Contagion: Tackle an outbreak with up to 8 Players in this Zombies Survival FPS

Contagion is a cooperative, multiplayer-focused survival horror FPS that pits players against a relentless zombie outbreak in dynamic, tense environments. A spiritual successor to the popular Zombie Panic! Source mod, the game blends classic slow-burn survival horror with modern multiplayer mechanics, featuring multiple modes that emphasize teamwork, limited resources, and unpredictability. Whether you’re escaping with friends or turning into the undead to hunt them down, Contagion is a brutal, atmospheric experience built around the chaos of infection.

Plot and Setting

Contagion takes place amid a mysterious viral outbreak that transforms the dead into reanimated corpses. Unlike more narrative-heavy horror titles, Contagion is less about a linear story and more about emergent storytelling through gameplay. Players must survive as civilians or law enforcement, navigating through abandoned suburbs, prisons, malls, and city streets, each teeming with danger.

The threat isn’t just the undead—scarce ammunition, injured allies, and infected teammates turn every mission into a high-stakes struggle where trust can quickly break down.

Gameplay Mechanics

Multiplayer Co-op and PvP:
- Designed primarily for 4+ player co-op, where working together is key to survival.
- Some modes include PvP elements, where players can become zombies after death and hunt down their former teammates.
Multiple Game Modes:
- Escape: Survive and flee to extraction zones while completing objectives.
- Hunted: A free-for-all mode where players fight to be the last human standing, with the twist that dead players return as zombies.
- Extraction: Rescue and escort NPC survivors across dangerous maps while fending off waves of undead.
- Flatline: A wave-based survival mode where players earn money to purchase weapons and defenses between rounds.
Realistic Damage and Limited Resources:
- Headshots are lethal; body shots can slow but not stop zombies.
- Weapons and ammo are limited and realistic, adding a tense, methodical pace to combat.
- No HUD by default—players must rely on visual cues like weapon condition and teammate behavior.
Dynamic Zombie AI and Infection System:
- Zombies can break down doors, climb over obstacles, and respond to noise, making stealth a valuable tool.
- Players bitten by zombies may become infected, gradually deteriorating before eventually dying and turning.
- The infection system adds psychological tension, as teammates must decide whether to help or eliminate an infected ally.
Mod and Steam Workshop Support:
- The game includes robust mod support and community-created content via the Steam Workshop, including custom maps and tweaks.

Themes

Trust and Betrayal: With infection always a threat, even teammates can become enemies.
Resource Scarcity: Ammo and health are hard to come by; poor management is often fatal.
Realistic Survival: More grounded than arcade zombie shooters—Contagion rewards caution, precision, and teamwork.
Human Frailty: The slow progression of infection and realistic damage remind players that survival is never guaranteed.

Visuals and Audio

Contagion uses Source Engine technology, delivering gritty, realistic environments that are dimly lit and soaked in dread. Locations feel grounded and eerie, with attention to small environmental details that reinforce the sense of collapse and desperation.

The audio design is a standout, featuring ambient moans, distant screams, echoing gunshots, and muffled cries for help. The minimalist soundtrack lets the environment breathe, turning silence into a threat of its own.

Have you played Contagion? What’s your favourite part of it? We’d love to hear from you.

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