Summary
- Survival games vary in difficulty, with some offering hardcore gameplay and others featuring accessible options for players.
- V Rising combines combat with survival elements, offering a unique gaming experience for fans of action RPGs.
- Grounded's multiplayer element eases beginners into the gameplay loop, making it easier to scavenge for resources and progress.
The survival genre has only grown over time, giving players a satisfying loop to immerse themselves in as they gather resources and deal with the many threats that come their way. Some survival games are quite hardcore and can be a nightmare for players to get through.
Most Realistic Survival Games
Dive into the toughest survival games with ultra-realistic mechanics. From crafting to managing hunger, these titles test your grit and strategy!
However, not all survival games are as punishing as they're made out to be. Some feature amazing accessibility options, while others merge this genre with other gameplay elements to ensure that the survival side of things doesn't get too overwhelming.
1 V Rising
A Healthy Mix Of Combat And Survival Elements
V Rising
- Released
- May 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Stunlock Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Stunlock Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Fans who want to enjoy a fun top-down action RPG with some survival elements will love what V Rising brings to the table. Staying away from the sunlight, avoiding garlic, and creating a mansion that will make other players envious is what makes this vampiric title so much fun to play.
There's a surprising shortage of good vampire games in the industry, which is why titles like V Rising are so appealing. Fans will love the mish-mash of genres and how it lets them dip their toes into the basic tenets of survival gameplay to see if this side of the game appeals to them.
2 Grounded
The Multiplayer Element Makes It Easy For New Players To Learn The Ropes With Veterans
Grounded
- Released
- September 27, 2022
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
Any survival game with a multiplayer element can make things easier to get into. Grounded is one such title where beginners can learn from experts as they strive to make progress.
Scrounging for resources, setting up camp, and acquiring powerful loot is a fun gameplay loop that fans will get accustomed to in no time. The combat is simple enough for players to master as they come to grips with the game's survival mechanics.
3 Subnautica
An Atmospheric Survival Game Where Every Gameplay Element Is Explained Thoroughly
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Gearbox Publishing
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Despite how scary this game may seem at times, Subnautica is a deceptively relaxing experience. The gameplay evolves constantly without overwhelming players, giving them a clear idea of what everything does in the game.
Best Survival Games With Turn-Based Combat, Ranked
Survival games don't often rely on turn based combat, but there are a few excellent games that prove to be exceptions to the rule.
Exploration can be nerve-wracking at times, but players are constantly reminded of their oxygen levels and when they should come back. While the game does become more overbearing later on, players will have shaken off the cobwebs and become Subnautica experts at this point.
4 Among Trees
A Relaxing Survival Game Where Players Can Just Enjoy The Vibes
Among Trees
- Released
- November 10, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
While Among Trees may not be receiving any updates from the developers anymore, that should take nothing away from its allure as a relaxing survival game. The vibes of this game are immaculate and well worth the asking price on a sale.
The simple act of exploration feels magical as players relieve some stress after a hard day. Among Trees is the perfect game to spend a few hours in before players eventually see everything this once-promising title has to offer.
5 Minecraft
The Accessibility Settings Make It Easy To Get Into This Unbelievably Popular Game
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Mojang
- Publisher(s)
- Mojang
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- Platform(s)
- 3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The regular mode of Minecraft isn't the easiest, with players having to create homes and bases to survive with each passing day. However, as this game ballooned in popularity, so did the wealth of content and accessibility options.
Fans loved how great it felt to tone down the difficulty and just enjoy the relaxing vibes of this game. It fuels a player's creativity as they create impossible structures that other fans can marvel at, with players eventually gathering the courage to enable hostiles as they earn their place and survive in this world.
6 No Man's Sky
The Moment-To-Moment Exploration Feels Great As Players Slowly Uncover The Game's Massive Content
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Hello Games
- Publisher(s)
- Hello Games
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
The redemption arc of No Man's Sky has been amazing to witness, turning into one of the most feature-rich survival games around. This means that players can boot up this title and dedicate themselves to a certain section of the game as they slowly explore the title's wealth of content.
6 Best Survival Games With Realistic Day-Night Cycles, Ranked
These excellent survival games feature realistic day-night cycles, pitting players against an ever-changing landscape of threats.
The survival mechanics aren't overbearing, ensuring that players won't be frustrated for too long. Exploring planets and reaching the center of the galaxy will feel great as players are wowed by the sheer scope of this game.
7 Forager
A Simple, Charming Survival Game That Will Leave Players With A Smile On Their Faces
Forager
- Released
- April 18, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Publisher(s)
- Humble Bundle
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A labor of love that shows how indie developers can hit the ground running with a simple concept, Forager is perhaps the most apt name for this title. Resources are so abundant that it can turn into an idle game as players set up patterns and optimize resource gathering.
Once players start automating processes, resources will become more plentiful than ever before. They'll eventually have to buy more land and craft more upgraders to make resource-gathering as painless as possible.
8 Astroneer
The Lite-Survival Elements Are Easy To Understand
Astroneer
- Released
- February 6, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Players who want to enjoy a game that tries to do a little bit of everything and ties everything together with its charm will have a great time with Astroneer. The survival mechanics are simple and don't pressure players, which is exactly what some fans want.
Astroneer may seem like it's spread a bit too thin at times, but that's the price this game pays for trying to prioritize simplicity and accessibility over everything else. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially since Astroneer can serve as a litmus test for what video game genres fans like, survival or otherwise.
10 Best Story-Driven Survival Games
Most survival games are about simply making it from one day to the next, but these titles use their stories to push the player forward.