E3 2016 was just a few days ago (June 14-16), and we saw several surprise-reveal games that cater to the post-apocalyptic genre. Other games we already knew about, but now they have a shiny new trailer or gameplay footage. We also discovered that a few big budget post apocalyptic games are getting significant updates or DLC.
Whatever the case, I’ve kept my eyes peeled for all the best ones. And this year, you’re going to want to pay attention. It was a good haul.
The post-apocalyptic genre is about the setting – and we’ve all got different tastes. That’s why I’m defining it pretty broadly this time around. If it’s about the end of the world, survival, dystopia, zombies, or the genocide of the human race, then I considered it for the list.
1. Days Gone
This is the one I’m most excited about, and you’ll know why after you watch that gameplay footage. The graphics are probably the best I’ve ever seen. And being able to interact with the environment in a strategic and meaningful way, in an open world game no less, would be quite amazing if they can pull it off.
Days Gone appears to be an open-world survival game with hordes of zombie-like “Freakers” trying to kill you. But Freakers aren’t dead, and they act differently than zombies. Bend Studio has been working on this game for more than four years; ever since they finished Uncharted: Golden Abyss, so you can see why it looks so polished. If there’s one thing to take away from E3, it’s that Days Gone is going to be huge.
PA CATEGORY: Viral / Plague Apocalypse
CONSOLE(S): Playstation 4
RELEASE DATE: TBD
DEVELOPER: SIE Bend Studio
PUBLISHER: Sony
Trailer
Gameplay
2. Neir Automata
I wasn’t fully convinced by the trailer, but that all changed once I watched the gameplay footage boss fight. The graphics, the music, the lighting, the attention to detail… man this game really drew me in. It made me feel emotions.
PA CATEGORY: Alien Invasion meets Robot Apocalypse
CONSOLE(S): Playstation 4
RELEASE DATE: TBD 2017
DEVELOPER: Platinum Games
PUBLISHER: Square Enix
Teaser Trailer (E3 2015)
Trailer (E3 2016)
Gameplay
3. State of Decay 2
The first State of Decay, released in 2013, had great reviews and sold more than a million copies. It combines zombie survival with strategy and RPG, and the graphics look really good. I hope we get some extended gameplay footage soon.
PA CATEGORY: Zombie Apocalypse
CONSOLE(S): Xbox One, PC
RELEASE DATE: TBD 2017
DEVELOPER: Undead Labs
PUBLISHER: Microsoft Studios
Trailer
Gameplay
***MIA***
@PostApocalypt Thanks very much for including us 🙂 No gameplay footage “soon” by any reasonable person’s definition of the term.
— Undead Labs (@undeadlabs) June 20, 2016
@@PostApocalypt I like to manage people’s expectations right into the GROUND.
— Undead Labs (@undeadlabs) June 20, 2016
Alas. Since there is no gameplay for State of Decay 2, enjoy this footage of gameplay from the first State of Decay.
4. We Happy Few
This retro dystopian game about government mind control was announced more than a year ago, but we just got a brand new gameplay trailer and it looks super twisted. The art and the story are intriguing and DARK. Compulsion Games funded this game through Kickstarter, which is surprising for such a good looking game. Check out the gameplay footage below.
PA CATEGORY: Dystopian
CONSOLE(S): Xbox One, PC, Mac
RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2016 for Early Access (i.e., beta), release date for the full game is TBD
DEVELOPER: Compulsion Games
PUBLISHER: Compulsion Games
Trailer (2015)
Gameplay (2016)
5. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil is getting back in touch with it’s roots with this title, and I suspect the puzzle-centric approach of the early Resident Evil titles will dominate gameplay. The ultra realistic graphics are downright frightening. But the most exciting thing about this release is that it will be completely compatible with Playstation VR. This one is not for the faint of heart.
PA CATEGORY: Zombie Apocalypse
CONSOLE(S): Xbox One, Playstation 4, PC
RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2017
DEVELOPER: Capcom
PUBLISHER: Capcom
Trailer
Gameplay
Now that you’ve seen the top five, check out #6-10 here and #11-15 here and #16-20 here.
We’ll be expanding this list to the top 20 in the coming days, which includes news and videos for Fallout, Gears of War, Dead Rising, Halo Wars, Attack on Titan, and several more. So check back soon, and don’t forget to sign up for email updates!
