Survival games have an enduring charm that can be easily comprehended. Our innate instinct to fight for survival makes it understandable why we would become deeply engaged in experiencing it through gaming.
The top-notch survival games of 2024 push players to their utmost capabilities by presenting them with difficult obstacles and urging them to discover innovative ways to overcome them. Survival games offer more than just a basic health bar; they require players to carefully manage various aspects of their well-being.
These include hunger, thirst, extreme temperatures, disease, and other potential threats. In addition to staying alive, players must also engage in activities such as exploring, gathering resources, crafting tools and equipment, building shelters, and engaging in activities like hunting, fishing, cooking, and farming.
Furthermore, some survival games go beyond personal survival and also involve the management of a colony or settlement. Players must navigate through extreme circumstances by efficiently managing resources, implementing laws, and finding solutions to societal problems.
Here are 30 Best Survival Games you can play in 2024.
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The Best Survival Games to play Right Now
1. Valheim
Valheim is an open-world survival game developed by Iron Gate AB. Set in the Viking afterlife, players take on the role of a fallen warrior who must prove themselves worthy of entering Valhalla.
The game offers a vast and procedurally generated world, filled with diverse biomes, creatures, and resources. Players can explore, hunt, gather materials, and build their own settlements or mighty fortresses to protect themselves from enemies and the harsh environment.
Valheim also incorporates a crafting system, allowing players to forge weapons, armor, and tools to aid in their survival. Additionally, the game features a cooperative multiplayer mode, enabling players to team up with friends to tackle challenges and undertake epic quests together.
2. Sons of the Forest
Sons of the Forest is a sequel to the popular survival horror game, The Forest. Set in a remote, mysterious forest, players take on the role of a survivor who must navigate through a dangerous environment filled with hostile creatures and otherworldly phenomena.
The game offers a unique blend of survival mechanics, exploration, and horror elements, creating an immersive and thrilling gaming experience. Sons of the Forest promises to deliver an enhanced gameplay experience with improved graphics, new gameplay features, and a compelling story.
Fans of the original game are eagerly anticipating its release, as it is expected to build upon the success of its predecessor and offer a fresh and gripping adventure in the haunting world of the forest.
3. Subnautica
Subnautica is a captivating open-world underwater exploration game that takes players on an unforgettable adventure. Set on an alien planet entirely covered by an ocean, the game offers a unique and immersive experience.
Players find themselves stranded in a life pod after their spaceship crashes, and they must navigate the depths of the ocean in order to survive. With stunning graphics and a richly detailed underwater environment, Subnautica allows players to dive into an unknown world filled with mysterious creatures and breathtaking landscapes.
As they explore, players uncover the secrets of the planet and unravel the story behind their crash. From building underwater bases to collecting resources and crafting tools, Subnautica offers a wide range of gameplay options that keep players engaged and entertained throughout their journey.
Whether you are a fan of survival games or simply looking for a thrilling underwater adventure, Subnautica is a game that is sure to captivate and immerse you in its beautifully crafted world.
4. Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid is a post-apocalyptic survival game that takes place in a world overrun by zombies. Developed by The Indie Stone, this sandbox-style game allows players to explore an open-world environment, scavenge for supplies, and build a base to defend against the hordes of undead.
With a focus on realistic survival mechanics, players must manage their character’s hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and mental stability while also dealing with the constant threat of zombie attacks.
The game features a dynamic world where the choices and actions of the player can have lasting consequences, such as attracting more zombies or creating alliances with other survivors. Project Zomboid offers a challenging and immersive gameplay experience for fans of the zombie genre.
5. Grounded
Grounded is a survival game developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Set in a suburban backyard, the game follows the journey of a group of shrunken teenagers who must navigate their surroundings while fending off various threats.
Players are tasked with gathering resources, crafting tools and weapons, and building shelter to survive. The game also introduces an element of exploration, as players uncover the mysteries of their new miniature world. With its immersive graphics and unique concept, Grounded offers an exciting and challenging gameplay experience for fans of survival games.
6. Frostpunk
Frostpunk is a survival city-building game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Set in a frozen, post-apocalyptic world, the game challenges players to lead and manage a group of survivors in a society struggling to survive in the extreme cold.
As the ruler of the last city on Earth, players must make difficult decisions that will determine the fate of their civilization. They must balance resources, maintain the city’s infrastructure, and ensure the well-being of their citizens.
The game presents ethical dilemmas that force players to weigh the needs of the many against the needs of the few, adding a moral dimension to the gameplay.
7. Escape from Tarkov
Escape from Tarkov is a highly immersive and intense multiplayer online game that falls under the first-person shooter genre. Developed by Battlestate Games, it offers a unique and realistic gaming experience set in the fictional city of Tarkov, which has become a war-torn and lawless zone.
Players assume the role of either a scavenger or a mercenary, and their main objective is to survive and escape the city by completing various missions and engaging in intense firefights with other players and AI-controlled enemies.
With its realistic graphics, complex gameplay mechanics, and a vast array of customizable weapons and equipment, Escape from Tarkov has gained a dedicated fanbase worldwide. It offers a challenging and unforgiving gameplay experience that rewards tactical decision-making, teamwork, and resource management.
Escape from Tarkov stands out as a game that pushes the boundaries of realism and immersion in the first-person shooter genre.
8. RimWorld
RimWorld is a popular indie strategy game developed by Ludeon Studios. Set in a science fiction universe, the game challenges players to manage a group of colonists who have crash-landed on an alien planet.
The objective is to build and expand a successful colony while overcoming various challenges such as extreme weather conditions, hostile wildlife, and raids from other factions. RimWorld offers a unique and immersive experience as players must make tough decisions and adapt to unpredictable events.
The game features a complex AI storyteller that generates events based on the player’s actions, ensuring each playthrough is different and exciting. With its deep gameplay mechanics, rich storytelling, and endless possibilities, RimWorld has captivated gamers worldwide and has become a beloved title within the strategy genre.
9. Raft
Raft is a consensus algorithm designed to ensure fault tolerance and consistency in distributed systems. It was introduced by Diego Ongaro and John Ousterhout in 2014 as an alternative to the widely used Paxos algorithm.
Raft divides the system into several nodes, with one of them acting as the leader and the rest as followers. The leader is responsible for handling client requests, while followers replicate the leader’s log and execute the same commands.
Raft guarantees consensus by electing a new leader if the current leader fails. It achieves fault tolerance by ensuring that a majority of nodes agree on the state of the system. Raft’s simplicity and understandability make it a popular choice for building reliable distributed systems.
10. DayZ
DayZ is a popular multiplayer survival video game that was initially released as a modification for the game Arma 2. Developed by Bohemia Interactive, it is set in a post-apocalyptic world where players must scavenge for resources, navigate through dangerous environments, and interact with other players to survive.
The game offers a realistic and immersive experience, with a vast open world map, dynamic weather conditions, and a wide range of weapons and items to discover. One of the unique aspects of DayZ is its emphasis on player interaction, where players can choose to cooperate or compete with each other, ultimately shaping the gameplay and creating compelling narratives.
11. Rust
Rust is a popular survival game that has gained a massive following since its release in 2013. Developed by Facepunch Studios, this multiplayer online game offers players a challenging and immersive experience in a post-apocalyptic world.
The objective of the game is to survive by gathering resources, crafting tools and weapons, and building shelters to protect against hostile players and the environment. Rust features an open-world environment where players can explore and interact with each other, forming alliances or engaging in intense battles.
The game is known for its realistic graphics, intense gameplay, and complex mechanics, making it a favorite among gamers who enjoy a hardcore survival experience. With regular updates and a dedicated community, Rust continues to evolve, providing players with new challenges and content to keep the game fresh and exciting.
12. Minecraft
Minecraft is a popular sandbox video game that was created by Markus Persson and released in 2011. It allows players to build and explore virtual worlds made up of blocks.
The game offers a variety of modes, including survival mode where players must gather resources and avoid enemies, and creative mode where players have unlimited resources and can build whatever they can imagine.
Minecraft has gained a massive following due to its endless possibilities and freedom of gameplay. It has become a platform for creativity, with players constructing elaborate structures, landscapes, and even functioning machines.
Additionally, Minecraft has a strong community aspect, allowing players to collaborate and share their creations with others. Overall, Minecraft offers a unique and immersive gaming experience that has captivated players of all ages.
13. Terraria
Terraria is a popular sandbox adventure game that was developed by Re-Logic. It offers players a unique blend of exploration, building, and combat in a 2D pixelated world.
The game allows players to create their own character and embark on an open-ended journey where they can mine for resources, craft weapons and armor, and battle various creatures and bosses.
Terraria also features a day and night cycle, weather patterns, and a wide variety of biomes to explore, each with its own distinct challenges and rewards.
14. No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky is a highly anticipated and critically acclaimed video game that was released in 2016. Developed by Hello Games, it is a vast and immersive exploration game set in a procedurally generated universe.
The game allows players to explore and discover numerous planets, each with its own unique flora, fauna, and landscapes. No Man’s Sky also features a seamless multiplayer experience, allowing players to interact and collaborate with others in their exploration.
The game’s main objective is for players to reach the center of the universe, but there are also various side quests and missions to engage in. With its stunning visuals, open-ended gameplay, and endless possibilities, No Man’s Sky offers an unparalleled experience for those who enjoy exploration and discovery in a virtual universe.
15. Don’t Starve
Don’t Starve is a highly popular and challenging survival video game developed by Klei Entertainment. The game takes place in a dark and mysterious world where the player must navigate through various environments in order to stay alive.
The main objective is to avoid starvation by gathering and managing resources, crafting tools and structures, and fending off dangerous creatures. Don’t Starve offers a unique and immersive experience with its hand-drawn art style and atmospheric soundtrack.
The game also incorporates elements of exploration and strategy, as players must explore unknown territories, uncover secrets, and devise effective survival strategies. With its tough gameplay and unpredictable events, Don’t Starve provides a thrilling and addictive gaming experience for players who enjoy a challenging survival adventure.
16. ARK: Survival Evolved
ARK: Survival Evolved is an action-adventure survival game that takes place in a vast open-world environment. In this game, players find themselves stranded on an island filled with dangerous creatures and other hostile players.
The objective is to survive by gathering resources, crafting tools and weapons, and building shelter to protect against the ever-present threats. What sets ARK apart from other survival games is the inclusion of prehistoric creatures such as dinosaurs and other fantastical creatures.
Players can tame these creatures, ride them, and even breed them to create a powerful army. With its stunning graphics, immersive gameplay, and the ability to play with friends in a multiplayer mode, ARK: Survival Evolved offers a thrilling and challenging experience that keeps players hooked for hours on end.
17. State Of Decay
State of Decay is an action-adventure survival game that takes place in an open world filled with zombies and other post-apocalyptic threats. Developed by Undead Labs and published by Microsoft Studios, the game puts players in the shoes of survivors who must establish a base, scavenge for resources, and defend themselves against hordes of undead.
What sets State of Decay apart from other zombie games is its focus on community and resource management. Players must not only keep themselves alive, but also ensure the survival of their fellow survivors by assigning them tasks, upgrading their skills, and making tough decisions that affect the overall well-being of the group.
18. Dying Light
Dying Light is an open-world survival horror game developed by Techland and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies, where players take on the role of Kyle Crane, an undercover agent sent to infiltrate a quarantined city called Harran.
The gameplay revolves around parkour-style movement, allowing players to seamlessly navigate through the city by running, jumping, and climbing various obstacles. In addition to the intense first-person combat with zombies, players can also scavenge for supplies, craft weapons, and complete various missions to progress the story.
Dying Light also features a day-night cycle, where the zombies become more aggressive and dangerous at night, adding an extra layer of challenge and suspense to the gameplay. With its immersive gameplay, stunning graphics, and intense atmosphere, Dying Light offers an exhilarating and thrilling experience for fans of the survival horror genre.
19. Pathologic
Pathologic is a video game developed by the Russian studio Ice-Pick Lodge. It is a unique and unconventional game that falls under the genre of a psychological horror adventure. The game takes place in a small town plagued by an unknown and deadly disease, where the player assumes the role of one of three playable characters.
The objective is to unravel the mysteries surrounding the outbreak and find a way to save the town and its inhabitants. What sets Pathologic apart from other games is its complex narrative, immersive atmosphere, and its focus on moral choices and consequences.
It presents a bleak and unsettling world, where survival is not guaranteed and every decision made can have far-reaching consequences. Pathologic challenges players to confront their own mortality and morality, making it a thought-provoking and unforgettable gaming experience.
20. Green Hell
Green Hell is a survival video game developed and published by Creepy Jar. Set in the Amazon rainforest, the game challenges players to survive in a hostile and dangerous environment. As the name suggests, the lush greenery of the jungle hides numerous threats and obstacles that players must overcome.
From hunger and thirst to diseases and venomous creatures, every step in Green Hell is a battle for survival. Players are required to manage their resources, craft tools and weapons, and navigate through the dense vegetation to escape or find help.
With its realistic graphics and immersive gameplay, Green Hell provides a thrilling and suspenseful experience for gamers who are up for the challenge of surviving in the untamed wilderness.
21. This War Of Mine
This War of Mine is a critically acclaimed video game that offers a unique and thought-provoking experience. Unlike traditional war games that focus on the heroic actions of soldiers, This War of Mine presents the harsh reality of war from the perspective of civilians trapped in a besieged city.
Players must navigate through the challenges and moral dilemmas of survival, making difficult decisions that have lasting consequences. The game emphasizes the emotional toll of war, exploring themes of desperation, sacrifice, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones.
22. Enshrouded
Enshrouded is a term commonly used to describe something that is covered or concealed, often with a shroud or veil. The word carries a sense of mystery and intrigue, evoking images of hidden secrets or obscured truths.
It can be used to describe physical objects, such as a statue enshrouded in a cloth, or metaphorical concepts, such as an enshrouded past that is difficult to uncover. Enshrouded can also be used to describe a person who is hidden or protected from view, either by choice or by circumstance.
23. V Rising
V Rising is an upcoming open-world survival game that offers players the opportunity to become a powerful vampire ruler. Set in a dark and immersive world, players will navigate through various environments and engage in both combat and diplomacy as they build their vampire empire.
The game allows players to customize their vampire’s abilities, appearance, and castle, giving them a sense of ownership and personalization. As players progress, they will face challenges such as hunting for blood, managing resources, and defending their territory against rival vampire factions.
24. The Long Dark
The Long Dark is a popular survival video game developed by Hinterland Studio Inc. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where players must navigate through harsh environments and extreme weather conditions to survive.
The game emphasizes realism and challenges players to make strategic decisions in order to stay alive. Players must manage their resources such as food, water, and firewood, while also avoiding dangerous wildlife and unpredictable weather patterns.
The Long Dark offers both a story mode and a sandbox mode, providing players with different gameplay experiences. With its immersive gameplay and stunning visuals, The Long Dark has gained a dedicated fanbase and continues to be a beloved survival game in the gaming community.
25. Among Trees
Among Trees is a video game that offers a unique and serene gaming experience. Set in a beautiful and vibrant forest, players are immersed in a world filled with lush greenery, towering trees, and peaceful wildlife.
The game encourages exploration and survival as players navigate their way through the forest, discovering hidden treasures and resources along the way. With its stunning visuals and calming atmosphere, Among Trees provides a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Whether it’s building a cozy cabin, foraging for food, or simply enjoying the tranquility of nature, Among Trees offers a captivating and peaceful gaming experience for players to enjoy.
26. Darkwood
Darkwood is a survival horror game developed by Acid Wizard Studio. Set in a mysterious and eerie forest, players are tasked with surviving and uncovering the secrets of the dark and dangerous world they find themselves in.
The game features a unique top-down perspective, creating a sense of tension and unease as players navigate through the haunting environment. With its challenging gameplay and atmospheric visuals, Darkwood immerses players in a truly terrifying experience.
As they scavenge for resources, craft weapons, and defend themselves against various supernatural threats, players are constantly on edge, never knowing what horrors await them in the shadows. Darkwood is a must-play for fans of the horror genre, offering a truly gripping and unforgettable gaming experience.
27. Kenshi
Kenshi is an open-world role-playing game developed by Lo-Fi Games. It takes place in a vast, post-apocalyptic world where players are free to explore and make their own choices. The game offers a unique blend of sandbox gameplay and squad-based mechanics, allowing players to recruit and control a group of characters with different skills and abilities.
From building a base to engaging in combat and trading, Kenshi offers a wide range of activities for players to immerse themselves in. With its complex and challenging gameplay, Kenshi provides a truly immersive and rewarding gaming experience for those who enjoy exploration and strategy.
28. Astroneer
Astroneer is a popular sandbox adventure game developed by System Era Softworks. It takes place in a futuristic era where players take on the role of an astronaut exploring various planets and moons in space.
The game offers a vast and procedurally generated open-world environment, allowing players to shape and reshape the terrain using their tools and equipment. Astroneer emphasizes exploration, resource gathering, and base building, giving players the freedom to create and customize their own space bases and vehicles.
The game also features a cooperative multiplayer mode, allowing players to team up and collaborate with friends to overcome challenges and discover new secrets in the vast universe. With its visually appealing graphics and immersive gameplay, Astroneer provides an exciting and unique gaming experience for fans of space exploration and sandbox games.
29. Oxygen Not Included
Oxygen Not Included is a popular simulation video game where players take on the role of space colony managers. Developed by Klei Entertainment, the game challenges players to build and maintain a sustainable colony in an asteroid.
The main objective is to ensure that the colonists have a steady supply of oxygen, food, and water while managing various other resources. Players must carefully plan and construct their colony, taking into consideration factors such as temperature, pressure, and the needs and abilities of their colonists.
The game offers a complex and engaging gameplay experience, with players having to navigate through challenges like resource scarcity, environmental hazards, and the ever-present threat of suffocation. With its unique blend of resource management, strategy, and survival elements, Oxygen Not Included has captivated players worldwide.
30. Conan Exiles
Conan Exiles is an open-world survival game set in the brutal world of Conan the Barbarian. In this game, players find themselves stranded in an unforgiving desert wasteland, where they must fight to survive against dangerous creatures and hostile players.
The game offers a wide range of gameplay options, allowing players to build their own settlements, craft weapons and armor, and engage in intense combat. The world of Conan Exiles is vast and diverse, with towering mountains, lush forests, and treacherous deserts to explore.
Players can form alliances with other players or go it alone, as they navigate the harsh and unforgiving environment. With its stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and challenging survival mechanics, Conan Exiles offers a thrilling and intense gaming experience for fans of the Conan franchise and survival genre.
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Among Trees sounds like a beautiful and peaceful game to escape into. I love the idea of exploring a vibrant forest and building a cozy cabin. It seems like a perfect way to unwind and relax.
I love survival games and Among Trees seems like a beautiful and relaxing addition to the genre. Can’t wait to explore the serene and vibrant forest environment!
I love survival games because they provide a unique challenge and require careful management of resources. I’m definitely interested in trying out some of these top survival games of 2024, especially Valheim and Subnautica. The descriptions make them sound immersive and exciting. Can’t wait to play!
I love survival games and these all sound like great options! I’m particularly interested in trying out Grounded and Frostpunk for their unique concepts and immersive gameplay. Can’t wait to dive in and start exploring these worlds!
I love survival games and these recommendations are great! I’ve played Valheim and Subnautica before and they were both amazing. Can’t wait to try out Sons of the Forest and Grounded as well. Thanks for the suggestions!
I love the variety of survival games mentioned in this article. Each one offers a unique experience and different challenges. It’s great to see the genre evolving and providing players with new and exciting gameplay options.
I love survival games and Among Trees seems like a unique and beautiful addition to the genre. The tranquil forest setting and focus on exploration and gathering resources sound like a relaxing and immersive experience. Can’t wait to try it out!
I love Minecraft! The endless possibilities and freedom of gameplay make it such a fun and creative game. Plus, the community aspect is great for sharing creations with others.
I love Rust! The graphics and gameplay are so realistic, and the regular updates keep things fresh. It’s definitely one of my favorite hardcore survival games.
I really enjoy playing Rust because of its realistic graphics and intense gameplay. The regular updates and dedicated community make the game even better. It’s a hardcore survival experience that keeps me coming back for more.