Over the years, Marvel has ventured into a vast array of gaming genres. They’ve given us everything from sprawling open-world adventures and strategic turn-based titles with a supernatural edge to cooperative live-service games and several VR experiences. It’s clear they’re catering to a diverse audience with a broad spectrum of gaming preferences.
However, if we take a closer look at Marvel’s gaming history over the last decade or two, we find most offerings are third-person action games rated Teen or below by the ESRB. While these games often deal with serious themes and dramatic narratives, they maintain a generally upbeat tone, aligning with Marvel’s recognizable style. That said, there’s room to explore darker, more mature themes in their portfolio. Imagine Marvel diving into uncharted territories with a horror game, potentially giving us a thrilling new gaming experience by next year.
In November 2005, the “Crossover” storyline in the Ultimate Fantastic Four comics caught everyone’s attention. Reed Richards encounters an alternate universe version of himself, leading to a crossover into a world where iconic Marvel heroes and villains are all zombified—a precursor to the Marvel Zombies series that kicked off the following month.
Published between December 2005 and April 2007, Marvel Zombies began as a five-issue special penned by Robert Kirkman, famous for The Walking Dead, with artwork by Sean Phillips. The series explored an alternate Earth where a virus turns beloved heroes and villains into flesh-eating zombies. Unlike typical zombie narratives, these characters retain their powers and intellect, giving a bone-chilling twist to their quest for satiating their hunger.
Marvel Zombies didn’t stop there—it spun off numerous sequels and companion series, becoming a staple on its own. The latest continuation, Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay, kicked off in September and is set to conclude in December.
The What If…? series on Disney+ recently played with this horror concept in its “What If…Zombies?” episode. Here, instead of an alien-induced virus, the outbreak is traced back to Janet van Dyne and her exposure in the Quantum Realm. As Bruce Banner returns to Earth to warn about Thanos, he’s met with zombie-fied versions of characters like Doctor Strange and Iron Man. The episode follows survivors like Spider-Man and the Wasp as they seek a cure. A four-part series expanding this storyline is slated for release in October 2025 under the title Marvel Zombies.
This forthcoming Marvel Zombies series presents a perfect opportunity for Marvel to venture into crafting a more mature video game, experimenting in genres they’ve yet to explore. Envision a game akin to Left 4 Dead but within the Marvel universe—players could team up in co-op mode, battling through hordes of undead while playing as popular Marvel heroes or villains across iconic locations.
Imagine the thrill of encountering zombified versions of beloved Marvel characters throughout various levels. Battling against heroes like Spider-Man or Captain America would add an exciting layer, presenting rare confrontations not typically seen in Marvel games. Plus, the darker theme could push the envelope with more gore and intensity than Marvel games typically dare to include.
In embracing a new genre with Marvel Zombies, the company has a chance to diversify their portfolio and deliver an unforgettable experience that explores the darker side of the superhero realm.
