Watching a zombie movie or TV show can be a pretty horrifying experience. We see beloved characters face the dead on multiple occasions, have very close calls, and sometimes even bite the dust when we least expect it.
Franchises like The Walking Dead are wildly beloved worldwide for their ability to keep us on our toes and in constant fear of what may come next. However, nothing compares to trying to survive these zombie encounters for ourselves.
It's one thing to see a character being chased by the undead, and it's another thing to be in the driver's seat, trying to outmaneuver these creatures and make it to the next safe point. That's why zombie video games will always hold a special place in our hearts and keep us on the lookout for more exciting releases. With that in mind, these four upcoming titles are clear standouts you should keep your eye on:
1. Resident Evil Veronica
Just a few months ago, zombie fans were able to experience the unimaginable horrors and explosive action set pieces of Resident Evil Requiem, a highly acclaimed title that pulled no punches and quickly became a contender for Game of the Year. Fortunately, Capcom didn't give us any time to breathe, as the studio recently announced Resident Evil Veronica, a remake of 2000's Resident Evil - Code: Veronica.
Out of all the original Resident Evil games, Code: Veronica is perhaps the one that most needs revisiting. It is no secret that the title had clunky tank controls and awkward voice acting. Additionally, if you were to play the original game, it is highly encouraged to make multiple save files, as it is extremely easy to softlock the main campaign due to a lack of resources. Fortunately, those problems won't be around for the remake.
We know very little about Resident Evil Veronica. It is set to be a third-person game with "modernized gameplay" and "a reimagined storyline." Furthermore, we'll take control of Claire Redfield three months after the biological disaster in Raccoon City. It is also presumed that we'll be able to play as Chris Redfield (like in the original title), although nothing is set in stone just yet. However, if Capcom's track record with the Resident Evil remakes is anything to go by, video game players should be in for a fantastic (yet terrifying) adventure.
Resident Evil Veronica will be released in 2027.
2. State of Decay 3
Unfortunately, we need to start by addressing the elephant in the room: There's a very high chance that State of Decay 3 will never see the light of day. It isn't a secret that the video game industry isn't in its best days right now, with physical discs unfortunately (and recklessly) being discontinued, generative AI taking over, and massive layoffs taking place very frequently. Now, there are reports that Xbox plans to close Undead Labs, the developers behind State of Decay 3.
Other highly anticipated titles like Marvel's Blade and Senua are reportedly in danger of being canceled as well, and gamers worldwide are wildly confused as to why Microsoft would shine the spotlight on specific titles during its June Showcase only to potentially axe them a few weeks afterward. But while we wait for any official news, let's hope that State of Decay 3 refuses to stay buried because it looks ridiculously good.
State of Decay 3 is a co-op, open-world game that encourages survivors to team up, build communities, and survive the attacks of the undead. Managing resources and crafting weapons will be at the heart of this title, as well as clearing out dungeon-like areas called Plague Nests. You'll be able to team up with up to three friends to try and survive in this ruthless world, or you can also go solo if you dare.
For the time being, State of Decay 3 is slated to be released in 2027 (and let's hope that it stays that way).
3. Blight: Survival
The zombie horror genre has been around for decades, so we've seen it evolve in many different ways. Zombies have gone from slow, brain-eating creatures to fast, mutated monsters capable of adapting to every situation and everything in between. So whenever a title like Blight: Survival comes our way and somehow manages to keep things fresh, it's easy to understand why it has a lot of excitement behind it.
Most video games let you fight the undead with no shortage of firearms. However, Blight: Survival crafted its own path by letting players take a stand against the dead with swords and shields. The game takes place in a medieval setting with rogue‑lite and extraction mechanics, as well as an immersive combat system. Players will be able to team up with up to three friends to survive the world of Blight, but there's also a single-player mode.
Unfortunately, there isn't a release window set in stone for Blight: Survival just yet. But with a bit of luck, it won't be long before we're able to learn more about what Haenir Studio is crafting for us.
4. ILL
ILL needs no introduction, as its trailer does all the talking. Team Clout is crafting a visceral, brutal, and extremely violent first-person title with realistic dismemberment mechanics, next-gen graphics, and enclosed and suffocating environments. However, players can also expect explosive action moments that will keep them on the edge of their seats.
As if that wasn't enough, ILL Game Director & Team Clout co-founder Max Verehin teased that the world of ILL will adapt to the player's every move:
"The main thing that sets us apart is how we combine hyper-realistic body horror with a reactive, tactile world. Enemies don’t just die – they suffer, adapt, mutate. Your actions leave a mark, and the world responds."
Players will need to find resources and use them to upgrade their weapons, solve environmental puzzles, manage their inventory, and sometimes fight hordes of zombies at once. To make things more exciting, Team Clout has previously worked on projects like Longlegs, V/H/S/Beyond, and It: Welcome to Derry, meaning they have plenty of experience in the horror genre. So who knows what the studio will be able to accomplish with an immersive video game experience?
ILL will be released in 2027.
