutal melee combat and terrifying nights. His beast powers let him periodically unleash a savage, monstrous fighting mode.
Telltale's third season follows Javier and his family while weaving in Clementine's story, carrying over choices from earlier seasons. It's a cinematic, dialogue-heavy zombie drama built on tough moral decisions and quick-time events.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.79 €83 % positive
Very positive, 15,569 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Emotional impact
Companions and relationships
Telltale's third season follows Javier and his family while weaving in Clementine's story, carrying over choices from earlier seasons. It's a cinematic, dialogue-heavy zombie drama built on tough moral decisions and quick-time events.
id Software's wasteland shooter shines with punchy, precise gunplay, wingsticks and enemies that react spectacularly to every hit. Buggy races and vehicle combat break up the shooting, though the story and open world feel thin.
id Software's wasteland shooter shines with punchy, precise gunplay, wingsticks and enemies that react spectacularly to every hit. Buggy races and vehicle combat break up the shooting, though the story and open world feel thin.
A cover-based looter shooter set in a meticulously recreated, collapsed Washington D.C., where you team up with friends to clear missions and chase ever-better gear. Its endgame of raids, the Dark Zone and build crafting keeps players hooked.
A cover-based looter shooter set in a meticulously recreated, collapsed Washington D.C., where you team up with friends to clear missions and chase ever-better gear. Its endgame of raids, the Dark Zone and build crafting keeps players hooked.
An atmospheric survival shooter set in the Zone around Pripyat, where you dodge anomalies, hunt artifacts and fight mutants and rival stalker factions. Its open hubs, consequential side quests and oppressive mood make it a cult classic.
2009PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable19.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 24,925 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Lots to discover
Dark, serious atmosphere
An atmospheric survival shooter set in the Zone around Pripyat, where you dodge anomalies, hunt artifacts and fight mutants and rival stalker factions. Its open hubs, consequential side quests and oppressive mood make it a cult classic.
Clementine's story reaches a moving finale as she fights for a future at an isolated school while raising AJ, whose personality is shaped by your choices. It's an emotional, comic-styled narrative adventure with more hands-on action than earlier seasons.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.50 €94 % positive
Very positive, 17,539 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Companions and relationships
Emotional impact
Clementine's story reaches a moving finale as she fights for a future at an isolated school while raising AJ, whose personality is shaped by your choices. It's an emotional, comic-styled narrative adventure with more hands-on action than earlier seasons.
A vividly colorful post-apocalyptic shooter set in a rebuilt Hope County, where you craft scrap weapons, upgrade your Prosperity base and battle the Highwaymen twins. Light RPG touches like enemy tiers and outpost expeditions put a twist on the familiar Far Cry formula.
A vividly colorful post-apocalyptic shooter set in a rebuilt Hope County, where you craft scrap weapons, upgrade your Prosperity base and battle the Highwaymen twins. Light RPG touches like enemy tiers and outpost expeditions put a twist on the familiar Far Cry formula.
A neon-soaked, chaotic open-world shooter set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, driven by punchy gunplay combined with flashy Nanotrite powers. The story is thin, but vehicle combat and over-the-top humor keep the mayhem going.
A neon-soaked, chaotic open-world shooter set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, driven by punchy gunplay combined with flashy Nanotrite powers. The story is thin, but vehicle combat and over-the-top humor keep the mayhem going.
2008PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch19.99 €85 % positive
A brutal, atmospheric shooter set in the Chernobyl Zone, where faction wars, deadly anomalies and blowouts make survival a constant struggle. This prequel to Shadow of Chernobyl leans harder into faction warfare and tough firefights.
2008PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch19.99 €85 % positive
Very positive, 17,694 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Challenging difficulty
Action-packed real-time combat
A brutal, atmospheric shooter set in the Chernobyl Zone, where faction wars, deadly anomalies and blowouts make survival a constant struggle. This prequel to Shadow of Chernobyl leans harder into faction warfare and tough firefights.
An open-world zombie survival game where you lead a community of survivors, scavenge supplies and build up your base. When a character dies they are gone for good, and you carry on with the next one.
2015PC, Xbox, Steam Deck playable16.79 €82 % positive
Very positive, 10,579 reviews on Steam
Resources and survival
Open world
Lots to discover
An open-world zombie survival game where you lead a community of survivors, scavenge supplies and build up your base. When a character dies they are gone for good, and you carry on with the next one.
A zombie survival sandbox built on crafting, looting, base building and skill progression, where every seventh night a massive horde tests your fortifications. Played solo or in co-op, it blends first-person shooting with tower-defense tension.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified43.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 275,162 reviews on Steam
Sandbox with your own goals
Building and crafting
Resources and survival
A zombie survival sandbox built on crafting, looting, base building and skill progression, where every seventh night a massive horde tests your fortifications. Played solo or in co-op, it blends first-person shooting with tower-defense tension.
A short three-episode Telltale mini-series focused on Michonne's grief, guilt and inner demons. You make dialogue-driven choices and handle quick-time-event fights in a bleak zombie apocalypse.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable14.79 €80 % positive
Very positive, 6,092 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Emotional impact
Dark, serious atmosphere
A short three-episode Telltale mini-series focused on Michonne's grief, guilt and inner demons. You make dialogue-driven choices and handle quick-time-event fights in a bleak zombie apocalypse.
An unforgiving zombie survival sandbox where you loot, build, craft and train skills until your inevitable death. Its deep simulation and highly customisable rules turn every run into a personal survival story, solo or with friends.
2013PC, Steam Deck verified25.49 €94 % positive
Very positive, 373,195 reviews on Steam
Resources and survival
Sandbox with your own goals
Open world
An unforgiving zombie survival sandbox where you loot, build, craft and train skills until your inevitable death. Its deep simulation and highly customisable rules turn every run into a personal survival story, solo or with friends.
Four survivors battle through swarms of infected as an AI Director keeps every run unpredictable with special zombies and sudden hordes. A timeless co-op shooter with gallows humor and a fierce versus mode.
Four survivors battle through swarms of infected as an AI Director keeps every run unpredictable with special zombies and sudden hordes. A timeless co-op shooter with gallows humor and a fierce versus mode.
An enormously deep open-source survival roguelike in a post-apocalyptic New England where you juggle hunger, illness and zombies, build vehicles and shelters, and carve out your own goals with no fixed objective.
2013PC, Steam Deck playable19.50 €85 % positive
Very positive, 542 reviews on Steam
Resources and survival
Pixel art
Deep systems to master
An enormously deep open-source survival roguelike in a post-apocalyptic New England where you juggle hunger, illness and zombies, build vehicles and shelters, and carve out your own goals with no fixed objective.
A 1988 classic in which you lead a squad of Rangers through a nuclear-ravaged America, using tabletop-style skills, turn-based combat and a surprisingly reactive world. It is the forerunner of the Fallout series.
1988PC5.49 €80 % positive
Very positive, 291 reviews on Steam
A party of several characters
Turn-based combat
Challenging difficulty
A 1988 classic in which you lead a squad of Rangers through a nuclear-ravaged America, using tabletop-style skills, turn-based combat and a surprisingly reactive world. It is the forerunner of the Fallout series.
A classic real-time strategy game where GDI and the Brotherhood of Nod fight over a world ravaged by Tiberium. Base building, resource harvesting and live-action cutscenes define its bleak campaign.
A classic real-time strategy game where GDI and the Brotherhood of Nod fight over a world ravaged by Tiberium. Base building, resource harvesting and live-action cutscenes define its bleak campaign.
An open-world zombie survival game where you build and manage a community of survivors, scavenge supplies and upgrade your base. Permanent death for characters gives every decision weight, and you can play solo or in co-op.
2018PC, Xbox, Steam Deck playable29.99 €83 % positive
Very positive, 59,557 reviews on Steam
Resources and survival
Strong character progression
Open world
An open-world zombie survival game where you build and manage a community of survivors, scavenge supplies and upgrade your base. Permanent death for characters gives every decision weight, and you can play solo or in co-op.
An unforgiving online survival sandbox where you scavenge, build bases and fight mutants, harsh weather and other players in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
2018PC24.99 €66 % positive
Mixed, 23,035 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Competing against other players
Resources and survival
An unforgiving online survival sandbox where you scavenge, build bases and fight mutants, harsh weather and other players in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
A zombie survival game in an open world where you build up a home base, scavenge supplies and manage a roster of survivors with their own skills. Death is permanent for fallen characters, which gives every decision weight.
2013PC, Xbox, Steam Deck verified84 % positive
Very positive, 15,285 reviews on Steam
Resources and survival
Open world
Lots to discover
A zombie survival game in an open world where you build up a home base, scavenge supplies and manage a roster of survivors with their own skills. Death is permanent for fallen characters, which gives every decision weight.
A chaotic zombie sandbox set in Los Perdidos where you combine everyday objects into absurd weapons and vehicles and mow down huge hordes. Dark humor and a ticking clock define the experience.
2013PC, Xbox77 % positive
Mostly positive, 19,074 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Action-packed real-time combat
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A chaotic zombie sandbox set in Los Perdidos where you combine everyday objects into absurd weapons and vehicles and mow down huge hordes. Dark humor and a ticking clock define the experience.
2009PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−90 %29.99 € 2.99 € 3 days left89 % positive
The cel-shaded looter shooter that started it all, sending you across the lawless wasteland of Pandora to collect a seemingly endless stream of procedurally generated guns. Its irreverent humor and four-player co-op make it a classic loot grind.
2009PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−90 %29.99 € 2.99 € 3 days left89 % positive
Very positive, 20,182 reviews on Steam
Loot and gear
Distinctive, stylised art style
Playing together in co-op
The cel-shaded looter shooter that started it all, sending you across the lawless wasteland of Pandora to collect a seemingly endless stream of procedurally generated guns. Its irreverent humor and four-player co-op make it a classic loot grind.
A quirky pixel-art RPG across a post-apocalyptic wasteland that blends dark humor with grim, disturbing moments. Forced moral choices cost you party members, limbs or strength, making every decision genuinely painful.
2014PC, Steam Deck playable−60 %19.99 € 7.99 € until tomorrow95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 13,181 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Turn-based combat
Distinctive, stylised art style
A quirky pixel-art RPG across a post-apocalyptic wasteland that blends dark humor with grim, disturbing moments. Forced moral choices cost you party members, limbs or strength, making every decision genuinely painful.
A brutal survival game set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland around Detroit, where you manage hunger, thirst, cold and injuries while uncovering the mystery of who you are. Text-driven encounters, crafting and tough choices make every run unpredictable.
2014PC, Steam Deck playable14.79 €89 % positive
Very positive, 4,454 reviews on Steam
Challenging difficulty
Runs that play out differently every time
Resources and survival
A brutal survival game set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland around Detroit, where you manage hunger, thirst, cold and injuries while uncovering the mystery of who you are. Text-driven encounters, crafting and tough choices make every run unpredictable.
A third-person cover shooter set in a sand-buried Dubai that gradually turns into a harrowing critique of war, guilt and the genre's own power fantasies. Its moral dilemmas and Captain Walker's psychological unraveling make it unforgettable.
2012PC, PlayStation, Xbox93 % positive
Very positive, 56,468 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Emotional impact
Dark, serious atmosphere
A third-person cover shooter set in a sand-buried Dubai that gradually turns into a harrowing critique of war, guilt and the genre's own power fantasies. Its moral dilemmas and Captain Walker's psychological unraveling make it unforgettable.
You drive a sail-powered land vessel across a dried-up seabed, keeping it running through upkeep, fuel and light puzzles. Without any dialogue, it tells a melancholic, atmospheric journey through the remains of a fallen civilization.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.99 €95 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 24,601 reviews on Steam
Driving or flying
Strong soundtrack
Distinctive, stylised art style
You drive a sail-powered land vessel across a dried-up seabed, keeping it running through upkeep, fuel and light puzzles. Without any dialogue, it tells a melancholic, atmospheric journey through the remains of a fallen civilization.
A co-op zombie shooter from the Left 4 Dead creators where four Cleaners blast through hordes of Ridden. A card-based deck system reshapes each run, adding build strategy and variety to the chaos.
A co-op zombie shooter from the Left 4 Dead creators where four Cleaners blast through hordes of Ridden. A card-based deck system reshapes each run, adding build strategy and variety to the chaos.
Post-apocalyptic games share a setting, but they play very differently. Some want you to scavenge and stay alive, some hand you a huge open world to wander, and others use the ruined world as a backdrop for a character-driven story. Before you pick, decide whether you want freedom, tension or narrative, because the list covers all three.
If you want choices that shape the story, start with Fallout: New Vegas, which is tagged Choices Matter and Story Rich and has a Western flavour. Fallout 4 is a good pick if you prefer first-person shooting and exploration in an open world. Players who like old-school isometric role-playing can go back to Fallout 2, a turn-based CRPG that is only listed for PC here.
For a tenser, more linear experience, Metro 2033 combines FPS combat, stealth, horror and survival. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl offers an atmospheric open world with survival and horror elements. If story matters most, The Walking Dead is a choice-driven, emotional game, while The Last of Us Part I is a cinematic survival game with stealth.
Also check the pace. The open-world action RPGs reward long, unhurried exploration, while the story-driven games are more focused and guided.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best post-apocalyptic game on PC?
Fallout: New Vegas tops this list, thanks to its story-rich open world and choices that matter. If you prefer a more cinematic experience, try The Last of Us Part I.
Which post-apocalyptic PC games are the scariest?
Metro 2033 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl both combine survival with horror. Days Gone also carries a horror tag if you want it in an open world.
Which post-apocalyptic games focus on story and choices?
The Walking Dead is tagged Story Rich, Emotional and Choices Matter. Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 2 also let your decisions shape the story, with more freedom to roam.
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