Games have been preparing us for a disaster such as a zombie apocalypse, a virus outbreak, or a terrifying cold snap for decades. Or even for a nuclear explosion. If you love roaming wastelands, check out these games.
The hovering threat of atomic destruction has been present since the Cold War. Moreover, disasters such as the Chernobyl one fuel people’s imagination and inspire them to create movies, TV shows, and games. If you wish to prove yourself in a world where social norms no longer apply and you have to establish your own order, these games might be perfect for you.
| Game | Release | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Atom Rpg Post Apocalyptic Indie Game | 2017-11-28 | AtomTeam |
 | Chernobylite Enhanced Edition | 2019 | The Farm 51 |
 | Wasteland 3 | 2020-08-28 | inXile entertainment |
 | Stalker Bundle | 2007-03-20 | GSC Game World |
 | Fallout 4 | 2015-11-09 | Bethesda Game Studios |
Atom RPG
| Release date: | 2017-11-28 |
| Developer: | AtomTeam |
Atom RPG is a post-apocalyptic role-playing game with a classic isometric view. You’ll love it if you enjoyed the first two Fallout series. The action takes place in an alternate timeline where the Soviet Union and the Western Bloc are opponents, and a nuclear war devastated the world in 1986.
You are a war survivor and have to explore the world, complete quests, and battle with various enemies, both humans and mutants. Not too original? What makes this title an atomic gem are its multiple story paths and many possible endings.
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Chernobylite
| Release date: | 2021-07-28 |
| Developer: | The Farm 51 |
The game is set in an alternate reality where the Chernobyl disaster caused the creation of a strange and dangerous substance called Chernobylite. You need to return to the exclusion zone to search for your missing girlfriend and uncover the truth.
The game features survival gameplay mechanics, including scavenging for resources, crafting equipment, and managing hunger and radiation levels. What makes it even more immersive is a time management system: you need to explore, gather resources, and fulfill mission objectives all while risking facing dangerous enemies and radiation levels.
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Wasteland 3
| Release date: | 2020-08-28 |
| Developer: | inXile Entertainment |
In Wasteland 3 you are a crucial member of the Desert Rangers, a lawmen gang tasked with maintaining order in the wasteland of a post-apocalyptic Colorado.
An extensive fraction system allows you to ally with different groups, each having their own goals and agendas. The exciting part is the supported co-op multiplayer mode – you can team up with a friend and venture through a desolate nuclear wasteland together.
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Stalker
| Release date: | 2007-03-20 |
| Developer: | GSC Game World |
If you are eager for a shooter, you can’t miss this one. The story unfolds in a fictionalized version of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a region surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant abandoned after the disaster.
Here, you need to manage hunger, thirst, and radiation levels, as well as scavenge for resources and craft equipment to survive in the harsh post-apocalyptic world. You also have to face a variety of dangerous anomalies and mutants. While the graphics may look a bit harsh nowadays, the game still offers a rich and detailed world and an intense experience.
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Fallout 4
| Release date: | 2015-11-09 |
| Developer: | Bethesda Game Studios |
This one takes place in a post-apocalyptic Boston, known in-game as “The Commonwealth”. The players assume the role of the sole survivor of Vault 111 who emerges from cryogenic stasis 200 years after a nuclear war.
Fallout 4 is famous for its extensive customization options and intricate crafting system, as well as its memorable characters and a wide range of quests and activities. The game also provides players with opportunities to tailor the game to their liking by choosing the way they interact with others, approach combat, as well as build and manage settlements.
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Post-nuclear survival games are worth playing as they offer a unique and immersive experience which allows players to explore a harsh and unforgiving world. In addition to their compelling gameplays, post-nuclear survival games often have deep and engaging stories that explore the human condition in a world after a disaster.