Zombie 2D: A Brief History of the Undead in Video Games
Zombies are everywhere. They are in movies, TV shows, books, comics, and, of course, video games. But how did these flesh-eating monsters become such a staple of gaming culture? And what makes them so appealing to gamers of all ages and backgrounds? In this article, we will explore the history of zombie games, from their humble origins to their current evolution, and try to understand why they are still relevant and popular today.
Introduction
What are zombie games?
Zombie games are a subgenre of horror games featuring zombies. You usually have to survive against hordes of these ravenous reanimated corpses to avoid becoming one of them. Theres often a survival element, but youll find multiplayer, singleplayer, 2D platformers and many more games featuring zombies.
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These games feature creatures inspired by the archetypal flesh-eating zombies seen in horror films, B-movies and literature; such as in the films of George A. Romero. However, there are also variations and subtypes of zombies, such as fast zombies, intelligent zombies, mutant zombies, alien zombies, and so on.
Why are zombie games popular?
Zombie games are popular for many reasons. Some of them are:
They provide a thrilling and adrenaline-pumping experience that challenges the player's skills and reflexes.
They offer a cathartic and satisfying way to unleash violence and aggression without moral consequences.
They tap into primal fears and anxieties about death, disease, decay, and loss of control.
They reflect social and political issues and critiques, such as consumerism, capitalism, militarism, environmentalism, and so on.
They allow for creative and diverse gameplay mechanics and scenarios, such as crafting, stealth, exploration, puzzles, etc.
They appeal to a wide range of audiences and tastes, from casual to hardcore gamers, from comedy to drama fans.
The Origins of Zombie Games
The first zombie games
The first video games featuring zombies appeared in the early 1980s, influenced by the popularity of zombie movies at the time. These games were mostly simple and crude, using pixelated graphics and basic sound effects. They also required a lot of imagination from the players to recognize the zombies as such.
The Evil Dead (1984)
This game was based on the cult classic horror movie directed by Sam Raimi. It was released for Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, and it was a top-down action game where the player had to fend off waves of zombies and demons using various weapons and items. The game was notorious for its high difficulty and lack of save points.
Zombie Zombie (1984)
This game was released for ZX Spectrum, and it was one of the first 3D zombie games. It was a sandbox game where the player had to explore a city infested with zombies and find a way to escape. The player could use various objects and vehicles to fight or avoid the zombies, such as guns, grenades, helicopters, cranes, etc. The game also featured a day-night cycle and a dynamic soundtrack.
Ghosts 'N Goblins (1986)
This game was released for arcade, NES, and other platforms, and it was a side-scrolling platformer game where the player had to rescue a princess from the devil. The game featured various enemies and obstacles, including zombies, skeletons, ghosts, dragons, etc. The game was famous for its high difficulty and limited lives.
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The rise of survival horror
In the mid-1990s, zombie games became more sophisticated and immersive, thanks to the advancement of technology and graphics. These games introduced the concept of survival horror, a genre that emphasizes survival, exploration, puzzle-solving, and atmosphere over action and combat. These games also featured more complex stories, characters, and settings, often inspired by horror literature and cinema.
Resident Evil (1996)
This game was released for PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and PC, and it was one of the most influential and successful zombie games of all time. It was a third-person adventure game where the player had to explore a mansion infested with zombies and other creatures created by a bioweapon called the T-virus. The game featured limited ammo, health, and inventory space, as well as fixed camera angles and pre-rendered backgrounds. The game also had multiple endings and characters with different abilities.
The House of the Dead (1996)
This game was released for arcade, Sega Saturn, PC, and other platforms, and it was a light gun shooter game where the player had to shoot zombies and other monsters in various locations. The game featured branching paths, multiple endings, boss battles, and quick time events. The game also had a cheesy voice acting and dialogue that added to its charm.
Alone in the Dark 3 (1995)
This game was released for PC, Macintosh, PlayStation, and other platforms, and it was the third installment of the Alone in the Dark series. It was a 3D adventure game where the player had to investigate a ghost town haunted by zombies and other supernatural beings. The game featured puzzle-solving, stealth, combat, and exploration elements. The game also had a western theme and a cinematic style.
The Evolution of Zombie Games
The diversification of zombie genres
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, zombie games became more diverse and varied in terms of genres, styles, themes, and tones. These games experimented with different gameplay mechanics and scenarios that deviated from the traditional survival horror formula. These games also appealed to different audiences and tastes.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors (1993)
This game was released for SNES and Sega Genesis, and it was a top-down shooter game where the player had to rescue neighbors from zombies and other horror movie monsters. The game featured a co-op mode, a variety of weapons and items, and a humorous tone. The game also had references and parodies of popular horror films and tropes.
Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse (2005)
This game was released for Xbox, PC, Macintosh, and other platforms, and it was a third-person action game where the player controlled a zombie named Stubbs. The game was set in a retro-futuristic city in the 1950s, where Stubbs had to spread his infection and create an army of zombies. The game featured a sandbox gameplay, a ragdoll physics engine, and a dark comedy tone. The game also had a soundtrack of 1950s songs covered by modern artists.
Plants vs. Zombies (2009)
This game was released for PC, Macintosh, iOS, Android, and other platforms, and it was a tower defense game where the player had to protect their house from zombies using plants. The game featured a variety of plants and zombies with different abilities and characteristics, as well as different modes and mini-games. The game also had a cartoonish style and a catchy theme song.
The innovation of zombie mechanics
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, zombie games became more innovative and original in terms of gameplay mechanics and features. These games introduced new elements that enhanced the immersion and realism of the zombie experience. These games also challenged the conventions and expectations of the genre.
Left 4 Dead (2008)
This game was released for PC, Xbox 360, and other platforms, and it was a first-person shooter game where the player had to cooperate with three other survivors to escape from zombies. The game featured an AI director that dynamically adjusted the difficulty and intensity of the game based on the player's performance and actions. The game also featured four different campaigns, each with its own setting and story.
Dead Rising (2006)
This game was released for Xbox 360, Wii, PC, and other platforms, and it was an open world action-adventure game where the player had to survive in a shopping mall overrun by zombies. The game featured a real-time clock system that affected the events and outcomes of the game. The game also featured a huge variety of weapons and items that could be used or combined to fight or distract the zombies.
ZombiU (2012)
This game was released for Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and it was a survival horror game where the player had to scavenge for resources and avoid zombies in a post-apocalyptic London. The game featured a permadeath system that made the player switch to a new character every time they died. The game also featured an innovative use of the Wii U GamePad as a scanner, inventory, map, etc.
The Future of Zombie Games
The challenges of zombie games
Zombie games are not without their challenges and limitations. Some of them are:
The saturation of zombie games
Zombie games have become so common and popular that they risk losing their originality and appeal. Some gamers may feel bored or tired of seeing the same tropes and clichés repeated over and over again. Some critics may argue that zombie games are overdone and unoriginal.
The realism of zombie games
Zombie games have become more realistic and immersive thanks to the improvement of technology and graphics. However, this also raises some questions about the plausibility and logic of zombie games. Some gamers may wonder how zombies can exist or function in certain scenarios or environments. Some critics may point out the inconsistencies or flaws in zombie games.
The ethics of zombie games
Zombie games have become more violent and graphic thanks to the enhancement of technology and graphics. However, this also raises some concerns about the morality and impact of zombie games. Some gamers may feel uncomfortable or guilty about killing or harming zombies, especially if they look or act like humans. Some critics may argue that zombie games are desensitizing and dehumanizing.
The opportunities of zombie games
Zombie games are not without their opportunities and potentials. Some of them are:
The creativity of zombie games
Zombie games have become more creative and original thanks to the experimentation and innovation of developers and designers. They have explored new genres, styles, themes, and tones that challenge and expand the boundaries of the genre. They have also created new elements, features, and mechanics that enhance and diversify the gameplay experience.
The diversity of zombie games
Zombie games have become more diverse and inclusive thanks to the representation and participation of different groups and communities. They have featured more diverse characters, stories, and settings that reflect and celebrate the diversity of cultures, identities, and perspectives. They have also involved more diverse players, creators, and critics that contribute and collaborate to the development and discussion of the genre.
The sociality of zombie games
Zombie games have become more social and interactive thanks to the integration and utilization of online and multiplayer features. They have enabled more communication, cooperation, and competition among players, friends, and strangers. They have also fostered more engagement, involvement, and support among fans, followers, and influencers.
Conclusion
Zombie games are a fascinating and enduring subgenre of horror games that have a long and rich history. They have evolved from simple and crude games to sophisticated and immersive games over the years. They have also faced various challenges and opportunities along the way. They have attracted and entertained millions of gamers around the world with their thrilling, satisfying, scary, and fun gameplay experiences. They have also reflected and influenced various social and cultural issues and trends with their stories, characters, and settings.
Zombie games are not just games. They are a phenomenon. And they are here to stay.
FAQs
What are some of the best zombie games?
Some of the best zombie games are: - The Last of Us (2013): A post-apocalyptic game where a smuggler and a girl try to survive in a world ravaged by a fungal infection that turns people into zombies. - Dying Light (2015): An open world game where a secret agent tries to find a cure for a virus that turns people into zombies in a city overrun by zombies. - The Walking Dead (2012-2019): An episodic game where a former convict tries to protect a young girl in a world overrun by zombies based on the comic book series of the same name. - Dead Island (2011): An action RPG game where a group of survivors tries to escape from an island infested with zombies. - Call of Duty: Zombies (2008-present): A mode in the Call of Duty series where players try to survive against waves of zombies in various maps.
What are some of the worst zombie games?
Some of the worst zombie games are: - Land of the Dead: Road to Fiddler's Green (2005): A first-person shooter game based on the movie of the same name that was poorly designed, buggy, and boring. - The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct (2013): A first-person shooter game based on the TV show of the same name that was poorly designed, buggy, and boring. - Umbrella Corps (2016): A multiplayer shooter game set in the Resident Evil universe that was poorly designed, buggy, and boring. - DayZ (2013-present): An online survival game where players try to survive in a world infested with zombies that was poorly designed, buggy, and boring. - Dead Island: Riptide (2013): A sequel to Dead Island that was poorly designed, buggy, and boring.
What are some of the upcoming zombie games?
Some of the upcoming zombie games are: - Back 4 Blood (2021): A spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead that features co-op gameplay against hordes of zombies. - Dying Light 2 (2021): A sequel to Dying Light that features an open world gameplay with choices and consequences in a city infested with zombies. - The Last of Us Part II (2020): A sequel to The Last of Us that features a post-apocalyptic gameplay with stealth, combat, and exploration in a world ravaged by zombies. - Resident Evil Village (2021): A sequel to Resident Evil 7 that features a first-person horror gameplay with survival elements in a village infested with zombies and other creatures. - The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (2020): A virtual reality game where players try to survive in a world overrun by zombies based on the comic book series of the same name.
What are some of the best zombie movies?
Some of the best zombie movies are: - Night of the Living Dead (1968): A classic horror movie directed by George A. Romero that started the modern zombie genre and featured social commentary on racism and consumerism. - Dawn of the Dead (1978): A sequel to Night of the Living Dead that featured a group of survivors trapped in a shopping mall surrounded by zombies and featured social commentary on capitalism and materialism. - 28 Days Later (2002): A British horror movie directed by Danny Boyle that featured a group of survivors trying to escape from a virus that turns people into fast and rage-filled zombies and featured social commentary on militarism and human nature. - Shaun of the Dead (2004): A British comedy movie directed by Edgar Wright that parodied the zombie genre and featured a group of friends trying to survive a zombie apocalypse with humor and wit. - Train to Busan (2016): A South Korean horror movie directed by Yeon Sang-ho that featured a group of passengers trying to survive a zombie outbreak on a train and featured social commentary on classism and selfishness.
What are some of the best zombie books?
Some of the best zombie books are: - World War Z (2006): A novel by Max Brooks that presented a global zombie war through interviews with various survivors and featured social commentary on geopolitics, culture, and media. - The Zombie Survival Guide (2003): A book by Max Brooks that provided a comprehensive and humorous guide on how to survive a zombie apocalypse with tips, strategies, and scenarios. - The Walking Dead (2003-present): A comic book series by Robert Kirkman that followed the lives of a group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies and featured social commentary on morality, violence, and survival. - Zone One (2011): A novel by Colson Whitehead that depicted a post-apocalyptic New York City where a group of soldiers tried to clear out the remaining zombies and featured social commentary on trauma, memory, and identity. - Warm Bodies (2010): A novel by Isaac Marion that narrated the story of a zombie who fell in love with a human girl and started to regain his humanity and featured social commentary on love, hope, and change.
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