HOW VIDEO GAMES TAUGHT ME TO SURVIVE THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

Zombies have always existed as an important, yet relatively slight facet of gaming. Though they initially stayed on the fringes of niche genres, the past few years have featured these walkers shambling their way into the biggest and brightest that games have to offer. Here's what we've learned from decades of battling the undead.

Stay away from places that look like this.

Sweet Home, 1989 

Trust your friends.

Zombies Ate My Neighbors. 1993 

Shoot anything that moves.

House of the Dead 3, 2002

Aim for the head.

Resident Evil 4, 2005

If you can't beat 'em...

Stubbs the Zombie, 2005

Brush up on your botany.

Plants vs. Zombies, 2009

Anything can become a weapon.

Dead Rising 2, 2010

Beware the wildlife.

Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare, 2010

Stay away from the water.

Dead Island, 2011

Pedal faster.

DayZ, 2012

Have something to live for.

The Walking Dead: The Game, 2012

Celebrities never die.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II, 2012

Be mindful of your surroundings.

ZombiU, 2012

Your resources are invaluable.

State of Decay, 2013

Hide from those who would do you harm.

The Last of Us, 2013

Never stop moving.

Dying Light, 2014

~martysliva/ign.com