Have you caught wind of the massive wave in the PC gaming market? Yep, we are talking about survival games.
Over the past ten years, they have grown into giants. But with so many choices, which ones really stand out?
Well, hang tight, because we are about to dive deep into the best survival games on PC that deserve a slot in your game library!
The Core of Survival Games :
So, what is the magic potion that labels a game as “survival”?
Simple: Its about starting with nearly nothing and battling against all odds. Be it hunger, beasts or even other players, it is about enduring, crafting and rising above.
Survival games have been making waves. But why?
Popularity Spike: Gamers, like us, crave challenges. We want more than just button mashing, we desire to strategize, adapt & overcome. And guess what? Survival games nail it!
Stay with me! The best ones are coming up next!
1. Minecraft
Release & Developer:
Minecraft, launched in 2011, this gem was brought to life by Mojang Studios.
Gameplay:
- Survival Element: Start with bare hands, fend off creepers, zombies & starvation.
- Crafting & Building: Your world, your rules! From simple wooden shacks to grand castles, craft tools and build shelters. Use what you mine & mine what you use.
- Exploration: Dive into endless biomes. Forests, deserts, caves or the scary Nether, there is always something new on the horizon.
Standout Features:
- Every game is a blank canvas. Infinite procedurally generated worlds make sure no two adventures are the same.
- Embrace community-driven content. Mods, skins and custom adventures breathe fresh air into the game even years after release.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i3 | 2GB | 1GB | Intel HD 4000 |
2. Subnautica
Release & Developer:
Hit the virtual shelves in 2018, thanks to the creative minds at Unknown Worlds Entertainment.
Gameplay:
- Survival Element: Amid the alien ocean world, you are not just battling hunger and dehydration. Beware of deep sea creatures ready to make you their snack.
- Crafting & Building: Salvage wreckage and harness the planet’s marine resources. Construct submarines, bases and equipment to delve deeper and stay safe.
- Exploration: Vast coral reefs, deep-sea trenches & volcanic vents await. Every dive is a risk & an opportunity!
Standout Features:
- A mesmerizing, fully-realized underwater world. From the shimmering shallows to the inky depths, its a visual treat.
- A gripping narrative. Not just about survival, but also unravelling the mysteries of the planet 4546B.
- Dynamic environment: Witness day-night cycles, weather changes and the evolving behavior of creatures around you.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel 2 core | 4GB | 6GB | Intel HD 4600 |
3. RimWorld
Release & Developer:
Released in 2018, the game is a masterpiece from Ludeon Studios.
Gameplay:
- Survival Element: Marooned on an alien planet, you’ll manage colonists’ moods, needs, wounds, and illnesses. Predators, pirates and even weather can turn against you.
- Crafting & Building: Design your colony from scratch. Build structures, weapons, and defenses. Optimize resources and productivity to thrive.
- Exploration: Venture into different biomes, discover ancient ruins, and face the varied challenges of an alien ecosystem.
Standout Features:
- AI Storyteller: A unique game mechanic where the events are controlled by intelligent AI narrators, ensuring no two gameplays are the same.
- Complex colonist personalities: Characters come with background stories, driving how they interact and what they excel at.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core 2 Duo | 4GB | 1GB | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
4. Valheim
Gameplay:
- Survival Element: From freezing cold to mythical beasts, as a Viking warrior, you are in a constant battle against both nature & Norse legends.
- Crafting & Building: Channel your inner blacksmith and carpenter. Build robust settlements, craft weapons and sail fearlessly in Viking longships.
- Exploration: Set forth across a procedurally generated world. From dense forests to snow covered mountains, every terrain hides its challenges and treasures.
Standout Features:
- Co-op Gameplay: Team up with friends, because conquering Viking purgatory is better (and safer) together.
- Epic Boss Fights: Norse mythology comes alive as you face off against monstrous beings in memorable battles.
- Simplistic yet Stunning Graphics: Valheim’s unique art style gives it an old school charm while delivering breathtaking visuals.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Core | 4GB | 1GB | GeForce GTX 500 |
5. ARK: Survival Evolved
Gameplay:
- Survival Play: Stranded on a mysterious island, face hunger, weather & of course, dinosaurs! From the agile raptors to the towering T-Rex, survival isn’t a guarantee.
- Crafting & Building: Begin with bare hands & progress to advanced tools and weapons. Create fortified bases, cultivate crops and establish a thriving community.
Standout Features:
- Dinosaur Taming: Not just about surviving against dinos: tame, train & ride them! Each creature has its unique abilities and benefits.
- Multiplayer Madness: Forge alliances, wage wars or trade with other players. Just remember, trust is a rare commodity here.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5 | 8GB | 60GB | GTX 670 2GB |
6. The Forest
Release & Developer:
Unveiled in 2018, The Forest is the chilling creation of Endnight Games.
Gameplay:
- Survival Element: After a plane crash, you are left in a remote forest. But hunger and cold are the least of your worries. You are not alone & the forest’s inhabitants are not friendly.
- Crafting: Convert the wilderness into your stronghold. Craft weapons from resources, build shelter and set traps for unwelcome guests.
- Exploration: Dive into deep caves, explore the expansive forest but tread cautiously. The beauty of nature hides deadly surprises.
Standout Features:
- Horrifying Adversaries: Its not just about wildlife. Mysterious humanoid creatures make your survival all the more challenging.
- Realistic Survival Mechanics: Combat, hunger, sanity, every aspect feels tangible & imminent.
- Immersive VR Experience: For those wanting an extra layer of realism and terror.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Core | 4GB | 5GB | GeForce 8800GT |
7. Don't Starve
Gameplay:
- Survival Element: Its a race against time, hunger, creatures of the night and your own dwindling sanity in a land that’s anything but welcoming.
- Exploration: Venture across unique biomes, each more unpredictable and treacherous than the last. Will you brave the giant spider infested woods or the dogged desert?
Standout Features:
- Art Style: With its unmistakable gothic aesthetic, the game offers a visual treat that’s both grim & charming.
- Dynamic Seasons & Weather: Rain, snow or shine – each weather type & season brings its own set of challenges.
- Robust Character Lineup: Multiple characters with distinct abilities and backstories provide varied gameplay experiences.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7+ GHz | 1GB | 500MB | 256MB VRAM |
8. Raft
Gameplay:
- Survival Aspect: Stranded on a tiny raft with nothing but a plastic hook, you have got the enormous ocean to contend with, complete with its salty challenges & toothy threats.
- Crafting & Building: Your humble raft can transform into a multi story floating fortress. Fish for food, purify seawater and harness the ocean’s bounty.
- Exploration: Beyond the raft lies an expansive watery world. Dive underwater for resources, confront marine menaces and discover remnants of a lost civilization.
Standout Features:
- Water World: Unlike most survival games based on terra firma, Raft challenges you to survive the open sea & its lurking dangers.
- Engaging Story: Uncover the mysteries of the game’s world as you encounter abandoned rafts, seaforts and more.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5 | 6GB | 10GB | GTX 700 |
9. Rust
Gameplay:
- Survival Play: Start with a rock and a torch. Battle hunger, thirst, cold & of course, other players eager to relieve you of your hard earned loot.
- Crafting & Building: From rudimentary huts to fortified compounds, defend yourself against nature and neighbors alike.
Standout Features:
- Player driven Narratives: The stories here are not scripted, they are forged from alliances, backstabs and midnight raids.
- Dynamic Raids & Combat: Engage in intense firefights, lay siege to enemy bases or opt for stealthy infiltrations.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7 | 8GB | 10GB | GTX 670 2GB |
10. Grounded
Gameplay:
- Survival Aspect: You are the size of an ant which means everyday backyard challenges like spiders and beetles are now monstrous threats.
- Crafting & Building: Assemble makeshift tools, shelters & defenses from everyday items and turn pebbles & plant fibers into lifesaving equipment.
Standout Features:
- Perspective Shift: See the world from an entirely new viewpoint where mundane becomes mysterious.
- Co-op Play: Tackle challenges with friends because when you are this tiny, there is safety in numbers.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i3 | 4GB | 8GB | GTX 650 Ti |
11. Terraria
Gameplay:
- Survival Play: Beyond the beauty of its blocks lies a world filled with nocturnal nightmares, underground unknowns and environmental enigmas.
- Crafting & Building: Every pixel has potential. Carve out homes, forge formidable fortresses or construct creative canvases.
Standout Features:
- Endless Customization: With hundreds of crafting recipes and materials, your world and character can be as unique as you dream them to be.
- Boss Battles: Face off against formidable foes that require more than just might, but strategy and preparation.
Minimum System Requirements:
| CPU | RAM | Storage | Graphics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Core | 2.5GB | 200MB | 128MB VRAM |
Pros & Cons :
| Game | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft |
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| Subnautica |
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| RimWorld |
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| Valheim |
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| ARK: Survival Evolved |
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| The Forest |
|
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| Don't Starve |
|
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| Raft |
|
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| Rust |
|
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| Grounded |
|
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| Terraria |
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FAQ Section :
What is the No 1 survival game?
The No 1 survival game on PC often varies based on player preferences. However, as per our post on best survival games on PC, games like Minecraft, Subnautica & The Forest consistently rank high among gamers.
What are the benefits of survival games?
Survival games offer numerous benefits:
- Skill Development: They enhance problem-solving, resource management & strategic planning skills.
- Immersive Experience: Players feel a real sense of achievement in overcoming challenges.
- Creativity Boost: Many games, like Minecraft or Rust allow expansive building & crafting.
- Teamwork: Games like Valheim and Raft foster collaboration in multiplayer modes.
What is the hardest survival game on PC?
The difficulty of a survival game often depends on individual player experience. Yet, Don’t Starve with its unforgiving permadeath & Rust with its intense player interactions are often cited among the hardest survival games on PC.
What are some of the best online multiplayer survival games for PC?
The best online multiplayer survival games for PC, include:
- Rust: Known for intense player vs player interactions.
- Valheim: A Viking-themed world best experienced with friends.
- ARK: Survival Evolved: Team up to tame dinosaurs and build tribes.
- Raft: Collaborate on the open seas to expand your raft and fend off threats.
Always ensure a stable internet connection for the best multiplayer experience.
Final Thoughts
Survival games: they are not just about living but thriving in pixel perfect worlds. From the serene depths of Subnautica to the unpredictable wilds of Rust, each title offers a different flavor of adventure.
Our list might have sparked a memory or maybe lit a spark for a new gaming quest.
Ready for your next survival challenge?
