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Watch trailer on Steam ↗SynthwaveZ
Shadow Games · Published by Shadow Games
Content notice: Violence, Violence with firearms, blood, Gore, Mutilation
Positive — 85% positive (13 reviews) · 19 achievements
Last updated 28 Sept 2026
A fast-paced, wave-based zombie shooter set in an alternate 1980s dystopia. Call in airstrikes, deploy support bots, upgrade wild weapons, and survive the horde—solo or with friends. No grinding. No paid DLC. Just pure, chaotic fun.
£9.09
Lowest price we've ever recorded
View on SteamPrices can lag the live Steam store — always confirm before buying.
Price history
Action · 2024 · More £5 - £15 games
Experience the thrill of a wave-based zombie shooter set in an alternate 1980s dystopia. With Shadow Games at the helm, survive the horde by deploying support bots and upgrading wild weapons—no grinding or paid DLC required.
About this game
(DISCLAIMER! Please contact me directly on the discord provided or steam discussions for bugs/Quality of life issues.
SynthwaveZ
A Wave-Based Zombie Survival Shooter Set in an Alternate 1980s Dystopia
SynthwaveZ is a fast-paced, arcade-style zombie survival shooter set in a gritty, alternate 1980s world. Designed as a break from competitive multiplayer fatigue, this game lets you and up to 3 friends team up (or play solo) to fight off relentless waves of the un-dead.
With each wave, the intensity rises—zombies become faster, tougher, and more aggressive, pushing you to adapt your weapons, tactics, and teamwork to survive.
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🧟♂️ What Makes SynthwaveZ Different?
💥 Over-the-Top Action!
- Play how you want! Aim down Sights or use a tactical point-fire position for a better view
Call in airstrikes to wipe the horde.
Call in your own P.D.E.S.C. bot or Awaken the C.E.D.D (Personal Defense & Emotional Support Companion) (Controlled euthanization and dismemberment Droid)
Out of ammo? Summon a Drop Pod to restock or bring heavy firepower.
🎮 Gameplay That Respects Your Time
No grinding. All weapons, perks, and items are available in-match—earn them with skill or luck.
Only progression system is a simple rank—just for bragging rights.
🧩 More Than Just Survival
Solve practical puzzles to unlock secret rooms, hidden weapons, and Easter eggs.
Challenge yourself to complete the level by defeating unique bosses.
Or just play infinitely and see how long you can last.
👤 All Characters Unlocked
Choose from 5 distinct characters, each available from the start—no unlock walls.
- Airstrikes: Multiple airstrikes to use and find on the map!
- Drop Pods: Call in drop pods to resupply, bring heavy ordinance, auto turrets and much more. Don't get caught un-prepared and empty handed against the horde.
- Perks system: buy perks from different points around the map to gain special abilities. There are 6 perks at the moment and more will be added over time.
- Traps are placed at various locations through out each map to help you tame the undead horde. Each trap is unique both visually and how they work. Some are devastating but quick, Others are meant to slow the horde down and help you make a quick getaway.
🔫 Features
Currently 7 Maps: Death Valley, Last Resort, LockDown, Bunker, Disturbia, Proving Grounds and Rise of the dead.
along with a bonus Shooting rangeDozens of Weapons & Variants: Every base weapon has unique versions with custom attachments, sounds, and stats.
Weapon Upgrades: Use the Munition Maximizer to turn basic guns into zombie-slaying beasts.
Airstrikes & Drop Pods: Tactical options that let you reshape the battlefield.
Traps: Each map includes unique traps—some deadly, some tactical—to help control the chaos.
Perk System: 10 perks available (and more coming) to enhance your survivability and combat power.
Co-op or Solo: Play alone or team up online with up to 3 friends.
🔒 No Paid DLC
All major updates, new maps, weapons, and content will be free for everyone who owns the game.
About the Developer
Hi, I'm a solo indie dev who works full-time as a mechanic. I built SynthwaveZ to be the kind of game I’d want to play with my friends—something fun, fast, and full of personality.
There’s no grind. No complicated systems. No pressure. Just good, chaotic, zombie-blasting fun.
Your feedback matters—I take all suggestions seriously and do my best to respond quickly (when my wife and daughter let me!). Updates might not always be lightning-fast, but I'm constantly working to improve the game.
Thanks for checking out SynthwaveZ
Join the Shadow Games Discord for news, suggestions, and community fun!
All music by Karl Casey @whitebataudio on YouTube.
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- OS: windows 10
- Processor: i7 7700
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: GTX 1080
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 40 GB available space
- Additional Notes: SSD Drive Recomended for best results
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: i7 9700k
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: RTX 3060
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 40 GB available space
- Additional Notes: SSD Drive Recomended for best results - Keyboard and mouse Heavily recommended
Supported Languages
*languages with full audio support
Latest news
Patch NotesOfficial
Bug patch 1.045
- Removed rank up icon from displaying on level start - Removed doll boss from Proving Grounds - Guards no longer shoot at inactive knights on proving grounds - Changed price of Munition Maximizer on proving grounds to 4000 points - Increased ammo purchase price on Proving Grounds to 3500 points - Corrected no collision fence on Disturbia - Increased the alpha brightness for some of the text in lobby menu - Added missing audio from in game event Next Update will be - Showcase of available Charms that will be unlocked At Player Ranks - Showcase of current rank points - Notification on screen when special is available for useRead full article on Community Announcements (Operator Ace)Patch NotesOfficial
Patch 1.03 "Anti melee spam"
Alright guys, Gone are the days of sprint spam and melee spam. Here's the notes... - After sprinting and stamina fully drains it no longer starts at 30%. it now starts at Percentage you stopped sprinting at and gradually increases from there. -Using melee weapons now costs stamina, As of right now all melee weapons use 20% stamina per swing, after each swing the stamina immediately starts to regain. However if you run out of stamina you cannot swing or sprint. you will only be able to swap weapons and shoot. -In the future each melee weapon will consume its own stamina amount. the next update will focus on adding an emblem in the hud to let you know when special abilities are ready to use, as well as per melee weapon stamina consumption hate to see it but the spam was way to easy, it was fun while it lasted. Now get out there and get those zombies!Read full article on Community Announcements (Operator Ace)Patch NotesOfficial
Patch 1.02
Game-play changes -Increase of zombie rank points used to change weapon charms, rank points per zombie now increase based on wave -Reduced points needed for first two weapon charm ranks Rise of the Dead map changes -Minor expansion of lobby in Rise of the Dead -Slight increase of zombies in lobby on Rise of the Dead -Added random spawn locations to exit key card -There are now two Armory passwords, Only one is correct. Its random each play through -Changed location of Slot machineRead full article on Community Announcements (Operator Ace)Patch NotesOfficial
Hot fix v1.01
Rise of the dead adjustments -Fixed stairs causing player to get stuck -Fixed portal on sound -Fixed amount of zombies in lobby area (it was not possible) -Fixed fuse boxes interaction area -Changed amount of time spent in weapon rooms to 15 sec -Fixed stairs early navigation cut for zombiesRead full article on Community Announcements (Operator Ace)Patch NotesOfficial
1.0 update Coming April 7th
Updates - Maps -Rise of the dead -Shooting range (Single player only) - Optimizations -Reworked all used textures -Optimizations to characters and how they communicate with other assests -Removed unused hard referenced code -reworked the use of unnecessary dynamic lighting in some areas -Overall this leads to large improvements to the amount of Ram each character utilizes and the Fps of the game - Changes -Added abilities to Trovao and Operator Ace -Operator Ace has a large speed boost ability for 8 seconds -Trovao has the ability to Rage Burst killing everything around him within a small radius, this has an extended cool-down period. -The standard ability key is G (this can now be changed in key binding settings -increased explosives damage received by Zombies -Changed cost of reaper and doc abilites -Reduced cool-downs for all reaper and doc abilities - Fixes -Fixed character aim offset. this is for the third person view in multiplayer. when looking at a team mate the weapon direction more closely resembles the actual first person looking direction and angle. -Corrected all third person weapon hand positions for multiplayer -Corrected muzzle flash camera fading when to close to camera -Fixed giant double barrel shotgun model in multiplayer -Fixed certain areas caused zombies to jump constantly for multiplayer client - Additions -Added new bosses -Added two new variants to the starting pistol for upgrades -Added a rank up notification when leveling up -Added objectives info to loading screen -Added hints to loading screen -Added New ending to Disturbia Map Other various small re-works, changes and corrections.Read full article on Community Announcements (Operator Ace)
