World War Z

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 9,762 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
World War Z Game Cover
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"World War Z: Aftermath" is a co-op third-person shooter game based on the film, where players battle swarms of hundreds of zombies in fast-paced gameplay across various locations worldwide. The game features a new first-person mode and gore systems for satisfying action. Humanity is on the brink of extinction, and players must band together to defeat the horde and outlive the dead.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,762 reviews
story180 positive mentions
grinding168 negative mentions
  • story842 mentions

    The game's story is often described as weak and forgettable, with many players noting a lack of a cohesive narrative and repetitive mission structures. While there are episodic missions with some backstory provided through collectibles, the overall storytelling is overshadowed by the focus on gameplay and action, leading to a perception that the game is primarily about killing zombies rather than engaging with a compelling plot. Some players appreciate the character backstories and environmental storytelling, but many express a desire for more substantial narrative content and variety in missions.

    • “One of the best zombie games besides Back4Blood and Left4Dead, enjoyed the story and the hordes.”
    • “The attention to detail in the environment storytelling is commendable, with each level feeling lived-in and authentic to its setting.”
    • “The campaign is very immersive and enjoyable, rich story and many missions to play through.”
    • “Forgettable story: the narrative story isn't strong or memorable, which might be a let down for those looking for a decent campaign story.”
    • “There isn't really a main story line to follow, but each episode does have some back story that's provided in the collectibles section.”
    • “The co-op campaign is a very boring story line by going through a linear path which is pre-solved by a marker telling you exactly where to go and what to do.”
  • gameplay646 mentions

    The gameplay of this title has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its cooperative mechanics, intense horde dynamics, and variety of character classes that enhance replayability. However, criticisms include repetitive mission structures, clunky mechanics, and a lack of innovation compared to similar games like Left 4 Dead, leading to a perception of the gameplay being somewhat stale or uninspired over time. Overall, while the game offers engaging moments, especially in multiplayer, it struggles with balance and depth in its gameplay experience.

    • “This game is a lot of fun... the developers did a great job on making visually realistic, super detailed (and often beautiful) maps... with very cool action and quick, responsive gameplay mechanics... this is a must-play game that I would recommend to everyone who loves action games!”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly engaging—whether you’re teaming up with friends or jumping into random squads, the experience is always thrilling.”
    • “With its relentless hordes of undead, dynamic gameplay, and cooperative multiplayer, this game successfully captures the chaos and thrill of surviving against overwhelming odds.”
    • “Boring gameplay, bad voice acting, blah visuals, absolutely terrible AI, and extremely repetitive.”
    • “The game felt incomplete, playing mechanic-wise.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and does get boring after a while.”
  • graphics408 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and realistic character models. While some reviews noted minor graphical glitches and performance issues, the overall consensus is that the graphics are impressive and enhance the gaming experience, particularly in cooperative play. However, a few users mentioned that the graphics are not groundbreaking and can feel dated compared to other titles.

    • “The graphics look nice and the massive hordes are daunting.”
    • “The game also boasts stunning graphics with detailed environments and realistic character models, while its lighting effects and sound design create an atmosphere that draws players in.”
    • “With its relentless zombie hordes, cooperative multiplayer, and impressive visuals, the game delivers a high-octane and immersive gameplay experience.”
    • “The game is really boring, it is like a bad copy of Left 4 Dead, the graphics and effects are like a joke. I played games in the arcade better than this; this game will remain as the first game that I asked for a refund.”
    • “This game broke the moment I bought it with graphical glitches that were so severe, I could have a seizure.”
    • “After the last update, the game graphics have broken and I can't play anymore!”
  • grinding186 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some find the grinding rewarding and fun, especially when playing with friends, others express frustration over the lack of content and the repetitive nature of leveling up weapons and classes. Overall, the game is described as requiring a significant time investment to progress, which may not appeal to casual players.

    • “Not that grindy but addicting game mechanics.”
    • “Game is actually pretty fun but ridiculously grindy for a $30 game.”
    • “Grinding for weapon upgrades is a slog because the devs introduced new mechanics to slow your progression down.”
    • “The game can be a lot of fun, but from a solo player's perspective it's nothing but tedious and purely based on luck.”
  • replayability148 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the variety of classes, weapon progression, and different maps as key factors that keep the experience fresh and engaging. However, some users express concerns about diminishing replay value after extended play, particularly in single-player modes or once all episodes are completed. Overall, while the game offers substantial replay value through its mechanics and challenges, opinions vary on its longevity and depth.

    • “The variety of classes and weapons on offer adds a layer of strategy and replayability that keeps the experience fresh.”
    • “There is so much replay value with this game just through trying out the different classes alone, all of which can be prestiged multiple times to unlock even better perks the next time you go through leveling them up.”
    • “Daily challenges and weekly challenges presented a truly infinitely replayable experience to the game, that made the game really interesting to play each time and fun to mess around with friends or on your own.”
    • “There's very little replay value once you've completed all of the episodes.”
    • “I wouldn't mind it so much if the game had more replay value than it did, but sadly the maps and characters have gotten stale for me after the 80 hour mark...”
    • “It was ok, but could tell within 30 mins that it would have very little replay value and would get old quickly.”
  • optimization112 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players reporting smooth performance on high-end systems while others experience significant stuttering, crashes, and long loading times, particularly on lower-end hardware. Many recommend using Vulkan for better performance, but issues persist across various setups, leading to frustration among players. Overall, while some find it well-optimized, others caution against purchasing unless performance issues are addressed.

    • “The game runs smoothly at 120fps in my 3080ti system.”
    • “Nice graphics, game seems well optimized and solid, no performance issues or bugs.”
    • “Outstanding work on optimization.”
    • “I want to enjoy this game but the performance is terrible, constantly stuttering/lagging makes it unplayable.”
    • “Using DirectX it gets even worse, with DirectX performance absolutely sucks compared to Vulkan, and when it inevitably crashes again it has a chance of freezing your entire PC and end up getting a BSOD.”
    • “This game suffers from extreme loading times, especially when quitting a mission, and often has stuttering at certain points in the game, that seems consistent with a memory leak of sorts, instead of my hardware as other parts of the game that are more demanding seem to run okay.”
  • stability90 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, crashes, and graphical glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some users have experienced smooth performance and minimal issues, others have faced frequent disconnections and game-breaking errors, particularly during longer sessions. Overall, the game is described as fun but plagued by stability problems that the developers are working to improve.

    • “The game is very well optimized and runs great on most setups I've seen.”
    • “Gameplay is smooth and runs great.”
    • “I downloaded this for PC, and it runs great in 4K.”
    • “This game broke the moment I bought it with graphical glitches that were so severe, I could have a seizure.”
    • “It's buggy as all get out, and has massive grind layered over the top for no good reason.”
    • “Is quite fun, but very buggy with lots of crashes that make it unenjoyable.”
  • monetization54 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with many players feeling it resembles a cash grab, especially given the lack of significant new content and features compared to the original. While there are no microtransactions currently, players express disappointment over the absence of essential mechanics like aiming down sights (ADS) in first-person mode, which detracts from the overall experience. Some suggest that the game should adopt a free-to-play model with in-game purchases to better align with its perceived value.

    • “In terms of customization, there are no microtransactions as of writing this review.”
    • “This should be free to play with in-game purchases.”
    • “So, while the game is slightly amusing, it's obviously a cash grab.”
    • “40 dollars for the same game I already own from a year ago, with a DLC is a scammy cash grab.”
    • “Microtransactions, this is why the game is cheap.”
  • humor50 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying the funny one-liners from characters and the absurdity of the zombie designs, particularly when played with friends. The chaotic gameplay often leads to hilarious moments, especially with the unpredictable behavior of both enemies and teammates. Overall, the game is described as a riotously fun experience that can provide plenty of laughs, though it may become repetitive over time.

    • “World War Z is a riotously fun game that will have you laughing and screaming in equal measure.”
    • “The voice acting is hilarious too, especially if you pick the French characters.”
    • “Hilarious co-op game for playing with your friends.”
  • atmosphere34 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and diverse environments, effectively capturing the chaos and devastation of a zombie-infested world. Players appreciate the stunning graphics, detailed locations, and strong sound design that enhance the overall experience, although some feel that character voice lines occasionally detract from the atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully evokes a compelling post-apocalyptic ambiance, making it a standout in the zombie co-op genre.

    • “The locations are diverse and atmospheric, ranging from the claustrophobic streets of New York to the eerie calm of Tokyo.”
    • “The game also boasts stunning graphics with detailed environments and realistic character models, while its lighting effects and sound design create an atmosphere that draws players in.”
    • “Visually, World War Z is impressive, with detailed and atmospheric environments that capture the devastation and chaos of a zombie-infested world.”
    • “Character voice lines sometimes feel out of touch with the atmosphere and need some rework.”
    • “Play Left 4 Dead 2; it handles downtime, stress, giant hordes, intimidating zombies, and atmosphere so much better than this.”
    • “The co-op campaign progression is refreshing in its stylistic creativity, but the diverse range of atmospheres feels lacking.”
  • music28 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to heighten tension and enhance immersion, particularly during intense moments. While the soundtrack is described as decent and fitting for the game's atmosphere, others find it unremarkable or even unnecessary, suggesting it can be turned off without detracting from the experience. Overall, the audio design, including sound effects, is noted as a strong point that contributes to the game's chilling ambiance.

    • “The music ramps up at just the right moments, heightening the tension and driving the action forward.”
    • “The audio design also deserves praise, with chilling sound effects and a haunting soundtrack that enhance the sense of danger and immersion.”
    • “The soundtrack is pretty good, and the maps are creative; the game makes a massive first impression in the first campaign level, watching an ocean of zekes running down the street across from the building you're watching from is scary and awesome!”
    • “The music is there to be turned off.”
    • “I relaxed for 5 minutes to this music long enough to realize that I was going to be okay.”
    • “- music -”
  • emotional18 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt moments and rich lore, which resonate with fans of the zombie genre. However, the co-op campaign's linear and predictable storyline detracts from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings among players. While some find it a wholesome addition to the genre, others criticize its lack of depth and engaging narrative.

    • “The campaign is simple, but there is a lot of lore and heartfelt moments.”
    • “Best zombie game of the decade, better than Back 4 Blood. It gives you a wholesome experience of the zombie genre for fans like me.”
    • “Games fun, it filled in that Left 4 Dead 3 gap back when there was barely anyone else touching the genre until recently.”
    • “The co-op campaign features a very boring storyline, following a linear path that is pre-solved by a marker telling you exactly where to go and what to do.”
    • “Boring story.”
    • “The co-op campaign features a very boring storyline, following a linear path that is pre-solved by a marker telling you exactly where to go and what to do.”
  • character development10 mentions

    Character development in the game is minimal, as the emphasis on fast-paced action and enemy encounters overshadows storytelling elements. While the character design is praised for its liveliness and relatability, allowing players to connect with their teammates visually, the overall depth of character development and customization remains limited.

    • “Very nice character design.”
    • “While the game's focus on fast-paced action and hordes of enemies is its strength, it also means that the storytelling and character development take a backseat.”
    • “Very much the same feel, with even a little character development and customization thrown in.”
    • “Let's talk about character design from an artistic perspective for a moment because I feel like this is important: when Valve made Left 4 Dead and its sequel, they designed the characters to be both lively and colorful so that people could relate them to actually being alive, to establish a visual cue that yes, these are your teammates and that it is probably not best to shoot near them, at their general direction or otherwise.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

30hMedian play time
126hAverage play time
6-188hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 56 analyzed playthroughs

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