Survival games aren’t all created equal, and determining the best ones 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, with several high-profile releases every year garnering millions of players.

When it comes to classifying a game as a “survival” experience, you’re primarily looking for it to have elements that make gameplay out of the idea of keeping yourself alive, such as a health, hunger, or thirst meter you need to keep replenishing, and requirements of clothing yourself and building a shelter so you don’t succumb to the elements. There are usually objectives you’ll pursue, but there isn’t always a dedicated story or plot. Some of the best survival games just have a set of goals to get you started, with the rest of the experience being an open sandbox.

However, some games manage to incorporate other elements into the survival loop; in fact, a few of our picks for the best zombie games also land here, as the undead are a popular enemy in survival games.

Check out our picks (in no particular order) for the 33 best survival games on the list below. They showcase all kinds of different experiences within the genre, and are also widely available in 2025. 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.

• Developer: Mojang
• Release Date: November 18, 2011
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Facepunch Studios
• Release Date: December 11, 2013
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Studio Wildcard
• Release Date: June 2, 2015
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Iron Gate Studios
• Release Date: February 2, 2021
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
• Release Date: December 16, 2014
• Platforms: 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 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 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. Subnautica has few, if any, weak points, as the world is stunning, the exploration is stellar, and the base-building is fantastic.

If you’ve already played Subnautica or want an updated version of the game, check out Subnautica: Below Zero. It’s a direct sequel to the original that features a new map, updated mechanics and gear, and all-new ocean creatures to encounter.

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• Developer: Bohemia Interactive
• Release Date: December 16, 2013
• Platforms: 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).

• Developer: Endnight Games
• Release Date: February 23, 2023
• Platforms: PC

Sons of the Forest is the sequel to the critically acclaimed game The Forest, which was a staple in the survival genre for years. While The Forest is still revered by many fans, Sons of the Forest takes everything up a notch. Just like in the original, you start off deserted on an island with some sinister energy. Right from the beginning, you have to forage for supplies to survive the night. Fortunately, you have a companion named Kelvin to help you at the start, but you can acquire other companions as well. As the game goes on, you can explore the massive island that features dozens of terrifying caves, meet new characters, take part in some story missions, and even design a base so the creatures of the night can’t harm you while you try to sleep.

• Developer: Hello Games
• Release Date: August 9, 2016
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 1+2, PC

What started as one of the most criticized video game launches of all time 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. Since then, a series of free updates have transformed No Man’s Sky into one of the premier survival games on the market. As you explore the galaxy and thousands of procedurally generated planets, you can now take part in multiplayer features, such as building a base with a friend. You can also design your own spaceship and engage with a plethora of new story additions that take place all across the galaxy.

This year’s major update, Worlds II, also added the ability to swim underwater and discover new treasures and creatures below the surface. The update transforms landscapes above ground as well, adding mountain ranges, valleys, and vast plains on countless planets in new star systems. The most recent update in No Man’s Sky brought the title to the Nintendo Switch 2, so you can experience the game with the beefier version of Nintendo’s console, as well as on the original Switch and its other platforms.

• Developer: The Fun Pimps
• Release Date: December 13, 2013
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Hinterland Studio
• Release Date: September 22, 2014
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Funcom
• Release Date: January 30, 2017
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Redbeet Interactive
• Release Date: May 23, 2018
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Redbeet Interactive
• Release Date: May 23, 2018
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
• Release Date: July 28, 2020
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Klei Entertainment
• Release Date: April 23, 2013
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Battlestate Games
• Release Date: July 27, 2017
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: 11 Bit Studios
• Release Date: April 24, 2018
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Ludeon Studios
• Release Date: November 4, 2013
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: The Indie Stone
• Release Date: November 8, 2013
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Ironwood Studios
• Release Date: February 22, 2024
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Undead Labs
• Release Date: May 18, 2018
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Pocket Pair
• Release Date: January 19, 2024
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Lo-Fi Games
• Release Date: March 20, 2013
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: 11 Bit Studios
• Release Date: November 14, 2014
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Beam Team Games
• Release Date: January 23, 2015
• Platforms: 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.

• Developer: Miju Games
• Release Date: March 24, 2022
• Platforms: PC

If you find yourself playing Minecraft or another sandbox survival game and keep looking up to the sky wondering what it’d be like to design your own planet, then Planet Crafter is right up your alley. Planet Crafter is a terraforming survival game that gives you free rein over an entire planet. You start by making your play habitable by stabilizing its ecosystem, and from there, you can craft new items and structures using the planet’s resources and eventually build a small settlement. The game supports up to 10 players on every planet as well, so you and some friends can terraform large chunks of the environment to completely transform it.

• Developer: Keen Games
• Release Date: January 24, 2024
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

Enshrouded is a modern survival game with plenty of content to consume, frequent updates from the developers, and an enjoyable gameplay loop. It’s an action-RPG that takes place on an open-world map. You have all the basic tropes of a survival game, including base-building, in-depth crafting, and exploration to score more gear for your character and base. The base-building and crafting especially stand out, as you can make a variety of weapons and gear as well as build quite impressive structures. However, at the heart of Enshrouded is a well-laid-out story that forces you to explore every corner of the map and goes hand-in-hand with the game’s survival aspects.

• Developer: NetEase Games
• Release Date: July 9, 2024
• Platforms: PC, iOS, Android

Once Human is a game that can’t be defined by a single genre. It’s a third-person survival game with RPG elements that takes place in an open world where you can engage in multiplayer with other random players on your server. At the start of Once Human, you’re introduced to the story, which involves post-apocalyptic mutations taking over the world, but this takes a backseat to the exploration and survival aspects.

Once Human takes place on a huge map that is split up into different zones, each with a corresponding level requirement. To reach new zones with a higher level, you have to complete missions, clear out enemy locations, and keep building up your base. Your level dictates what weapons you can use, the vehicles you can drive, and the base items you can construct. Throughout all of this, though, you have to ensure your character has enough food, water, and stamina to sustain themselves.

• Developer: Rebellion Games
• Release Date: March 27, 2025
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

Atomfall is a survival RPG title that sees survival elements take a backseat to the worldbuilding and overall plot that the game immediately throws you into. However, the survival elements in Atomfall aren’t to be ignored, as you have a heartbeat you have to constantly monitor. The higher your heartbeat, the less stamina you have and the more vulnerable you are. The game also features minimal healing, so keeping your HP up is paramount. Putting survival aside, Atomfall is a fantastic open-world RPG with an engaging story that has multiple endings, difficult combat, and extremely well-designed quests.

• Developer: Funcom
• Release Date: June 5, 2025
• Platforms: PC

Dune: Awakening is a fantastic survival experience that stays true to the novels that serve as Dune’s source material, while giving players a slew of content to consume right from the beginning of the game. You begin as the survivor of a crashed ship on the desolate and dangerous planet of Arrakis, and through the help of a mysterious voice in your head, set out to become a true lord of the desert.

Dune: Awakening features some terrific base building that scales as you progress, plenty of story and side missions to keep you busy, and thrilling traversal that revolves around the dreaded sand worm. If you spend too much time in the desert, the monstrous worm will always find you–and if it does, you’re dinner. The game also features vehicles, a staggering endgame, and even some in-depth PvP content–Dune: Awakening is an MMORPG as well, so you’ll always be around other players on Arrakis.

• Developer: Gamepires
• Release Date: June 17, 2025
• Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Scum’s developers describe it as one of the most punishing survival games on the market, and its gameplay certainly backs up that claim. The game is set in a prison, the environment around you is harsh, and there’s no time for dilly-dallying; otherwise, you’ll succumb to the elements. Even while in prison, though, you have to participate in manual labor, interact with other prisoners, and try to simply make it to the next day.

Once you get out of prison, you’ll take part in substantial base building, loot and craft a plethora of gear and items, and even find some vehicles to drive around the world. But even after you get going with the equipment you need, you’ll have to make sure all of your gear and items are maintained properly. Scum is a demanding survival experience that tests your abilities and patience, but it’s extremely rewarding and enjoyable after you understand its mechanics.

• Developer: Stunlock Studios
• Release Date: May 17, 2022
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC

Plenty of survival games feature the same basic gameplay loop of gathering loot, building a base, and exploring the world to find new resources and repeat the process. While V Rising does implement a similar formula, the way it goes about it is drastically different from other games. In V Rising, you’re a vampire with nothing to your name, and you need to find a way to survive and become a lord amongst the living. However, being a vampire, you have to avoid the sun at all costs. This is a major dilemma, as the sun is present for half of each day in V Rising. While you can still go out during the day, you need to stick to the shadows to find the resources you require to build a base, upgrade gear, and beef up your inventory.

This twist on the classic survival foundation always keeps you on your toes, but it’s just a part of what makes V Rising such a good experience. The base building is expansive, the world gets more interesting as you explore, and there’s even some PvP if you want to get more into the combat side of things.

• Developer: GSC Game World
• Release Date: November 20, 2024
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC

Stalker 2 is a game that doesn’t just limit itself to the survival genre. While it is a survival game at its core, it also features substantial horror elements and features a more in-depth story than other games like it. Stalker 2 is all about getting to the heart of Chornobyl, but to do that, you need to survive against dozens of dangerous and unpredictable enemies and anomalies that can pop up at any time. You’ll also interact with factions made up of dozens of different characters and face choices that can drastically affect the outcome of your story. Along your journey, you’ll have to maintain your character and gear as well as craft new weapon combinations to deal with freshly mutated enemies that never seem to stop coming.

Stalker 2 is a heart-pounding experience with great first-person shooter gameplay and plenty of survival elements to keep you engaged throughout its story.