Best Survival Games Inspired By Real-World Locations, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Survival games combine exploration, resource management, and narrative, testing character limits in hostile environments.
• Games like Medieval Dynasty and Green Hell create immersive settings inspired by real-world locations.
• STALKER 2, Grounded, and Stranded Deep offer unique survival experiences based on realistic environments and hazards.

Games focused on survival remain among the most popular genres, offering countless fans a variety of challenges that must be overcome — typically within a hostile environment filled with dangers. The genre combines elements of exploration, resource management, and sometimes a touch of narrative, providing immersive experiences that test the limits of characters.

Although many of these games are set in locations inspired by the real world, faithful representation is not always achieved. Thus, the best survival games set in the real world are those that combine survival challenges with authentic settings, creating an immersive experience for players.

9 Medieval Dynasty

Surviving The Challenges Of A Medieval Life

Capturing the atmosphere and hardships of the medieval period without being set in a specific European location is what Medieval Dynasty achieves, delivering authenticity through rural construction, exploration, and resource management. The experience allows players to feel the life of a common villager, building settlements and facing daily struggles.

Even though certain constructions do not precisely follow historical accuracy, Medieval Dynasty captures the essence of medieval society. Inspired by the real world, it includes lush landscapes, rustic architecture, and seasonal cycles that directly impact gameplay, providing an immersive environment that transports players to a world of constant struggle.

8 Grounded

A Realistic Backyard Setting

Drawing inspiration from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Grounded places players in a suburban backyard, drastically reduced to the size of ants, where everyday surroundings become unfamiliar and packed with challenges once thought insignificant. This environment employs real-world elements such as insects and plants to shape a unique miniature setting.

The game adapts small details to fit the survival context, so while encountering hostile spiders and other aggressive insects, it becomes possible to build shelters from blades of grass and small twigs. This creative blend turns Grounded into a remarkably unique experience within the survival genre.

7 Stranded Deep

A Survival Game Inspired By The Pacific Ocean

For those who appreciate marine settings, Stranded Deep offers a lonely battle for survival after an airplane crash, demanding exploration of tropical islands and the vast surrounding seas. The entire environment draws inspiration from the Pacific Ocean, capturing the region’s beauty as well as its inherent dangers, including a diverse marine ecosystem.

The game features well-crafted details, including a variety of fish and occasional climatic phenomena like tropical storms, conveying the challenges inherent to such an environment. In addition, Stranded Deep shares common survival mechanics, requiring management of hunger, thirst, and exposure to the sun.

6 State Of Decay 2

Cities Inspired By Those In The United States

State of Decay 2 does not use real American locations, but its playable areas are clearly inspired by U.S. cities and cultural elements. From small rural communities to suburban neighborhoods, the game recreates remarkable settings that capture the spirit of a nation facing a zombie apocalypse, making the experience even more engaging.

The gameplay emphasizes building and managing communities, requiring strategic planning to gather resources and strengthen the group. Interaction with NPCs and combat against various zombie hordes are essential, providing a dynamic experience. This focus on survival and decision-making makes State of Decay 2 an excellent choice.

5 STALKER 2: Heart Of Chornobyl

An Alternate Version Of Ukraine

The STALKER series draws inspiration from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and STALKER 2 stands out as one of the genre’s most intriguing survival games, largely due to its setting in a region based on the real world. The creation of The Zone, fraught with genuine hazards like radiation and fictional threats like mutants and anomalies, sets a hostile stage.

While exploring this environment under constant threat, searching for resources, or attempting missions for numerous characters scattered across the map, it remains essential to manage scarce supplies with caution. This combination of environmental and survival challenges makes STALKER 2 a standout setting in the genre.

4 Green Hell

The Amazon Rainforest Holds Many Different Dangers

The setting of Green Hell heavily draws upon the Amazon Rainforest, granting an opportunity to attempt survival in a region renowned for its biodiversity and hostile conditions. The game faithfully depicts elements of the local fauna and flora, offering an immersive experience in a dense, unforgiving jungle environment.

Another detail Green Hell executes well is the difficulty of staying alive, as countless hazards can jeopardize a character’s health. Within these realistic survival mechanics, it is crucial to manage hunger, thirst, and even mental stability. Parasites pose a frequent threat, especially in the game’s initial hours.

3 Project Zomboid

A 1990s Zombie Apocalypse

The combination of zombies and survival excels in Project Zomboid, which uniquely immerses players in an open world reflecting certain U.S. regions like Muldraugh, Riverside, West Point, and Rosewood. This realistic setting permits various playstyles, since each location presents distinct resources and scenarios that simulate an authentic struggle for survival.

What sets Project Zomboid apart is its emphasis on strategic survival and resource management. Different from other titles in the genre, it incorporates complex mechanics like construction, farming, and a high degree of realism in character actions, necessitating careful consideration to avoid injuries or illness from spoiled food.

2 This War Of Mine

The Moral Dilemmas Faced By Survivors During Wartime

This War of Mine offers a brutal perspective on survival amidst war, highlighting moral dilemmas, resource scarcity, and human fragility. Inspired by the Siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War, the game follows ordinary civilians attempting to withstand extreme conditions, while its somber and desolate atmosphere amplifies the intensity of the experience.

The game demands careful resource management, tough decision-making, and protection of the group. Each choice directly affects morale, health, and sanity. This realistic and emotional approach, influenced by authentic accounts of urban conflict, creates an environment of constant tension and painful compromises.

1 The Long Dark

Northern Canada Is A Dangerous Environment

For those seeking a profound survival experience set in an equally immersive atmosphere, The Long Dark stands as an exceptional option. It requires enduring the beautiful yet unforgiving landscapes of northern Canada, in a world devastated by a geomagnetic storm that has reshaped the climate.

Survival in this environment calls for resisting the cold while also managing other basic necessities — and fighting off dangerous afflictions. The game features a complete day/night cycle paired with shifting weather conditions that directly influence gameplay and how characters respond to the elements.