Papers, Please meets the zombie apocalypse – Quarantine Zone: The Last Check blends bureaucratic decision-making with zombie horror. Here’s everything you need to know about the release, platforms, price, and gameplay.
With Quarantine Zone: The Last Check set to launch in early 2026, an unusual survival game is stepping into the spotlight — one that drops the indie classic Papers, Please into a full-blown zombie apocalypse. You take control of a quarantine checkpoint in a collapsing city, making daily decisions about who lives and who doesn’t. Below, we’ve rounded up all confirmed details on the release date, platforms, gameplay mechanics, and system requirements.
Who is developing Quarantine Zone?
The game is being developed by the Ukrainian studio Brigada Games, making its debut with Quarantine Zone. CEO Stas Starykh describes the project as a blend of Papers, Please and The Last of Us, centered on a single question: What does bureaucracy feel like when it decides life or death? Publishing duties are handled by Devolver Digital, known for acclaimed indie titles like Hotline Miami and Death’s Door. The partnership is designed with long-term updates and community support in mind.
When does Quarantine Zone: The Last Check release?
Originally planned for fall 2025, the game was delayed following the new publishing partnership with Devolver Digital to allow for additional polish. The new, confirmed release date is January 12, 2026. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check will launch exclusively on PC via Steam. A console release is not planned at launch. According to the developers, the priority is a stable and well-optimized PC version. While future ports haven’t been ruled out, there are currently no signs of versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch 2.
How much does the game cost?
At launch, the game will be priced at $19.99. Pre-orders are not available at this time, and there are no plans for Deluxe or Ultimate editions, only a standard version. Players who want a hands-on preview can already try a free demo on Steam.
Will Quarantine Zone be included in Xbox Game Pass?
No. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check will not be part of Xbox Game Pass at launch. Since no Xbox version is currently planned, a Game Pass release on console is effectively ruled out. The developers have not announced any alternative plans so far.
Is Quarantine Zone: The Last Check playable on Steam Deck?
Yes. The game runs on Linux via Proton and, according to the developers, is optimized for Steam Deck.
Gameplay & Story – Why Quarantine Zone: The Last Check stands out
Quarantine Zone: The Last Check is more than just another survival game. It forces you into decisions with no clear right or wrong. Anyone who enjoys moral dilemmas, scarce resources, and high-pressure choices should circle January 12, 2026 on their calendar.
What is Quarantine Zone: The Last Check about?
You play as a government agent in a city threatened by a zombie virus outbreak. Your job is to inspect survivors at a checkpoint and decide whether they’re allowed into the camp, sent to quarantine, or eliminated. Each day raises the stakes: resources dwindle, symptoms become harder to detect, and public trust in the system begins to crumble.
As the campaign progresses, hints of a conspiracy emerge. Rumors of secret experiments and manipulated evacuations begin to cast doubt on your mission. One central moral question runs throughout the game: How much humanity is left when every decision can be fatal?
How does Quarantine Zone: The Last Check play?
Daily life in Quarantine Zone revolves around several interconnected systems. At the gate, you screen survivors for symptoms like coughing, wounds, greenish skin, or abnormal pulse rates. Based on your diagnosis, you must choose:
- Admit them into the camp
- Quarantine them for further observation
- Eliminate them if infection is clear
The full version offers a wide range of diagnostic tools, including X-ray machines, reflex hammers, and the so-called Metiascope for eye examinations. In uncertain cases, you can send individuals to the lab. This may yield new insights, but every test ends fatally for the subject.
Beyond screening, you also manage an improvised survivor camp. You’re responsible for electricity, food, medicine, and shelter. Upgrades improve screening stations, defenses, and transport systems. Resources, however, are limited. Sometimes you’ll be forced to turn away healthy people simply because there’s no room left.
Once night falls, the undead attack the camp. You must defend it using mounted weapons, drones, and automated turrets. A standout mechanic: zombies can drop down from rooftops and must be shot mid-air. The attacks grow more intense with each passing day.
Transformation doesn’t always mean the end. Newly turned zombies can be locked in a special cage, allowing you to extract samples. This research unlocks new tools, XP, and upgrades, but it also puts your moral compass to the test. Alongside the campaign, an endless mode is planned, challenging you to survive as long as possible. This mode will only be available in the full release and was not included in the demo.
Is there voice acting?
The demo used temporary AI-generated voices, a decision that sparked controversy within the community. The developers have clarified that these were placeholders only and that professional voice actors will be used in the full release. No cast members have been announced yet. The game will be translated into 14 languages.
How popular is the game ahead of launch?
Even before release, Quarantine Zone: The Last Check has become one of the most-watched indie games of 2026:
- Over 1.3 million Steam wishlists
- Nearly 2 million demo downloads
- 91% positive demo reviews
- More than 50 million video views on TikTok and YouTube
- An active Discord community with over 30,000 members
What are the system requirements?
| Category | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel i5-10400F | Intel i7-10700F |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
