Build & Survive: 10 Games Like ARK Survival Evolved

Do you love the mix of danger, dinosaurs, and survival in ARK? Whether you enjoy taming beasts, building epic bases, or exploring wild worlds, we’ve curated a list of ten games like ARK Survival Evolved, each with its own unique twist.

Palworld

Palworld scratches the same itch as ARK but adds a unique twist. You build your base and explore a vast world with the help of quirky creatures called Pals. They’re adorable and useful, but occasionally a bit terrifying. You can catch and breed them, ride them across land, sea, and sky, and assign them tasks like farming, mining, and defending your base. Some Pals even wield machine guns! Others help to grow crops or automate your factory. Some are just there to make you look cool as you glide off a mountain.

You can butcher or sell your Pals if you’re desperate—or evil. The story is minimal, but the lore is hidden in funny — and occasionally creepy — notes scattered throughout the world. Palworld offers the same satisfying loop of survival, crafting, and base optimization as ARK but with more flexibility and personality. It’s strange, chaotic, and completely addictive.

Valheim

The brutal yet beautiful survival game Valheim immerses you in a mysterious, procedurally generated purgatory inspired by Norse mythology, armed with nothing but your fists and a dream. You’ll chop down trees and build your first humble shack. Before you know it, you’ll be sailing across stormy seas, battling massive mythical bosses, and constructing longhouses worthy of Odin himself.

Valheim strikes the perfect balance between peaceful exploration and pulse-pounding action. Each biome introduces new enemies, resources, and secrets, making every step forward feel earned. The boss fights? Epic. The base building? Shockingly detailed and endlessly satisfying. The graphics are stylized rather than ultra-realistic, yet the world feels alive and immersive in its own way. So, if you’re craving the same survival thrill as ARK but with a rich mythological twist, Valheim is an excellent choice. Just… watch out for the giant mosquitoes.

Grounded

If you’re willing to trade ARK’s dinos for giant insects, then Grounded should definitely be on your radar. This survival adventure flips the script by shrinking you down to the size of an ant and dropping you into the surprisingly dangerous world of a suburban backyard. What was once ordinary—blades of grass, juice boxes, garden tools—now becomes an enormous, mysterious wilderness crawling with hostile bugs and hidden secrets.

What makes Grounded stand out is its blend of survival mechanics with an actual story. As you explore, you’ll uncover the mystery behind your sudden shrinkage and the scientist responsible for it all. The combat is tactical and rewarding, and the base-building is genuinely satisfying. It offers a fresh, creative take on survival games, with a unique setting that keeps you curious and on your toes.

Smalland: Survive the Wilds

Sticking with the giant insect theme, we also want to recommend Smalland. Imagine the survival chaos of ARK, but now you’re the size of an ant. Navigate a world where a puddle feels like a lake, and a tree might as well be Mount Everest. The game is challenging, weirdly beautiful, and full of surprises. You’ll craft gear, build your base, and tame creatures, unlike in Grounded. You can ride grasshoppers across the terrain, glide through the air on damselflies, and skitter around on spiders (if you’re brave enough).

The open, immersive world is full of secrets. You’ll uncover lore, meet hidden NPCs, and gradually master this vast wilderness. A great deal of care has gone into the gameplay loop. Crafting feels natural, exploration is rewarding, and the difficulty level is just right. Unlike many survival games, you can move your base, so you won’t be stuck rebuilding everything from scratch constantly. If you loved the thrill of ARK and are looking for a game that combines survival intensity with a unique setting and fresh mechanics, Smalland is a hidden gem.

ICARUS

ICARUS drops you into a wilderness that doesn’t want you there. Unlike ARK, it’s not about taming dinosaurs, but the spirit of survival, crafting, and exploration is just as intense. You’re a prospector who drops from orbit onto a ruined, once-terraformed planet. Your mission? Gather resources, survive storms and wildlife, complete objectives, and escape before time runs out…or lose everything.

The stunning environments are filled with threats, including apex predators, toxic atmospheres, and fire-spreading storms. This game rewards planning and punishes carelessness. It’s definitely grindy at the start, and solo play can be challenging. However, the extensive crafting system, satisfying building options, and vast tech tree to unlock make it worth it. ICARUS doesn’t hold your hand, but that’s part of its appeal.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds

If you loved ARK: Survival Evolved and are craving another survival crafting game with the same epic sense of danger and discovery, check out RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Set on the long-forgotten continent of Ashenfall, it’s a vibrant but dragon-ravaged world. You’ll gather resources, build your stronghold, and gradually uncover the continent’s ancient secrets—all while preparing to confront the fearsome Dragon Queen herself.

The gorgeous world features bright colors, atmospheric effects, and a fantasy vibe that feels fresh yet nostalgic. The combat is tight and satisfying, with a hint of Souls-like depth, especially due to its parry mechanic. If you love building, you’re in for a treat. The snap mechanics are smooth and intuitive, allowing you to build almost anywhere. Add in a killer soundtrack, cool gear designs, engaging vault challenges, and a solid magic system, and you’ve got something really special.

Raft

In Raft, your entire world consists of a few planks of wood floating in the middle of an expansive, unforgiving ocean. Starting with only a plastic hook, you must collect drifting debris and dive for sunken resources to transform your modest raft into a floating fortress. You’ll face a relentless shark (affectionately named Bruce by many players), manage your hunger and thirst, and explore mysterious islands that conceal the remains of a drowned civilization.

The flexible, creative base-building system allows you to personalize your raft however you like—functional, stylish, or somewhere in between. When you finally unlock new tools or add another floor to your floating home, it truly feels earned. If you enjoy the survival and crafting mechanics of ARK but want something a bit more relaxed, Raft is definitely worth diving into.

Subnautica

Subnautica is one of those survival games that surprises you in the best way. At first, it appears to be a serene underwater sandbox where you can collect fish, build impressive bases, and admire alien coral reefs. However, before long, the ocean begins to feel less like a playground and more like a vast, terrifying abyss filled with uncertainties. That’s when it gets really good.

Similar to ARK, you gather resources, craft tools, and try not to get eaten. However, unlike many survival games, Subnautica offers a strong narrative. A mystery pulls you deeper (literally) into the world, and every upgrade you craft opens the door to a new, more dangerous zone. The handcrafted map is absolutely packed with atmosphere. Subnautica perfectly captures the feelings of isolation and discovery. It’s immersive, tense, and unexpectedly emotional.

No Man’s Sky

If you’d rather explore the stars than a terrifying ocean, No Man’s Sky offers an entire procedurally generated galaxy (or rather, universe) bursting with alien life, hostile environments, and untapped resources. Seamlessly hop between worlds, dive into deep space, build bases on alien terrain, and document species no one has ever seen before.

The game’s scale is extremely impressive. The starting galaxy alone contains millions of systems, most of which remain untouched. No Man’s Sky isn’t driven by story or missions, but by the simple joy of exploration and discovery. It’s the perfect pick if you love getting lost in big, mysterious worlds and don’t mind a slower, more atmospheric pace.

💡 Tip: If you like the setting of No Man’s Sky, check out our blog about games set in space!

Far Cry Primal

In Far Cry Primal, you step into an untamed, prehistoric world. There are no guns or cars—just raw survival instincts in a world where you’re definitely not at the top of the food chain. If you enjoyed ARK: Survival Evolved for its primal setting, creature encounters, and survival elements, give this one a try. You play as Takkar, the last of your hunting group, trying to survive in the dangerous land of Oros.

Crafting is essential. You can make everything from bows and spears to firebombs that your pet owl can drop. You can also tame wild beasts, ride saber-toothed tigers, and command bears into battle. It’s the kind of game that lets you live out your barbarian fantasy. Far Cry Primal swaps ARK’s sci-fi edge for a Stone Age twist, but still delivers the thrill of being dropped into a deadly open world. The beautiful world features snowy peaks and dense forests, and is packed with wildlife that either wants to kill you or fight for you.

Take control of your survival with PLITCH!

Survival games like ARK, Palworld, and Valheim can be incredibly rewarding, but also brutally punishing. If you want to skip the early-game grind or experiment without constantly dying to random wolf packs, try PLITCH! It’s a legal, safe, and easy-to-use cheat software that allows you to customize your single-player experience.  Want unlimited stamina while building your perfect base? Need more resources to speed things up? PLITCH lets you play however you want.

To learn more about PLITCH and our mods, check out this blog and our YouTube channel.

Happy Gaming!