From Pandemic to Post-Apocalypse: The Sequel to Plague Inc. Is a Quirky City-Builder That Serves Up a Moral Dilemma

In a surreal and delightful twist, Ndemic Creations, the studio behind the global pandemic simulator Plague Inc., has returned with a new game that is the exact opposite of its predecessor. After Inc: Revival is a cozy, yet challenging, city-builder that puts you in charge of rebuilding civilization after a zombie apocalypse. The game recently had a demo as part of Steam Next Fest, and while its charming voxel graphics and chill vibes were a hit, one player’s experience perfectly captured the game’s unique and sometimes dark sense of humor: they ended up feeding dogs to their citizens, all in the name of survival.

A City-Builder with a Conscience (or Lack Thereof)

The incident, as recounted by the player, is a bizarrely hilarious example of the game’s unexpected moral quandaries. In a situation where their settlement was running low on food, the player was faced with a random event. The event offered a choice between a moral high road and a more pragmatic, though ethically questionable, solution. The player opted to take a “found” food source, which turned out to be a pack of wild dogs, providing a much-needed boost to their food supply. The game’s wry humor added to the moment, with the text stating that the citizens “misinterpreted what ‘hot dogs’ were in the time before the Plague.”

This is a classic example of what makes After Inc: Revival so compelling. It’s a game that, on its surface, seems like a relaxing, low-stakes experience. The art style is beautiful, the music is serene, and the goal is to simply rebuild and survive. However, the game’s narrative events and resource management challenges often force players to make difficult choices. Do you prioritize the morale of your citizens, or do you make a difficult call for the good of the entire settlement? Do you honor the past or do you adapt to the harsh realities of the present? The game’s ability to inject these high-stakes, ethically-charged dilemmas into a seemingly chill city-builder is what gives it a unique identity.

A Different Kind of Apocalyptic Experience

Unlike its older brother, Plague Inc., which was about destruction and a detached, clinical approach to annihilation, After Inc: Revival is about creation, survival, and the human condition. The game is a unique blend of strategic simulation, survival city-builder, and “mini 4X,” where you must manage resources, defend against zombie hordes, and expand your settlements across a beautifully rendered, post-apocalyptic United Kingdom. The game has already received “Mostly Positive” reviews on Steam, with players praising its fresh take on the genre and its satisfying gameplay loop.

The early access release, which hit PC on June 17, 2025, after a successful run on mobile, is a testament to the developers’ commitment to listening to their community. The game has already received multiple content updates, and the developers have promised to continue this trend, with more campaigns and features planned for the future. The game is also notable for its sophisticated narrative algorithms and the ability to choose between 10 unique leaders, each with different abilities. This adds a level of replayability that will keep players coming back for more, whether they are trying to build the most efficient settlement or simply trying to survive without resorting to eating wild dogs.

For fans who have been looking for a city-builder with a little more bite (pun intended), After Inc: Revival is a must-play. It’s a game that proves that even in the most beautiful and tranquil of post-apocalyptic settings, the decisions you make will always have a consequence, and sometimes, those consequences can be both hilarious and deeply disturbing.