If you’re after some new survival games, then we got you covered. In this list, we will highlight a few survival games that are slated to release in 2022 or expected to launch within this year. Of course, don’t look too much into the ranking. Every ranked list is opinionated, and these games can easily switch around after release. Some of these titles may even get pushed back to 2023. With that said, you’ll want to check back as we’ll continue to update this list.
Disclaimer: The Day Before, Sons of the Forest, Ark 2, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl was removed due to being delayed out of 2022.
#8 Forever Skies
- Developer: Far From Home S.A.
- Publisher: Far From Home S.A.
- Platforms: PC, X/S, PS5
- Release: 2022
Imagine an Earth that was devastated by a ecological disaster, forcing humans into the stars to survive (no, we’re not talking about the plot to Wall-E, but it’s close!). In Forever Skies, you are someone who returns to Earth hundreds of years later and descends below the toxic dust cloud to see what is left on the world.
In the title, you’ll also construct and maintain your own custom airship. As you scan and explore the surface, you’ll seek out technologies that you can reverse-engineer to help you get food, energy, resources, and build up your ship even more.
Will you truly recognize Earth when you see how it is now? You’ll find out.
#7 I Am Future
- Developer: Mandragora
- Publisher: tinyBuild
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2022
When the Earth falls, and the waters rise, only the very tops of the highest skyscrapers will be visible. Ironically, this is kind of where you end up, sorry about that.
But fear not! With your technology (via your cyborg hand that you can upgrade), you’ll be able to start rebuilding the world via your rooftop! What could possibly go wrong?
Start small, then make yourself a home that you’ll truly be proud of. Just be wary, you aren’t alone on the planet, and when the night comes, so too do the terrors! But if you’re smart, and build and defend the right way, you might just be able to rebuild the whole world! Or at least enough of it for you to enjoy.
#6 Nightingale
- Developer: Binary Charm, Daring Touch
- Publisher: Binary Charm
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2022
Most survival games have you dealing with the crisis of being trapped on a dangerous world, but in Nightingale, you’re trapped in a mysterious and perilous REALM, and the only way to get out of this adventure is to find the heavenly portal to Nightingale.
But be warned, you are not alone on this plane of existence, and not just in the fact that there are monsters here. But there are other players in this shared universe game, and they want to get out just as much as you do.
You’ll be able to build up a life in the realm should you want, or, you can find cards to take you to other planes of existence.
The choice…is yours…
#5 V Rising
- Developer: Stunlock Studios
- Publisher: Stunlock Studios
- Platforms: PC
- Release: May 17, 2022 Early Access
V Rising is a bit of a different game. Rather than being a survival game as a human, this is a title that puts players into the role of a vampire. In this title, players are awakened from a slumber that lasted centuries. Weak and needing blood, you begin your journey of gathering up easy prey before you’re able to rebuild your castle. However, being a vampire means sticking to the shadows during the day and thriving in the open at night. This upcoming title is also available to play with others online with the support of players teaming up to conquer the land over humanity or fight for territory and goods.
#4 Little Devil Inside
- Developer: Neostream Interactive
- Publisher: Neostream Interactive
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC, XBO, NS
- Release: 2022
Little Devil Inside will probably catch your attention immediately from a visual standpoint. It’s a unique-looking 3D action-adventure survival title from indie studio Neostream. Overall the game puts players into the task of hunting down and taking out creatures that lurk in the world. From what the developers have claimed, Little Devil Inside takes on the same mechanics as the Harvest Moon titles. Players are hunting down creatures as a job, and it’s the everyday life you’re watching unfold. From going on missions, gathering resources to enjoying the weekend, it looks as if Little Devil Inside is a game that has plenty of survival elements. To keep alive, you’ll have to endure the hostile weather conditions, fish, and cook to keep your vitals up.
#3 Dead Matter
- Developer: Quantum Integrity Software Inc.
- Publisher: Quantum Integrity Software Inc.
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2022 Early Access
Dead Matter has quite a long history. Unfortunately, several delays and crowdfunding campaigns have been delayed to get this title up and running. Fortunately, it looks like we should at least see this game leave alpha and head into early access within 2021. This is a new open-world survival horror type of game for those of you who haven’t heard about Dead Matter yet. Players will be dropped into a post-apocalyptic world where zombies flood the world.
Meanwhile, players are left with scavenging for items and seeking shelter. It’s a mix of the video games you’re probably already familiar with, such as Escape From Tarkov or DayZ. There’s a lot of working with other players or fighting against hostile players seeking resources on your character. The developers behind this game, Quantum Integrity Software, are also making a game that focuses on customization. There are plans to bring full modding support to the Steam workshop, so there’s the potential of other players leading a hand into crafting something unique for Dead Matter when it finally does launch.
#2 Occupy Mars: The Game
- Developer: Pyramid Games
- Publisher: Pyramid Games, PlayWay S.A.
- Platforms: PC
- Release: 2022 Early Access
Occupy Mars: The Game is a simulation survival game. As you can probably already tell from the title, players are thrown onto Mars, where the goal is to sustain life. This is done in a few different ways. First, you’ll need to gather enough resources to build up different structures, and from there, you need to ensure there’s enough power to keep the different places built online. This is a mix of simulation and strategic gameplay from mining for goods and building solar panels to get power. It might not be for everyone, but for those that enjoy the wonders of space and playout what life could potentially be like when we start to colonize the planet. Occupy Mars: The Game might be worth the pick-up when it launches, hopefully later this year.
#1 Frostpunk 2
- Developer: 11 Bit Studios
- Publisher: 11 Bit Studios
- Platforms: TBA
- Release: NA
Frostpunk brought players a tough strategy game as they attempted to build up a city in a harsh never-ending winter. In the game, players had limited resources and a group of survivors to please. Every choice you made was a critical one. Now a sequel is in the works, but we’re uncertain just when we’ll get our hands on this one. In Frostpunk 2, players will once again be put back into the frigid storm the world is undergoing. However, while the first game is based around a coal system to heat and power up the city, this upcoming game is all about oil extraction. As a result, players can expect another difficult strategy city builder experience. Additionally, you can expect quite a few critical choices will pop up, which could flood precious resources into the city or turn the citizens against you, resulting in your quick execution.