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The evolving origin of zombies in video games explores creative and horrifying developments such as Cordyceps sinensis and Element 115.
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From Dead Rising’s Zombie Queen to Fortnite’s Storm Zombies, each game offers a unique perspective on the undead with complex backstories.
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The diversity of zombie origins, from parasitic mind control to extraterrestrial infection, adds depth and intrigue to video game zombie worlds.
Zombies have swept the world. Since Night of the Living Dead, zombies have evolved and become the subject of many horror games. In the new story, the undead could be the result of a failed experiment, or even extradimensional beings seeking to destroy the fabric of space-time.
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These new twists on the undead are not only creative, but also terrifying, as they explore different areas within the genre. So, dim your lights and prepare for new threats. Here are ten of the most creative zombie origins you’ll find in the world of video games.
Ten Dead Rising – Queens
stabbing fear
Spending 72 hours inside a zombie-infested shopping mall is no easy task. Be careful not to get bitten or worse, get stung by an unknown wasp. In Dead Rising, a mysterious species of wasp is discovered in South America and is used to enhance meat production. However, they also have the side effect of infecting hosts who come into direct contact with them.
These killer queens quickly reproduce and become an important part of the zombie life cycle. Fortunately, killing any of these hornets will also destroy all zombies in the area, as it will sever its connection to the queen.
9 The Last of Us – Cordyceps sinensis
fear of fungi
Zombies have always been seen as the dead coming back to life or the spread of new infectious diseases. The Last of Us gets a creative twist with the introduction of Cordyceps sinensis. This plant-based zombie plague is not only transmitted through bites, but also through airborne particles.
Then, as the infection takes hold, it causes the zombies (known here as clickers) to grow fungus-like characteristics. Clicker takes different forms depending on how long the host has been infected, giving this zombie incarnation its own identity.
8 Call of Duty Zombies – Element 115
Meteor from the future
Call of Duty Zombies has enough maps to fill a standalone game. The original storyline began with a meteorite carrying a mysterious new element that could bring the dead back to life. It later became clear that the discovery of element 115 was no accident.
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A race from another dimension learns that humans use meteorites to advance technology, so they send meteorites across time. This in turn would create the undead and, as the timeline progresses, facilitate the discoveries necessary to free Lovecraft’s race from the Dark Aether.
7 Left 4 Dead – Green Flu
This is no ordinary flu
Green Flu is perhaps one of the most realistic depictions of a zombie outbreak, and one of the most well-documented in a video game. Green Flu is prominent in Left 4 Dead and is an airborne virus that constantly mutates and reacts to its host and pre-existing health conditions.
This led to the emergence of special infected individuals such as Boomers, Hunters, and Terrifying Witches. Information provided through quotes and environmental storytelling shows players where the virus originated and how it quickly consumed half of the United States.
6 Fortnite Save the World – Storm Zombie
More than the rain in this storm
Fortnite wasn’t always a battle royale. It was originally released as a base construction and fortress defense game. In Save the World, a storm spawned zombies and constant attacks on survivors. They appeared in different elements, each even more deadly than the previous, and they were all under the command of the Storm King.
This is one of the few zombie incarnations where the undead aren’t exactly dead or resurrected monsters. Fortnite also introduced other monsters within the battle royale, such as cube monsters and more undead-like zombies, during various Fortnitemares events.
Five Resident Evil 7 – The Mold
Not an ordinary bacteria
The Resident Evil 7 mold is the perfect blend of the supernatural and the scientific. Mold has always been around, including the consciousness of many people who have assimilated it.
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This type of unique ability allowed Resident Evil 7 to include paranormal horror elements such as ghostly apparitions and demonic possession throughout. It would later be revealed that Ethan Winters was a moldy zombie throughout Resident Evil 7 and The Village.
Four Dead Space – Necromorph
nothing can escape
Zombies are scarier in space. In Dead Space, Necromorphs were created by an extraterrestrial race bent on creating something far more sinister. Many who come into contact with necromorphs are directly infected and warped into deadly shadows of their former selves. This creates a wide variety of necromorphs, each more deadly than the last.
These are created by signals intended to spawn more Necromorphs. Once enough Necromorphs are created, the ultimate goal is for the Brethren to transform into moon-sized abominations known as His Moons.
3 Half-life – Headcrab
watch your head
Half-Life is known for its creatures, and the headcrab is probably one of the most iconic. These alien creatures attach themselves to humans’ heads and control them. As a result, the human body is also torn apart by long, thin claw-like fingers.
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Half-Life 2’s Ravenholm level uses its creepy nature to add even more horror elements to the series. Interestingly, the noises they make are distorted voices of their hosts, suggesting that they may still be sentient during their zombification process.
2 Hello – The Flood
the only escape is death
The first half of Halo: Combat Evolved features a battle against the Covenant. This conflict soon leads to the discovery of a parasite known as the Flood. However, these are not regular zombies and assimilate all living things into their hive mind.
When enough creatures assimilate, an even more terrifying monster is eventually formed: the Gravemind. An ancient race as old as the Flood, the Forerunners were nearly unstoppable and had no choice but to use their Halo array to destroy all life in the galaxy.
1 Resident Evil 4 – Las Plagas
Parasitic mind control.
Resident Evil is a franchise that has evolved beyond the original zombies that made it so popular. New viruses have been introduced to keep things fresh, but none are as iconic as Resident Evil 4’s Plagueis. These parasites fossilized deep underground, but were rediscovered by Spanish miners.
As Las Plagas rages through a small village in Spain, even tiny particles could be enough to start an infection in a new host. It was later discovered that Las Plagas has two forms: a subordinate strain and a dominant strain in which a stronger host can control a weaker host.
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best zombie games
Zombies in video games have been around almost as long as the gaming industry itself. Here are the best games featuring the living dead.