Embracing the Undead: Exploring Games Where You Play as the Zombie
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Yes, there are absolutely games where you take on the role of a zombie! While the vast majority of zombie games cast you as a survivor fighting against hordes of the undead, a fascinating subset flips the script, placing you squarely in the shambling shoes of a brain-hungry ghoul. This perspective offers a unique and often hilarious take on the zombie genre, letting you experience the apocalypse from the other side. Instead of meticulously scavenging for resources and carefully aiming headshots, you’ll be focused on spreading the infection and feasting on the living. This article dives into this niche and explores the games that let you embrace your inner undead, along with some related frequently asked questions.
Games Where You Are the Zombie
Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
One of the most iconic examples is Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse. In this game, you play as Stubbs, a wisecracking, decaying zombie who can infect humans by biting them, and then use them to further spread the zombie plague. The primary goal is to kill humans and devour their brains. It offers a unique blend of third-person action, humor, and gore. The game’s 1950s retro-futuristic setting adds to its quirky charm, and the ability to weaponize your own body parts (like tossing your severed hand at enemies) offers satisfyingly grotesque combat.
Infectonator Series
The Infectonator series takes a different approach, offering over-the-top arcade action. Here, you don’t control a single zombie, but rather, you drop your undead virus into unsuspecting countries and watch the chaos unfold. This top-down perspective allows you to strategically infect entire populations and reap the rewards of a global zombie outbreak. It’s a fast-paced, addictive experience that focuses on the joy of mass infection.
Other Noteworthy Examples
While not as widely known as Stubbs the Zombie or the Infectonator series, there are other games that have allowed players to experience the world as a zombie, even if only in limited ways. Some indie games and modded experiences within larger titles offer this functionality, showcasing the versatility of the zombie concept and its ability to be reinterpreted in different gameplay structures. You might also find mods within games like Grand Theft Auto that place players in control of a zombie character.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the core gameplay mechanic in games where you play as a zombie?
The core mechanic often revolves around infecting humans to spread the zombie plague and consuming brains or other biological matter to sustain the character’s undead state. Often, the gameplay is less about careful survival and more about causing widespread chaos and destruction.
2. Are there first-person zombie games where you play as a zombie?
While Stubbs the Zombie is third-person, most games letting you control a zombie are not first-person. First-person perspective is more common for survival-focused zombie games where the aim is to evade zombies rather than become one. The focus is usually on feeling vulnerable.
3. Are these “play as the zombie” games typically horror or comedy focused?
They often lean towards comedy. The inherent absurdity of playing as a shambling, brain-hungry creature lends itself well to humor. However, some titles also incorporate elements of horror, emphasizing the grotesque nature of zombies and the potential for brutal violence.
4. What are some of the abilities that player-controlled zombies might possess?
Typical zombie abilities include biting to infect, clawing and melee attacks, spitting acid or bile, and occasionally even using severed body parts as weapons. In more creative games, you can see zombies develop more diverse powers.
5. Why aren’t there more mainstream games that let you play as a zombie?
The focus has largely been on the survival aspect of the zombie genre. Developers might believe that playing as a relatively slow, mindless zombie might be less engaging for players in the long-term compared to the thrill of struggling to survive. However, this might be changing.
6. Do these zombie games often feature a storyline or are they more focused on arcade action?
Some, like Stubbs the Zombie, have a clear storyline. Others, like Infectonator, are more geared towards fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay. The approach depends entirely on the game’s design philosophy.
7. Do zombies in these games typically “age” or decay over time?
Generally, zombie characters in video games don’t typically age as they’re undead. They’ll decay instead. The focus is on the immediate gameplay and objectives and this detail is not often explored.
8. How do “play as the zombie” games differ from standard zombie games?
Standard zombie games often center around survival, resource management, and careful combat strategies. Playing as the zombie shifts the focus towards infecting as many humans as possible and causing chaos, which typically entails much less caution and much more straightforward violence.
9. Can zombies in these games play dead to ambush survivors?
This depends on the specific game. The ability of a zombie to play dead can add a tactical layer to the game, as highlighted in the article excerpt, making them a more unpredictable threat. However, this feature is not always implemented when you are the zombie.
10. Are there any modding communities that focus on creating “play as the zombie” experiences?
Yes, modding communities can often bring these kinds of concepts to life within games that weren’t originally designed for them. They can often offer alternative game modes with different perspectives.
11. Does the concept of “playing as a zombie” align with typical zombie lore?
Yes, to a large extent. These games often explore the classic zombie tropes such as the insatiable hunger for brains, the spreading of the infection through bites, and the general decomposition of the undead. They explore the darker and grittier aspects of the genre.
12. Are there any multiplayer games where players can play as zombies?
While not common, some multiplayer games might feature a mode where one player (or a team) controls a zombie horde, while the other players are survivors. However, dedicated “play as the zombie” multiplayer experiences are somewhat rare.
13. Does playing as a zombie change the typical fear factor associated with the genre?
Playing as a zombie can diminish the fear factor from the player’s perspective as the focus shifts from being hunted to being the hunter. However, it can still be terrifying for any NPC characters who encounter a player-controlled zombie.
14. What is the psychological appeal of playing as a zombie?
The appeal can stem from a fascination with the macabre, the wish to experience the apocalypse without the stress of survival, and the desire to indulge in a power fantasy as a destructive force. It also provides a fresh perspective on the zombie mythos.
15. Are there any upcoming “play as the zombie” games to look out for?
Keep an eye on independent game developers as they are the most likely source of new experiences in this unique subgenre. Subscribe to news outlets and forums focused on indie titles to stay up to date. While big-budget zombie games are more likely to focus on survival, indie developers are often the ones experimenting with new concepts and gameplay ideas.
In conclusion, while the majority of zombie games focus on survival, the few that allow you to play as a zombie offer a unique and often hilarious twist on the genre. From brain-eating rampages to strategic global infection, these games provide a satisfyingly different way to experience the undead apocalypse. As the zombie genre continues to evolve, we can only hope to see more games that dare to let us embrace the shambling, brain-hungry creature within.