I've always been a fan of zombies. I think the apocalyptic survival aspects are what appeal to me most (I'd probably like the Fallout games for similar reasons if I ever got around to playing them). There's something compelling about having your life upended and trying to survive/rebuild. Add a terrifying, mindless enemy to the mix and the stakes have been pleasantly raised. I suppose there could be some "generational egotism" under that, but it's more personal. It's more like, "what would I do?" Zombie movies/games are a potent mix of major crisis, survival, fighting, personal and unlikely heroism, and all other sorts of drama. There's a lot of compelling things mixed into one concept.
And from a gameplay standpoint, zombies are pure gold. An endless horde of humanoid enemies and, as you said, no guilt from killing them. The stories basically require players to start with nothing, which makes character progression from a lowly starting point possible without feeling contrived. Exploration in a zombie game becomes essential, both for story and gameplay, as supplies will always be needed. Yet the constant threat of the enemy adds a fear of the unknown when you come up to any door, long hallway, etc.
Eventually, the current market for zombies will be maxed out. Someday we'll have three different zombie-cooking-reality-comedy-dramas on TV and people will move on to something with more novelty. But then it'll all come back in another 20 years. We should just enjoy the craze while it lasts. Can't wait for that World War Z movie.
And from a gameplay standpoint, zombies are pure gold. An endless horde of humanoid enemies and, as you said, no guilt from killing them. The stories basically require players to start with nothing, which makes character progression from a lowly starting point possible without feeling contrived. Exploration in a zombie game becomes essential, both for story and gameplay, as supplies will always be needed. Yet the constant threat of the enemy adds a fear of the unknown when you come up to any door, long hallway, etc.
Eventually, the current market for zombies will be maxed out. Someday we'll have three different zombie-cooking-reality-comedy-dramas on TV and people will move on to something with more novelty. But then it'll all come back in another 20 years. We should just enjoy the craze while it lasts. Can't wait for that World War Z movie.