City Defense Z

Released Aug 2025

City Defense Z combines base-building and base defense in a roguelite progression loop. Build by day, defend by night, and face a growing zombie threat. Every defeat unlocks permanent upgrades, helping you rebuild smarter and push further each time. See how many days you can last.

75% positive · 325 reviews

Not yet

Released, but still in active development

High confidence

Active Development

Not yet

Released, but still in active development

High confidence

Active Development

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $9.99

Can't confirm — worth a look

We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.

Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search

Prices in USD, as listed by each store.

Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site

Evaluation

City Defense Z launched on August 25, 2025 and has received four major content updates in the roughly ten months since: Roadmap Part 1 (September 19, 2025), Roadmap Part 2 (October 11, 2025), Major Update 3 (December 18, 2025), and Major Update 4: Split City (March 18, 2026). These arrived at a cadence of roughly 6–12 weeks apart, each bringing new mechanics, units, maps, and systems. The last major content release was March 18, 2026, now approximately six months ago — at the outer edge of the established cadence window. However, the developer published an anniversary post on September 4, 2026 — just two weeks before today's assessment date — in which they reflected on a full year of updates, listed everything that changed in Year One, and closed with: "We are still here... We are still listening." This is an active developer engagement signal, not a conclusion statement. The developer made no announcement that development is ending or that no further content is planned. They have not named specific upcoming content either, but their sustained history and the recent communication confirm the game remains in active development. The October 2025 developer statement that "Road Map Part 2 may be coming to a close, but this is not our last update" has been validated by the two major updates that followed it. The September 4, 2026 anniversary post reinforces that the team remains active and community-focused going into Year Two.

Evidence

Developer published a one-year anniversary post on September 4, 2026, summarizing all Year One changes and closing with 'We are still here' and 'We are still listening' — confirming ongoing engagement with no announcement of development ending.

news post · Sep 4, 2026 source development ongoing

high

Major Update 4: Split City shipped on March 18, 2026, adding a brand new map with a unique blocked-tile mechanic, a new card type, and numerous balance and quality-of-life improvements.

news post · Mar 18, 2026 source content shipped

high

Media

Details

Developer

Good Mood Games

Publisher

Good Mood Games

Achievements

Platform

Windows, Linux

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Verified

Players

Single-player

Roguelike Casual Zombies Indie Roguelite Tower Defense Post-apocalyptic Time Management Survival Strategy Resource Management Tactical 3D Replay Value Base Building

About this game

What you do during the day pays off at night: gather resources, place buildings, merge structures, trade resources, choose your NPCs wisely, send them on expeditions, deploy soldiers, merge units, and position your troops strategically.

Factory Buildings: Produce the main resource you need to build and upgrade your base.
Ammunition Buildings: Create ammo for soldiers, defenses, and special attacks.
Barracks Buildings: Train new soldiers every cycle.
Laboratory Buildings: Generate research points for permanent upgrades that carry over between runs.
House Buildings: Increase population limit, allowing you to grow your army.
Merge-Based Building System: Soldiers and buildings automatically merge when placed smartly on the grid.

When night falls, don’t give up if your strategy isn’t working. You still have tricks: call in airstrikes and collect boosters to power up the defense units you placed during the day.

Lost a run? It’s time to come back stronger. Spend the research points you’ve earned, pick the permanent upgrades that match your strategy, and try again. Each run, you’ll get better than the last.

Permanent Meta Progression: 13 research trees providing persistent upgrades.
13 Research Trees: Choose upgrade paths trough 150+ meta upgrades that complement your playstyle.

Constant combat, constant adrenaline! As you defend your city, the action never slows down for a second. Build your strategy and stay in control in the heart of the battle.