Summary
- Ark: Survival Evolved excels in open-world survival with meaningful progression and fun dinosaur rides.
- Grounded offers a creative and unique survival experience in a backyard setting with thrilling battles.
- V Rising delivers a dark vampire survival experience with RPG mechanics and engaging combat.
Survival games have been around since the start of the gaming world, demanding players to go out into an unknown landscape and find whatever resources they can to stay alive. There have been plenty of genre blends throughout the years that fuse survival with other themes and styles like RPGs, horror, and strategy, each bringing their own unique flair to the concept and offering experiences for any and all kinds of players.
8 Best Survival Games That Let You Play Your Own Way
Survival games come in all shapes and sizes, but the best examples of the genre are often the ones that offer players the most freedom of choice.
Games at their core are built for enjoyment, and it is no good having a well-crafted world full of excitement and wonder if the players just can't have any fun in it. Thankfully, there are plenty of titles that push far more resources into creating an enjoyable experience that still delivers all the core values and expectations of a grueling genre like survival.
8 Ark: Survival Evolved
A Prehistoric World Full Of Dead Dinos
ARK: Survival Evolved
- Released
- August 29, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
A titan in the genre and a game that literally has survival in its name, Ark is the perfect example of open-world survival done right. Spawning on an expansive island full of life and color, players must venture out either alone or in a group and gather whatever resources they can to defend themselves against the prehistoric beasts that litter the landscape. Every step of the progression from the base-building to the weaponry feels meaningful, and players are really rewarded for focusing on specific build paths and exploring parts of the world that were previously too dangerous.
And it goes without saying that being able to ride on the back of iconic dinosaurs, across beautiful, lush land, is pretty damn fun and the incentive to continue getting stronger of the world bosses, adds a nice goal to keep players motivated in an otherwise directionless world. It can be quite tricky to get into without some good direction, but after the growing pains wear off, the game really is amazing and has so many elements and features that have since become staples in the survival world, and it continues to impress nearly a decade after its release.
7 Grounded
Bite-sized Fun Right In The Backyard
Grounded
- Released
- September 27, 2022
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
Shrinking down players to the size of an ant and throwing them into a perilous backyard world, Grounded is certainly one of the more creative and unique takes on the survival genre, for reasons more than just the setting. As opposed to taking on zombies or gigantic fantasy beasts, players are confronted with swarms of angry insects and arachnids that, from a miniature perspective, are a whole lot bigger and scarier than before. It's a constant battle to manage food and hydration, alongside defending the base against the range of creepy crawlies that scuttle across the grassy plains at great speed.
Best Survival Open World Games With Unique Settings, Ranked
This ranked list of open-world games spotlights games that have such a unique setting that invites players to explore their dangerous sandboxes.
The setting alone is enough to elicit smiles and enjoyment. A world out of a children's coloring book, everything about the environment just screams imagination and joy, turning a simplistic grassy garden into an exciting land of adventure. There are also plenty of gameplay elements that kick the fun into the next gear, like ziplines that allow for traversal between forts, and intense battles against menacing spiders, that feel like gigantic battles against a monumental foe. Everything put together transforms a basic everyday world into a fantastical one, and gives the game so much charm and entertainment that it's hard to put down, especially when playing with a group of good friends.
6 Raft
An Aquatic Co-op Adventure Unlike Any Other
Raft
- Released
- June 20, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
One of the first scenarios that comes to mind when the word survival is mentioned is a desert island, and there is no better game at emulating the openness and dangers of the sea than Raft. The title says it all. Build a raft, sail across the ocean, and land ashore in the hopes of finding food and other resources to expand the wooden platform into a full-blown oceanic resort. The excitement that comes from spotting a speck of sand in the distance and rushing over to it, looking for treasure, is truly unmatched, and when combined with the constant threat from the sea life below, the tension and fun rise with every moment.
Each wave that passes by marks a new step of progress towards a stable life on the seven seas, and the struggles early on are soon forgotten as the players soon acquire tools and weapons to help them survive in a dangerous and unforgiving world. And the more open style story and objectives make the exploration feel more meaningful, as every time a new area is discovered, it could either mean a step towards Utopia, or some invaluable resources to keep the adventure going.
5 V Rising
Build A Castle Fit For A Vampire King
V Rising
- Released
- May 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Stunlock Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Survival has always been a game genre that leans into some spooky elements, but V Rising goes straight into the gothic realm and delivers a dark and gloomy experience that is a pleasure from start to finish. Awakening as a vampire in a world full of hostile humans, players spend their time hunting for prey in the thick forests and murky swamps, all while avoiding the sunlight, adding a constant threat to the already challenging gameplay. But the enjoyment comes from the role reversal, now playing as the predator and stalking unsuspecting victims from the shadows and ambushing them with a long list of attacks and abiities.
8 Best Survival Games Where You Truly Start With Nothing
Survival games are all about overcoming harsh environments and figuring out how to stay alive.
The combination of RPG mechanics and classic survival elements like base building makes the game an absolute delight to playthrough. And the fast and responsive combat truly makes the player feel like a vicious vampire out for their next kill. It feeds into the vampire fantasy perfectly, and the game transcends just survival, becoming a game more about ruling a kindgom in a dark fantasy world that is both addictive and genuinely fun.
4 Subnautica
Bringing The Fear Of The Ocean To Life
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Swapping the safety of land for the barrenness of the ocean, Subnautica is an incredibly unique survival game that has since become a cult classic in the survival world. Stranded on an alien planet with just an empty ship and their wits, the player has to dive deep into the watery abyss to hunt for materials and resources in order to make it back to civilization alive. The underwater traversal is incredibly fun and never feels slow or sluggish, and the world below the surface is never empty, being full of both beauty and a few horrors lurking around the corner.
Every step towards leaving the planet feels like a leap of progress, unlocking new tools and functions to allow for more bold adventuring into deeper and darker waters. And even though the game does feature a pretty in-depth base builder, often times the world is too alluring to ignore and players will want to spend far more time swimming around with the fishes than staying in the safety of their home. A great game for any fans of the survival genre who are looking for something different, and even better for those looking to enter the space with a hit they won't forget.
3 Don't Starve Together
A Cute Yet Scary Land That's Better With A Friend
Don't Starve Together
- Released
- April 21, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Fantasy Violence, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Adventure, Open-World, Crafting, Sandbox
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
The original Don't Starve was already fun enough as a solo adventure, but bringing in an expanded player limit with Don't Starve Together, adds a whole new level of enjoyment that the original could never quite capture. A cutesy art style combined with elements of horror, players must scavenge across a wilderness with almost no guidance but their will to explore. It forces a lot of quick thinking and requires consistent resource management, which is made even more enjoyable given the extra mouths to feed and protect.
The world is harsh and at times cruel, with players battling against both the elements and the wildlife that gets particularly rowdy when the sun goes down. What really makes the game stand out is the unpredictability of the world, with every session providing something new to tackle and unravel together. It never holds the player's hand, but that lack of direction almost boosts the desire to adventure out for more resources and battles. It's a charming game that really embraces the weird and wonderful, and few games encapsulate a level of joy quite like this.
2 Palworld
Guns And Adorable Creatures In A World Of Wonder
Palworld
- Released
- January 19, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Developer(s)
- Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
From the trailers alone, it's clear that Palworld is something special. A Frankenstein's monster that fuses aspects from Pokémon, hardcore survival, and RPGs to deliver one of the most distinctive gaming experiences in recent memory. An open landscape full of cute and curious critters just waiting to be caught, the blending of survival elements and creature catching is really something that needs to be experienced first-hand to truly appreciate, and the limits on what players can do with their new friends are basically gone, whether they want to ride them like a horse, or put them to work in a production line straight out of a dystopian novel.
The game prides itself on not being restrictive in its approach, encouraging players to take on challenges and the world however they choose. Building a base from scratch feels like constructing an entire town that blends fantasy with industry, and when players are ready and geared up enough, the battles that hide deep in the dungeons below are incredibly rewarding and exciting to take on, whether in a group or alone with the Pals. Creativity really is the name of the game, and Palworld never says no in terms of what is possible and how players can play the game, elevating the immersion, humor, and fun to new heights.
1 No Mans Sky
The Pinnacle Of Open-universe Exploration
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood
- Developer(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
What started as a failure has now blossomed into an entire, exhilarating universe. No Man's Sky stands as one of the greatest achievements in the survival genre and perhaps gaming as a whole. The game is quite literally a near-infinite universe brimming with planets and lifeforms just waiting to be discovered, some full of beauty and wonder, and others, dangerous threats. Resource management is key to navigating the uncharted territories that await, as the environment can be the biggest enemy that delivers toxic storms, extreme temperatures, and alien enemies to constantly pressure the player. Every step onto a new planet feels like uncovering a lost world that could either be bountiful in resources or perilous for even seasoned explorers.
The joy comes from the boundless freedom of the universe and the continual evolution of both the player and the worlds around them. Standard survival tropes like base-building turn simple landscapes into sprawling outposts, while the ability to level up the player's mining and fighting capabilities makes sticking around on one planet feel more like a quick pit stop to fuel the next adventure. Every update adds a whole new level of variety and exploration that continues to make the game feel even more alive than before, and after a very rocky start when it released, No Man's Sky has turned into an exceptional survival experience that really knows no contemporary.
Best Survival Games Of The 2020s (So Far)
So far, the decade has introduced survival game fans to some incredible titles.