This is a cooperative first-person shooter released in 2016, available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The core experience plunges players into a desperate fight for survival across continental Europe, which has been utterly devastated by an unstoppable outbreak of horrific, genetically engineered clones known as Zeds. Set just one month after the initial outbreak detailed in the original event, civilization has crumbled: governments have fallen, communication lines are dead, and organized military resistance has been largely wiped out. Players join a scattered, privately funded network of survivors—a mix of mercenaries, soldiers, and civilians—tasked with entering Zed-infested hot zones to eliminate all threats using whatever firepower they can muster. The atmosphere is one of relentless, visceral combat against overwhelming odds.

Core Gameplay Loop and Mechanics

The gameplay centers around wave-based survival against increasingly difficult hordes of Zeds. Teams of players must work together to manage resources, secure objectives, and strategically eliminate targets across a series of escalating rounds culminating in a boss encounter. A key element of the experience is the deep specialization system. Players select from various classes, each possessing unique perks, skills, and weapon proficiencies that evolve as they gain experience throughout a match.

Weapon Progression and Customization

Players earn in-game currency by surviving waves and dispatching enemies. This currency is used between rounds to purchase new and upgraded weaponry, armor, and utility items from an in-game vendor stationed within the safe zone. This creates a satisfying loop of earning better gear to face tougher challenges in subsequent waves.

What makes this game unique?

The game distinguishes itself through its emphasis on visceral, high-fidelity gore and detailed enemy dismemberment mechanics. Every creature has distinct weak points, and successful shots can result in realistic, physics-based tearing and mutilation of the Zed anatomy, adding a tactical layer to aiming beyond simple headshots. Furthermore, the game features a dynamic difficulty system that adjusts the intensity of the Zed attacks based on the team's performance, ensuring a consistently challenging experience.

Story and Setting Context

The premise establishes a grim, post-collapse scenario where the failed biological experiments of the Horzine corporation have resulted in a near-total societal breakdown across Europe. Players are deployed into these chaotic environments not to rebuild society, but purely for extermination missions—to clear out areas so that pockets of humanity might have a chance to regroup. The setting is characterized by dark, claustrophobic, and war-torn European locales.

How does the class system affect team play?

The class system is fundamental to success. With multiple distinct roles available, effective team composition is crucial. Each class offers specific bonuses, such as enhanced healing capabilities, increased damage output with certain weapon types, or superior crowd control. Coordinating these roles allows teams to manage the varied threats presented by the different Zed types effectively.

Additional Content Availability

As a main game title, the core experience is self-contained. The game has received ongoing support and updates since its release, focusing on balance adjustments, new maps, and weapon additions to maintain the core survival loop.