Apocalyptic video games were, at a time, fictional epics of impossible events that would entertain gamer’s imaginations of the future. However, It didn’t take long for our own civilization to fall on its own. The end of the world went from unlikely to plausible within the lifespan of video games as a medium. Now we look to these apocalypse games as escapism from the one we are currently living through.
Metro 2033
This apocalypse went nuclear in 2013, which was coincidentally the last time I’ve felt any hope in society. Might as well become a russian mole person, hiding out in the subway stations away from the next form of human evolution trying to eradicate us. Sounds fun!
Walking Dead
I invested way too much of my time on AMC at 9pm on Sundays for it not to play out like this. Please tell me I’ve not wasted my precious mind away going back to this series time and time again.
Left for Dead 2
Sure there’s zombies to deal with, but at least you have friends along for the ride with. Look I haven’t actually played Left for Dead 2 but I know everyone else has so I had to put it on the list. It is a zombie game right?
The Last of Us
If this apocalypse isn’t better than the one we’re living through then why has it been remastered twice? If the world is going to end it might as well have the production value of an HBO masterpiece. It’s not TV, it’s the end of the world.
Death Stranding
Living in a post apocalyptic world will almost definitely have its setbacks and challenges. But why sacrifice the one true pleasure of human existence? Timely Amazon deliveries right to our front door. In a futuristic wasteland where walking appears to be the most advanced form of travel, one fetus delivery man’s journey will bring Wi-Fi to a star-studded apocalypse.
Stray
Our current apocalypse is moving at a snail’s pace. What else can we do but tune into the news and watch man instigate its own demise? Stray’s apocalypse is a tantalizing one because human beings are nowhere to be found! Just silly robots and cute kitty cats populate this dystopian future. Sounds like a purrfect way for the world to end!
Dead Island
As I watch the unfolding of humanity from mundane suburbia, I can’t help but daydream of an apocalypse set in a tropical paradise. Sure, flesh eating mutants of once vacationing millionaires are trying to kill you, but you can’t beat that view.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Imagine if A.I. got tired of perfectly emulating human thought and decided to be the animals too? We get it bro, you double majored in college and now the world is irreparably damaged, I gotta get back to worshiping my mountain goddess.
Fallout: New Vegas
Finally! An apocalypse where I can team up with the sentient supercomputer and hurry it along already! Asking ChatGPT to take over the world yields nothing promising, just concerns about my mental health. But who can be depressed slingling slots in Vegas baby, ring a ding ding!
Zelda BOTW
An apocalypse is only as good as the mythological prophecy that promises the world will be returned to stasis, and a hero who will vanquish the calamity that plagues the land. The only problem is that guy is taking a 100 year nap and we’re just chill with waiting? Go wake that little guy up. I’ve got a life to get back to.
