Summary
Surviving in anapocalyptic wastelandcan be a scary and arduous journey in many video games, but it can also lead to stories and characters for the player to fall in love with. From desolate wastelands to crumbling cities, these virtual worlds challenge us to navigate through the aftermath of disaster and uncover hidden truths.
The games offer a unique blend of survival, mystery, and human drama set against the backdrop of a world forever changed. Whether it’s the haunting silence of abandoned cities or the struggle to rebuild society from the ashes, they can be sci-fi adventures or modern zombie infestation thrillers, allowing gamers to become as invested in them as movies or shows.
What could have been a rushed and lackluster movie tie-in game proved to be a surprising gem by Avalanche Studios, withMad Maxfeeling like another entry in the beloved post-apocalypse series. With free-flowcombat akin to theBatman: Arkhamgamesand fully customizable cars, including Max’s new Magnum Opus, the open-world apocalypse is action-packed and gruesome.
Much like in the movies,Mad Maxdoesn’t have a complicated story, but it is still an enjoyable one with Max being nearly killed by crazed warlords of the wasteland, and he sets out to take his revenge. Max Rockatansky is more of a main character than ever as he allies with different settlements to take down the villains who stole his car.
The main story has never been the focus of theFalloutfranchise, and that is mostly the same withFallout 4, but it still provides the most personal story of the series. It shows the horrors of being a sole survivor who went into cryogenic sleep just as the bombs fell, starting the apocalypse. They awoke to find their spouse dead and their infant child kidnapped by wastelanders.
The initial setup, mixed with theBoston and New England setting, allowedFallout 4to stand out while also instantly hooking the player to root for the main protagonist. The hundreds of side quests, characters, instances, and various storylines add to what has become a definitive title for the Fallout series.
A world long after the apocalypse, where robots have evolved to be like wild animals, while humans have had to restart and be like Vikings again,utilizing simple archery bowsand spears. It makesHorizon: Zero Dawnalready interesting from the start, but the story of Aloy as she uncovers how the world came to be as it currently is.
The team at Guerrilla Games worked hard to make the open-world sci-fi apocalypse feel like a living, breathing environment that is both grueling to endure and paradisiacal. Aloy is also a strong protagonist, and this, combined with the crafting and engaging third-person gameplay, marks the beginning of a modern classic franchise.
Aloy must head to the remnants of the Pacific coast to discover the origins of a mysterious plague infecting the world inHorizon: Forbidden West, which goes even further to create a cinematic adventure. With special guest stars Lance Reddick, Angela Bassett, and Carrie Ann Moss, the story is even darker and more epic than before.
Exploration inHorizon: Forbidden West has been enhancedwith improved underwater mechanics, new tools, and environmental puzzles, while still preserving the elements from the previous installment. These enhancements contribute to the richness of the game’s various storylines and side missions, furthering Aloy’s personal journey, especially in theBurning ShoresDLC.
The story of Ellie Williams, which has won over the hearts of gamers and viewers on HBO, began with Naughty Dog’sThe Last of Us, featuring a zombie apocalypse spawned by fungus. Ellie is being guided by Joel Miller across the destroyed remnants of America, fighting monsters, fascists, and cannibalistic factions.
WhileThe Last Of Ushas many tropes seen inThe Walking Deadand many other zombie apocalypse stories, it executes them masterfully and doesn’t hold back on the dark elements. It also helps that the third-person shooter gameplay is simple yet effective, mixing stealth with similar third-person shooter aspects that Naughty Dog did with theUnchartedgames.
From the story of Lee Everett in the first season to seeing Clementine grow up throughout multiple seasons,The Walking Dead: A Telltale Definitive Seriesputs the drama and horror of the zombie survival series in the hands of the player. They have to guide players and make decisions that can drastically alter relationships and storylines in both good and bad ways.
Telltale’s take onThe Walking Deadhas become so beloved that some argue that it’s betterthan the AMC television series, thanks to its many characters that have made players smile, hate, or even sob. It also helps that it is trying not to retell the events of the comic or the show, but instead focuses on its own original story that still feels straight out of Robert Kirkman’s world.
Following upThe Last Of Usis no easy task, but Naughty Dog managed to not only pull it off, withThe Last Of Us Part 2, but still keep the fans on their toes thanks to its many twists and turns that were divisive. On top of that,it tackles multiple social issues, such as the vicious cycle of revenge and the way people project heroism onto characters who can also be seen as the villain from another perspective, and vice versa.
The Last of Us Part 2advances Ellie’s story as the main protagonist, showing her dealing with the aftermath of the first game. However, the story forThe Last of Us Part 2swaps perspectives to Abby, who is arguably the main villain, which is unexpected for a game. Both sides mix the dark and ugly sides of humanity while also providing improved stealth and action gameplay.
Days Gonemanages to take an overused concept like a zombie apocalypse and manages to craft a strong title, featuring stellar voice work and performance capture. It follows the life of Deacon St. John, a biker-turned-mercenary for hire in the open world of rural Oregon as he works to overcome his past while surviving in a world filled with untrustworthy factions.
On top ofa praised performance by Sam Witweras Deacon,Days Gonemakes it clear as the player scavenges, hunts, and rides through Oregon that he is the only faction worth siding with. Although he isn’t a perfect hero and can be self-centered, flashbacks reveal his broken heart while players navigate a world that demands strong motorcycle gameplay, including repairs and refueling.
