Fright Train is the best Call of Duty Zombies alternative I’ve played in ages, despite starring a dog

Fright Train is a standout survival shooter that provides a compelling alternative to Call of Duty Zombies, featuring an unusually charming premise: you play as Doug Barker, a tactical dog soldier trapped on a procedurally generated train hurtling through Antarctica. The game distinguishes itself through its emphasis on elaborate inventory management and tactical mechanics, combining zombie combat with survival elements in a notably engaging way. What makes it particularly noteworthy is that its complex systems—rather than feeling gimmicky—prove genuinely satisfying and central to the experience.

The gameplay centres on managing Doug's 15 tactical pockets and holsters whilst defending against waves of zombies and other threats, requiring players to manually reload individual bullets into magazines whilst simultaneously fighting. The train faces mounting pressure from a pursuing iceworm that will eventually consume sections, creating urgency around resource gathering and exploration. Additional complications include paranormal energy explosions triggering lockdowns, locked doors requiring in-game currency (vidyacoins), and a persistent maintenance system where inventory management proves just as gratifying as the gunplay itself. The result is a singleplayer-focused game that combines the feel of a milsim Resident Evil mod with the wave-based survival gameplay of traditional zombie shooters.