Cinder City Tactical FPS MMO Lets You Tour Seoul—and Fight Zombie Devs
If you’ve ever wanted to explore a post-apocalyptic Seoul while dodging bullets and shotgun-blasting zombies in the face, Cinder City might be your new obsession. NCSoft’s upcoming tactical FPS MMO isn’t just another zombie shooter—it’s a full-blown urban warzone simulator with maps so detailed you could use them as a travel guide. Assuming you don’t mind the occasional undead coworker trying to eat your face.
Seoul and Pangyo Maps Are Ridiculously Realistic
Let’s start with the maps, because they’re the real stars here. Cinder City launches with two open-world environments: Seoul and Pangyo. And when NCSoft says “open world,” they mean it—each map spans 5 to 7 square kilometers and is modeled with such precision that you could navigate actual Seoul using the in-game layout.
According to BigFire Games CEO and NCSoft development advisor James Bae, the Seoul map is a near-perfect replica, right down to the road layouts and building placements. It’s not just “inspired by” Seoul—it is Seoul, just with more zombies and fewer tourists.
Pangyo, meanwhile, offers a more structured layout and a different tactical vibe. It’s also home to NCSoft’s real-world office, which has been lovingly recreated in-game—complete with zombie employees wearing name tags. Yes, really. You can storm the office and fight zombified devs. It’s like a corporate team-building exercise gone horribly wrong.
Tactical Gameplay That Actually Adapts to the Environment
Cinder City isn’t just about sightseeing—it’s about surviving. The game’s environments aren’t static backdrops; they actively shape how you fight. In wide-open areas like Seoul’s town squares, you’ll be ducking behind wrecked vehicles and fallen debris for cover, trading long-range fire with hostile survivors. But step inside a building, and it’s a whole different beast—tight corridors, close-quarters combat, and zombies that don’t wait for polite introductions.
The game even lets you hop between buildings via helicopter, because apparently walking is for people who aren’t being hunted by the undead. It’s chaotic, immersive, and surprisingly strategic.
A Zombie Apocalypse With a Sense of Humor
Cinder City doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of the charm. The idea of fighting through NCSoft’s zombified office staff is both hilarious and oddly cathartic. These aren’t passive NPCs—they’re hostile, aggressive, and ready to throw down. So no, you can’t just wander the cubicles sipping coffee while the undead file reports. You’ll need to bring your A-game.
Final Thoughts: Cinder City Might Actually Be Worth the Hype
Cinder City is shaping up to be more than just another tactical shooter. It’s a love letter to urban chaos, a sandbox for strategic mayhem, and a surprisingly detailed tour of South Korea’s real-world architecture—just with more blood and fewer rules.
Launching in 2026, it’s one to watch if you’re tired of generic maps and want a game that treats its environments like actual characters. And if you’ve ever dreamed of fighting zombies in a corporate office, well… dreams do come true. Just bring ammo.
