MeinMMO presents the best post-apocalyptic games set in an apocalyptic scenario that you can play on PS5, PC, and Xbox. These are the best games where the world has already ended.
What is a post-apocalyptic scenario, and what kind of games are they? A post-apocalyptic scenario describes a world after a huge catastrophe that has changed the entire world.
Often, the real world or an alternate reality serves as the setting, such as years or decades after a nuclear war, a natural disaster, or another form of destructive violence.
The games listed here all share the commonality that you play in a destroyed world and must find your way, survive, or rebuild it. These are bleak scenarios in which you must make the most out of the devastated world.
How we selected the games: The games listed below are an unordered list, not a ranking. In our selection, we considered several criteria to compile the games:
- Rating on Metascore and Steam
- Personal assessment by the editorial team
- Success of the games
In the list, you will find both multiplayer and single-player titles from various genres.
Frostpunk
Developer/Publisher: 11 bit studios | Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S | Release: April 24, 2018 | Metascore: 84 for PC, 87 for consoles | Genre: Simulation, city-building strategy | Mode: Single-player
What is Frostpunk about? In Frostpunk, you lead a group of people who were able to flee from the never-ending cold after a climate catastrophe in 1886. You are the leader of a city that you must manage while helping it overcome the cold. Steampunk-like steam technology is available to provide warmth.
How does Frostpunk play? Frostpunk is based on the necessity of constantly making tough decisions: Do you force children to work, or do you risk having generators fail, causing part of the city to freeze or starve? Can you keep people in good spirits while ensuring everything continues to operate under adverse conditions?
At its core, Frostpunk is a city-building strategy and simulation game. Accordingly, you will spend significant time planning your city and researching new technologies. However, you must also administer justice and take care of survival. Survival elements are also present, which is why Frostpunk is one of our best survival games.
The sequel, Frostpunk 2, is also already in the works and continues the story. After you have built a city, it is no longer just about survival but about how a society forms and shapes itself. Frostpunk 2 is scheduled for release on July 25, and we have already gotten a first impression:
Frostpunk is worth it if you
- have no problem making tough decisions.
- are a fan of city-building strategy and planning (similar to the Caesar series).
- like steampunk or do not want to deal with a post-war world or zombie apocalypses.
Frostpunk is made by the creators of This War of Mine, which is one of the best mobile survival games. So if you enjoyed this bleak setting and the tough decisions, you should take a look at Frostpunk.
An alternative to Frostpunk would be New Cycle. This city builder has similar features to Frostpunk but does without the snow setting and warmth as a resource. Instead, you must build a society and gradually acquire the lost knowledge: I just wanted to take a quick look at the tutorial in New Cycle, then I ended up building 2 cities for 5 hours.
