They Are Coming
They Are Coming - Play Online
Ever played those classic zombie defense flash games from the 2010s? This has that exact vibe. They Are Coming is a 2D side-scrolling zombie shooter where you're stuck protecting an orphanage from waves of the undead. Build barricades, buy guns, and try not to lose everything when you die. It's a roguelike tower defense hybrid that runs straight in your browser—no download, no commitment, just shoot-zombies-build-stuff action.
Key Features
- Two Game Modes: Defense mode with permanent stakes, and Sandbox mode where you can mess around without consequences.
- Runs Anywhere: Browser-based Unity game that works on desktop and mobile without installation.
- Puppet Physics: Ragdoll-style zombie animations that make kills satisfying in a silly, floppy way.
- Base Building Arsenal: Buy turrets, traps, barricades, and firearms to customize your defense strategy each run.
How to Play They Are Coming
Getting started is dead simple—surviving past day 5 is where it gets spicy.
Pick Your Mode and Gear Up
You start by choosing between Defense mode (the real deal where losing means starting over) or Sandbox mode (practice without pressure). In Defense, you're back at the orphanage with limited cash. Visit the administrator to buy your first weapon—handguns are cheap but weak, rifles cost more but shred zombies faster. You'll also want to grab some building materials early.
Build Defenses Before the Horde Arrives
This is the tower defense part. You place barricades to slow zombies down, turrets to auto-fire, and traps to thin the crowd before they reach you. The zombies shuffle in from the left side of the screen in waves, and you need to position yourself and your structures to create chokepoints. Don't cheap out on defenses—those blue-skinned walkers pile up fast after the first few days.
Fight, Survive, Repeat (or Lose Everything)
Once the wave starts, you're shooting manually while your turrets do work. Use melee weapons if things get too close. Each day you survive earns you cash to upgrade. But here's the kicker: if you die, you lose your progress and gear. It's pure roguelike punishment. That's why Sandbox mode exists—test builds there before risking it all in Defense.
Who is They Are Coming for?
This is for players who miss the golden age of browser defense games and don't mind a bit of grind. If you liked The Last Stand or Infectonator back in the day, you'll feel right at home. It's also solid for younger players (12-18 range) who want something quick and repeatable without a huge learning curve. Not recommended if you hate losing progress—the permadeath in Defense mode is real and kinda brutal.
The Gameplay Vibe
Honestly? It's janky in a charming way. The pixel art is super basic—flat backgrounds, minimal parallax, and those puppet-style animations make zombies flop around like crash test dummies. It's not pretty, but it works. The pacing is chill between waves (you get time to shop and build), then chaotic when the horde shows up. Audio is forgettable—generic gunfire and groans. Think of it as a low-budget arcade experience, not a polished indie gem. Perfect for zoning out while listening to music.
Technical Check: Saves & Performance
The game saves your unlocks and sandbox inventory automatically in your browser's local storage. Just don't clear your cache or you'll lose everything. Performance-wise, it's lightweight—runs smooth even on older laptops or mid-range phones since it's simple 2D Unity. No lag spikes that I noticed. Fullscreen mode works great if you want to block out distractions.
Quick Verdict: Pros & Cons
A solid time-killer if you're into retro zombie defense, but don't expect anything groundbreaking.
- ✅ Pro: Instant browser play with zero setup—just click and shoot.
- ✅ Pro: Sandbox mode saves the game from being too punishing; great for experimentation.
- ❌ Con: Losing all your gear on death feels harsh for a casual browser game—some mid-run checkpoints would help.
Controls
Responsive enough for a Unity web build. Movement feels a bit stiff, but aiming is fine.
- Desktop: WASD or Arrow Keys to move, Mouse to aim and shoot, Number keys to switch weapons, Click to build structures.
- Mobile: On-screen joystick for movement, tap buttons for shooting and building (works but feels cramped on smaller screens).
Release Date & Developer
Developed by NeoX and released on December 26, 2024. It's a Russian-made browser game, which explains the straightforward, no-frills design philosophy.
