The wait is over for the most anticipated indie simulation of the year. Brigada Games and publisher Devolver Digital have officially released “Quarantine Zone: The Last Check” today, January 12, 2026. After amassing over 1.3 million Steam wishlists and more than 200 million views across TikTok and YouTube, the “zombie checkpoint simulator” is finally available to the public.
A Moral Trial in the Face of Extinction
Set in a collapsing world overrun by the undead, players take on the role of a government agent stationed at the final checkpoint leading to humanity’s last safe haven. Your task is simple yet haunting: screen survivors, manage dwindling resources, and decide who is granted entry—and who is left to the mercy of the wasteland.
The game has been described as a “spiritual, high-stakes successor to Papers, Please,” but with a brutal, hyper-realistic UE5 twist.
Key Gameplay Features:
- Advanced Screening: Utilize a suite of high-tech and “manual” tools, including a portable X-ray for internal organ scans, a Metiascope for eye examinations, and even a medical reflex hammer to test for neurological decay.
- The Laboratory: For survivors with ambiguous symptoms, players can utilize a laboratory to uncover new virus strains. Be warned: every test conducted here is fatal for the subject.
- Base Management: A new bird’s-eye view interface allows you to oversee the flow of food, fuel, and medicine as your survivor population grows.
- Zombie Exploitation: In a dark twist of black comedy and pragmatism, you can harvest samples from infected survivors to unlock tool upgrades and staff experience.
- Dynamic Defense: It’s not just paperwork—zombies will occasionally drop from rooftops or rush the gates, requiring you to pilot armed drones to maintain order.
Technical Prowess: Hyper-Realism via Unreal Engine 5
One of the main reasons for the game’s viral success is its stunning visual fidelity. Developed using Unreal Engine 5, the game utilizes Lumen for real-time lighting, creating a chilling atmosphere where shadows and reflections react dynamically to your flashlight. The use of volumetric fog and smoke adds a layer of “Urban Fear,” limiting player visibility to heighten the tension during nighttime shifts.
From Outsourcing to Indie Sensation
The story of Brigada Games is as compelling as the game itself. Founded in 2017 in Ukraine as a technical outsourcing firm, the studio was known for its expertise in porting and optimizing Unreal Engine titles for major companies like Wargaming.
In 2023, following a sharp decline in outsourcing contracts, CEO Stas Starykh took a gamble by pivoting to internal development. With a marketing budget of just $700, the team created a demo that became one of the most played versions of 2025. Today, the studio operates globally with members in Armenia, France, and Turkey.
Availability and “Master Key” Raffle
Quarantine Zone: The Last Check is available now on Steam for $19.99. In a surprise announcement, the game has also joined PC Game Pass (and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate) as a Day One title.
To celebrate the launch, Devolver Digital is hosting a “Master Key” raffle on the game’s official Discord server. One lucky winner will receive a special key granting permanent access to every game Devolver Digital has ever published, as well as all future releases.
Game Info At a Glance:
- Developer: Brigada Games
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Platform: PC (Steam, Xbox Game Pass)
- Price: $19.99 (Free for Game Pass Subscribers)
| division | Key Contents |
| Studio name | Brigada Games |
| Representative and Director | Stas Starykh |
| Year of establishment | 2017 |
| scale | About 10 people (as of 2025) |
| Key milestones | • 2017: Establishment of Brigada Games development studio • May 2025: ‘Quarantine Zone: The Last Check’ DEMO launch • January 2026: Quarantine Zone: The Last Check Officially Launches |
| Official website | https://brigada.games/ |
| Official Trailer | [Quarantine Zone: The Last Check] Official Gameplay Trailer |
| Steam Store Page | [Quarantine Zone: The Last Check] Steam Store |
