Ground Zero

About Ground Zero

Ground Zero was made by the developer Malformation Games and published by Kwalee on 16 April 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Its makers describe it as a retro survival horror game, and reviewers compare it to the original Resident Evil and Dino Crisis.

A meteor impact has wiped out South Korea. Two months later, when the dust and lightning storms have settled and the air is breathable, an elite Korean operative, Seo-Yeon, and her Canadian partner are sent to investigate. In the foggy remains of Busan, from shoreline towns and temples to the city centre, they find strange growths spreading from the impact and the people and animals they have corrupted.

It plays like the survival horror of the late 1990s: fixed camera angles over pre-rendered backgrounds, puzzles to open the way, an inventory to manage and a choice of modern or tank controls. You shoot, stab, kick and counter, and cleaner kills earn Genome Points to trade for gear upgrades. Reviewers found ammunition scarce early on, and timed critical shots help make each round count. Large bosses wait in the heart of the city.

It suits players who miss fixed-camera survival horror and want a new one with a setting of its own. Custom difficulty settings, unlockable outfits, extra modes and hidden endings add reasons to play again.

How to play Ground Zero

1. Choose modern or tank controls and a difficulty at the start.
2. Explore each area of Busan, picking up ammunition, healing items and key items.
3. Aim and fire at mutated enemies, or use melee and counters to save rounds.
4. Solve the puzzles that block your way using items and clues you find.
5. Spend Genome Points from clean kills on gear upgrades.

Tips

• Practise timed critical shots; they can bring weaker enemies down with one round.
• Use melee and counters on lone enemies to keep ammunition for bosses.
• Check the map for items you left behind before moving on.
• Lower the difficulty in the custom settings if resources feel too tight.

Questions