why do zombies slap instead of bite

“Realistic” zombies, you say?

Okay okay, in the OP’s defense, if you perk into fists, you remove the zombie’s ability to infect after landing a headshot. The idea is you knock their teeth out. So it is canon that they’re biting the player character, even if that’s not represented while he or she is alive.

Speaking of fists, the reach makes a big difference. If they had to get their mouth on you, it would be a big balance swing in the survivor’s favor practically speaking.

Originally posted by Cr0wst0rm: TLDR: animation system from 2015 that is why. They are uncapable of doing paired animations

Just a note that there were mainstream games with paired animations long before that. Yet many games coming out today don’t have this particular feature. It’s not the year that matters, it’s what the developers choose to focus on.