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5 Best Games Like State of Decay

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Undead Labs' highly praised State of Decay is a series that prides itself on being a fleshy staple on the open-world monopoly. With two and a half chapters in the underbelly of the zombie realm, as well as a third en route, the franchise has established itself as a dominant force that others only aspire to clone.

That being said, State of Decay has been known for having one or two familiar features laced between its nonlinear gameplay. And if, like in State of Decay, crafting weapons, building shelters, and slaying waves of zombies is your thing, then you'll definitely want to stop by these five gory counterparts.

5. Dead Rising

Dead Rising - 10th Anniversary Announce Trailer | PS4

Like State of Decay, Dead Rising does itself a service by not taking itself too seriously. Although technically branded as a survival-horror game, its gameplay is anything but scary. And if anything, it's more to the point of being a hilarious concoction of mindless killings with an arsenal of unorthodox weaponry. Like a plastic sabre, or you know—a rubber house plant.

Dead Rising doesn't ask for you to follow its story. Instead, it simply gives you the option to gloss over it, whereas the bulk of the journey is made up of exploration. And to be fair, having 72 hours in a shopping mall full of flesh-deprived zombies is a great setting for such spontaneoty. The fact is, the world is yours for three whole days. And, like State of Decay, you can decide exactly how to grasp it, be it from the safety of a locker, or behind the wheel of a go-kart.

 

4. DayZ

DayZ - Gameplay Trailer | PS4

DayZ may have since passed through its glory days in the spotlight, but the fact is, it's still managing to rake in its fair share of players. As one of the few remaining open-world online zombie games, it does make sense that we would go on to push such a respected entry into the frontline—if only to reminisce about seasons passed since its 2013 debut.

Again, like State of Decay, the goal behind DayZ doesn't ask all that much of you. It's more the case of being given the tools to paint your own story. What happens between every chapter, of course, is only what you make of it. So, whether it's being locked away in a derelict bunker, or thrashing a fellow survivor for their punctured bike—DayZ rarely tells the same tale twice. And for that, we can't help but love it.

 

3. How to Survive

How to Survive - Kovac's Rules Trailer

How to Survive may lose some of that third-person shooter charm as seen in State of Decay, but its top-down style is still an absolute beast of a ride through and through. And the best part is, it's available for pennies these days, what with it launching on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 back in 2014. But in spite of its age, it is still, in our opinion, a solid choice for a State of Decay alternative.

There are two modes that make up How to Survive: Story, and Challenge. In both, you are dropped on one end of an island, and are tasked with fighting to the other side, mostly through hordes of zombies, of course. But in order to reach the horizon, you're essentially made to craft items, and devise foolproof plans. Do enough of both, and you might just live long enough to see the break of dawn.

 

2. Dying Light

Dying Light - Launch Trailer | PS4

If you enjoy a good old fashioned crafting table, a nexus of obtainable weapons and upgrades, as well as the free choice of whether or not you even progress the story or just wallow about in the dark—then Dying Light is for you. Thanks to its immensely populated open-world playground, you'll often find yourself rummaging around for days without making so much as a dent in the narrative. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Not only does Dying Light have one of the richest narratives in the zombie genre, but also one of the most diverse settings. With a slew of side quests, activities, and craftable items to unearth, it becomes more of a jog than a sprint. And the fact you can carve your own story from the remnants of civilization is another plus point, similar to State of Decay's design.

 

1. 7 Days to Die

7 Days To Die Trailer | PS4

7 Days to Die is a solid choice for those who just want to face the bullets and bite of an overcharged apocalyptic world. With thanks to the jam-packed setting, practically anyone can sink into the unforgiving playground and play their part. The only issue is, nearly everyone hungers for one of two things: flesh, or freedom.

As it goes, 7 Days to Die has, unfortunately, been in Early Access since 2013, with quite a few speed bumps to keep the devs preoccupied. Though, with the latest update coming out back in February, it is still very much a work in progress. It's also playable on all major platforms—so there's that. And if you're looking for a quality alternative to State of Decay, then this one really shouldn't slip beneath your radar.

 

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Jord is acting Team Leader at gaming.net. If he isn't blabbering on in his daily listicles, then he's probably out writing fantasy novels or scraping Game Pass of all its slept on indies.