Zombie games are something that many people love to dive into because…well…who doesn’t love to kill zombies? Exactly. The irony though is that many of them are different from one another in terms of their playstyle. However, when it comes to the open world zombie games that you can get on Xbox? They’re pretty good. We’ll show you 11 of them.
#11 Dying Light 2: Stay Human
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Let’s start out with a game that came out this year and expanded in many ways the open-world zombie genre.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human took the previous title (that we’ll get to later) and ramped it up to 11. You play as a new character in a new city. One that is ran by various factions. You are on a mission of your own, but along the way you get roped into all that is going on within this place.
Your choices will affect how the city grows, gets destroyed, and who runs it. And that’s on top of you having to not just fight off zombies, but not become one yourself.
After all, the “Stay Human” in this title is a reference to the fact that you are indeed infected and must do whatever it takes to keep your humanity intact.
Parkour your way through this world and see if you can survive it.
#10 Unturned
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
If you’ve ever wondered what Minecraft would be like if it was a full-on zombie game…then Unturned is for you.
In this Minecraft-esque title, you’ll play as one of the few remaining people in the world who hasn’t been turned into a zombie. Then, you’ll set out on your adventure to survive, rebuild humanity, and more. The game is one that will test you beyond putting zombies on your tail.
You’ll need to work with and against other players are you try and get supplies, make a stronghold, then a colony, and work your way up from there.
It’s a big and unforgiving world in Unturned, and so you’ll need to make sure you can handle it all, else you’ll find yourself becoming one of the horde.
#9 Dysmantle
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
Dysmantle is another interesting twist on the survival zombie genre. In this case, you have weathered the apocalypse by hiding in a shelter for years. And now, it’s time to emerge from it and get off the island you are now trapped on.
Oh, and the island is full of monsters that you have to endure. Fun!
Dysmantle puts the spin on things by giving you a place where 99% of all you see can be turned into materials for you to work with and build upon. Furthermore, it’s not going to require you to eat and get food all the time. BUT, it will help you as you try and fight or flee the monsters.
Yes, you will have a choice in how you handle encounters with enemies, adding further depth to the game. So explore this large island and see if you have what it takes to get off it alive.
#8 Strange Brigade
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Not all zombie games have to feature “typical zombies” and Strange Brigade is an example of that. This game is actually set in the 1930s in Egypt where an ancient witch queen has been reborn and due to that, a horde of mummified monsters now serve as her puppets.
You are one of four heroes in the Strange Brigade, and it’s up to you to figure out how to put her back in the ground and stop the mummified invasion of the world.
To do that, you’ll need to not only fight off monsters with various weapons, but solve puzzles and get clues in order to see how to progress things in a meaningful way.
The best part? You don’t have to play it alone! Play with friends and team up to take the witch queen down!
#7 7 Days To Die
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
We couldn’t resist putting this title at No.7, we hope you understand.
7 Days To Die is a very successful game, and for the most basic of reasons: it offers a LOT to do. This title honestly mixes all sorts of genres together for a unique zombie-fighting experience. You’ll need to explore a vast world, get materials in order to build up your home base and progress through the main story.
Or, skip that and explore a randomly generated world full of zombies, other players, and other dangers that you’ll need to withstand.
You’ll be able to craft items like few other games will allow, and have total access to the world at large so you can make your own path. Just remember to stay alive as you do so.
#6 State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition is one that really makes your choices in this zombiefied world matter.
Because here, you’re not just playing as one person, you’re playing as a community of characters. Ones who have banded together to try and remake life as a whole. All the while scavenging and survive the zombie threat.
You’ll do your best to build up your home and your community so that you’re ready for what comes. But when the time is right, you’ll need to send one of your party out to get supplies and fight off the zombies. If they die, they’re gone.
You’ll also interact with others and have to decide whether you help them or turn them away.
How will you guide the survival of your community? Jump in and find out.
#5 DayZ
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
If the previous game was about building up a group to stay alive, then DayZ is truly the opposite because it’s about surviving at all costs.
Why is that? Because in DayZ, there are no checkpoints or save files. You must survive for as long as you can, and when you die…you’re done. A new game must be started after that. Thus making the question, how long can you last?
It won’t be easy to answer because aside from the zombies you’ll face, you’ll have to also deal with players like you. You can work with them yes, but can you truly trust them? That’s something you’ll need to answer on your own.
It’s a large world in DayZ, and there are many dangers, so be careful…or else.
#4 Dying Light
PC | Xbox | PlayStation | Nintendo
While the sequel may have improved upon the formula, that’s not to say that the original Dying Light isn’t good, because it is. What’s more, it has a lot of content for you to enjoy.
You are dropped into a city that is being overrun by zombies and the living are trying to survive them all. As you run, jump, and fight through this city completing quests and trying to stay alive, you’ll see just how grand it all is, and how far you can go with various playstyles. As well as how many ways you can kill enemies.
Add to that a plethora of DLC and you’ll find yourself with a lot to do here.
#3 Dead Rising 3
While not the best of the series, Dead Rising 3 does offer a lot for players who have loved what the franchise can offer. Mainly, lots of enemies to kill, a load of unique weapons to use on them, and more.
In this game you are within the city of Los Perdidos, and you have a problem. Mainly, the military is going to wipe out the city in a certain amount of time. And now, you must fight through the zombie horde in order to escape the blast radius before it’s too late!
With plenty of weapons to use, you’ll have the tools to escape. But the zombies are no fools and have the numbers to overrun you if you’re not careful. So…be that.
#2 Dead Island Definitive Edition
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
Dead Island Definitive Edition is definitely one of the best games of the zombie open world genre out there for the simple reason that it’s a really good game that you can play with friends.
Whether by yourself or with friends, you’ll wake up on a tropical island that has been somehow turned into a zombie wasteland! Now, you have to figure out where to go in order to get off the island and stay alive as you do it.
The game features not just a remastered look, but the DLC for the game included as well. And as noted, you can bring 3 friends into the mix in order to make it through the mess of zombies that await you.
#1 Dead Rising
PC | Xbox | PlayStation
If you were to point out a game that truly revolutionized zombie games for the better, one would definitely be Dead Rising.
Why? Because it provided a unique setting, main character, and options to kill zombies that fans couldn’t get enough of.
In the game, you play as photojournalist Frank West, who in the pursuit of a story winds up in a mall that is FULL of zombies!!! Now, he has 72 hours to cut his way through the zombies, and get out of the mall before it’s sent to oblivion.
Time passes actively here, and just as important, Frank has full access to the mall so he can shop and get items to forge the most insane weapons ever.
Get what you need and kill zombies at will!
