TheLeft 4 Dead-like seems to be a genre that’s quickly become popular over the last few years. In 2021 alone, there were plenty of games that use the co-op horde shooter gameplay to explore every aspect of what makes mechanics like that fun, fromBack 4 BloodtoAliens: Fireteam Elite. Given the popularity of theLeft 4 Deadseries, it makes sense why shooters just like it would be popping up, but it’s a little curious that they’ve waited until now to start releasing. That’s not a complaint, as co-op horde shooters are a ton of fun, but hopefully the games listed below will be able to stand out as original and gain player bases big enough to support their co-op concepts.
The industry has already seen what happens to theseLeft 4 Dead-likes if they don’t innovate or stand out, asBack 4 Blood’s player count on Steam dipped belowLeft 4 Dead 2’s. Further, despite the great initial pitch of “Left 4 Deadbut with dinosaurs,“Second Extinction’s early access hasn’t quite turned the heads that it seemed like it might. Luckily, there’s still plenty of time for the titles listed below to impress as their release dates grow ever closer and the games hopefully live up to the legacy of Valve’s zombie co-op franchise.
RELATED:Back 4 Blood vs. Aliens: Fireteam Elite - Which is the Better Left 4 Dead-Style Game?
The Anacrusis
The Anacrusistakes the co-op zombie-shooter formula ofLeft 4 Deadand turns it into a 1960s inspired sci-fi romp where four players need to work together to shoot their way through an unrelenting alien horde and cleanse their ship of all alien life. Anyone who appreciatedDeathloop’s visual styleshould giveThe Anacrusisa try when it releases as the firstLeft 4 Dead-like of 2022 on January 13. The game has marketed itself as being “infinitely replayable” thanks to the AI driver which changes the enemies, bosses, items, and weapons each time the players load into a level.
The Anacrusisreleases on June 05, 2025, for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction
Tom Clancy’s Rainbox Six Extractiontakes a more grounded approach to the survival shooter than the rest of the games in the genre coming out in 2022. It follows groups of three players who are fighting against an alien species called the Archaeans as they attempt to complete objectives and push back against the horde. Players have the option to choose from 18 different characters or operators,many of which appeared inRainbox Six Siege, who all bring something different to the table in the form of abilities and perks.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbox Six Extractionreleases on August 05, 2025, for Luna, PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Similar toLeft 4 Dead-likes, there seems to be a resurgence inWarhammergames over the past few years withWarhammer 40,000: Darktidebeing one of the most anticipated titles in the40Kcommunity. Developed by the studio that made bothWarhammer Vermintidetitles, Fatshark seems to be extending itself into the futuristic setting of40Kto make a horde-shooter with an interesting cast of survivors from theWarhammeruniverse. AsmoreWarhammergames such asSpace Marine 2continue to release,Darktidewill be an interesting first for the franchise.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktideis set for release in early 2022 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
Redfall
There still isn’t very much known aboutRedfallother than it’s going to be a four-person co-op shooter by Arkane that features vampires instead ofLeft 4 Dead’s zombies. The game essentially served as Microsoft’s “mic drop” moment at the end of its E3 2021 showcase, but since there wasn’t any gameplay shown, it’s tough to saywhat exactlyRedfallwill be like.
Redfallis set for release in Summer 2022, for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:What Back 4 Blood Can Learn from Left 4 Dead 2’s Longevity
