The worldwide phenomenon of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian trilogy has captivated millions through books and films, inspiring numerous game developers to create battle royale experiences reminiscent of the deadly arena competitions.
Despite the franchise grossing over $3 billion at the box office, it’s surprising that no official Hunger Games video game exists, though the series’ influence on gaming is undeniable.
The concept of tributes fighting for survival in a manipulated arena has become the perfect blueprint for multiplayer survival games.
Let’s explore some of the most compelling Hunger Games inspired video games that capture the tension, strategy, and survival elements that made the original story so gripping.
1. Z1 Battle Royal
Z1 Battle Royale, released in 2018, stands as one of the prominent Hunger Games inspired video games in the free-to-play survival genre.
Like The Hunger Games itself, Z1 draws influence from the Japanese cult classic Battle Royale, creating a gaming experience where players must strategically outlast opponents in an ever-shrinking combat zone.
Furthermore, 100 players are thrown against each other in a violent fight to the death in Z1 Battle Royale.
As time passes, a toxic gas cloud shrinks the map, forcing players to confront each other in close quarters.
Players can compete alone, in pairs, or in groups of five, with the lone winning survivor (or teams) being declared.
The game is widely available on Steam, Microsoft Windows, and PlayStation 4.
According to Metacritic, Z1 Battle Royale garnered “mixed or mediocre” reviews.
By the beginning of 2017, the game had established itself as one of Steam’s most popular titles.
2. Darwin Project
Scavengers Studio created and distributed Darwin Project, a free-to-play multiplayer online battle royale game.
It was published for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 on January 14, 2020.
The Darwin Project immerses players in a dystopian post-apocalyptic setting within the Northern Canadian Rockies.
Among the notable Hunger Games inspired video games, this title features a compelling premise: a deadly competition designed as both a scientific experiment and an entertainment spectacle, created by authorities in preparation for an impending Ice Age.
The game’s combination of survival mechanics, environmental threats, and audience participation clearly echoes the deadly arena concept that made The Hunger Games so captivating.
Players are thrown into an arena with only an ax and a bow. Also, they must gather resources and survive alongside nine other players.
In addition, according to the review aggregate Metacritic, the Darwin Project received mixed reviews from critics.
3. The Culling
American studio Xaviant created and published The Culling, a first-person action battle royale game.
On October 5, 2017, the game was published for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox One after an early access beta period.
Furthermore, sixteen players are placed in an arena (either a small island or a jail) with various buildings containing riches.
Caves, bridges, poison gas, explosive barrels, and other hazards can be found on the maps.
Players gain “F.U.N.C,” the in-game currency used to create or purchase equipment and upgrades.
For fulfilling various tasks such as living for a few minutes, killing other players, traveling a specific distance, or interacting with the environment.
4. Fortnite Battle Royale
Epic Games developed and distributed Fortnite Battle Royale, a free-to-play battle royale video game.
It’s a follow-up to Fortnite: Save the World, a cooperative survival game with building components.
Furthermore, the game’s concept is similar to that of earlier games in the genre: 100 players skydive onto an island and scavenge for supplies to protect themselves against other players.
Players can fight alone (Solo), with one other player (Duos), three players (Trios), or in a party of four (Group of Four) (Squads).
However, the playable region within the island steadily shrinks as the game proceeds, leaving the players with less and less room to work with; beyond this safe zone is “the Storm,” which inflicts damage on anybody trapped inside it, with the amount of damage increasing in tandem with the Storm’s growth.
5. Ark: Survival Evolved
ARK: Survival Evolved is an open-world survival action-adventure game available on all major platforms.
Players must outwit and endure a series of dangerous prehistoric monsters, severe weather, and treacherous humans.
In addition, players must survive and survive and tame the 176 different creatures (mainly dinosaurs) by utilizing clubs, tranquilizers, and other methods of subduing the ancient beasts.
There are single-player, multiplayer, and PvE modes in the game.
6. Apex Legends
EA’s Apex Legends is one of the Hunger Games inspired video games, a free-to-play battle royale game that can be played on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and iOS/Android devices.
Sixty people land on an island and are split into two or three teams before obtaining weapons and engaging in an all-out conflict. The victorious squad is the last team standing.
As the island shrinks, defeating as many enemies as possible as fast becomes critical to survival.
The game is divided into eight seasons, each of which introduces new characters and 15 limited-time events that must be performed within a certain amount of time.
7. Call Of Duty: Warzone
The Battle Royale mode of Call of Duty: Warzone is one of the best Hunger Games inspired video games to play.
The game demands players to accumulate Cash to purchase new weapons, as well as survival gear, with up to 150 participants in a single match.
In addition, if a player dies in combat, the game is not always over.
Instead, they are returned to the Gulag, where they are given one chance to win a one-on-one fight with an opponent wielding the same weapon before being respawned back into the game.
8. Player’s Unknown Battleground
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the immensely famous battle royale game produced by the South Korean developer.
PUBG Corporation is the single best game to play for lovers of The Hunger Games video games.
Fortnite Battle Royale is the main competitor in terms of quality and popularity.
In addition, the game is a player-versus-player shooter hailed for its original gameplay design and remarkable replayability, with up to 100 deathmatch contestants parachuting onto an island and waging an all-out struggle of survival.
