Over the years, Marvel has dabbled in a wide array of gaming genres. They’ve crafted everything from open-world adventures and turn-based strategies with mystical elements to cooperative live-service games and even some VR experiences. These diverse gaming options cater to a broad spectrum of Marvel fans.
Reflecting on Marvel’s gaming history over the past couple of decades, it’s clear that most of their titles have been third-person action games rated for teens or younger audiences. While these games often touch on deeper themes and offer dramatic moments, they primarily maintain a lighthearted tone. This aligns well with Marvel’s overall brand, but it could be exciting to see them explore darker and more mature content occasionally. There’s one particular type of horror game that seems like it would fit Marvel perfectly in the near future.
Marvel Zombies Could Pave the Way for a New Type of Marvel Video Game
Back in November 2005, the "Crossover" arc of the Ultimate Fantastic Four comics reached a pivotal moment. In this storyline, Reed Richards communicates with an alternate universe version of himself, leading to a crossover into another dimension. This dimension is inhabited by zombified Marvel heroes and villains, setting the stage for the Marvel Zombies series that launched a month later.
The Marvel Zombies limited series, which ran from December 2005 to April 2007, was penned by Robert Kirman, famed for The Walking Dead, and illustrated by Sean Phillips. This series is set in the alternate Earth-2149, where a virus transforms Earth’s heroes and villains into zombies. What sets this apart from traditional zombie narratives is that these undead maintain most of their cognitive abilities and superpowers, creating horror from their desperate quest to feed.
Since its inception, Marvel Zombies has spawned several sequels and spinoffs, morphing into a full-fledged Marvel comic series. The latest installment, Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay, began its run in September and will conclude in December.
The Upcoming Marvel Zombies Disney+ Series Could Lay the Groundwork for a Game
In 2021, Marvel debuted its What If…? series on Disney+. An episode titled What If…Zombies? drew direct inspiration from the Marvel Zombies comics. In this tale, the Avengers become infected, not through alien means, but via Janet van Dyne, who contracted a virus from the Quantum Realm.
As Bruce Banner returns to Earth to warn of Thanos’ approach, he encounters a zombie horde including Doctor Strange and Iron Man. The episode follows survivors like Wasp, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Panther, and Vision as they seek a cure. A four-episode continuation titled Marvel Zombies is slated for release in October 2025.
What a Marvel Zombies Video Game Could Look Like
The forthcoming Marvel Zombies series presents a unique opportunity for Marvel to venture into more mature gaming territory and try out a genre they haven’t explored much. A game akin to Left 4 Dead could be perfect for a Marvel Zombies adaptation. Players could team up as iconic heroes or villains in cooperative missions set across familiar Marvel locations, battling hordes of zombies.
With each level, players might encounter zombified versions of beloved Marvel characters. Like in the comics and the show, a significant draw of a Marvel Zombies game would be the chance to fight heroes such as Spider-Man or Captain America, who aren’t traditionally adversaries. The zombie theme would also allow for more intense, gory gameplay than Marvel games typically feature.
Marvel is known for its expansive lineup of superhero comics, movies, TV shows, and merchandise, encompassing popular characters from The Avengers to Spider-Man and more. As they continue to innovate in the gaming sphere, exploring genres like horror could open up thrilling new possibilities for fans.
