The Best Free Survival Games

Free games can be just as engaging and visually stunning as their paid competitors. While the list is not endless, it's not impossible to find free survival games that are among the most thrilling or scary post-apocalyptic games that fans of the genre will ever have a chance to play.

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Thanks to there being such a wide selection, both beginner and more experienced gamers can find the right survival games for them that'll surely provide a few hours of joyous and adventurous playtime. Players can choose from fun survival simulators and popular survival games that are played by millions of gaming fans all over the world or try one of the lesser-known survival games.

Updated September 20, 2023, by Via Erhard: Free survival games offer players a wide array of adventures that are as thrilling as they are captivating. No matter if someone is a seasoned gaming pro or just a casual player who is looking to have some fun with friends and family, these free survival games have something special to offer for gamers of all types. During their adventures, gaming fans can explore some of the most stunning virtual realms, where they can uncover heart-pounding mysteries, face off against relentless foes, and dive into futuristic worlds teeming with danger and excitement. However, players will have to do much more than shoot their way through these beautiful worlds and will have to rely on their strategic and problem-solving solving skills as well. Thanks to brilliant creators, players can go on some of the most eerie, spine-chilling, as well as feel-good adventures of their lives.

1 Swallow the Sea

Swallow the Sea is a unique and surreal 2D free-to-play survival exploration game that offers a short yet captivating underwater journey. During their adventures, players will get to assume the role of a humble egg cell and navigate through a bizarre humanoid fish-filled sea.

Gamers' goal is to survive by preying on smaller life forms, gradually growing larger and stronger. The game also has a unique pixel art design that is both intriguing and grotesque. As players explore this strange aquatic world, they'll meet all kinds of grotesque monsters and will have to make a decision if they want to avoid or devour them. Swallow the Sea is also an ideal choice for both casual and seasoned gamers who love weirdly wonderful adventures.

2 Zardy's Maze

Zardy's Maze is an adrenaline-pumping horror game that will test players' skills as they explore a spine-chilling cornfield maze. As gamers go through this deadly maze, they'll have to cut down colossal, otherworldly plants that have taken root and are trying to kill them.

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Players will only be armed with a flashlight and an axe as they face the lurking horrors that dwell in the darkness. This free-to-play horror survival game is a thrilling and spooky experience that keeps players on their toes thanks to its procedurally generated mazes and its fresh challenge with every playthrough.

3 Iron Snout

Iron Snout is a visually vibrant yet downright brutal free-to-play survival game that plunges players into the thrilling showdown between a courageous piglet and relentless hordes of wolves. In this fast-paced and cartoon-like combat game, players will have to unleash special moves against their enemies that are both hilarious and dangerous.

While Iron Snout is a hilarious and colorful survival game, it's also highly challenging, and it even features some of the most vicious and evil animals in video games. It's an unforgettable experience that can be played solo or in co-op mode.

4 Gatekeeper: Eclipse

Gatekeeper: Eclipse is one of the best FPS games of 2023 that provides its players with a fast-paced and thrilling experience. It's a great option for those who love sci-fi shooters and want to embark on an epic quest.

During their journey, players will have to engage in challenging battles since they'll be attacked by hundreds of machine enemies. Their goal is to find the Heart of the Universe that was stolen and to protect it from the evil machines who are emerging from portals. Gatekeeper: Eclipse has a simple but colorful and fun design and is one of the most beginner-friendly free survival games.

5 Empty Shell: Prologue

Empty Shell: Prologue is one of the highest-rated new free-to-play survival games on Steam with a spooky retro art style. Players will step into the shoes of volunteers who have to survive in an abandoned secret facility on a Japanese island.

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This story-rich horror survival game takes its players on a unique and challenging adventure. Gamers will get to know a chilling story and uncover the dark secrets that led to the end of the facility's operation. Empty Shell: Prologue also offers a unique top-down perspective, which makes the gameplay more interesting.

6 Plokoth

Plokoth is one of the most beautiful free-to-play survival games set in a Jungle. This charming hand-drawn and atmospheric 2D platformer takes its players on a fun adventure and is a great choice for gamers who are looking for family-friendly free survival games.

Players will get to explore three areas of a colorful and mysterious jungle as they step into the shoes of Plo, who has to find a way to destroy a horrible disease and save his girlfriend's life. Plokoth has a simple but entertaining story, and thanks to its action-filled and fun world, it'll provide an enjoyable time for casual and avid gamers alike.

7 Durka Sim

Durka Sim is another beginner-friendly free survival game with minimalist graphics but a hilarious and unique story. Players will get to step into the shoes of Mickey and will have to try to stop the armed invasion of orderlies from another universe with the help of the Mysterious One.

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During their adventure, gamers will have to find the infinity stones to neutralize the invasion and eventually take the infinity stones to their ships. Durka Sim is a free-to-play survival visual novel game where players can explore a weird but thrilling world as they try to find a way to survive without any gore or bloodshed.

8 Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter is one of the highest-rated post-apocalyptic survival simulation games with great world-building. This charming free-to-play survival game is perfect for casual and avid gamers alike and anyone who loves retro games that challenge not only their survival skills but critical thinking and planning skills as well.

Fallout Shelter is an atmospheric and fairly casual free survival game that can be played in a single-player or multiplayer mode. Players get to explore a dystopian world where humans have to live two thousand feet beneath the surface of the earth. Gamers also have to find ways to not only keep their Dwellers alive but also keep them safe and build a thriving and happy community.

9 Muck

Muck is one of the most fun free multiplayer survival games that's set in a vibrant yet dangerous fantasy world. This entertaining survival game has unique graphics, and gaming fans can explore a dangerous and one-of-a-kind open world filled with deadly creatures.

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Muck is one of the most popular survival-rogue-like games that transports its players into a fun but challenging world. It's perfect for those players who are looking for a free-to-play survival game that's not dark or bloody but still challenges them and in which they'll have to use their smarts while crafting, building, and exploring its world.

10 Unfortunate Spacemen

Unfortunate Spacemen is one of the most thrilling free-to-play multiplayer survival horror games set in space. This eerie survival game has dark humor and a twisty psychological horror story and is one of the best games for Among Us fans.

Unfortunate Spacemen takes its players on a memorable journey during which they can become shapeshifters and have to investigate while trying to survive a vibrant but dangerous world. Players get to become brave spacemen who have to survive at a failing outpost where danger lurks around every corner, and no one can be trusted.