Survival games have become common and popular in modern times, with many people embracing the idea of struggling to help their character persist against all odds and slowly make meaningful progress. However, this gameplay loop isn’t for everyone, with some people not appreciating the monotony accompanying these acts.
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Whether you’re playing solo or teaming up with friends, these survival games offer deep and immersive challenges to test your survival skills.
However, completely avoiding all survival games is not the solution here. There are some great games in this genre with other strengths that players should check out, allowing them to enjoy a genre that isn’t necessarily their cup of tea.
8
Rust
The Multiplayer Elements Lead To Several Organic Moments In This Amazing Survival Title
- Released
-
February 8, 2018
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Fair
Rust is a huge multiplayer game that has been around for quite a long time by this point. Survival gameplay is just one reason why this title has amassed such a devoted fanbase. The best thing about Rust is its multiplayer component, which leads to meaningful interactions as players try their hardest to make alliances and fend off other hostile players.
Sometimes, complying with a group’s demands is the best way to ensure survival. In other instances, players can form massive bases of their own and dominate other players as they cement their superiority in a game.
7
Minecraft
A Revolutionary Indie Title That Has Something For Everyone
- Platform(s)
-
3DS
, Android
, iOS
, Nintendo Switch
, Nintendo Wii U
, PC
, PlayStation 3
, PlayStation 4
, PS Vita
, Xbox One
, Xbox 360 - Released
-
November 18, 2011
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Minecraft is one of the most popular video games ever made, and the survival element is only one part of the puzzle that led to its mainstream appeal. The immense creativity in Minecraft‘s multiplayer maps makes it clear that players can lose themselves while constructing massive and impressive structures.
This, coupled with a host of multiplayer game modes that don’t even touch on the survival part, is a huge reason why Minecraft has a little something for everyone. It’s easy for players to lose hours upon hours in a session when all they want to do was dip their toe in this game’s vast pool of content.
6
This War Of Mine
Shows The Horrors Of War And Its Impact On Innocents With Its Grueling Survival Gameplay
- Released
-
November 14, 2014
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Players who want a thematically consistent survival game where the horrors of war are explored from the point of view of the common person will find This War of Mine to be an engaging experience. It’s a dark and morose tale that revolves around a group of survivors who must struggle to stay alive at all costs in a city besieged by war.
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These survival games let players work with each other, against each other, or some combination of both.
Survivors will be forced to make tough decisions to secure medicine, weapons, and other resources. Players can’t cling to their morality for too long, since doing so may lead to the death of a loved one as the survivors slowly start breaking apart.
5
Darkwood
A Mysterious Horror Game With Survival Elements That’s Terrifying In Every Way
- Released
-
August 18, 2017
- Developer(s)
-
Acid Wizard Studio
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
An immersive horror game that manages to scare the wits out of players despite using a top-down perspective, Darkwood is an indie masterpiece that more people should check out. The developers did justice to the themes of cosmic horror in their own way, crafting a campaign that fits the genre while not being derivative.
Players engage in a survival gameplay loop of scrounging for resources in the day while heading back to their safehouse at night to avoid any nightmarish dangers. Darkwood takes a while to reveal its main threat, forcing players to deal with numerous threats and make the most of a limited vision cone to stay alive at all costs.
4
RimWorld
The Colony Simulator Takes A While To Learn But Will Entertain Players With Its Emergent Storytelling
- Released
-
October 17, 2018
- Developer(s)
-
Ludeon Studios
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
Colony management may seem like an arduous task, and RimWorld is challenging enough to frustrate players who aren’t patient enough to grasp the game’s mechanics. However, it won’t take long for players to realize the synergy of RimWorld‘s systems, letting them embark on a successful run as they form genuine bonds with their unique, procedurally-generated colonists.
This is where the magic of RimWorld starts showing, engrossing players for hours as they ensure that their colonists survive against all odds. Having great medicine and protection is imperative for a colony to thrive on a hostile alien planet as they try to make a spaceship and reach home.
3
Frostpunk
Helping A City In A Volcanic Winter Is Easier Said Than Done
- Released
-
April 24, 2018
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Mighty
A city builder with an emphasis on story, Frostpunk is a tough-as-nails strategy game with survival elements where players control a city that must persevere in a volcanic winter. This is easier said than done, since it’s very easy for the city’s systems to fail and its residents to succumb to the cold in no time.
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These boss fights only intensify the struggle to survive across various games.
To make things worse, players must make several tough decisions with no right answer as their settlement continues to expand. Sending out scouting groups and keeping morale high at all times is imperative for players to reach the end after a challenging run.
2
Project Zomboid
An Engaging Survival Game With So Many Ways To Approach Every Run As Players Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse
Project Zomboid is one of the most content-rich survival games set in the zombie apocalypse. This may seem done to death, but Project Zomboid‘s gameplay-first approach ensures that people will have a great time enjoying what this title brings to the table.
Project Zomboid‘s survival gameplay features elements of the simulation genre, with players helping their playable survivor develop a diverse range of skills as they do everything in their power to survive each day. The threat of the undead hangs over the player every step of the way as they try their hardest to gain the skills necessary to stay alive in this hostile environment.
1
Pathologic 2
A Successor To A Unique Survival Title With An Amazing Story And Unique Atmosphere
- Released
-
May 23, 2019
- Developer(s)
-
Ice-Pick Lodge
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Fair
While Pathologic 2 takes elements from the survival genre, players shouldn’t fret since it’s just a small part of the overall package. Anyone looking for an immersive horror game with a unique atmosphere and open-ended design will have a great time with this title.
It’s the perfect title for players who find the first game to be a bit too dated for their liking. The mystery of the Sand Pest plague and how it ravages the unnamed town is a huge part of what makes Pathologic 2 a special video game.
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