Nation Red casts players as fighters facing a renewed zombie outbreak: after an earlier Midwestern invasion was believed eradicated, undead return decades later on a remote Arizona road, some carrying guns. The premise sets up an arena shooter built around relentless close-quarters encounters with zombie mutants and boss enemies, rather than a slow-burn survival story.
Combat is fast and built around varied weapons, from machetes and axes to Uzis, flamethrowers and grenades. Character customization adds another layer: player modifiers combine with power-ups, while earned perks offer continued progression through the fighting. Zombies can also bring weapons of their own, including axes, saws and AK-47s, making the horde more than unarmed targets.
The game offers Free Play, Survival and Barricade modes, alongside missions, and supports solo play as well as online and local co-op.
