7 Games with a post-apocalyptic setting like DayZ that you should try

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We filtered the 34 games similar to DayZ down to the 7 that fit the “Post-Apocalyptic” category. Z1 Battle Royale, Z1 Battle Royale: Test Server and Left 4 Dead top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to DayZ.

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GenreShooterSubgenreBattle Royale

The best games with a post-apocalyptic setting like DayZ

7 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to DayZ. Each one has been evaluated across 26 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Z1 Battle Royale

iRank43

GenreShooterSubgenreBattle Royale

MultiplayerPvPOnlineCo-opRangedMeleeDarkOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticHorrorExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 56%· 203KRAWG👍 7%· 66IGDB66· 4

Year 2018Dev Daybreak Games CompanyOn PC · PS

✓ Same family of battle royale shooters: shooter, survival mechanics and battle royale tension

≠ Its own twist: third-person shooting, free to play and early access, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam PS

#2Z1 Battle Royale: Test Server

iRank43

GenreShooterSubgenreBattle Royale

MultiplayerPvPOnlineCo-opRangedMeleeDarkOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticHorrorExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 56%· 203KRAWG👍 7%· 66IGDB66· 4

Year 2018Dev Daybreak Games CompanyOn PC · PS

✓ Same family of battle royale shooters: shooter, survival mechanics and battle royale tension

≠ Its own twist: third-person shooting, free to play and early access, while skipping deep simulation

GenreShooterSubgenreFPS

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeRangedDarkNarrativeHorrorPost-ApocalypticFirst Person

Steam👍 96%· 67KRAWG👍 87%· 1.7KMC89IGDB85· 7

Year 2008Dev Valve Software · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed DayZ, expect shooter, first-person shooting and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with single-player focus, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreFPS

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineDarkNarrativeOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticHorrorExplorationFirst PersonThird Person

Steam👍 72%· 138KIGDB51· 14OC54· 149

Year 2018Dev Bethesda Game Studios · Bethesda SoftworksOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Shared with DayZ: shooter, first-person shooting and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi, single-player focus and base building, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreFPS

Co-opMultiplayerOnlineRangedMeleeDarkNarrativeHorrorPost-ApocalypticFirst Person

Steam👍 95%· 69KRAWG👍 59%· 856MC72IGDB68· 5

Year 2009Dev Tripwire InteractivePlaytime ~5hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with DayZ: shooter, first-person shooting and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi, single-player focus and skill tree progression, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreShooterSubgenreBattle Royale

MultiplayerCo-opOnlinePvPMeleePost-Apocalyptic

Steam👍 67%· 1.0KRAWG👍 12%· 33

Year 2016Dev Skies TechnologiesPlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Fits the battle royale shooters cluster, with shooter, first-person shooting and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings early access, while skipping adventure storytelling

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Steam

#7Rust

iRank72

GenreShooterSubgenreFPS

MultiplayerCo-opOnlinePvPMeleeRangedSandbox WorldOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExplorationFirst Person

Steam👍 87%· 1.4MRAWG👍 52%· 864MC66IGDB78· 4OC67· 29

Year 2018Dev Facepunch StudiosPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with DayZ: shooter, first-person shooting and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings procedural generation, crafting mechanics and base building, while skipping battle royale tension

Details →

Steam

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