Best free "post-apocalyptic" games

Post-apocalyptic video games explore worlds devastated by nuclear war, pandemics, alien invasions, or environmental collapse. These settings often depict ruined cities, scarce resources, and desperate survivors struggling to rebuild or endure. Gameplay typically blends survival mechanics—like scavenging, crafting, and managing limited supplies—with combat against hostile factions, mutants, or other survivors. Narratives highlight themes of loss, resilience, and moral choices in a world without order. Some games emphasize open-world exploration (Fallout, Metro Exodus), while others focus on story-driven survival (The Last of Us). At their core, post-apocalyptic games invite players to imagine survival in humanity’s darkest aftermath.