Looking for the best zombie games for your iPhone and iPad? There are plenty of options available on iOS and iPadOS. Zombie games stand out because they offer unique thrills, an adrenaline rush, and challenges that require quick thinking. Most of these games throw you into a fight for survival during a zombie apocalypse, where every decision counts.
If you’re eager to explore some exciting zombie action, I’ve rounded up the 10 best games you can play on your iPhone and iPad. This list includes everything from action-packed first-person shooters to adventure-based titles, with options for both offline and online play. Let’s jump in!
Why we enjoy zombie games: A psychological exploration
Zombies have maintained a large fan base for years, and while some may think their popularity has faded, zombie games continue to attract new audiences. But what is the psychological connection that draws people to enjoy these games?
- Primal fear and catharsis: Zombie games tap into our primal fear of death. Facing these undead creatures allows us to confront that fear, and there’s a sense of catharsis in defeating them. Plus, unlike games where you kill living characters, there’s no guilt here—you’re only taking down what’s already meant to be dead. That mix of fear and relief is what makes zombie games so satisfying.
- Power fantasy: Zombie games often give you a power fantasy. You’re usually the key character, like in Zombie Gunship Survival, where you control the gunship that human survivors rely on. Taking down waves of zombies and beating the odds gives you a real sense of empowerment. That feeling of control and triumph is a big reason why we’re drawn to these games.
- Escapism: Zombie games provide a solid escape from the stresses of everyday life. While non-zombie games can do this too, zombie games pull you in with their immersive gameplay, letting you lose yourself in a different world. This thrilling environment offers a refreshing break from reality, making it easy to forget your other things for a while.
- Challenge and skill: Zombie games offer intense gameplay that challenges your skills. They require strategic thinking, resource management, and quick decision-making to overcome various obstacles. Facing these challenges head-on and succeeding brings a real sense of euphoria, making each victory feel rewarding.
In essence, zombie games deliver a unique mix of fear, power, exploration, and challenge that resonates with players. They offer a safe space to confront our deepest fears, explore our humanity, and feel the thrill of survival.
How we curated the best zombie games
As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of zombie games available for iPhone and iPad. In this roundup, we followed specific criteria to select the best games for you:
- Offline options: We often find ourselves in remote areas without internet access, so I made sure this roundup features games that you can play offline, like Into the Dead 2.
- App Store reviews: Going through App Store reviews is an important method I use when curating apps for iGeeksBlog readers. I applied the same approach while putting together this list of the best zombie games for iPhone and iPad. These ratings and feedback give valuable insights into what players like you think about each game, helping us make an informed roundup for you.
- Variety is key: I made sure the zombie games in this list cover different gameplay styles to suit all kinds of players. You’ll find action shooters like DEAD TRIGGER 2, endless runners like Into the Dead 2, and strategy games like Plants vs. Zombies 2. This diverse mix gives you plenty of options to choose from.
- Balance freemium and paid: I focused on selecting free-to-play zombie games first, as that’s what most players prefer, especially if the gameplay is interesting. In this list, there’s only one premium title, Zombie Night Terror, while the rest let you jump into the zombie world without paying anything, except for the optional in-app purchases.
What are the best zombie games for iPhone and iPad
Below are our top picks for the best zombie games for iPhone and iPad.
1. Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 is a 2023 state-of-the-art survival horror game developed by CAPCOM, building on the original 2005 release. It nails the balance between horror, action, and exploration, delivering a solid gameplay experience for mobile players.
The game has earned 10/10 ratings across multiple platforms, including Steam and PlayStation, and is available for iPhone and iPad users. What makes the game one of the best zombie games for iPhone is that it not only retains the horror atmosphere of the original but also adds more action-oriented gameplay.
In this game, you play as Leon S. Kennedy, a US Special Agent working directly under the President, on a mission to rescue the President’s daughter, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. The game kicks off with Leon arriving at a rural village in Spain where the President’s daughter is being held. As you progress through the mission, you’ll face hostile villagers infected by a mind-controlling parasite, all trying to take you down. Plus, the game supports firearms, hand-to-hand combat, and the newly introduced knife parry feature to fend off enemies.
One of the features I particularly found interesting in this game is its third-person over-the-shoulder perspective, allowing you to see both your character and the environment. This gives you better awareness during combat and exploration. However, note that Resident Evil 4 is only compatible with an iPhone with iOS 17.0 or later and an A17 Pro chip or newer, as well as an iPad with iPadOS 17.0 or later and an M-series or A17 Pro chip.
Resident Evil is free to play, but you can only access a limited part of the game in the free plan. You’ll have to spend $29.99 to unlock all the levels.
Key features:
- Over-the-shoulder camera perspective
- Intense action and horror
- Weapon upgrades and inventory management
Pros
Cons
2. Plants vs. Zombies 2
Plants vs. Zombies 2 (PvZ 2) is a free-to-play tower defense game developed by PopCap Games and the second installment in the franchise. It’s a mobile game where you defend your home or garden against zombies using a variety of plants, each with its own unique abilities.
If you’re a fan of the action-adventure game, you’ll likely enjoy PvZ 2 as both feature similar gameplay mechanics. Unlike its prequel, which was set mainly in a suburban backyard, Plants vs. Zombies 2 takes players on a time-traveling adventure.
The game has a level progression system that ramps up in difficulty as you advance, unlocking new plants to help you face stronger zombies. It’s a highly popular zombie game among iPhone and iPad users, boasting a 4.7/5 star rating on the App Store and over 400k reviews as of now.
Key features:
- Time travel theme
- Quests and challenges
- Variety of plants and zombies
Pros
Cons
3. Into the Dead 2
Into the Dead 2 is a fast-paced, first-person zombie game for iPhone and iPad, developed by PikPok. Building on the original, this sequel brings improved gameplay mechanics, a better storyline, and more variety in weapons and environments.
In the game, you play as James, navigating through a zombie apocalypse with the objective of avoiding getting killed and reaching your family. Plus, Into the Dead 2 lets you fight back with an arsenal of weapons like pistols, shotguns, and melee options.
While the story missions can be challenging, having the right gear makes it easier to grind through the hordes of zombies. If you don’t have a budget, this will be the best game for you, as the base game is free. But there are in-app purchases for coins if you want to upgrade your gear faster.
Key features:
- Offline mode
- Story-driven campaign
- Multiple environments to travel
- Variety of weapons
- Companion system
Pros
Cons
4. Zombie Night Terror
Zombie Night Terror is perfect for fans of strategy games and zombie lore. It offers a unique twist compared to the other zombie games on this list for iPhone and iPad.
In this game, you’re not fighting the zombies—you’re controlling them. As the mastermind behind the apocalypse, your goal is to lead hordes of the undead to wipe out the living by spreading infection.
The game is divided into levels, each with specific objectives like infecting a certain number of humans, with difficulty increasing as you progress. On top of that, you can mutate your zombies into special variants with enhanced abilities to help overcome tougher challenges.
What makes Zombie Night Terror stand out is its mix of immersive gameplay and puzzles that’ll keep you hooked. That said, it isn’t free, so you’ll need to splurge up front to play the title.
Key features:
- Narrative-driven gameplay
- Unique “infect-and-conquer” gameplay
- Multiple levels and complex challenges
- Variety of zombie mutations
Pros
Cons
5. Walking Dead: The Game
Walking Dead: The Game is a zombie adventure based on Richard Kirkman’s popular comic series, The Walking Dead. Unlike typical action-heavy zombie games, this one focuses on narrative-driven, interactive storytelling.
You play as Lee Everett, a convicted criminal who’s been given a second chance in a world overrun by zombies. Your main objective is to survive the apocalypse while protecting an orphaned girl named Clementine. As you grind through various environments, you’ll interact with objects and make choices that affect how the story unfolds.
The game spans five episodic chapters, with your decisions shaping the direction of the narrative, making each playthrough feel personal and unique.
Key features:
- Narrative-driven adventure with moral choices
- Multiple episodes with branching storylines
- Quick-time events for action scenes
Pros
Cons
6. Zombie Highway 2
Zombie Highway 2 is a fast-paced, action-packed zombie survival game developed by Auxbrain Inc. It’s the sequel to the original Zombie Highway and has gained popularity on iPhone for its intense driving gameplay mixed with zombie-shooting action.
In this game, you’re tasked with surviving a never-ending road filled with zombies that leap onto your vehicle. Your mission is to drive as far as possible while fending off zombies using a variety of weapons and maneuvering your car to avoid obstacles.
The game keeps you on your toes, combining the need for fast reflexes, precision driving, and strategic thinking to survive. Plus, you’re not just speeding down a road; you also have access to up to 18 upgradeable weapons and five new weapons to clear zombies off your car.
As you progress, the game throws tougher zombies and more challenging environments at you. It’s free-to-play, but there are in-app purchases if you want to upgrade your weapons or vehicles faster.
Key features:
- High-speed driving action with zombie combat
- Multiple vehicles, weapons, and upgrades
- Randomly generated road with super-detailed environment every game
Pros
Cons
7. Zombies vs. Towers
Zombies vs. Towers is another zombie game for iPhone and iPad that has almost the same gameplay as Plants vs. Zombie 2. It’s a free-to-play tower defense game where you’re up against waves of relentless zombies to defend the last human outpost. To stop the zombies, you’ll be setting up a bunch of towers with different abilities. Some towers just attack, others slow down the zombies, and there are a few that can hit multiple enemies at once.
As you go through the levels, it gets tougher. The zombies become stronger and faster, so you have to think ahead and figure out which towers work best for each type of zombie. Also, the game features several zombie types which makes it more interesting; some are weak but quick, others are like tanks and take forever to bring down.
One of the cool features of the game is how you place your towers. You’ve got to be smart about it since the layout changes, and you’ll need to upgrade your towers at the right time to survive the harder waves. Plus, there are power-ups you can use when things get a little too intense.
Key features:
- Classic tower defense gameplay with zombie waves
- Unlimited ammo supply
- Variety of zombie types
- Power-ups and armory upgrades
- Multiple levels
Pros
Cons
8. Zombie Gunship Survival
Zombie Gunship Survival brings an intense zombie survival experience to iPhone and iPad but with a unique, action-packed twist. Instead of fighting zombies on the ground, you command an AC-130 gunship, taking out zombies from above.
Your main goal is to protect your ground troops as they scavenge for resources in a zombie-filled world. The gameplay is fast-paced, keeping you on your toes as you balance between wiping out the undead and making sure your team stays alive.
As you advance, you’ll unlock and upgrade powerful weapons to increase your firepower. The game gets more challenging with stronger zombie types and more complex missions. Also, it’s free-to-play, but like many mobile games, there are in-app purchases to speed up weapon and equipment upgrades. If you’re looking for a game with a lot of action and like the idea of flying a gunship in a zombie world, Zombie Gunship Survival is a solid pick!
Key features:
- Aerial combat with heavy artillery from an AC-130 gunship
- Build and upgrade your base to support your ground team
- Real-time strategy and survival mechanics as you fend off waves of zombies
Pros
Cons
9. Left to Survive: Zombie Games
Left to Survive: Zombie Games is another zombie game for iPhone and iPad that has received plenty of positive ratings on the App Store. It’s an action-packed game that mixes base-building, PvP, and zombie survival.
In its intense third-person shooting missions, you’ll face hordes of zombies using a wide range of weapons like rifles, grenades, and shotguns. In addition, you can take control of a helicopter to rain fire on enemy bases.
Beyond combat, you’ll need to build and upgrade your base to survive. This includes gathering resources and fortifying defenses. Your base acts as a camp where you can team with other human survivors to overcome the zombie threat.
Like other zombie games on this list, Left to Survive features zombies with special abilities, including ones that explode with toxic gas. It’s free to play, but you can buy in-game items if you want.
Key features:
- Action-packed gameplay
- Base-building
- Helicopter missions
- PvP mode
Pros
Cons
10. UNKILLED – Zombie Online FPS
To round off this list, let me introduce you to another interesting zombie game for iPhone and iPad. UNKILLED – Zombie Online FPS is a first-person shooter where you step into the shoes of an elite task force (Wolfpack) member, either in single-player or multiplayer mode, with the objective of saving New York from a zombie outbreak.
You can choose from five unique characters and customize them to fit your playstyle. It also boasts a wide range of weapons, allowing you to customize and upgrade them as you progress, increasing their damage output and efficiency.
This game features more than 150 missions, with each mission having specific objectives. You’ll face everything from standard zombies to powerful bosses, keeping the gameplay exciting and challenging throughout.
The multiplayer mode adds even more depth, with competitive 1v1 or 2v2 battles where you can test your skills against other players. Overall, UNKILLED is a solid choice for anyone looking for a zombie survival game with lots of action and customization options.
Key features:
- Intense first-person shooter action
- Single-player campaign
- Character selection
- Multiplayer modes
Pros
Cons
Signing off…
With this list of the best zombie games for iPhone and iPad featuring different gameplay styles, I’m sure you’ll find one or more perfect games to explore the zombie world at your leisure. Let us know which ones you find most impressive!
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