When I saw the initial trailer for No More Room In Hell 2 during Gamescom ONL 2024, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a little. I’ve lived through the era in video games where open-world survival games with zombies in them seemed like such a recipe for success, you couldn’t throw a stone without hitting someone’s attempt at one.
Seeing anyone attempt a zombie survival game now without a truly unique idea behind it usually elicits an exhausted or sarcastic sigh from me. However, I jumped at the chance to preview No More Room In Hell 2—it is October after all, and what better way to celebrate Halloween than with a few horror games? With tempered expectations, I dove into the game, and honestly, I was impressed.
CGM was invited to sit down with Torn Banner Studios for an introduction before diving into the pre-Early Access release version of No More Room In Hell 2. Game Director Leif Walter provided insight into the team’s vision for the game, stating, “Right from the start when we started on No More Room In Hell 2, we really wanted to capture more than just a zombie horror game, but really that classic horror film experience inspired by the old Romero films.”
“With tempered expectations, I dove into the game, and honestly, I was impressed.”
One way they achieved this, as Walter mentioned, was by setting the game closer to the start of the outbreak, rather than in a “post-apocalyptic” world. This was a welcome change from the typical approach seen in most zombie survival games, where players are often trying to survive in a world that has long since collapsed, with only small remnants of humanity scattered among the ruins.
I honestly can’t think of another zombie survival game that truly captures the feeling of chaos in a world that’s actively falling apart—the closest comparison that comes to mind are the Left 4 Dead games. This was immediately clear when I dove into No More Room In Hell 2. Much like its predecessor, it’s a cooperative game where players must work together to survive.
In keeping with the theme, players are scattered at the start of each match and must find each other to group up, which sets a unique tone for the game. As Walter explained, “First and foremost, No More Room In Hell 2 is a terrifying and intense first-person horror game.” He continued, “The action, of course, does unfold, especially in the later parts of the game, but we really wanted to balance this with the thrilling tension of a real horror game, especially in the early phases.”
“And while it’s still early and a bit rough around the edges, the experience was intensely atmospheric.”
For the preview, we were dropped into the Power Plant map—which is set to be the first of many. Right away, you get a clear sense of the game’s style and atmosphere. Players are essentially First Responders, trying to do what they can to help in the grand scheme—since there aren’t any NPC survivors to save. All you have is a melee weapon, a gun with a handful of bullets and your wits.
And while it’s still early in development and a bit rough around the edges, the experience was intensely atmospheric. You’re running around in the dark with only a flashlight to guide you, constantly running into the undead. Whether they’re lying on the ground or hidden in the shadows, No More Room In Hell 2 keeps you on your toes and consistently afraid.
The tension is heightened by the game’s intended difficulty. At the start of each round, players choose a Responder, and while they can collect a variety of weapons and items—though inventory space is limited—they can also gain upgrades by collecting Supply Items and surviving through the round. The catch? Permadeath.
“It’s still early, but No More Room In Hell 2 is shaping up to be a really special horror experience.”
Players can improve their character and, by extension, their chances of survival, but the game is designed to have a hard, more realistic feel. Just like in a real zombie apocalypse, you grow and learn as you survive, but once you’re gone, you’re gone for good. The next player has to pick up where you left off and try to do better than you did.
The game really leans into its cooperative element. When you finally find another player, you instinctively want to help them out and coordinate as best as possible. It echoes what Walter mentioned about the incentive to explore each map—not just to find more supplies and weapons but to locate other players. As he pointed out, strength in numbers is key to surviving a round—you either survive together or end up dying alone in the apocalypse.
And despite a few performance hiccups with the pre-release demo, No More Room In Hell 2 has a really distinct weight feel to it that makes every moment feel desperate and incredibly scary. At one point I had snuck into a makeshift medical center within a factory. I was low on ammo, hurt and desperate for some healing items.
The atmospheric lighting and impressive visual fidelity made running through the maze of corridors, filled with hospital beds and medical equipment, feel genuinely tense—especially as zombies poured in from all directions. With every turn, I faced a new threat, and it started to feel like one of the classic horror movies—desperately searching for aid while quickly running out of options.
It’s still early, but No More Room In Hell 2 is shaping up to be a really special horror experience. Torn Banner Studios is actively working on the game and listening to player feedback to ensure it stays true to their previous title while also delivering something new and exciting.
No More Room In Hell 2 will be released in Early Access on October 22nd, 2024 for PC.
