32 Best Survival Games That Truly TEST Your Persistence

There is absolutely no denying it, we all love a survival game, whether it’s in a land ravished by blood-searching zombies, or a deadly virus that has killed off the majority of the world – the variety of scope is truly endless. But that got us thinking, what are the best survival games out there, the ones that really test your persistence and your skills as a primal being. So, let us try and decipher what are the top games in this genre – strap yourselves in because this is a long one.

#32 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Platform: PC XSX|S
Release Date: November 20, 2024

Steam | Xbox

There are many reasons to attempt to survive in harsh terrains. In the case of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, the main reason that people go to the infamous “Exclusion Zone” is that there are artifacts within it that can potentially make one very wealthy. However, getting into this zone is difficult, let alone getting out with what you came for. After all, within this place are all kinds of monsters, and that doesn’t even touch upon the others like you trying to do whatever it takes to get out alive.

So, brace yourself for the ultimate survival test, as not everything in this world is truly of this world.

#31 V Rising

Platform: PC PS5
Release Date: May 8, 2024

Steam | PlayStation

Here’s a twist on a survival game, became you might think it’s you against a vampire, but it’s not. In V Rising, you ARE the vampire who is trying to survive in this “new world” you wake up to after you realize that your powers are mostly gone and your once great castle and empire are gone, too. Yeah, it’s not the best thing to rise to after a long slumber.

So, as you go and try to regain all you lost, you’ll also be fighting against the sun and the nearby town folk who are willing to put you back in the ground. Don’t let them, and become the vampire lord of your dreams…or nightmares.

#30 Once Human

Platform: PC
Release Date: July 9, 2024

Steam 

Survival comes in many forms, and in Once Human, you’ll find yourself constantly fighting for survival in the external and internal sense. By that, we mean that in the “external sense,” you’re fighting off an alien invasion that features monsters popping up from the world itself do to their influence.

On the internal side of things, you have been infected with “Stardust,” which has also infected the planet as a whole. It’s giving you special abilities that make you strong but mentally fragile. As such, if you drink more food or water infected with it, your sanity will eventually break.

What are you willing to risk to get your planet back?

#29 Pacific Drive

Platform: PC PS5
Release Date: February 22, 2024

Steam | PlayStation

How does one survive an area full of mysterious “anomalies,” vicious storms, and terror lying around every corner? Well, you ensure your car can take you through everything without becoming a wreck!

That might sound cheesy, but that’s the point of Pacific Drive. The game puts you in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, where massive storms are ripping through the region, and the only way to safety is through the Olympic Exclusion Zone, a place full of dangers.

You’ll need to find materials and build up your car into a mean machine that can carry you through the trials ahead. It won’t be easy, but survival is never easy.

#28 Enshrouded

Platform: PC
Release Date: January 24, 2024 (early access)

Steam

Survival games are all over the place nowadays; they’re a key genre for many players. However, where Enshrouded continues into play is that it gives you a deep fantasy RPG world to enjoy while you attempt to survive in it.

Long story short, mankind got too greedy for its own good, and they accidentally turned their home realm into a fog-filled nightmare.

You wake up in this nightmare with nothing to your name, and thus, you’ll need to work hard to get what you need to survive. The longer you last, the more you’ll find out about this world and whether there’s a way to save it.

#27 Palworld

Platform: PC Xbox One XSX|S
Release Date: January 19, 2024 (early access)

Steam | Xbox

When it comes to a certain OTHER “monster-catching franchise,” you rarely, if ever, had to worry about your avatar’s survival. After all, the whole point of that game was simply to battle monsters and not have to worry about what they might do to you.

But in Palworld, survival is something that should absolutely be on your mind. Why? Because these monsters won’t be afraid to come after you and potentially kill you!

That’s why you need to see out and use the power of the “Pals” to stay alive. Train them to be strong so they can fight off everything you come across! Or, if you face an unstoppable foe, use the Pals to sacrifice themselves so you can get away!

#26 Sons Of The Forest

Platform: PC
Release Date: February 23, 2023

Steam

If you’re ready for your next big survival experience, prepare for Sons Of The Forest.

In the game, you’re tasked with going to an island to retrieve a billionaire who has gone missing. But the moment you arrive, you’ll see just how bad things will get.

There are mutants and monsters all over the island, and you’ll need to survive long enough to get off this tortured place! But how will you survive? That’s entirely up to you. You’ll have various resources you can use to build shelter, craft weapons, and more.

Use everything you have on you and whatever you find on the island. It may be the difference between life and death.

#25 Terraria

Publisher: 505 Games

Developer: Re-Logic

Platform: PC, Microsoft Windows

Release Date: May 2011

Terraria is an acquired taste all right, this action-adventure sandbox game looks quirky but is also kind of basic and formulaic. The game’s mechanics revolve around exploration, crafting, building, and some combat with several creatures, but its 2D view is seen by many as quite old-fashioned, which hinders it slightly. But Terraria has been noted for its classic exploration-adventure style of gameplay, casting similarities to Metroid and Minecraft – which can’t be a bad thing – but this little old school style platformer can only perform as well as the tools that it’s been given, which is the reason it is placed where it is.

#24 DayZ

Publisher: Bohemia Interactive

Developer: Bohemia Interactive

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Release Date: December 2018

DayZ places you in the fictional post-Soviet Republic of Chernarus, where a mysterious plague has turned the majority of the population into violent infected beings – a classic plotline. As a survivor, you must scavenge the world for supplies, maneuver around the infected, either on your own or in a co-op with other players. DayZ often feels like a prototype of a finished product; a great little concept with a stylish look, but laden with glitches, bugs, and strange mechanics that will truly test your will to live. This is a standalone successor of the mod from the game ARMA 2, and maybe it should have just stayed as a mod because it certainly wasn’t ready for its own title.

#23 Neo Scavenger

Publisher: Blue Bottle Games

Developer: Blue Bottle Games

Platform: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS

Release Date: December 2014

In this game, you control a character that awakes from a cryonics laboratory in a ruined post-apocalyptic world. The main objective of the game is to keep the character alive by scavenging for food, clothing, and shelter – you know, the usual. This is a permadeath game that some people might think enhances the experience, it’s not just an open-world survival, but involves a whole heap of side quests and an engaging story. The problem which is glaringly obvious is that it has a very basic aesthetic that feels stuck in time – even for a 10-year-old game – and it eventually got made into a mobile game, which kind of speaks louder than words.

#22 How to Survive

Publisher: 505 Games

Developer: Eko Software

Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U

Release Date: October 2013

How to Survive is played from a top-down perspective and possesses two game modes; a story and a challenge mode, both of which can be played in a co-op. The player’s mission is to gather materials, craft weapons, and make it off the island safe and sound – which is a lot tougher than you might think. This game is quite the repetitive grind though, consisting of bland colors and bleak-looking areas… you get the picture. Another game with a great concept but feels more like a PS2 game than anything from recent times, but in terms of being worth its money, that’s a given because this game is really cheap, so it’s definitely worth a punt if you fancy it.

#21 ARK: Survival Evolved

Publisher: Studio Wildcard

Developer: Studio Wildcard

Platform: Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Stadia

Release Date: August 2017

First things first, this game is filled with dinosaurs, which is always worthy of bonus points. In this game, players must survive being stranded on an island filled with these prehistoric beasts, potential human players, and a whole host of natural hazards. However, even dinosaurs can’t save the failures of this game, with an overreliance on grinding, a shed load of performance issues (specifically on the Nintendo Switch version), and the fact it is incredibly difficult. It all results in a game that showed great promise but was let down by these key factors that ultimately ruin the experience for most gamers.

#20 Conan Exiles

Publisher: Funcom

Developer: Funcom

Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Release Date: May 2018

To put this game simply it is a survival game based in the fictional prehistoric Hyborian Age. You play as a custom character who is sentenced to death by those in power, but it is not too late as you are saved by Conan the Barbarian himself – that doesn’t happen every day. You are now exiled and must live off the land, attempting to navigate the harsh wilderness with whatever it is you find. The problem is that this game suffers from extreme lag and a slightly buggy system, but overall Conan Exiles is a great crafting game, with an imaginative list of enemies and beasts to battle against.

#19 Unturned

Publisher: Smartly Dressed Games

Developer: Smartly Dressed Games

Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S

Release Date: July 2017

Unturned features several different game modes, all of which consist of the zombie survival concept and a variety of difficulty settings to challenge every player’s skills levels. A game that started out with a lot of bugs and teething issues has since developed a bit of a cult following; the cartoonish style is quirky and fun, the multiplayer experience is excellent and full of cool and unique mods to test your friend’s patience. Unturned doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it is a simple and accessible survival simulator, and if you can stomach those low production values then you’re sure to have a great little game on your hands.

#18 Frostpunk

Publisher: 11 bit studios

Developer: 11 bit studios

Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, iOS, Android

Release Date: April 2018

The first city builder on the list is a complex but rewarding survival game. Players take on the role of a leader in an alternate history in the late 19^th century, where you must build and maintain a city during a volcanic winter, manage resources and make crucial decisions for the good of the people. City builder games are not for everyone; the slow and meticulous planning that goes into the smallest of tasks can be somewhat of a slog, but this is a unique version of those games, albeit an extremely tricky one to get your head around. The rewards will outweigh the downfalls though if you give it time, that is for certain.

#17 The Long Dark

Publisher: Hinterland Studio

Developer: Hinterland Studio

Platform: Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Release Date: August 2017

In this Canadian production, the player assumes the role of a crash-landed bush pilot called Will Mackenzie, who must survive the arctic temperatures of the Canadian wilderness after a geometric storm. This game is aptly named, the long darkness of the night is haunting and follows you around wherever you go, delivering an incredibly immersive game that will test your grinding skills to the max in this harrowing wilderness. The game’s gorgeous visuals make up for the fact its mechanics and story are slightly clunky and inconsistent – you don’t need to eat that much deer each to survive, that we are sure of.

#16 7 Days to Die

Publisher: The Fun Pimps

Developer: The Fun Pimps

Platform: Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: December 2013

The game’s events are set during the aftermath of a nuclear World War 3 that has destroyed most of the world, except for some areas such as the fictional Navesgane, Arizona, where your character hails from. You must survive by finding shelter, food, water, and fend off murderous zombies that have started to plague the lands. This game is not short of the odd bug or two (what survival games aren’t these days) but it really brings out all those creative juices bubbling up within, allowing you to create better builds and experience your own primal instincts to their extreme. It’s one hell of a fun experience that was a couple of patches away from making it one zombie game to remember.

#15 Green Hell

Publisher: Creepy Jar

Developer: Creepy Jar

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: September 2019

The story revolves around an anthropologist called Jake Higgins who wakes up in the Amazon jungle. Played from a first-person perspective in both single and co-op modes, this open-world simulation has players test their survival skills by collecting raw materials, food, and must craft objects and shelters. The unique aspect is that the environment of the game changes the dynamics of your perception in the form of hallucinations, so be wary of that as you tackle this extreme and unforgiving jungle. The fact this game is so interactive is what separates it from so many similar titles, and it isn’t reliant on traditional scares but more focused on an atmosphere that creeps up on you as the story progresses.

#14 State of Decay 2

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios

Developer: Undead Labs

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One

Release Date: May 2018

State of Decay 2 is another zombie-based survival game that has an emphasis on scavenging items that are littered about this deserted land. This open-world environment is extremely explorable and has tonnes of hidden gems to find that will help you on your journey. You can either play on your own or with three of your friends – you’ll need them that’s for sure. This game was praised upon its release for its musical score, the fluid combat system which is great fun, but was hampered by technical faults and a lack of depth in some of its mechanics. It’s great fun nonetheless, and they must be doing something right because a sequel is currently under development.

#13 RimWorld

Publisher: Lundeon Studios

Developer: Lundeon Studios

Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux

Release Date: October 2018

A good old-fashioned top-down construction and management simulation game, but steady on now because this a unique one, instead of a test of skill or challenges, this game is intended to serve as an AI-powered “story generator”, with the game being used as a medium for players to experience all those narrative adventures. This game has a huge skill tree that grows bigger over time, it has engaging gameplay that makes you feel all so powerful, and even if you are successful at building a thriving colony, you could be destroyed by aliens at any second. And here’s a strange fact of the day, this innocent little simulation game was banned in Australia for its depiction of drug use, who would have thought that then?

#12 Project Zomboid

Publisher: The Indie Stone

Developer: The Indie Stone

Platform: Java, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux

Release Date: November 2013

Another open-world survival game with an isometric view, but this one is incredibly unique and full of thrills – it was a real fan favorite as well. This game is set in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world where the player is challenged to survive for as long as they can before you inevitably die – a bit of a spoiler for you but it’s just a fact you’ll need to get used to. For a zombie game, this is as realistic as it gets; the scaling of the apocalypse as it progresses is unparalleled, and the customization is really creative. Some may say it’s the perfect zombie apocalypse simulator, but we’ll let you decide.

#11 Dread Hunger

Publisher: Digital Confectioners

Developer: Dread Hunger Team

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Release Date: April 2021

Probably the newest game on the list is Dread Hunger, a survival game based on betrayal on a small fishing boat in the arctic. Eight explorers path their ship through the unforgiving seas and crushing ice, among them, is a crew that harbors a couple of traitors, and you must seek them out. This isn’t just a survival game but also a mystery game where you must discover truths and lies, you will not understand this straight away because of its steady build-up, but once it kicks into gear you will be enthralled, and maybe a little bit scared as well.

#10 Medieval Dynasty

Publisher: Toplitz Productions

Developer: Render Cube

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Release Date: September 2021

Medieval Dynasty is a bit different than your average survival game on this list. It consists of a combination of multiple successful genres, such as the need to survive and feed yourself through hunting, farming, and caring for your land. You can create tools and weapons from whatever is lying around the map, and the construction of houses to extend your farm is what will lead to your eventual empire, one where you will feel like a king among men. It takes time to get to the end goal, but you will experience some very realistic gameplay and survival methods that will keep you engaged and tested.

#9 This War of Mine

Publisher: 11 bits studios

Developer: 11 bits studios

Platform: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Release Date: November 2014

The second game on this list from 11 bits studios is a game that differs from most war-themed video games because it tries to focus on the civilian experience of war rather than the combat side of it, which we see in most war games – and it has become slightly tiresome to be fair. Characters in this game must make difficult decisions in order to survive, and there are also different endings for each character that will keep you guessing. This War of Mine has a lovely aesthetic – it feels like an old soviet war film at its harrowing best – and is full of strategic twists and turns that are packed full of stark realism.

#8 Subnautica: Below Zero

Publisher: Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Platform: macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Release Date: May 2021

The sequel to its critically lauded predecessor, Subnautica: Below Zero is more of the same and doesn’t deter too much away from the first, which is probably why it is where it is on this list. Like its predecessor, the player’s aim is to explore the environments and survive in this eerie alien-infested world where something can jump out on you at any second. This game is so alike to the first game that it almost stunts its growth, it isn’t allowed to move out of its shadow. But as the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but surely something could have been done to invigorate it slightly.

#7 Don’t Starve

Publisher: Klei Entertainment

Developer: Klei Entertainment

Platform: Android, iOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Release Date: April 2013

Don’t Starve is one of those games that grabs your attention from the beginning because of its incredibly unique and quirky design, you also have no story setup which forces you to literally go into this game blind. The cartoony art style makes everything involved in this game a joy; the smallest of interactions with those creepy beast-like creatures are addictive and provide you with endless streams of surprises. And don’t be thinking that this game is one you could complete in only a few hours because to be a top completionism you will need hundreds of hours of your precious time to achieve that 100% mark.

#6 Rust

Publisher: Facepunch Studios

Developer: Facepunch Studios and Double Eleven

Platform: macOS, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Release Date: February 2018

Where to start with Rust. This is a game that kind of took the world by storm, and still is causing shockwaves in the land of streaming. The objective of Rust is to survive in the wilderness using gathered or stolen materials, and players must successfully manage their hunger, thirst, and their health, or they will reach their untimely end. The primary threat to players is other players, so you can imagine the absolute chaos this provides – do not trust anyone, we mean it. Rust is incredibly creative, players (if skilled enough) can build pretty much whatever they want, which is extremely fulfilling. The game might involve an awful lot of grinding, but the outcomes are worth putting the time in for.

#5 Subnautica

Publisher: Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment

Platform: macOS, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Release Date: June 2018

The original game in the much-beloved series is the superior game as well. The fact that the sequel didn’t change much (or anything for that matter) to the structure and mechanics of this game proves how much better it actually is. When this came out in 2018 it gave a whole new meaning to the sea exploration genre, it took them to the next level and resulted in a truly unique experience that was lauded by fans everywhere. Subnautica is a glittering example of the ways in which survival games can maximize that tense atmosphere and also deliver something that is also rewarding and lots of fun.

#4 Fallout 4 Survival Mode

Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios

Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: March 2016

Some of you may be thinking that this is a cheaters choice because it’s a mode and not a straight-up game, well that might be true, but it’s going on the list regardless. The Fallout series is one of the most critically and fan celebrated franchises of all time, and the inclusion of this survival mode on the already great Fallout 4 only strengthened the stature of the game. The survival mode basically replaced the previous hard difficulty on Fallout 4 and can be set before starting a new game. This mode cannot be easily turned off though, so once you have selected it you had better strap yourselves in because it’s going to get nightmarish.

#3 The Forest

Publisher: Endnight Games

Developer: Endnight Games

Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4

Release Date: April 2018

Now, this is a survival game of the highest order, The Forest still gives us vivid flashbacks to a few scary and unexpected encounters. This is a survival horror game with an emphasis on the horror aspect all right. It takes place on a remote, heavily forested land that sees you play as Eric Leblanc who is looking for his son Timmy after their plane crashed. You must fight bloodthirsty monsters, and scavenge around for supplies, create a sturdy and protective base, but you must always keep your eyes open – that’s your first lesson right there. And there is some good news as well for fans of the game because a sequel is in development and should be released later this year.

#2 Valheim

Publisher: Coffee Stain Publishing

Developer: Iron Gate Studio

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Linux

Release Date: February 2021

This could be a bold statement, but Valheim might just be one of the most gorgeous and visually stunning games to come out in recent times. Valheim takes place in a world where slain Vikings go to prove themselves fit for the legendary Valhalla. The player begins with nothing and soon discovers that to reach the treasured afterlife, they must battle and defeat the evil that lingers in the land of Valheim. A month after the release of the game on Steam, Valheim sold five million copies and was one of the most played games on Steam. Even on its early access release (a platform to dust the bugs off before its big release) it seemed complete, which is incredibly rare.

#1 Astroneer

Publisher: System Era Softworks

Developer: System Era Softworks

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Release Date: February 2019

This might be a bit of a left-field choice, but Astroneer is one of the most unique, addictive, and visually stunning games of the last ten years. This sandbox adventure game lets you travel around planets and explore the intricate depths of some of the universe’s best-kept secrets. You play an astronaut (adequately named Astroneer), who navigates on foot, with his trusty rover, or through teleportation as well as in his spacecraft. It’s not often a games experience will leave you speechless, but Astroneer is one that does exactly that. We’re all for quirky and original games that test the boundaries of excitement, instead of recycled titles that we’ve all played before, and for that reason – and the fact that it is also stunning – Astroneer is allowed to sit on the top spot.