A Decade in the Making: Grand Theft Auto 4 Meets Nazi Zombies

There is a peculiar satisfaction in watching a bygone zombie mod refuse to die. That is precisely the case with Cheyron’s Nazi Zombies, a hybrid project that merges the undead horde mechanics of Call of Duty with the gritty, faux-New York atmosphere of Grand Theft Auto 4.

This fan-made creation is ten years in the making, finally released on Nexus Mods, and it serves as a potent reminder of how much gaming history has stacked up in that time.

Reliving the Classics in Liberty City

I hardly need an excuse to return to GTA 4’s slant on Liberty City, and at face value, Cheyron’s work is pure fun. Re-filling the shoes of Niko Bellic with an assault rifle in hand, fending off wave after wave of faceless enemies, feels as good now as it did decades ago.

Revisiting iconic map locations, such as the Times Square-aping Star Junction, grounds the experience in a familiar nostalgia. Beneath this fan-made veneer, however, sits something more powerful: a warped perception of time.

The first zombie horde mode to enter the Call of Duty franchise appeared in World at War, released in 2008 just months after GTA 4. Since then, there have been 13 variations of the undead horde spinoff. With GTA 4 now celebrating its 18th birthday, the timeline feels increasingly surreal.

I had just turned 22 when GTA 4 arrived on consoles. Now, at 40, I find myself wondering where the hell the time has gone, especially as we joke about the long development of Grand Theft Auto 6.

Simple Mechanics, Endless Fun

Lest I bore you with personal existential dread, the perfect tonic lies within Cheyron’s Nazi Zombies. Its rhythmic waves of virtual murder are simple yet effective, offering a way to hang out in a world that time has not quite forgotten.

According to Cheyron, the project aims to help players "relive the old magic." The mod includes:

  • Authentic sounds and mechanics from the original Call of Duty Nazi Zombies mode.
  • The ability to buy colas and purchase new weapons at the box.
  • Co-op gameplay with NPCs and a focus on headshots.
  • Difficulty scaling, where every level gets progressively harder.

It is a faithful recreation that allows you to try and beat your top score. In-game, as in life, am I right?