3 min read
PC horror fans can now dive into a new survival horror experience on Steam with a free playable demo that channels the atmosphere of genre pillars like Resident Evil and The Last of Us. The indie title Ground Zero, developed by Malformation Games and published by Kwalee, is available to download now, with a full release expected later in 2026.
Ground Zero drops players into a post-apocalyptic South Korea ravaged by a catastrophic meteor impact. The game combines combat, puzzle solving, weapon upgrades, and resource management, while evoking the gritty tone of Resident Evil’s storied history.
“Fight through post-apocalyptic South Korea in this retro survival horror. Uncover the truth behind the devastating meteor impact that left the country in ruins and turned every living organism into a terrifying monstrosity. Fight. Solve puzzles. Upgrade gear. Make every bullet count,” reads the synopsis of Ground Zero on Steam.
Though not officially part of either Resident Evil or The Last of Us franchises, Ground Zero draws heavily from the mood and mechanics that made those series iconic. Resident Evil helped popularize survival horror in the mid-1990s with its combination of atmospheric dread and methodical gameplay, and its legacy continues with remakes like Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, which have remained popular among horror enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, The Last of Us, though primarily associated with PlayStation consoles and narrative-driven gameplay, has influenced survival horror sensibilities in modern gaming. The emotional stakes and tense combat scenarios of The Last of Us have shaped player expectations for post-apocalyptic narratives, and Ground Zero taps into similar themes of survival against overwhelming odds.
Users are heavily excited for the full gameplay to drop in the coming months. Some of the fans have taken to the trailer of the game on YouTube to express their feelings as:
Can’t wait! 😊
This looks so cool! It gives off a combo of The Thing, Parasite Eve, and Resident Evil vibes. Love it! Survival Horror is my absolute favorite genre and I love that more small, independent game studios are creating these old school, classics for fans like us. Can’t wait to hear news of its release soon. 🙏🏽☺️🖤🖤🖤🖤
Hi I recently played the Demo for this Game and LOVED it!
I’m a YouTuber and did a glowing hands on impression : )I would love a Review Key of the Game for STEAM and happy to post a Video for free, on an agreed date ^__^
I have 8 Thousand Subscribers, so if that’s not too small, I hope to hear back from you and best of luck either way.
Game looks and runs great
At the time of writing, the Ground Zero demo offers a substantial taste of the full experience: explore creepy environments, fend off grotesque threats, solve environmental puzzles, and manage limited ammunition and supplies. Players can also wishlist the game on Steam to receive notifications when a release date is announced.
