The Best Survival Games for PC Windows

Update : S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl added at rank #49.
1

Palworld (2024)

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92
Review score
Logo of Palworld Screenshot of Palworld Screenshot of Palworld Screenshot of Palworld

early access PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One

Embark on a thrilling adventure in Palworld, a game that fuses the fun of creature-collecting with hardcore survival challenges! Build, battle, and bond with your Pals in a vast, dynamic world. Whether you're crafting the perfect base or exploring uncharted territories with friends, every decision carves your path to survival. Are you ready to conquer this wild, whimsical world?


What we like:
  • Unique blend of creature-collecting and survival
  • Engaging base-building with the help of Pals
  • Wide variety of Pals for strategic gameplay
  • Multiplayer mode to share the adventure
  • Expansive world full of exploration and challenges
What could be improved:
  • Combat mechanics and base management need refinement
  • Some themes and humor may not appeal to all

  • survival
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • collector
  • creature
  • farming

2

Valheim (2022)

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88
Review score
Logo of Valheim Screenshot of Valheim Screenshot of Valheim Screenshot of Valheim

early access Xbox One Android Mac OS Linux PC Windows Xbox Series X

Valheim is an epic, Viking-tinged survival-creation game with blocky graphics and a modern twist. You are dropped in a wild forest with runes to guide you on your mission to conjure and defeat supernatural beasts. Players must craft weapons and armor, puzzle out how to summon the beasts, and build structures for shelter along the way.


What we like:
  • Simple default building system
  • Instant rebuilding/repairing
  • Randomly generated 3D universe
  • Easy-to-read color highlights for structural integrity
  • Level up abilities by repeating actions
  • Robust physics engine underlies all actions
What could be improved:
  • Wonky battling system
  • Limited traversal over rivers and oceans at this point

  • survival
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • cooperative

3

Grounded (2022)

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86
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Android PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One

Grounded is an exciting survival game that sees you playing as one of four teenagers who find themselves miniaturized and exploring the backyard of Dr.Tully, the inventor of the SPAC.R shrinking device. You'll need to hunt for resources, craft tools and armor and build shelters in order to survive the hostile creatures that inhabit this new world. With a great variety of biomes to explore, landmarks to discover and surprises around every corner, Grounded provides an epic adventure in a surprisingly small space!


What we like:
  • Unique setting
  • Varied biomes to explore
  • Visually impressive sights
  • Great character development and story telling
  • Challenging yet accessible difficulty levels and accessibility options
What could be improved:
  • Occasional glitches and bugs
  • Lacklustre quest design at times
  • Quests requiring backtracking

  • survival
  • crafting
  • sandbox
  • cooperative

4

Astroneer (2019)

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94
Review score
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Xbox One IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

Embark on a cosmic journey in Astroneer, where you can shape worlds to your heart's content. Dig, build, and survive in a sandbox universe, creating bases and vehicles with friends. Uncover mysteries and enjoy a crafting odyssey across vibrant planets—your space adventure awaits!


What we like:
  • Engaging crafting and building mechanics
  • Vibrant, immersive worlds
  • Relaxing, open-ended gameplay
  • Satisfying cooperative multiplayer
  • Regular updates with new content
What could be improved:
  • Occasional control and camera issues

  • survival
  • crafting
  • sandbox
  • cooperative
  • open-world
  • exploration
  • space
  • drop-in
  • resource
  • base-building
  • drop-out

5

Stranded: Alien Dawn (2022)

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86
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Stranded: Alien Dawn drops you into an unknown alien world, where you'll lead survivors, build a high-tech outpost, and make tough decisions to survive. With engaging gameplay, a variety of planets, and a peaceful non-combat option, you'll experience a unique, unpredictable journey. But beware, time may slow and crafting can get repetitive in this thrilling survival sim.

Buy

What we like:
  • Engaging gameplay
  • Variety of planets and moons
  • Non-combat peaceful option
  • Customizable difficulty settings
  • Beautiful graphics
What could be improved:
  • Time can feel slow
  • Crafting becomes repetitive
  • Lack of depth in some systems
  • Requires internet connection to play

  • survival
  • simulation
  • base-building
  • management
  • crafting
  • colony
  • hunting
  • destruction
  • cooking

6

Sons of the Forest (2024)

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85
Review score
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PC Windows

Dive into Sons of the Forest, a spine-chilling survival horror that will test your wits and will to live. Craft, build, and battle through a mutant-infested island with jaw-dropping graphics and heart-pounding audio. Whether alone or with friends, uncover secrets and survive the seasons in this eerie, enthralling world. Will you master the wilderness or succumb to its horrors?

Buy

What we like:
  • Stunning lifelike graphics
  • Deep, strategic combat
  • Engaging survival mechanics
  • Expansive, mysterious world
  • Co-op gameplay enhances fun
What could be improved:
  • Occasional performance issues
  • Some unfinished aspects hinting at Early Access

  • survival
  • crafting
  • survival-horror
  • horror
  • open-world
  • inventory

7

Subnautica (2018)

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98
Review score
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Mac OS Android Xbox Series X Xbox One osvr Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Plunge into Subnautica's alien ocean world, where survival hinges on your ability to adapt. Build, explore, and unravel mysteries in a breathtaking underwater realm. It's not just a game—it's an odyssey beneath the waves that will test your instincts and dazzle your senses.


What we like:
  • Gorgeous, immersive environments
  • Deep crafting and base-building
  • Compelling exploration and discovery
  • Rich storyline and world-building
  • Dynamic sound design enhancing atmosphere
What could be improved:
  • Occasional performance dips in deep areas
  • Limited inventory space can frustrate resource management

  • survival
  • underwater
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • exploration

8

Pacific Drive (2024)

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80
Review score
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PC Windows IOS iPhone Playstation 5

Face the supernatural dangers of the Olympic Exclusion Zone with a car as your only lifeline in this driving survival adventure! Scavenge resources, load up your trusty station wagon, and drive like hell to make it through alive.

Buy

  • survival
  • driving
  • crafting
  • transportation
  • supernatural
  • sci-fi
  • first-person
  • investigation
  • post-apocalyptic
  • base-building
  • atmospheric
  • survival-horror

9

Dome Keeper (2022)

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85
Review score
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PC Windows Android Linux Mac OS

Dome Keeper is a thrilling mining game that combines rogue-lite elements with intense monster battles. Excavate resources, upgrade your gear, and defend your dome against enemy attacks. With effective gameplay mechanics, a variety of resources and upgrades, and unique gadgets, Dome Keeper offers a satisfying experience.


What we like:
  • Effective gameplay mechanics
  • Variety of resources and upgrades
  • Unique gadgets for the dome
What could be improved:
  • Starting over can feel slow compared to the fast-paced gameplay

  • survival
  • rogue-like
  • time-management
  • aliens
  • management
  • wave
  • resource
  • mining
  • underground
  • resource-management
  • inventory
  • base-building
  • tower-defense
  • dark
  • post-apocalyptic

10

60 Seconds! Reatomized (2019)

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98
Review score
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PC Windows Android IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One Mac OS

60 Seconds! Reatomized is a remastered version of the original game that released back in 2015, set in the 1950s and following the McDoodle family as they try to survive a nuclear apocalypse. The game is split into two parts - scavenging for supplies where you have 60 seconds on the clock and survival mode, making decisions inside a bunker to keep the family alive. Challenge modes give an additional layer of strategic gameplay.

Buy

What we like:
  • Replayability
  • Wacky moments
  • Strategic challenge mode
  • Hand-drawn style visuals
What could be improved:
  • Clunky controls when scavenging

  • survival
  • comedy
  • choices
  • post-apocalyptic
  • dark
  • simulation
  • hand-drawn
  • text
  • adventure
  • point-and-click
  • difficult
  • outbreak
  • interactive
  • horror
  • funny

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