Not every apocalypse is loud and explosive. Some leave behind silence, fog… and the uneasy feeling that something is still moving out there. Like that of Ground Zero; a retro-inspired survival horror that trades spectacle for dread, and comfort for creeping unease.
Now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC for £16.74, this latest release from Malformation Games and Kwalee heads to post-apocalyptic South Korea – specifically the shattered remains of Busan – where answers are scarce and survival is anything but guaranteed.
At A Glance
- Game: Ground Zero
- Developer: Malformation Games
- Publisher: Kwalee
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
- Price: £16.74
- Game Type: Retro Survival Horror
A City Left Behind – And Something Still Living In It
Ground Zero wastes little time setting the tone. A catastrophic meteor strike has wiped out South Korea, and while the dust has begun to settle, what’s left behind feels far from safe. You step into the boots of an elite Korean operative, joined by a Canadian partner, sent into Busan to uncover what really happened.
It doesn’t take long for things to spiral. The city is scarred, twisted, and filled with things that shouldn’t exist – mutations born from whatever came down with that meteor. Streets, temples and shoreline districts become your hunting ground, but also your biggest threat, as visibility drops and danger lurks just out of sight.
Old-School Horror With Teeth
This is very much a throwback experience, like the weirdness of the original Resident Evil. Fixed camera angles, pre-rendered backgrounds and even optional tank controls pull straight from the classic survival horror playbook. It’s a deliberate design choice that slows things down, forcing you to think about positioning, movement and when to engage.
Combat offers more flexibility than some of those older titles, though. You’re not just firing blindly into the dark; you can shoot, strike, counter and manage encounters with a bit more finesse. The better you perform, the more Genome Points you earn, feeding into a progression system that rewards efficiency and cleaner kills.
Survival Means Preparation, Not Panic
While there’s action here, Ground Zero isn’t about running headfirst into danger. Exploration and puzzle-solving play just as big a role, with environments hiding clues, routes and the occasional uncomfortable revelation about what’s really going on.
And then there are the bosses. Larger, more aggressive mutations that push your skills – and your nerves – further than standard encounters. They’re the moments where the game briefly shifts gears, asking for sharper reactions without losing that underlying tension.
A Familiar Formula, A Different Setting
What helps Ground Zero stand out is its setting. Busan, even in ruins, provides a distinct backdrop that separates it from the usual survival horror locales. There’s a mix of urban sprawl, coastal spaces and cultural landmarks, all warped by the aftermath of the disaster.
It gives the game a slightly different identity, even as it leans into well-worn mechanics.
Worth Investigating?
Ground Zero feels like a love letter to classic survival horror, wrapped in a new setting and layered with just enough modern ideas to keep things moving. It won’t be for everyone – especially those who prefer faster, more fluid horror experiences – but for fans of slower, more deliberate tension, there’s something here.
Just don’t expect Busan to welcome you in.
We’ll get on a review of Ground Zero as soon as possible. But until then, find the game on the usual digital storefronts, like the Xbox Store for instance.
