Welcome to a thrilling journey into the world of survival games, where every decision, every move, and every resource can mean the difference between life and death. In this blog, we’d like to recommend some of the best survival games we’ve ever played. From fending off cannibalistic mutants in a nightmarish forest to exploring the treacherous depths of an alien ocean planet, these games offer an adrenaline-pumping experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Table of Contents
The Forest
One of our most anticipated game releases of 2023 was Sons of the Forest, and it didn’t disappoint! However, we’ve already talked about it in detail in another blog, so this time we’d like to recommend its equally exciting predecessor, The Forest. In the game, you’re the sole survivor of a passenger plane crash and have found yourself in a nightmarish realm – a mysterious forest teeming with cannibalistic mutants. It’s a fight for your life, a true test of courage, resourcefulness, and wits.
You’ll chop down trees, explore vast cave systems, and discover underground lakes, all the while knowing that the horrors lurking in the shadows are very real. As night falls, set traps and defenses to stay safe. Dive headfirst into a world of relentless danger where your only goal is to survive…or become just another victim in the depths of the forest.
Tribe: Primitive Builder
2023 delivered another great open-world survival game with Tribe: Primitive Builder. In the heart of a forgotten realm, you become an exile, the sole keeper of a hidden truth. The game is an odyssey through time, where you must be cunning to survive. Washing ashore on an island seemingly abandoned by time itself, you’re rescued by a masked native – your gateway to the mysterious depths of this ancient world.
Embrace your role as a builder, a voice equal to that of the tribal elders. Craft and upgrade your buildings to forge a thriving settlement that provides shelter, work, and purpose for your tribe. Will you prove your mettle as a primitive builder, or will you let your civilization fade into the mists of history?
Valheim
The next game on our list is Valheim, an open-world game and one of the best survival games we’ve ever played! Prepare to embark on a brutal journey in a game that seamlessly blends exploration and survival into a gripping adventure. Developed by the talented minds at Iron Gate Studios, this title has quickly risen to the top of the survival genre, and for good reason.
What sets Valheim apart is its core survival gameplay. Drawing inspiration from Norse mythology, the game effortlessly immerses you in the role of a legendary warrior whose soul has been transported to this realm. You’re not just a random survivor; you’re Odin’s champion, tasked with restoring peace in Valheim. Be the Viking you’ve always dreamed of being and let your saga begin!
Subnautica
Does exploring a strange ocean planet sound like fun? Then Subnautica and its sequel Subnautica: Below Zero are the best survival games for you! You crash-land on such a planet and have no choice but to go down and dive deep.
Explore the stunning scenery with its many different oceans – from coral reefs to dangerous canyons, lava fields, and beautiful underwater reefs. But beware of the creatures that live down there, not all of them are friendly.
Subnautica: Below Zero takes place two years after the events of Subnautica, so we won’t go into much detail about the story. Just know that the gameplay in both games is pretty similar – you have to survive on the planet by building a base at the bottom of the sea, crafting equipment, and finding resources, all while uncovering the secrets of this alien planet!
7 Days to Die
When you think of survival games, do you immediately think of zombies? Then 7 Days to Die is for you! With over 16 million copies sold, it has gone down in gaming history. This post-apocalyptic masterpiece redefines the survival genre with a unique blend of first-person shooter and survival horror with tower defense and role-playing features.
You’re in a world where the undead roam, and your every move determines your fate. It’s a scenario we’ve all seen in pop culture, but 7 Days to Die brings it to life with mechanics that feel remarkably similar to Rust. Build your own fort, find the best weapons, and prepare for your journey through Navezgane.
No Man’s Sky
If zombies aren’t your thing, and you’d rather play a game set on another planet, look no further than No Man’s Sky. Inspired by the timeless wonders of classic science fiction, No Man’s Sky plunges you into a sprawling galaxy teeming with impressive planets, exotic lifeforms, and non-stop thrills. You can seamlessly travel from planet to planet with unparalleled freedom, all without a single loading screen to interrupt your journey.
No Man’s Sky didn’t start out as the definitive survival game we know today. But years of relentless dedication and a series of game-changing updates have transformed it into an adventure unlike any other and one of the best survival games we know. With the cosmos open for you to explore and the stars at your fingertips, get ready for a journey beyond your wildest dreams.
Raft
Imagine waking up one day on a small raft surrounded by water. There’s no land in sight, your hook is made of old plastic and doesn’t look too promising. Your throat is dry and your stomach is empty.
And there seems to be something moving in the water… a shark maybe? If you find that thought as exciting as we find it terrifying, then Raft will provide you with an epic ocean adventure.
Search for things that will help you stay alive and, of course, watch out for those man-eating sharks. Craft survival tools and learn new things about your surroundings. Is that…? Oh, there might be land, after all, so set sail and discover new places!
Sunkenland
Staying with the water theme, let’s talk about another 2023 release that is incredibly popular: Sunkenland, one of the best survival games that came out last year. Welcome to the watery apocalypse, where the Earth is mostly covered in water and your survival skills will be put to the ultimate test. Explore sunken cities, scavenge for resources, and discover hidden technological treasures in the depths of the sea.
Your base is your sanctuary in this treacherous world. Will you build an impregnable water stronghold, convert an abandoned ship into a resilient base, or perhaps turn an island penthouse into your ultimate refuge? The choice is yours. Your base serves as a hub for crafting, farming, storing vital resources, and providing protection. Craft essential tools, defend your sanctuary, and navigate this underwater dystopia!
Ark: Survival Evolved
If you’re a dinosaur lover like us, we highly recommend Ark: Survival Evolved! Picture this: You wake up stranded on the shores of a mysterious island, naked, cold, and starving. The world around you is a prehistoric wilderness teeming with colossal dinosaurs and primeval creatures, and your only mission is to survive.
You must hunt for food, harvest vital resources, craft essential tools, grow crops, research technology, and build shelters that can withstand the wrath of nature itself. Best of all, of course, are the dinosaurs. With patience and determination, you can train and ride them. Imagine galloping through the wilderness on the back of a T-Rex or soaring over the snow-capped mountains on a Pterodactyl!
Muck
Welcome to the unforgiving world of Muck, where survival isn’t just a choice, it’s a way of life. In this heart-pounding survival roguelike, you’ll find yourself stranded on a mysterious, procedurally generated island surrounded by treacherous muck.
Scour the island for vital resources and turn these raw materials into your lifelines. Craft tools, weapons, and armor with the skills of a seasoned survivalist. As the sun dips below the horizon, prepare for an onslaught of mysterious enemies emerging from the shadowy abyss. The island beckons, but do you have what it takes to survive the relentless muck?
SCUM
Aside from 7 Days to Die, another game we recommend for zombie fans is SCUM, an open-world survival game set on a high-security prison island. What makes this game special is its unprecedented level of character customization, control, and progression. It strikes a harmonious balance between meticulous planning and the thrill of intense action.
SCUM’s unique twist lies in its ultra-realistic metabolism system. In this game, what you eat, drink, and even excrete matters. It’s a simulation game that leaves no stone unturned, keeping track of your caloric intake, vitamin levels, and stomach, intestinal, bladder, and colon volumes. Forget everything you know about hunger and thirst mechanics in other survival games; SCUM takes it to a whole new level.
Grounded
Who knew your garden could be a treacherous place where you have to fight to survive? Think Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, but this time you don’t just watch the story unfold – you live it. In Grounded, you’ll embark on a breathtaking adventure that shrinks you down to the size of an ant and throws you headfirst into a dangerous environment.
In this miniature world, you’ll face an astonishing variety of threats. Ants, birds, spiders, and more are your formidable foes. Prepare to see your own backyard in a whole new light and master a fresh take on the survival genre. But how did you get so small? Who is responsible for your diminutive predicament? And most importantly, how do you get back to your normal size? It’s up to you to find out!
ICARUS
Let’s go back to outer space with ICARUS, a heart-pounding journey to a planet mankind wishes it had never touched. After a botched terraforming attempt, the once-promising paradise of Icarus has turned into a savage wilderness that will test your every skill. As a prospector stationed in orbit, you descend to the planet’s surface and embark on a quest to explore, harvest, craft, and hunt.
The promise of fortune and the lure of exotic matter will drive you forward, but it won’t be easy. Your mission is clear: complete timed tasks and gather resources before the countdown ends and you must return to the safety of your orbiting space station. But be warned, the challenges are relentless. Hostile weather conditions will test your endurance, vicious animals will challenge your survival skills, and the untamed terrain will push you to your limits.
I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival
Did you think survival games couldn’t possibly be casual and relaxing? Well, I Am Future is here to prove you wrong! Imagine waking up on the roof of a skyscraper, the sole survivor of a once-thriving metropolis. But don’t let the post-apocalyptic setting get you down. As the sun sets over the decaying cityscape, it’s time to get to work. Your rooftop hideaway is your sanctuary, and it’s up to you to turn it into a thriving oasis amid urban decay.
Build a farm to grow fresh products and cook delicious meals. The flavors of a world long gone will be at your fingertips as you whip up gourmet meals. Scavenge for resources in the remains of the city, where old microwaves, rusty cars, and antique computers are your treasure troves. Take these relics apart to create the gadgets you need to survive and thrive. And the best part? You get cute robot friends and a cyborg hand to upgrade!
RimWorld
In the far reaches of space, where survival is a daily struggle and the unexpected is just another part of the day, RimWorld beckons. Welcome to a sci-fi colony simulator like no other, where storytelling thrives as much as the quest for survival itself. RimWorld isn’t your typical survival game; it’s a universe of unpredictable events, quirky characters, and surprising storytelling.
You crash-land on a procedurally generated alien world, a place filled with untold mysteries and lurking dangers. Your only constant companion is the AI Storyteller, who decides the fate of your colony. Whether it’s the sudden attack of alien creatures, the outbreak of a deadly disease, or a passing merchant with an enticing offer, your colony’s fate hangs in the balance, dictated by the whims of the narrator. Are you ready to co-write your own story of survival, triumph, and the occasional catastrophe?
Honorable mention: V Rising
We just couldn’t write a blog about the best survival games without mentioning one of our favorite vampire games, V Rising! We’ve already raved about it in our blog about the best open-world games, though, so head over there if you want to find out more!
Survive these hostile game worlds with PLITCH!
Is your game getting too frustrating because you keep dying? Or maybe you’re already a survival pro and want to make the game more challenging? Then you should try PLITCH!
We offer codes and mods for all the games on this list and over 4,000 more. Single-player only, of course! It’s no fun being the strongest Viking in Valheim if you’re ruining everyone else’s fun. Whether you want Godmode and easy kills in The Forest, freeze the time in I Am Future, or want to play ICARUS in hardcore mode with low health and no stamina, PLITCH has you covered.
Of course, you won’t get banned, because our codes and mods only work in single-player mode. We keep everything up to date, so you don’t have to worry about patches! Our customer support is always happy to help, and you can chat with other gamers in our forum and on Discord.
You can learn more about PLITCH in this blog and on our YouTube channel.
Happy Gaming!
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