Over the years, Marvel has ventured into an array of different gaming genres and styles. From the expansive universes of open-world action-adventures to the strategic depths of turn-based games with a supernatural edge, Marvel has dabbled in it all. They’ve offered gamers everything from cooperative live-service titles to immersive VR experiences, showcasing a diverse portfolio aimed at a broad audience.
However, if we glance back at Marvel’s gaming catalog over the past decade or two, we notice a trend: most of their games are third-person action adventures with an ESRB rating of Teen or lower. While these games can get pretty intense and dramatic, they generally keep a light-hearted tone in line with Marvel’s overall brand. It might be refreshing, though, if Marvel were to occasionally dip into darker, more mature themes. Imagine, for instance, a horror game that fits Marvel’s style perfectly, potentially emerging around this time next year.
The Marvel Zombies comic series, originating back in November 2005 with the Ultimate Fantastic Four’s “Crossover” storyline, serves as a fantastic source of inspiration. This series begins when Reed Richards is contacted by an alternate universe version of himself. Upon crossing to this universe, he encounters zombified versions of Marvel’s esteemed heroes and villains, setting the stage for the Marvel Zombies series that followed soon after.
Released from December 2005 through April 2007, Marvel Zombies, penned by Robert Kirkman of Walking Dead fame and illustrated by Sean Phillips, delved into an alternate Earth-2149. Here, a virus had transformed the earth’s superheroes and villains into brain-hungry zombies. Yet, unlike typical zombie narratives, these marauding heroes still retain most of their intelligence and powers, making the horror stem from their relentless hunger and what they’re willing to do to satisfy it.
Since its inception, Marvel Zombies has expanded into numerous sequels and spin-offs, carving out its own niche in Marvel’s comic universe. The latest installment, Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay, began its run in September, and wraps up in December, continuing the legacy of this unique and grisly universe.
The 2021 animated series What If…? on Disney+ took a daring stab at translating the Marvel Zombies saga for the small screen. One standout episode, What If…Zombies?, directly drew from the comic’s themes. In this animated universe, the catalyst was a virus contracted by Janet van Dyne in the Quantum Realm, spreading among the Avengers. As Bruce Banner delivers a warning about Thanos, he instead finds himself in a world overrun by zombified characters like Doctor Strange and Iron Man. This storyline, set to continue with a four-episode arc in October 2025 titled Marvel Zombies, could lay the foundation for an entirely new game.
A Marvel Zombies video game could introduce fans to a more mature, gripping gaming experience—something Marvel hasn’t truly tackled yet. Imagine a game reminiscent of Left 4 Dead, where players team up for co-op missions against zombie hordes, playing as recognizable heroes or villains amid iconic Marvel settings.
Every so often, players could face off against a zombified version of a favorite Marvel character. The allure of such a game would be its ability to let fans square off against heroes like Captain America or Spider-Man in ways they never have before. Plus, the Marvel Zombies setting provides the perfect excuse to crank up the gore, offering a distinctly edgier experience than most Marvel games have ventured into.
