Summary

  • Don't Starve Together allows friends to survive tough challenges in a group, creating chaos and fun for all involved.
  • Valheim offers unique survival gameplay with intricate choices, promising excitement for players seeking a deep gaming experience.
  • Mac users can enjoy some of the best survival games on the market, thanks to improvements in hardware and game support.

Survival games have become all the rage, and many people attribute this success to the rise of indie gaming. The idea of having to forage for resources to survive in a harsh world can become a bit rote and uninspiring when players fall into repetitive gameplay loops. However, the best survival games can throw a curveball at the perfect time, bamboozling players. It's easy to be pulled into a false sense of security before this rude awakening makes them realize what they're in for.

Given how popular this genre of gaming has become, Mac fans will be glad to know that they're not missing out on anything. The improvements in Mac hardware, coupled with more support from video games, means that players can enjoy some of the best survival games on this system. From multiplayer games to complex survival games that let players engage with numerous gameplay systems, there are many survival titles that Mac owners can sink their teeth into.

Best Survival Games With Animal Or Monster Protagonists
Best Survival Games With Animal Or Monster Protagonists

Not all survival games feature a human protagonist. Some survival games allow the player to become an animal.

5 Rust

Metascore: 69

Rust farming trees critical hit mini game
Rust
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Released
February 8, 2018
Developer(s)
Facepunch Studios
Genre(s)
Survival

Rust combines the hallmarks of survival gameplay with the chaos that arises when human players must either team up or fight against each other in a hostile world where resources are scarce. Rust players will quickly learn the trademark disappointment that is rife in this game, especially when they spend a lot of time building a base only for it to be raided and torn down by other scavengers.

This makes it important to find ways to defend oneself and ensure one's survival. Teaming up is certainly an option in this game, but alliances are fragile. It can compromise a survivor to be in a dysfunctional group, or to find themselves stuck with too many liabilities to manage.

4 Project Zomboid

Metacritic User Rating: 7.6

Yaki's medieval dress
Project Zomboid
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Survival Horror
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Released
November 8, 2013
Developer(s)
The Indie Stone
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Players who feel like zombies don't have anything new to offer in a video game will be singing a different tune when they play Project Zomboid. The game is still in Early Access, facing its fair share of hurdles during development. However, Project Zomboid's focus on developing skills and letting players enjoy a unique playthrough after every death makes Project Zomboid a captivating game.

The relentless threat of the undead grows every day, and players must be wary when searching for resources and hiding out to survive. A single mistake can end a player's run, which can be frustrating after investing so much time developing skills. Thankfully, Project Zomboid's replayability means that fans will keep coming back from more. Finally, the functional graphics means that Mac players don't have to worry about any performance issues on their system.

3 Don't Starve Together

Metascore: 83

Don't Starve Together - Jelly Salad
Don't Starve Together
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Released
April 21, 2016
Developer(s)
Klei Entertainment
Genre(s)
Survival, Adventure, Open-World, Crafting, Sandbox

Don't Starve was one of the first indie survival games that went on to become a classic of the genre. The gothic art style, nightmarish threats, and simple yet engaging survival gameplay made it one of the most interesting games in the genre. Players who wanted to enjoy this experience with a friend were glad to see that Don't Starve Together allows friends to enjoy this tough survival gameplay in a group.

Survival Games No Man’s Sky, Astroneer
7 Great Survival Games With No Hunger Meter

While hunger is a common mechanic seen in survival games, there are some titles that opted not to include one.

Whether players are on a PC, Mac, or any other system, they can get their hands on Don't Starve Together and help other players learn the ropes as they set up a base and survive multiple nights by the skin of their teeth. The chaos of trying to get materials and prevent monsters from breaking into one's hideout never ceases to be fun. It's one of the biggest reasons why Don't Starve Together became such a hit.

2 RimWorld

Metascore: 87

RimWorld Is An RPG With Base Building
RimWorld
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Simulation
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Released
October 17, 2018
Developer(s)
Ludeon Studios
Genre(s)
Simulation

RimWorld isn't solely a survival game, but there's a huge focus on helping a colony survive by foraging for materials and maintaining a healthy supply of food, water, medicine, and other such resources. The learning curve of this game is absolutely massive, and it will take numerous playthroughs to get the hang of things. But players who stick through this experience in the long haul will be rewarded with one of the deepest and most engaging simulation games ever made.

The rudimentary visuals get the job done, and convey what's happening without requiring major hardware. Mac owners who want to be invested in one of the deepest simulations with a healthy dose of survival gameplay on a larger scale than most other titles in the genre will find RimWorld to be right up their alley.

1 Valheim

Steam Reviews: 94% Positive

valheim long boat
Valheim
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Sandbox
Survival
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Released
February 2, 2021
Developer(s)
Iron Gate AB
Genre(s)
Sandbox, Survival

Valheim came out of nowhere and took the world by storm with its unique take on the survival genre. The simple act of cooking a meal is riddled with choices. This attention to detail shows how adept the small team at Iron Gate AB is when it comes to letting players enjoy the next step in the survival genre. Despite the game being in Early Access, it already features so much content that fans can't even imagine what a 1.0 release will bring to the table.

Players who want their Vikings to reach the promised land of Valhalla must forage resources and take out the numerous challenges that stand in their way. Summoning seven bosses and beating them to a pulp is easier said than done. Players must prepare before heading to each biome and taking out these powerful beings that stand between the player and eternal salvation.