Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like DayZ (2026)
Every game below overlaps with DayZ on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: No More Room in Hell, which both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric.
- DayZ is tagged Survival, Open World, Online Co-Op, Zombies, Multiplayer, Post-apocalyptic, Shooter, PvP by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 5 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
No More Room in Hell
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 10 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Horror.
The chances of you surviving this all out war of society and the undead are slim to none. Already, there are millions of the walking dead shambling about, searching for food to eat. There's no known cure. One bite can possibly end it all for you. However, you aren't alone in this nightmare.
No More Room in Hell at a glance Released 2013 Studio No More Room in Hell Team Player sentiment 90% positive of 76,511 Price Free ZombiesSurvivalHorrorOnline Co-OpFPSFirst-PersonSurvival HorrorShooter
- 2
Just Survive
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival and horror; shares 10 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Massively Multiplayer; released around the same time (2015).
Just Survive is a post-apocalyptic survival game that immerses you in a world where humanity is fighting to take back control from the zombie hordes.
Just Survive at a glance Released 2015 Studio Daybreak Game Company Player sentiment 59% positive of 76,763 Price Not listed ZombiesSurvivalMassively MultiplayerPost-apocalypticSurvival HorrorShooterSandboxFPS
- 3
Dying Light
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival and horror; shares 9 player tags including Zombies, Survival Horror and Horror; released around the same time (2015).
First-person action survival game set in a post-apocalyptic open world overrun by flesh-hungry zombies. Roam a city devastated by a mysterious virus epidemic. Scavenge for supplies, craft weapons, and face hordes of the infected.
Dying Light at a glance Released 2015 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 95% positive of 494,569 Price $24.99 ZombiesSurvival HorrorHorrorOnline Co-OpFirst-PersonSurvivalFPSPvP
- 4
Killing Floor 2
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Zombies, Online Co-Op and FPS; released around the same time (2016).
In KILLING FLOOR 2, players descend into continental Europe after it has been overrun by horrific, murderous clones called Zeds that were created by rogue elements of the Horzine Corporation. 6-player Co-Op & 12-player VS Zed-slaughtering mayhem.
Killing Floor 2 at a glance Released 2016 Studio Tripwire Interactive Player sentiment 88% positive of 129,302 Price $2.99 ZombiesOnline Co-OpFPSPost-apocalypticHorrorShooterFirst-PersonSurvival
- 5
Arizona Sunshine VR Legacy
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival and horror; shares 9 player tags including Zombies, Horror and Survival; released around the same time (2016).
Built exclusively for VR, Arizona Sunshine® puts you and up to 3 fellow survivors in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Survive solo or in co-op, handle weapons with real-life movements, and explore a post-apocalyptic world in VR. Putting the undead back to rest is more thrilling than ever before.
Arizona Sunshine VR Legacy at a glance Released 2016 Studio Vertigo Games Player sentiment 79% positive of 9,302 Price $14.99 ZombiesHorrorSurvivalOnline Co-OpFPSShooterFirst-PersonSurvival Horror
- 6
Romero's Aftermath
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 10 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Shooter; released around the same time (2015).
Play with your friends in a Zombie Infested World as you face the remnants of zombie hordes & rebuild society in a truly massive sandbox world. Choose how you want to play with hundreds of items, skins, weapons, character customizations, base building, crafting, zombies & more!
Romero's Aftermath at a glance Released 2015 Studio Free Reign Entertainment Player sentiment 49% positive of 10,977 Price Not listed ZombiesSurvivalShooterFirst-PersonOnline Co-OpMassively MultiplayerFPSSurvival Horror
- 7
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Survival, Zombies and Online Co-Op; released around the same time (2020).
The dead have risen and civilization has fallen. Now it's up to you to gather survivors, scavenge for resources and build a community in a post-apocalyptic world – a world where you define what it means to survive in this ultimate zombie survival simulation.
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Undead Labs Player sentiment 83% positive of 69,755 Price $29.99 SurvivalZombiesOnline Co-OpPost-apocalypticSimulationSandboxHorror
- 8
Infestation: Survivor Stories 2020
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival and horror; shares 9 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Massively Multiplayer.
Infestation is a Survival Horror MMO that immerses players in a zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic world in which a viral outbreak has decimated the human population leaving in its wake, a nightmare of epic proportion.
Infestation: Survivor Stories 2020 at a glance Released Not recorded Studio Fredaikis AB Player sentiment 42% positive of 25,385 Price Free ZombiesSurvivalMassively MultiplayerPvPSimulationFPSHorrorPost-apocalyptic
- 9
Dead Frontier 2
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Survival Horror, Zombies and Horror; released around the same time (2019).
Survival horror MMO. As one of the few survivors of the outbreak, you must scratch a living out of the decaying ruins of society. Scavenge for supplies, improve your skills, and trade with other players. All the while, keeping your eyes peeled for the infected lurking around every corner.
Dead Frontier 2 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Creaky Corpse Ltd Player sentiment 70% positive of 28,382 Price Free Survival HorrorZombiesHorrorOnline Co-OpSurvivalMassively MultiplayerSandboxPost-apocalyptic
- 10
Contagion
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Zombies, Post-apocalyptic and Horror.
Contagion isn't your average Zombie Shooter but instead takes a more realistic and different approach to the popular genre with unique characters, environments, weapons, items, and a built in system that makes every round completely unpredictable with resources, objectives, and paths ever changing.
Contagion at a glance Released 2013 Studio Monochrome, Inc Player sentiment 73% positive of 15,738 Price $9.99 ZombiesPost-apocalypticHorrorFPSFirst-PersonPvPSurvival HorrorShooter
- 11
Survarium
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Survival, FPS and Post-apocalyptic; released around the same time (2015).
Survarium is a post-apocalyptic online FPS game. If you are looking for a shooter where skills matter, look no further! The opposing players and deadly anomalies will never stop you on the way to victory, right? Then start playing now for free!
Survarium at a glance Released 2015 Studio Vostok Games Player sentiment 55% positive of 25,266 Price Not listed SurvivalFPSPost-apocalypticShooterFirst-PersonPvPZombiesMassively Multiplayer
- 12
Zombie Army Trilogy
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival and horror; shares 8 player tags including Zombies, Horror and Survival; released around the same time (2015).
The cult horror shooter series comes to an apocalyptic conclusion with an epic new third chapter, a heart-pumping new horde mode, and remastered editions of the best-selling Nazi Zombie Army 1 & 2.
Zombie Army Trilogy at a glance Released 2015 Studio Rebellion Player sentiment 86% positive of 18,739 Price $44.99 ZombiesHorrorSurvivalShooterPost-apocalypticSurvival HorrorFPSFirst-Person
- 13
State of Decay
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Post-apocalyptic.
The end is here. Life as you knew it has gone to hell after the mother of all zombie outbreaks. Now you and the few scattered survivors must band together to survive and rebuild in a 3rd-person action game set in a dynamic open world.
State of Decay at a glance Released 2013 Studio Undead Labs Player sentiment 85% positive of 17,480 Price Not listed ZombiesSurvivalPost-apocalypticSandboxSimulationHorrorSurvival Horror
- 14
Left 4 Dead
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Zombies, FPS and Horror.
From Valve (the creators of Counter-Strike, Half-Life and more) comes Left 4 Dead, a co-op action horror game for the PC and Xbox 360 that casts up to four players in an epic struggle for survival against swarming zombie hordes and terrifying mutant monsters.
Left 4 Dead at a glance Released 2008 Studio Valve Player sentiment 96% positive of 68,013 Price $9.99 ZombiesFPSHorrorShooterOnline Co-OpSurvivalFirst-PersonPost-apocalyptic
- 15
State of Decay: YOSE
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Post-apocalyptic; released around the same time (2015).
Make your stand against the collapse of society in the ultimate zombie survival-fantasy game. Explore an open world full of dangers and opportunities that respond to your every decision. Recruit a community of playable survivors, each with their own unique skills and talents.
State of Decay: YOSE at a glance Released 2015 Studio Undead Labs Player sentiment 82% positive of 13,145 Price $19.99 ZombiesSurvivalPost-apocalypticSimulationSurvival HorrorSandbox
- 16
Anarchy: Wolf's law
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival and horror; shares 8 player tags including Survival, Zombies and Shooter.
Action. Chaos. Power. Anarchy: Wolf Laws is a dynamic first-person shooter with elements of RPG, survival, and strategic management. Capture territories, upgrade your production, and run your business in a world of total lawlessness.
Anarchy: Wolf's law at a glance Released 2023 Studio Anarchy Games Player sentiment 77% positive of 825 Price $9.99 SurvivalZombiesShooterFPSPvPPost-apocalypticFirst-PersonSurvival Horror
- 17
The Forest
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Survival, Horror and Survival Horror; released around the same time (2018).
As the lone survivor of a passenger jet crash, you find yourself in a mysterious forest battling to stay alive against a society of cannibalistic mutants. Build, explore, survive in this terrifying first person survival horror simulator.
The Forest at a glance Released 2018 Studio Endnight Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 680,814 Price $19.99 SurvivalHorrorSurvival HorrorFirst-PersonSandboxSimulationZombies
- 18
Metro Exodus
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Post-apocalyptic, FPS and First-Person; released around the same time (2020).
Flee the shattered ruins of the Moscow Metro and embark on an epic, continent-spanning journey across the post-apocalyptic Russian wilderness. Explore vast, non-linear levels, lose yourself in an immersive, sandbox survival experience, and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year in the greatest Metro adventure yet.
Metro Exodus at a glance Released 2020 Studio 4A Games Player sentiment 90% positive of 135,440 Price $29.99 Post-apocalypticFPSFirst-PersonHorrorSurvivalShooterSurvival Horror
- 19
Left 4 Dead 2
Why it matched: both zombie, post-apocalyptic, survival and horror; shares 9 player tags including Zombies, FPS and Shooter.
Set in the zombie apocalypse, Left 4 Dead 2 is a co-operative action horror FPS takes you and your friends through the cities, swamps and cemeteries of the Deep South, from Savannah to New Orleans across five expansive campaigns.
Left 4 Dead 2 at a glance Released 2009 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 98% positive of 1,055,804 Price $9.99 ZombiesFPSShooterOnline Co-OpSurvivalHorrorFirst-PersonSurvival Horror
- 20
Cry of Fear
Why it matched: both zombie, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Horror, Survival Horror and First-Person.
Cry of Fear is a psychological single-player and co-op horror game set in a deserted town filled with horrific creatures and nightmarish delusions. You play as a young man desperately searching for answers in the cold Scandinavian night, finding his way through the city as he slowly descends into madness.
Cry of Fear at a glance Released 2013 Studio Team Psykskallar Player sentiment 89% positive of 86,945 Price Free HorrorSurvival HorrorFirst-PersonOnline Co-OpFPSZombiesShooterSurvival
- 21
Hunt: Showdown 1896
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including FPS, Shooter and PvP; released around the same time (2019).
Hunt: Showdown 1896 is the brutally rewarding extraction shooter. Track twisted monsters and overcome ruthless PvP. Take bounties in corrupted backwaters lost to history. With a team, you might survive. Die with nothing or get out with everything.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Crytek Player sentiment 74% positive of 277,557 Price $15.99 FPSShooterPvPHorrorOnline Co-OpSurvival HorrorZombies
- 22
Generation Zero
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Survival, FPS and Post-apocalyptic; released around the same time (2019).
Generation Zero is a stealth-action shooter where you wage guerilla warfare against lethal mechanical enemies. Explore a vast open world map inspired by the Swedish Cold War era, take part in the resistance alone or with up to three friends in seamless co-op.
Generation Zero at a glance Released 2019 Studio Systemic Reaction™ Player sentiment 72% positive of 42,169 Price $24.99 SurvivalFPSPost-apocalypticShooterSandboxHorrorSurvival Horror
- 23
Infestation: The New Z
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 8 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Massively Multiplayer; released around the same time (2016).
The New Z is a FREE TO PLAY multi-game mode experience. SURVIVE with friends and gather loot, stash and trade. Go into wars against other groups in a massive OPEN WORLD or face them 5 v 5 in COMPETITIVE.
Infestation: The New Z at a glance Released 2016 Studio Fredaikis AB Player sentiment 54% positive of 33,887 Price Free ZombiesSurvivalMassively MultiplayerFPSShooterPvPSurvival HorrorHorror
- 24
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 8 player tags including Zombies, Horror and Survival Horror; released around the same time (2020).
Saints & Sinners is a game unlike any other in The Walking Dead universe. Every challenge you face and decision you make is driven by YOU. Fight the undead, scavenge through the flooded ruins of New Orleans, and face gut-wrenching choices for you and the other survivors. Live The Walking Dead.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners at a glance Released 2020 Studio Skydance Interactive Player sentiment 86% positive of 10,074 Price $9.99 ZombiesHorrorSurvival HorrorShooterSurvivalSimulationFirst-PersonFPS
Common questions
What game is most like DayZ?
No More Room in Hell, on the evidence we have. It both zombie, post-apocalyptic, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to DayZ" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with DayZ. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.