Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG similar games & best alternatives

Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S • 2021

Should you play it?

The successful indie survival RPG "Dead Age" is back with a vengeance! No other game offers this mix of role-playing, rogue-like, fast-paced turn-based combat and survival all in one. Inspired by Darkest Dungeon, Fallout 1+2, This War of Mine and The Walking Dead.

What works
  • Engaging turn-based combat
  • Deep resource and base management
  • Large open map with exploration
  • Meaningful story and choices
  • Active and responsive developers
Things to keep in mind
  • Some bugs and crashes in early access
  • Combat can become repetitive
  • Steep learning curve and clunky ui
  • Permadeath and time limits can frustrate
  • Limited social and character customization

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Dead Age

  • 10 Miles To Safety

  • Mist Survival

  • Night of the Dead

  • The Riftbreaker: Prologue

  • Terminus: Zombie Survivors

  • The Riftbreaker

  • State of Decay

  • Badlands Crew - Drive, Command, Conquer
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Grim Realms

  • Brigand: Oaxaca

  • King of Dragon Pass
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Strategy

    Haven & Hearth
  • Survival

    WazHack
  • Competence

    Dungeonmans

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Dead Age 2: The Zombie Survival RPG: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Survival. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore, build, craft, and choose quests at their own pace, though some quests are linear and require specific progression."

    Capsule for Wild Indigo Ranch Wild Indigo Ranch

    "Players have freedom to choose quests, character upgrades, and tactical combat decisions, though some quests and story progression impose time limits."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Game requires tactical thinking, skillful combat, and strategic resource management with meaningful feedback."

    Capsule for Dungeonmans Dungeonmans

    "Combat and resource management require skill and strategic thinking; players receive feedback and can improve through trial and error."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on individual survival and personal progress rather than competing against others; no mention of PvP or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (1999) Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (1999)

    "Focus is on personal progress and survival rather than competing against others; no mention of leaderboards or PvP."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players invest many hours, with progression systems and challenging gameplay encouraging repeated play and long sessions."

    Capsule for The Red Solstice The Red Solstice

    "Players invest many hours with repeated playthroughs encouraged by medal system and upgrades for subsequent runs."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Some cooperation via trading and social interactions with NPCs, but mostly single player focused."

    Capsule for Echoes of the Plum Grove Echoes of the Plum Grove

    "Some cooperation with NPC factions and party members, but mostly individual player control and decisions."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Character customization and crafting system exist, though crafting is limited; players can personalize characters and use various items."

    Capsule for The Backrooms: Survival The Backrooms: Survival

    "Players customize base, gear, and character skills; crafting system allows some personalization though limited."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions with factions and NPCs emphasize diplomacy and alliance rather than exerting control or dominance."

    Capsule for Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy

    "Interactions with factions and NPCs emphasize diplomacy and alliance rather than dominance or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive zombie apocalypse setting provides strong escape from real life stress and challenges."

    Capsule for State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition

    "Zombie apocalypse setting and immersive story provide strong escape from real life stress and routine."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no evidence of obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™ STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no evidence of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different weapons, skills, and exploration paths; some experimentation with combat strategies is encouraged."

    Capsule for Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition

    "Players try different combat tactics, skill builds, and exploration routes; some trial and error required."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Large open world map with many unique locations, quests, and secrets encourages discovery and curiosity-driven play."

    Capsule for Alaloth: Champions of The Four Kingdoms Alaloth: Champions of The Four Kingdoms

    "Large open map with many locations and quests encourages discovery and curiosity-driven activities."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character appearance changes with equipment, allowing some degree of self-expression."

    Capsule for bit Dungeon II bit Dungeon II

    "Character appearance changes with gear; some self-expression through base building and equipment choices."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Zombie apocalypse setting with heroes and towers offers imaginative fiction and fantasy elements."

    Capsule for Last Hope - Tower Defense Last Hope - Tower Defense

    "Zombie apocalypse and RPG elements provide imaginative fiction and roleplaying experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    2

    "Sense of community through interactions with many NPCs and characters, though solo play is primary."

    Capsule for Here Comes Niko! Here Comes Niko!

    "Some sense of community through faction interactions and party members, but mostly solo play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players learn game mechanics, improve strategies, and develop skills over multiple playthroughs."

    Capsule for Kingdom: Classic Kingdom: Classic

    "Players learn game mechanics, improve skills, and develop strategies over multiple playthroughs."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; survival mechanics focus on in-game health rather than real-world physical health."

    Capsule for ATOM RPG: Post-apocalyptic indie game ATOM RPG: Post-apocalyptic indie game

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; focus on managing in-game survival rather than real-life health."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active attention for resource gathering, building, and combat; not designed for background play."

    Capsule for Outpost Outpost

    "Requires continuous attention for combat and resource management; not suitable for background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -3

    "Interactions with NPCs are friendly but lack deep emotional or intimate relationship mechanics currently."

    Capsule for Doloc Town Doloc Town

    "Limited social interaction; relationships with NPCs are mostly functional and lack emotional depth."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead and manage their party members, making strategic decisions and directing actions."

    Capsule for Etrian Odyssey HD Etrian Odyssey HD

    "Player leads base and party, makes strategic decisions and manages resources, showing leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on leveling, gear upgrades, and unlocking new skills and content."

    Capsule for Dragon Nest Dragon Nest

    "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring gear, base upgrades, and unlocking new abilities."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Some players find flow and enjoyment, but gameplay can be tense and demanding."

    Capsule for Total Annihilation Total Annihilation

    "Some players find flow and enjoyment, but game can be tense and challenging with permadeath and time limits."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Visuals and music provide atmospheric enjoyment, though graphics are modest; combat animations add excitement."

    Capsule for Interstellar Space: Genesis Interstellar Space: Genesis

    "Visual and auditory elements are engaging though graphics are simple; combat animations add excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "No social recognition or leaderboards; focus is on personal achievement."

    Capsule for Gun Club VR Gun Club VR

    "No social recognition or leaderboards; focus is on personal achievement and story progression."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative immersion with branching quests, meaningful choices, and character-driven story."

    Capsule for Drova - Forsaken Kin Drova - Forsaken Kin

    "Narrative immersion with branching quests, character interactions, and consequences for choices."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "High mental challenge with planning, resource management, and tactical combat."

    Capsule for Haven & Hearth Haven & Hearth

    "High mental challenge with tactical combat, resource management, and planning required."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Tension and suspense arise from permadeath and challenging encounters, providing thrill."

    Capsule for Shattered Pixel Dungeon Shattered Pixel Dungeon

    "Suspense from permadeath, time limits, and difficult combat encounters create tension and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report good return on investment with many hours of gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for Expeditions: Rome Expeditions: Rome

    "Players report many hours of gameplay and replayability for reasonable price; good return on investment."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat involves destruction and defeating enemies; violence is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for The Iron Oath The Iron Oath

    "Combat involves killing zombies and hostile humans; violence is a core gameplay element."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Strong focus on avoiding death, managing resources, and overcoming threats in a hostile environment."

    Capsule for WazHack WazHack

    "Strong focus on avoiding death, managing resources, and overcoming threats in a hostile environment."

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Last update: 01/06/2026