5 Best Video Games Like Dying Light

"Dying Light" might feature a common setting for a video game, as it's taking place in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, but the gameplay is what makes it such a memorable experience. Pairing the looming threat of a zombie attacking you, especially during the darkness of night, with parkour-based movement in an open-world environment makes for an adventure that players are still coming back to in 2026. While there's no game quite like "Dying Light," there are a few distinct titles that offer some of its most popular elements up for us to enjoy.

Whether it's the zombie apocalypse setting, the movement, or the open-world exploration, certain games can probably scratch the itchy-tasty need you have. Some games on our list might feature several of the classic "Dying Light" elements, while others might only have one but make up for it in other parts of the gameplay. If you're looking for a new game to play but still want that "Dying Light" feel then you're in luck. Here are our picks for five games that come the closest to matching that experience.

One of the most appealing elements about "Dying Light" is the zombie post-apocalyptic aspect, so why not play another game that's set up the same way? "Days Gone" is another open-world zombie game that's set two years after an apocalypse has wiped out a massive chunk of humanity. Unlike "Dying Light," though, "Days Gone" features a wide-open country instead of a dense city to explore, and it features a much larger playable area than the city of Harran.

This is primarily due to the way the zombies work in "Days Gone." While other post-apocalypse games have you fight a few zombies at a time, "Days Gone" goes the complete opposite direction. As the protagonist, Deacon St. John, you'll face hundreds of zombies at once in a huge horde, relying on your weapons and mobility to stay alive. You also have a trusty motorcycle to traverse the map with, discover new locations, and follow the story, which gets better and better as the experience goes on. "Days Gone" is a great all-around title that also has plenty of comparable games like it.

"Dead Island 2" is another zombie-themed game, but it features a different vibe compared to "Dying Light." It offers a much more light-hearted take on the zombie apocalypse, adding humor, gore, and wit at every turn. You'll play as your choice of several characters, all of whom have unique personalities, banter, and special abilities. Your character choice doesn't necessarily impact the game itself, but each character does have different dialogue that can change certain conversations with NPCs.

The game is set right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles immediately following the outbreak of a zombie plague. It's not quite open world, but "Dead Island 2" does feature several distinct zones that you can freely explore as you progress through the surprisingly in-depth story. The gameplay is slightly reminiscent of "Dying Light," as you're using crafted weapons to kill zombies from a first-person perspective, but "Dead Island 2" gives you much more freedom in your attacks. There's also no parkour present, but you can jump, slide, and move quickly around the map to avoid any zombies who have spotted you.

On the surface, it might not seem like "Dying Light" and "Fallout 4" have much in common. However, if you look deeper, both are open-world games set during a post-apocalyptic time and feature varying levels of RPG elements. "Fallout 4" can also be played in a first-person perspective, though third-person is available as well. And while "Fallout 4" doesn't feature any actual zombies, the game does have feral ghouls, which might as well be zombies considering the way they attack. Naturally, there are plenty of other enemy types you'll encounter, and there are more undead-like or horrifyingly mutated enemies to find than you might think, including the infamous Deathclaw.

"Fallout 4" is much more of an RPG than "Dying Light" is, so you'll see deep character progression that evolves with the different skills and abilities you choose throughout the course of the game. However, the RPG portion of "Fallout 4" often takes a backseat to the open-world exploration, as you'll travel through a ruined version of Boston, Massachusetts, that has been meticulously designed and packed with detail. "Fallout 4" also offers a massive base-building element, allowing you to construct several settlements that provide even more depth to the experience.

Aside from the zombie part of "Dying Light," the most recognizable aspect of the game has to be its parkour-style movement. While there aren't too many other games where you can experience that same movement, "Mirror's Edge Catalyst" is arguably the best parkour-based game ever created. It's another open-world game that emphasizes exploration through fluid motion above everything else, but the story certainly offers some depth as well.

Using your parkour skills as the game's protagonist, Faith, you'll traverse a huge, futuristic city that's hiding a wealth of secrets. You can scale skyscrapers to move through the clouds or head down to the city tunnels for a grittier and more tight-knit experience. Similar to "Dying Light," "Mirror's Edge Catalyst" lets its movement rely on momentum, so the better you are with your mechanics, the faster you'll move throughout the city. This is the only game in the series, as "Mirror's Edge" never got a sequel, but "Catalyst" is a reboot of the original 2008 game.

"Borderlands 2" is certainly not the first game you might think of when looking for games similar to "Dying Light." However, aside from being a top-notch game in its own right, "Borderlands 2" offers something that certain "Dying Light" fans will appreciate: co-op gameplay. "Borderlands 2" is consistently rated as one of the best co-op games ever, so if you played through "Dying Light" with a friend, you might have your next playthrough set. Of course, there's also plenty to like from this title if you enjoyed the gameplay of "Dying Light." 

For starters, "Borderlands 2" is a first-person shooter that offers a giant open world that's technically set in a post-apocalypse, though it also takes place on a fictional planet. While playing the first game in the series does help you understand the lore of the franchise, it's not a requirement to understand "Borderlands 2."

You won't be fighting zombies on your journey, either, but there's a ton of enemy variety that's headlined by one of the most iconic gaming villains of all time, Handsome Jack. At the core of "Borderlands 2," however, is its looter-shooter identity, as you'll spend hours picking up weapons and gear and finding the best combination of gear traits for your character. It's even more enjoyable with a friend or two, sure, but it remains a terrific solo experience as well.