Survival games aren’t all created equal, and determining the best survival games is no easy feat, as community consensus can vary wildly. But there’s no denying that the genre has become one of the most popular in the gaming industry, seeing several high-profile releases every year and garnering millions of players.
When it comes to classifying a title as a “survival” experience, you’re primarily looking for it to have survival elements, such as a health, food, or thirst bar you need to keep replenishing. There’s also usually an end goal when it comes to a survival game, but this isn’t always a dedicated story or plot. Some of the best survival games just have a set of goals for you to hit, with the rest of the experience being an open sandbox for you to make what you want of it. Funny enough, several of our picks for the best zombie games also land here, as the undead are such a popular enemy in survival games.
Check out ou picks for the 25 best survival games in the list below, which showcase all kinds of different experiences within the genre but are also widely accessible in 2024. As a note, this list is in no particular order. These games span all platforms, but if you’re looking for even more to play, check out our picks for the best PS5 games, best Switch games, best PC games, and best Xbox games.
Minecraft
Developer: MojangRelease Date: November 18, 2011Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Minecraft is the game that shaped the bulk of the survival genre and a large part of the gaming industry as a whole. Released back in 2011 (following earlier alpha and beta versions), Minecraft is the second-best-selling video game of all time behind Tetris, selling over 300 million copies as of late 2023. It popularized the sandbox style of survival games, allowing players to do whatever they wanted and build anything that came to their mind. It’s still a global phenomenon in 2024 and there are plenty of Minecraft spin-offs to satisfy your desire for more of the pixelated franchise.
Rust
Developer: Facepunch StudiosRelease Date: December 11, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
While you might have some strong opinions one way or the other regarding Rust, it’s difficult to deny its overall impact on the survival game genre. When Rust was released in 2013, there were few other games like it on the market. It starts you out with nothing but a patch of clothing and you have to claw and scrap your way to simply obtain a simple weapon. From there, you can construct a large base, invade other players’ bases, and fight for control over an island. It’s not considered as hardcore of a survival game in 2024, and its community is notorious for griefing new players, but Rust is still one of the better survival games you can play today.
Ark: Survival Evolved
Developer: Studio WildcardRelease Date: June 2, 2015Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android
There are few survival games with a more enticing description than Ark: Survival Evolved. The game starts you off on an island with no clothing or weapons and you have to scrounge for materials to start building survival necessities. However, in the background, you’ll hear some sharp screeches and eventually see your first dinosaur. Ark allows players to kill, tame, and ride all manner of prehistoric creatures to aid them in their survival. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that comes with full base-building and multiplayer elements. A remade version of the game, Ark: Survival Ascended, was surprise-released in 2023; you can check out our Ark tips for new players to help you get off to a good start.
Valheim
Developer: Iron Gate StudiosRelease Date: February 2, 2021Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Every so often, a game comes out of nowhere to completely take the gaming industry by storm. In 2021, Valheim became a Steam darling, launching with little hype around it but quickly shooting to the top of the selling charts. If you’ve played Valheim, you know why it became an instant success. The game’s distinct graphical style mixed with Norse lore that’s integrated flawlessly with the gameplay instantly hooks new players. Pair those elements with some fantastic base-building and a map begging to be explored, and you have the recipe for one of the best survival experiences on the market. Valheim is still not a complete game in 2024, however, so there’s even more content on the horizon for the title.
Subnautica
Developer: Unknown Worlds EntertainmentRelease Date: December 16, 2014Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
No survival game on the market can match what Subnautica brings to the table. The game begins with you crashing down onto an alien planet after your spaceship malfunctions. From your escape pod, you emerge and find a world entirely covered with water as far as the eye can see. The only way you can hope to survive is by swimming down into the water below, where dozens of unique species of fauna and flora call home. The sheer terror that arises from playing Subnautica is next to none, as several massive underwater creatures are aiming to kill you. However, the payoff from exploring the ocean’s depths is worth it, as you’ll discover beautiful environments where resources and deep lore about the planet are plentiful. Subnautica has few, if any weak points, as the world is stunning, the exploration is next to none, and the base-building is fantastic.
DayZ
Developer: Bohemia InteractiveRelease Date: December 16, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
DayZ is another one of the original big survival games to enter the genre, and it’s where a lot of veterans got their start. Initially a mod for Arma 2, DayZ is a multiplayer-only survival title where you simply strive to survive. There’s no base-building or any additional goals you need to complete. You can either work together with other players on your server to outlast everyone else or you can be a lone wolf, eliminating as many players as possible. DayZ isn’t a battle royale title, but it did spawn the creation of H1Z1, which in turn inspired PUBG (and, by extension, Fortnite).
The Forest
Developer: Endnight GamesRelease Date: May 30, 2014Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC
The Forest is another survival-horror game that pits your desire for exploration against your fear of the unknown. Monsters are waiting around every corner in The Forest, waiting for you to make the wrong turn in a cave. However, in order to progress the game, you need to explore every inch of the island you’ve crash-landed on. The crafting in The Forest is top-notch and the exploration is bone-chilling, but extremely rewarding at the same time. We could also put Sons of the Forest, the sequel to The Forest, on this list, but we felt the original game deserved the spot.
No Man’s Sky
Developer: Hello GamesRelease Date: August 9, 2016Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
What started as one of the most-criticized video game launches of all time (due to pre-release hype) has turned into arguably the best turnaround story in gaming history. No Man’s Sky was released to critical disdain in 2016, but the developers at Hello Games have never stopped working to deliver the game it initially promised to the community. After dozens of updates, free expansions, and more, No Man’s Sky is safely one of the best survival experiences you can play in 2024. There’s full multiplayer, terrific base building, and endless exploration to take part in, along with a revamped story. Huge free updates continue to roll out for the game in 2024.
7 Days to Die
Developer: The Fun PimpsRelease Date: December 13, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Zombie games were extremely popular back in the mid-2010s, but 7 Days to Die stands out as arguably the best one. It’s a survival-horror FPS that features RPG elements, an open world, and a robust crafting system that will have you hooked in no time. There are also terrific base-building mechanics that bring to mind the old tower defense titles, as you have to protect your loot from hordes of zombies knocking at your front door. The plot of 7 Days to Die is also instantly gripping, as you have seven days to prepare yourself for the zombie horde. If you aren’t ready, you’ll perish. After more than a decade in early access, 7 Days to Die is releasing in full in June 2024, with a new console version to come.
The Long Dark
Developer: Hinterland StudioRelease Date: September 22, 2014Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
The Long Dark features a plot similar to that of several other survival games: You’re a pilot who’s crash-landed in the Canadian wilderness and you need to immediately find a way to survive, or else you’ll die. While the plot is familiar, The Long Dark takes you on a true journey of survival. There are no other players to help you and the wilderness is full of animals that want to chew on your flesh. Not to mention, the frigid temperatures of Canada are harsh and unforgiving. If you want to survive, you have to think for yourself and take careful measures to simply ensure you can last another day.
Conan Exiles
Developer: FuncomRelease Date: January 30, 2017Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
The world of Conan the Barbarian has been reimagined in several different games, but the definitive version of the character’s world lies in Conan Exiles. A multiplayer survival experience, Conan Exiles is an open sandbox where you have to scrounge, build, and fight in order to survive. You can fend off enemies using basic combat or sorcery and team up with other players to secure your place in the world. The map in Conan Exiles is quite expansive, featuring full cities, dungeons with plenty of loot, and other sights to see.
Raft
Developer: Redbeet InteractiveRelease Date: May 23, 2018Platforms: Android, PC
Raft starts you, and possibly some friends, out on a tiny piece of wood in the middle of the ocean. Your goal is to navigate the vast waters to find debris to expand your raft and try to survive against all of the perils around you. Hungry sharks are waiting to climb aboard your raft and munch on anything they can get their teeth on as well as land creatures such as polar bears and hyenas. After enough crafting, you can eventually make quite an impressive base that’s able to sustain itself and fend off enemies. There’s also a story in place, allowing you to reach the endgame and partake in additional content. We have Raft guides to help you get going, such as how to unlock all characters.
Astroneer
Developer: Redbeet InteractiveRelease Date: May 23, 2018Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
The point of many survival games is to scrap and claw your way to a point where you’re able to sufficiently supply yourself with all the necessities to survive. In Astroneer, you’re essentially given those necessities right from the start, as the only survival element you need to worry about is oxygen. As long as you have enough oxygen, you don’t have to worry about anything else. Instead, you can focus on the phenomenal exploration and crafting systems Astroneer possesses, which can keep you busy for hours on end. You’re able to build massive bases, construct vehicles, and develop crafting stations to sustain anything you build. Astroneer is a huge sandbox that you can get lost in within a matter of minutes.
Grounded
Developer: Obsidian EntertainmentRelease Date: July 28, 2020Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Grounded is a survival game where you get to live out the plot from the 1989 film, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. You play in a massive sandbox that takes place in a house’s backyard, but you’ve been shrunk down to the size of a grain of sand. As a result, everything around you is 10 times larger than it’s supposed to be. Insects are now hulking enemies and strands of grass stretch high into the air. To survive, you need to find unique items spread across the map and craft a base to avoid the dangers of the backyard. As an Xbox-published game, it’s available on Game Pass for console and PC.
Don’t Starve
Developer: Klei EntertainmentRelease Date: April 23, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, PC
Boasting some of the most eye-catching graphics in a game, Don’t Starve is a brutally challenging survival game set in the wilderness. The world you’re thrown into is filled with magic, science, and other strange elements you can discover. There are mysterious creatures to encounter as well as a plethora of items and resources to scavenge. You can build a base to survive the elements, but you won’t want to spend a ton of time there, as the world of Don’t Starve makes you want to explore every inch.
Escape From Tarkov
Developer: Battlestate GamesRelease Date: July 27, 2017Platforms: PC
While Escape from Tarkov isn’t a survival game in the traditional sense, it requires players to survive in an arena of other players and NPC enemies. You have to craft items to stay alive, and a timer hurries you to escape the arena with as much loot as you can carry. The only traditional survival element you have to worry about is your health, but Escape from Tarkov features plenty of other survival aspects that allow it to sneak into the genre and onto this list. The game is a hardcore FPS that demands precision, in-depth knowledge of your surroundings, and a little bit of luck. It also popularized an entirely new genre in gaming, called the “extraction shooter.” That’s led to, among other things, new and upcoming games, such as a revival of Bungie’s Marathon.
Frostpunk
Developer: 11 Bit StudiosRelease Date: April 24, 2018Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PC
Survival games don’t always have to revolve around combat, and Frostpunk is one of the better examples of this. Frostpunk is a city-builder survival title that takes place in an alternate version of the 19th century. You’re thrust into the role of the leader of a new city that needs to overcome obstacle after obstacle to maintain the city and its citizens. You have to make extremely difficult choices regarding the future of the city while also ensuring it doesn’t get reduced to rubble. It’s a unique experience in the survival game genre that provides hours of memorable and stressful gameplay.
RimWorld
Developer: Ludeon StudiosRelease Date: November 4, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
RimWorld is another city-builder simulator that tests your ability to manage and grow a group of colonists on a science-fiction-inspired civilization. Your colonists need to be taken care of thoroughly, which includes mending their wounds, feeding them, and even monitoring their moods. RimWorld goes extremely in-depth with the simulation of being the leader of a colony, and you’ll need to be more than a colonist manager if you want to survive. There’s combat with different factions, deep trading systems, a unique crafting aspect, and decisions you have to make for the good of the colony.
Project Zomboid
Developer: The Indie StoneRelease Date: November 8, 2013Platforms: PC
One of the earliest zombie survival titles to hit the market was Project Zomboid, which took a different approach to the survival genre. The gameplay is unlike any other game, taking place on a giant map that splits whenever you enter a building or other indoor location. Your goal is to survive against hordes of zombies by crafting items, taking advantage of RPG elements, building defenses, and hunting/fishing for food. You also have to contend with your character’s inner demons and natural survival needs. Though there are some customizable difficulty options, this game is hardcore, so you’ll want to use our guides like how to avoid zombie bites, how to heal, how to forage, and the best skills in Project Zomboid.
Pacific Drive
Developer: Ironwood StudiosRelease Date: February 22, 2024Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
There might not be a more differentiated survival game on this list than Pacific Drive. It’s a first-person driving simulator that takes place across different locations in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. All you have is your car and your sense of direction in Pacific Drive, and if you lose either one, you’re done for. The game pits you against supernatural forces that want to stop you from driving further and delving into the mysteries of the region. You’re able to upgrade your car by using a garage as a base, and there are tons of different ways to make your car stronger. If you check it out, be sure to check out our guide to Pacific Drive secrets and tips.
State of Decay 2
Developer: Undead LabsRelease Date: May 18, 2018Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
The State of Decay franchise is one of the most successful in the survival genre, boasting two titles with a third on the way. While the original State of Decay launched the franchise, it’s the second one where everything comes together. State of Decay 2 is a massive improvement over the first game, featuring better survival mechanics, stronger AI, and a much more expansive world to explore. The gameplay loop is very similar to other survival games, forcing you to find resources that you use to craft items for survival. However, the community aspect in State of Decay 2 is where it separates itself from other titles, as you’re able to take full advantage of the multiplayer mechanics.
Palworld
Developer: Pocket PairRelease Date: January 19, 2024Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Even though Palworld was only released early in 2024 and it tends to copy some elements from another franchise, it’s still one of the better survival games released in recent memory. The survival elements blend perfectly with the Pal-catching gameplay loop, as you’re able to use the Pals you catch to produce resources, craft items, and keep your base in working order. Certain Pals can also be used in combat, either against Pal Tower bosses or wild Pals you want to catch. There’s no story in Palworld, but the survival elements are abundant for both your character and all of your Pals, making it one of the better survival games to play right now. We’ve got a list of Palworld tips and tricks to get you started, as well as a roundup of all the Pals in the game, which is currently available on Game Pass.
Kenshi
Developer: Lo-Fi GamesRelease Date: March 20, 2013Platforms: PC
The real-time strategy and survival genres don’t mix often, but Kenshi proves they can work extremely well together. Kenshi is mainly an RPG with survival elements that takes place across a huge sandbox where your imagination tells the story. There’s no plot or narrative in place with Kenshi, so you and some companions can travel across the world and become whatever you want to be. You’re free to play any role you choose, including that of a simple farmer all the way to an oppressive warlord.
This War of Mine
Developer: 11 Bit StudiosRelease Date: November 14, 2014Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Android, PC
From the same developers who brought us Frostpunk comes This War of Mine, a military survival simulator that focuses on the effects war has on civilians. The game primarily takes place in a single building, as snipers and enemy troops are waiting outside for anyone to enter their crosshairs. Inside the building, you need to maintain your character’s health by feeding them and keeping morale as high as possible. You can scavenge for resources to craft survival items, cook food, and make medicine. You’re mainly able to scavenge for resources at nighttime, where you can meet other NPCs who are trying to survive the war just like you. This War of Mine ends when a ceasefire has been called, but the time for that to happen is completely random, giving you no end in sight.
Stranded Deep
Developer: Beam Team GamesRelease Date: January 23, 2015Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Stranded Deep is a game that takes elements from other survival titles but adds its own spin. The game starts off with your boat crashing on an island, and you need to survive the first few days to have any chance at getting rescued. Getting food, water, and avoiding the sun are your top priorities, but there are also enemies you need to fend off. Stranded Deep takes place both on the island and underwater, both of which are not overly safe. Luckily, you can craft a slew of different items to survive, including bases, vehicles, weapons, and more.
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