I don’t have to tell you how widespread the zombie fever has been and how fast it has taken over pop culture. For some reason everyone was suddenly interested in slashing zombies and well, I was no exception.
I don’t precisely remember the exact age at which I was firstly introduced to zombies and the zombie genre. Perhaps my very first perception of the undead was the image created by cinematography or graphical designs. Either way, I remember my initial thoughts were revolving mostly around the fact that these hordes of mindless monstrosities with a never-ending hunger for flesh, make an absolutely mental setting for a game.
Behind the screen or sat at the table, zombies have always managed to bring us great material for entertainment and the tabletop enthusiasts have—fortunately for us—discovered this vast potential.
Playing zombie board games is a great new experience of surviving in a zombie infested region with not much to rely on other than your trusted associates, your wits, and of course to spice things up , a little bit of luck to help you get past the challenges.
Zombie themed board games are also very well suited for playing in your Halloween parties. They go perfect with the spooky vibes but are always fun and engaging and practically never scary. (Unless of course you’re somehow afraid of having fun in which case all I can say is wow.)
Our Picks of The Best Zombie Board Games
With all that said, there are multiple titles which may be called zombie board games but if you are curious as to which ones we consider to be the best, the answer lies just ahead.
1. Dead of Winter
Published by Fantasy Flight Games, Dead of Winter puts players in a small and struggling colony of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has been wiped out by a mysterious virus, leaving behind flesh-eating monsters. The survivors must work together to scavenge for resources, build shelter, and fend off the relentless hordes of monsters that threaten their existence. With limited resources and a harsh winter looming, the colony must make difficult decisions to ensure their survival.
Dead of Winter is a thrilling meta-cooperative psychological survival game that tests the players’ ability to work together towards a common victory condition. However, each individual player must also complete their own personal secret objective in order to achieve victory. These personal objectives vary from seeking vengeance to unhealthy obsessions.
Some playthroughs could end with all players winning, some winning and some losing, or all players losing. Work together as a team to achieve the group’s goal, but be mindful of any individual who may be trying to take advantage of the situation for their own benefit.
With a unique blend of cooperation, betrayal, and suspense, Dead of Winter is sure to provide an unforgettable gaming experience.
2. Zombicide
Developed by Guillotine Games and published by CoolMiniOrNot, Zombicide is a game that provides 1-6 players with a chance to live out their wildest zombie slashing dreams.
You take control of one of the six survivors, each with their own unique abilities and skill trees. Zombicide is designed as a fully cooperative game, that means no player has to take on the role of the zombies. Utilizing clever mechanics, players must work together to survive the zombie apocalypse and complete their objectives as they struggle to survive the undead attacks.
Zombicide features an innovative AI mechanic that controls the zombies, leading them to hone in on the closest living being or the loudest noise on the game board. This mechanic provides an exciting challenge for players, as they must use their wits to outsmart the zombies and survive. Additionally, this mechanic helps to create an immersive experience, as players must think and act quickly in order to stay alive for as long as possible.
3. Dawn of the Zeds
We’ve come across more than just a few of the titles published by Asmodee and we’re visiting them again for another adventure, this time with zombies!
A mysterious virus or poison Is turning ordinary people into vicious, zombie-like killers. It is still unclear how the disease is transmitted, but it is believed that physical contact is one of the primary ways it spreads. Those infected with the virus experience a drastic change in behavior, becoming aggressive and violent, with no regard for the safety of others. The virus also appears to have a rapid onset, with victims quickly succumbing to its effects.
The player must lead the good citizens and emerging heroes of their hometown, Farmingdale, to defend themselves against the Zeds advancing and (re)killing them, attempt to coordinate the discovery of a cure to this vile illness, and preserve as much of the area and as many of its inhabitants as possible. To do this, you must rally the people of the town and villages, build up their defenses, and organize a search for resources and supplies to help them survive.
Dawn of the Zeds is an absolute must-have for any solitaire enthusiast. With its challenging yet rewarding gameplay, it is sure to provide hours of entertainment for all ages. Its immersive and captivating storyline will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-time player, Dawn of the Zeds is sure to offer some good times around the table.
4. Tiny Epic Zombies
This survival game designed by Scott Almes from GamelynGames is one that allows you to play as the zombies!
In Tiny Epic Zombies, survivors are constantly on the move, scavenging for weapons, taking out hordes of Zombies, and striving to complete their objectives. With each passing turn, the tension rises as the survivors race against the clock to survive the zombie apocalypse.
Tiny Epic Zombies is an exciting game that will have you fighting for your life as you try to escape the Mall. You will take on the role of a survivor and battle against hordes of the undead. As you lose survivors (who then turn to zombies), the zombies become stronger and more dangerous. Choose from five different play modes and use your wits and strategy to survive the zombie apocalypse. With each turn, the stakes get higher and the tension builds as you try to make it out alive.
You can play this game solo or with friends, and you’re guaranteed to have an amazing time no matter what! Invite your friends over and get ready for a night of fun and laughter fighting off flesh-craving walking corpses.
5. After the Virus
After The Virus is a cooperative deck building game in which you and your playmates go on missions to fight zombies, save people, and complete objectives. The game was designed by Jacob Fryxelius, the acclaimed designer behind Terraforming Mars, and published by FryxGames.
In After The Virus, each player is provided with an identical deck of cards containing 40 player cards and some zombies. You can choose from 16 different missions to play, either as a campaign or as a one-off game. Each mission offers a unique challenge, and you can customize your deck to suit your strategy. With a variety of strategies and tactics available, you can create an immersive and exciting experience every time you play.
The main objective of After The Virus is to complete the mission’s goal in time, which might include saving a certain number of people. However, if any character gets three wounds or you fail to complete the mission’s goal before the time runs out, you’ll lose the game. So, it’s important to stay focused and work together to achieve the mission’s goal before time runs out.
After the Virus is an innovative card game that seamlessly blends the world of zombies with the classic card game format. It’s a creative and unique concept that works surprisingly well, providing hours of entertainment for zombie and card game fans alike.
6. The Walking Dead: All Out War
The Walking Dead: All Out War is a fast paced miniatures game based on the popular comic book series and television show of the same name and published by Mantic Games. The game is set in the post-apocalyptic world of the Walking Dead, where players take on the role of survivors trying to survive in a world overrun by zombies. Players must scavenge for resources, build up their forces, and battle against other survivors and the undead.
The game is played on a board that is divided into zones, with each zone representing a different area of the post-apocalyptic world. Players must move their survivors around the board, scavenging for resources and fighting off the undead. The game also features a variety of scenarios and a number of expansions which can be played, providing hours of replay value.
This board game is a great game for fans of the series as well as those simply looking for a fun tabletop zombie game. It is fast-paced and intense, and the tactical gameplay makes it suitable for players that enjoy strategy games. The expansions also add a lot of replayability, making it a great game for those who want to keep playing and get a good value for their money.
7. Last Night on Earth
Flying Frog Productions released their own take on the genre all the way back in 2007 with Last Night On Earth but the game makes a return in an anniversary edition 10 years later and still plays out fairly well.
Last Night on Earth: The Zombie Game is a thrilling, fast-paced game of fighting zombies, normal folk who turn into heroes, and action before seen only in Hollywood horror films. Players take on the roles of brave survivors, fighting off hordes of the undead in a desperate attempt to survive the night.
With a variety of scenarios, characters, and strategies, Last Night on Earth offers an exciting and unique gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Last Night on Earth is a thrilling board game designed to create a cinematic experience as the story and game unfolds. Perfect for 2-6 players, this game will take you 60-90 minutes of intense fun and excitement. With a unique blend of horror and adventure, Last Night on Earth is one of the most engaging zombie board games you’ll ever find.
Honorable Mentions
In order to avoid making this article too long, I won’t elaborate further on these titles but if you went through all the above and still couldn’t satisfy your ultimate zombie desires, these titles are also great to try out.
1. Zpocalypse 2: Defend the Burbs
2. City of Horror
3. Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
Final Thoughts
To wrap it all up, fans of the zombie genre will feel right at home playing any of these terrific zombie board games. Whether you’re aiming at a particular theme, place or occasion or not, our picks of the best board games based on zombies is more than likely to please you.
Let me know in the comments if I have missed any of your favorite zombie board games.
