10 Best Survival Games for PC (Challenging, Fun, and More)

Survival games just have that addictive pull — whether you’re scavenging for supplies, dodging danger, or trying not to starve (we’ve all been there). There’s something super satisfying about staying alive when everything’s out to get you.

But with so many out there, it’s hard to know where to start. Don’t worry — I’ve got you. This guide rounds up some of the best survival games worth sinking your teeth into, from resource-heavy challenges to epic open-world adventures you can explore solo or with friends.

So grab your gear (and snacks), and let’s dive into the wild. You’re gonna love these picks.

Subnautica

Subnautica is a survival game set in an alien world where you crash-land in the middle of a vast, uncharted ocean.

The game kicks off with you in a pretty rough spot: stranded on an underwater planet with limited supplies and no way to contact the outside world. Your main goal is to stay alive. That means gathering resources, crafting new gear, and slowly but surely diving deeper and deeper into the ocean to unlock the mysteries of your surroundings. The deeper you go, the scarier it gets (and if you like horror games, you can find some of the best here).

The Long Dark

The Long Dark is like the ultimate test of your survival instincts. You’re dropped into a frozen wilderness after a geomagnetic disaster knocks out all electronics, leaving you to face the brutal Canadian wilderness.

You’ll spend your days scrounging for food, finding shelter, battling freezing temperatures, and fighting wolves and other animals off. The game won’t give you any maps, and the resources are limited, which makes it all the more difficult.

Don’t Starve

Don’t Starve is a whimsical survival game. You play as a guy named Wilson who, through some bad luck and a weird science experiment, gets dropped into a bizarre world full of strange creatures, creepy landscapes, and a constant, nagging hunger. As a bonus, you’ll need to manage your sanity and your health.

What sets Don’t Starve apart from other survival games is its eerie art style and the way it blends dark humor with intense survival mechanics.

Rust

In Rust you start out with absolutely nothing — just a rock and a torch. And you’re thrown into a brutal open world where everyone is your potential enemy. Your goal is to stay alive, of course, which means gathering resources, crafting weapons, and building up your base… all while keeping one eye on your surroundings, because Rust is basically a constant game of trust no one.

And it’s even more fun if you play it with friends because it’s always a question of whether they’ll work with you or against you. Want more multiplayer games? Check these out.

Frostpunk

Frostpunk is one of my favorite survival games. It’s set in an alternate history where a new ice age has plunged the world into a frozen wasteland and you have to keep an entire city of survivors alive in the harshest conditions imaginable.

As the city’s leader, you’ll manage resources, making tough moral choices, and build infrastructure to protect your citizens from the deadly cold. You’ll have to decide whether to send people to work in dangerous conditions, make harsh laws to keep them in line, or maybe even turn to desperate measures like child labor.

Terraria

Terraria is a pixel art survival sandbox where the possibilities are endless. You start off with basic tools and a world full of potential, but what you do with all of it is up to you. You’re not bound by quests or objectives (unless you want them).

The more you dig into Terraria, the more you’ll uncover: secret biomes, hidden treasures, and random events that keep the game feeling fresh every time you log in.

Plus, this is the kind of game you can play on literally any device without issues. Yes, even old, low-specs laptops. So, even if you don’t have a super cool new setup, this one will definitely work for you. Want more games like that? Check out my top choices for laptop/low-specs games.

Green Hell

Green Hell is one of those survival games that throws you straight into the deep end. You’re stranded in the Amazon rainforest, with nothing but your wits and a few basic tools to survive.

But unlike other survival games where you can just gather resources and build your way to safety, Green Hell makes you confront the true dangers of nature. Between the wild animals, poisonous plants, and your own deteriorating mental state, surviving here is no walk in the park.

7 Days to Die

7 Days to Die is the perfect mix of zombie survival and resource management. In a post-apocalyptic world where zombies roam freely, your goal is simple: survive. But it’s not just about avoiding the undead — it’s about building, crafting, and preparing for the inevitable blood moon that occurs every seven days.

When that night rolls around, the zombies get stronger, faster, and more aggressive, and if you’re not ready, they’ll swarm your base like it’s a buffet.

Valheim

Valheim is like stepping into a Viking fever dream, but with way more survival and way less feasting in the halls of Valhalla. You’re dropped into a gorgeous, procedurally generated world full of lush forests, towering mountains, and mist-covered swamps, all while trying to survive the elements, battle mythical creatures, and, of course, build your own Viking empire.

And if you want to go it alone, that’s totally doable — but it’s much more fun with friends in tow.

ARK: Survival Evolved

In ARK: Survival Evolved you crash-land on an island full of dinosaurs, wild creatures, and a bunch of other prehistoric things.

The game’s core loop is all about gathering resources, crafting gear, and taming (yes, taming!) the wild creatures that roam the island. You can start by taking down smaller dinosaurs for meat and hide, but eventually, you’ll find yourself trying to ride a T-Rex or even raise and breed your own prehistoric army.

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