Survival is mankind’s number one instinct. Perhaps that’s why we are drawn to these types of games.
They can become completely immersive. They make us feel alive.
Below is a list of the best survival games for PC in 2019 and why they are awesome.
20. Minecraft
Minecraft is one of the world's most recognizable game titles.
Perhaps the most well-known sandbox game in the world is Minecraft. There is a creative mode, but many enjoy the survival aspect of the game as well. Fans have come up with their own theory as to the lore behind the game, but none has ever been confirmed.
What Makes Minecraft Awesome
- If you can envision it, you can build it.
- Explore all sorts of terrain and biomes for the resources you need to survive.
- You can “finish” the game by defeating a boss, but the game doesn’t actually end.
Official website: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/TeamMojang/videos
19. Mist Survival
Tons of abandoned cars can only mean one thing: ZOMBIES!
A virus pandemic has left few survivors. Those who are left have to fend for themselves. Everything is trying to kill you; lack of food and shelter, climate and environment changes, wild animals, other survivors, bandits, and the infected. When the mist comes, so do the dangers.
What Makes Mist Survival Awesome- Players have the ability to kill threats silently. This game is not a run-and-gun. Stealth is at the forefront.
- Repair abandoned vehicles and use them to get around.
- You can board up and defend particular locations for a base, particularly useful when the mist rolls in.
Official website: https://www.facebook.com/MistSurvival/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc1wQYCQaIzX01QxCDamPlA/videos
18. Barotrauma
If you thought Earth's seas were dangerous, think again.
Habitable environments are scarce. Humanity has chosen to settle on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. The frozen ocean landscape is dangerous, and humans are not the only life form to be found beneath its depths.
What Makes Barotrauma Awesome- Either enjoy the game in single-player mode or recruit your friends for an immersive adventure where every member has a job.
- Play as a submarine captain, security officer, medic, or engineer.
- With procedurally generated levels, no two games are alike.
Official website: https://barotraumagame.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/Regalis11/videos
17. RimWorld
Three passengers of a shipwreck on a far off world are the only survivors left. Your job is to manage their needs to ensure their survival. Be prepared to face all sorts of challenges, including those of normal life like relationships and addictions.
What Makes RimWorld Awesome- Choose from three different AI storytellers. Each one will determine the intensity of the game you play.
- The people in RimWorld are constantly evaluating their world around them, and it will affect the decisions they make.
- The game is easily moddable, and with an already active mod community, there will be no end to the fun.
Official webpage: https://rimworldgame.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/tynansylvester/videos
16. Raft
You are stuck on a tiny raft in the middle of the big blue ocean. The only way you’re going to survive is to gather whatever scraps you can find floating around you and build a bigger raft. Can you keep up with the sharks trying to tear it down to get to you?
What Makes Raft Awesome- Take on the open sea alone or have friends join in on the fun.
- Build your raft as decadently as you want and sail it around the world.
- Craft survival equipment, fight off anything threatening your floating home, and learn new things as you progress.
Official webpage: https://www.raft-game.com
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnVNBWWIcpwsrytqdruLTWA/videos
15. No Man's Sky
Something at the center of the universe is calling you. The journey there is perilous and fraught with danger. Death is lurking just around the corner. Have you prepared yourself and your ship for the battle?
What Makes No Man’s Sky Awesome- The universe is literally endless. The procedurally generated maps ensure you’ll never run out of places to visit.
- Customize your ship, suit, and weapons to suit your playstyle.
- Choose whether or not to share your discoveries with other players because of course, not all of space has been mapped.
Official webpage: https://www.nomanssky.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/HelloGamesTube/videos
14. Banished
The best part is naming your town. "Towny McTownface."
A group of townspeople has left their village in search of a better life. They have nothing but a simple cart of supplies. Your job is to ensure they survive and thrive in this new world.
What Makes Banished Awesome- Unlike many other city-building sims, the townspeople can be assigned one of twenty specific jobs depending on which resources are needed most at the time.
- There is no currency. Trade is essential to keep enough supplies in storage.
- Each map has different amounts of resources available. It’s up to you to decide where to settle and how to acquire the things you lack the most.
Official website: http://www.shiningrocksoftware.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShiningRockSoftware/videos
13. This War of Mine
War has never looked so grim.
Experience war from a different angle. Instead of playing as a soldier, you control a group of civilians in a war-torn city. Lack of food, medicine, and sanity are all daily threats. Snipers and traders alike may attack you for what you have. Keep your people safe, or you may lose yourself as well.
What Makes This War of Mine Awesome- This game is unique in its portrayal of war. The psychological challenges are what makes This War of Mine so captivating.
- Every decision made is difficult. Who gets to eat, who gets to sleep, and who risks their life looking for resources outside the relative safety of the shelter?
- Several new episodes are available for download, focusing more on one character rather than the group as a whole.
Official website: http://www.thiswarofmine.com/#home
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/11bitstudios/videos
12. Stranded Deep
Time to redefine treehouses.
Your plane has crashed on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. You are the only survivor. Do you have what it takes to make it to the next sunrise?
What Makes Stranded Deep Awesome- Physics matters when building or crafting items. Control the pieces yourself, rather than slipping them into a slot in an interface.
- Seach shipwrecks for valuable loot. Don’t run out of breath, and keep your eyes peeled for sharks.
- Navigate the seas in many weather patterns in search of more supplies, whether the sun is shining or your raft is about to capsize.
Official website: https://beamteamgames.com/stranded-deep/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/BeamTeamGames/videos
11. Tomb Raider
All this game is lacking is a good shower.
Explore and discover the origin story of the infamous Lara Croft. See her grow from a young lady to the hardcore survivalist we all know and love today.
What Makes Tomb Raider Awesome- Just like in the nostalgic Tomb Raider games, discover puzzles throughout a mysterious island landscape.
- Gain experience to upgrade weapons and tools.
- Several multiplayer modes are available for team survival.
Official website: https://tombraider.square-enix-games.com/en-us
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/tombraider/videos
10. Kenshi
I do what I want!
Take hold of your own destiny without a linear story to restrain you. Do what you want, when you want, and where you want to do it. You’ve got over 870 square kilometers of map to explore. Get to it.
What Makes Kenshi Awesome
- Complete freeform gameplay means you have total control of your characters and how they interact with the world.
- Build a squad of custom characters to fight for you.
- Intelligent AI helps with the micromanagement of your assets. Assign your squad members tasks to handle.
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/CaptainDeathbeard/videos
9. Green Hell
Hell has a lot more foliage than I expected.
Face the unrelenting heat of the Amazon rainforest and struggle to survive. You’ve only got a radio that speaks to you in a familiar voice, slowly revealing why you’re in the middle of nowhere. Can you handle the answer?
What Makes Green Hell Awesome
- You start with nothing. Use your bare hands to work and survive from scratch.
- Your psychological well-being is just as important as your physical health. Suffer through the madness of true isolation.
- The environment changes dynamically based on weather conditions.
Official website: http://www.greenhell-game.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZ5dMgYoVurtpBE5omHf0Q/videos
8. Rust
Notoriously known as one of the most ruthless and cutthroat survival games out there is Rust. Killing on site is very common, supplies are lacking, and everyone is doing whatever it takes to last another day.
What Makes Rust Awesome
- Your survival is directly linked to your environment. The cold can kill you. The heat can kill you. The wildlife can kill you. You are constantly in danger.
- If you’re a PvP fan, this one is for you. Raiding bases is often the best way to get supplies necessary for your own survival.
- If you can, form alliances. But be warned, no one can truly be trusted.
Official website: https://rust.facepunch.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/fcpnch/videos
7. 7 Days to Die
7 Days to Die is more than just a zombie game. It mixes the genres of survival, FPS, tower defense, horror, and open sandbox. Every 7th day a horde of zombies attacks you wherever you are, without fail. Can you prepare in time?
What Makes 7 Days to Die Awesome
- The world around you is fully destructible. Fortify or destroy any building or dig a cave for protection against the elements.
- Survive alone or team up with friends. The more players online, the more zombies you will encounter.
- Gather resources and craft weapons, armor, and defenses in an effort to survive.
Official website: https://7daystodie.com/?home
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheFunPimps/videos
6. Don't Starve Together
Same game as Don't Starve, but BETTER!
Don’t Starve Together is the multiplayer expansion of Don’t Starve. Day and night play equally powerful parts in this game. During the day replenish your resources as well as your sanity. During the night keep a light source nearby, or face the dangers that await you in the dark.
What Makes Don’t Starve Together Awesome
- Choose from many different characters to play, all with their own advantages and hindrances.
- Primarily play in Sandbox Mode, but you can unlock the campaign-based Adventure Mode by discovering a particular landmark.
- Everything wants you dead, including your own psychotic hallucinations if your sanity drops low enough.
Official website: https://www.klei.com/games/dont-starve
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/kleient/videos
5. Conan Exiles
You might even run into Arnold himself.
You start tied to a tree in the desert left to die due to your heinous crimes. Conan himself cuts you down and gives you a second chance at life. What will you do with it?
What Makes Conan Exiles Awesome
- The world of Conan the Barbarian is rich with lore. Discover bits of backstory by exploring the many wondrous relics across the Exiled Lands.
- Play alone or in co-op and face the many hazards of the environment and wildlife, or join the persistent online multiplayer mode for some hardcore PvP action.
- Level your character as you progress, learn new skills, create new items, and even take on the avatar of your own personal god to wreak havoc on your enemies.
Official website: https://www.conanexiles.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/Funcom/videos
4. Ark Survival Evolved
Dinosaurs and guns, what more can you ask for?
Naked and alone, you wake up on the shores of an island called ARK. Despite the gorgeous landscape surrounding you, danger lurks in the trees. Dinosaurs roam these lands. Are they hostile? Get close enough and find out.
What Makes Ark Survival Evolved Awesome
- Tame dinosaurs you find in the wild and breed them for pack animals, workers, or fighters.
- Create a tribe by inviting friends to join you in your quest. Use teamwork to progress more efficiently.
- Summon the mythical creatures of ARK and battle them. Valuable loot is yours if you win.
Official website: http://playark.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEYfsfyne69mFfNTcZeZ6gw/videos
3. Starbound
Your ship is busted. The only way to fix it is to travel to the planet below and gather supplies. Once that’s taken care of, blast off and explore the universe.
What Makes Starbound Awesome
- Settle down quickly and colonize a planet, or go off on the adventures of a lifetime.
- Hundreds of materials are at your disposal to build anything you can dream up.
- Choose from one of seven different races and fully customize your character.
Official website: https://playstarbound.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClwlgXslmWtaDR4sYGWxX0w/videos
2. The Long Dark
Deer, bears, and wolves, oh my!
A geomagnetic storm has taken your plane down over the Canadian wilderness. It’s cold, it’s quiet, and it’s deadly. There are no supernatural beings at play here. Your biggest enemy is Mother Nature herself.
What Makes The Long Dark Awesome
- Play in Story Mode to discover your backstory and what happened to this area, or go strictly Survival to challenge yourself to last as many days as possible.
- The beautiful low-poly graphics give this game a simple feel, but it’s anything but easy.
- Use your wits to continue to survive. One bad decision could be the difference between life and death.
Official website: http://www.thelongdark.com/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/user/hinterlandgames/videos
1. Astroneer
No storyline means anything goes.
If you’re a fan of Minecraft, you’ll love Astroneer. Think more low-poly and less blocky. And in space.
What Makes Astroneer Awesome
- Explore the galaxy alone or with teammates. Seven unique planets await your arrival.
- Reshape the landscape around you to suit your needs. Even travel to the core of a planet if you so choose.
- Build vehicles to assist with travel or bases for shelter from the harsh environments of foreign lands.
Official website: https://astroneer.space/
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkpGuffDLnLlLv8fdoBDnnw/videos
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