Survival games are spread across every console, with many being available pretty much everywhere. Whether you play via Steam or from the comfort of your couch, there is something for everyone. If you are a PC gamer looking for some good survival games, then you've come to the right place.

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Here, we are going to take a look at the best survival games available on PC. Most of these games are available on Steam, making them easy to purchase and download. Additionally, some of these games vary in skill/difficulty; keep this in mind if you are a beginner to the genre.

These games are presented in no particular order.

Updated December 20, 2024 by Jacqueline Zalace: Survival games provide a great immersive experience. Once you finish a survival game, you may be itching for the next, but thankfully, we're here for you. We've updated this list with a few more of the best PC survival games that you can play.

19 Minecraft

Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition

Survival Sandbox Released November 18, 2011 ESRB E Developer(s) Mojang Publisher(s) Mojang Engine LWJGL Cross-Platform Play Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Franchise Minecraft Platform(s) Windows, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, PS4, Xbox One Genre(s) Survival, Sandbox Metascore 89 Platforms That Support Crossplay Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Powered by Expand Collapse

Let's get the obvious out of the way; Minecraft. If you have any interest in survival games, then you've probably heard about this survival crafting game. Minecraft is a powerhouse that has captured the hearts of gamers pretty much everywhere.

Minecraft places you in a vast world with tons of resources. You can build an epic base, or opt for PvP content. Regardless of your choice, you will need to survive in the blocky world without falling victim to monsters or other players.

18 Ark: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved

Survival Released August 29, 2017 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Studio Wildcard Publisher(s) Studio Wildcard Engine Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer Franchise ARK: Survival Evolved Number of Players 1-2 Split Screen Orientation Horizontal Only Platform(s) Linux, macOS, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Switch, iOS, Android Genre(s) Survival How Long To Beat N/A X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 135 GB (April 2022) Metascore 69 Powered by Expand Collapse

Ark: Survival Evolved is another classic. In this game, you are thrown into a harsh world filled with dinosaurs. While surviving, you will need to build a protective base and upgrade your gear. You will also be able to tame the creatures that populate the world, essentially giving you dinosaur pets.

You can also check out Ark: Survival Ascended, which is the 2023 remake of Evolved.

These tames can act as mounts, as well as help you gather resources. Ark: Survival Evolved really shines when playing with others. You can join a large server filled with hostile players, as well as make a small server with friends to work together.

17 Sons Of The Forest

Sons of the Forest

Survival Open-World Survival Horror Released February 22, 2024 ESRB e Developer(s) Endnight Games Publisher(s) Newnight Engine Unity Multiplayer Online Co-Op Number of Players 1-8 Platform(s) PC Genre(s) Survival, Open-World, Survival Horror How Long To Beat 20 Hours Metascore 86 Steam User Rating 85% Powered by Expand Collapse

Sons of the Forest is the first truly scary game we have on our list. In this game, you are tasked with finding a missing billionaire on an island, which happens to be full of cannibals. These aren't just normal-looking people though; some of these cannibals have become quite horrifying to look at.

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If you are a fan of Sons of the Forest, be sure to also check out The Forest. This game launched first, but you don't have to play them in order to understand what is going on. Still, we suggest checking out both.

16 Kenshi

Kenshi

RPG Open-World Survival Released December 6, 2018 ESRB nr Engine OGRE Platform(s) PC Developer Lo-Fi Games Publisher Lo-Fi Games Genre(s) RPG, Open-World, Survival How Long To Beat 80 Hours Metascore 75 Powered by Expand Collapse

Next up, we have Kenshi. This is a sandbox survival game, which means you can do anything that your heart desires. You can customize your characters (yes, you can have a squad), build bases, and explore the vast world.

While this may sound relaxing, Kenshi can be quite brutal. The world is dangerous, but still interesting enough to keep you hooked after death. At its core, Kenshi is a classic RPG set in an open environment.

15 Rust

Rust

Survival Released February 8, 2018 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Violence Developer(s) Facepunch Studios Publisher(s) Facepunch Studios Engine Unity Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Platform(s) macOS, PC, PS4, Xbox One Genre(s) Survival How Long To Beat 38 Hours Metascore 69 Powered by Expand Collapse

Rust is another game where pretty much everything in the world is out to get you. Rather than focusing on a 'job' as you would in Kenshi, your main task in Rust is to not die. This is also another game that shines when playing with others. This could be teaming up with friends, or killing anyone that stands in your way.

Thankfully, Rust is also infinitely playable. On Steam, you will see dozens of reviews with players well over 1,000 hours. Overall, Rust is one of the best games to play if you are looking for a multiplayer survival experience.

14 Valheim

Valheim

Sandbox Survival Released February 2, 2021 ESRB r Developer(s) Iron Gate AB Publisher(s) Coffee Stain Studios Engine Unity Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Platform(s) Linux, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Genre(s) Sandbox, Survival How Long To Beat 75 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 1 GB (November 2023) Platforms That Support Crossplay PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Steam User Rating 95% Powered by Expand Collapse

Valheim is a bit more laid-back than previous entries. In this Norse mythology-inspired world, you will need to build the ultimate Viking den while defeating a series of world bosses. Along the way, you can travel to new biomes, explore dungeons, and take on strong enemies, like the giant blue troll shown above.

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While there is a clear boss progression to follow, you can pause this and dedicate hours to building a home worthy of a great Viking hero. Valheim can be played with friends, but a solo-player experience is totally possible. Just sit back, listen to the music, and kill some Greydwarves.

13 Green Hell

Green Hell

Survival Released September 5, 2019 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence Developer(s) Creepy Jar Publisher(s) Creepy Jar Engine unity Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Genre(s) Survival How Long To Beat 17 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

A lot of survival games through zombies or other paranormal creatures your way. In Green Hell, the enemy is the jungle around you. Real-world problems can affect you in Green hell, ranging from disease to your own mental health (sanity).

Rather than feeling like a video game jungle, Green Hell feels like real life. This includes the addition of Body Inspection, which allows you to essentially diagnose where your pain is coming from. This differs from many other games where you consume some sort of healing item and instantly (or gradually) get better.

12 Enshrouded

Enshrouded

Survival Open-World Action RPG Released January 24, 2024 Developer(s) Keen Games Publisher(s) Keen Games Engine Holistic Multiplayer Online Co-Op Platform(s) PC Genre(s) Survival, Open-World, Action RPG Steam User Rating 85% Powered by Expand Collapse

Enshrouded was first launched in January 2024, bringing players to Embervale. This game is set in a world where a mysterious fog known as the Shroud has spread throughout the land. Your goal is to build a base, save NPCs, and fight back against the Shroud.

Along the way, you can take the typical survival game detours; build a mansion, craft strong armor, and pillage enemy outposts. With intense combat and powerful enemies, Enshrouded is a challenging breath of fresh air.

11 Don't Starve/Don't Starve Together

Don't Starve

Survival Management Released April 23, 2013 ESRB T For Teen due to Fantasy, Violence, Crude Humor Developer(s) Klei Entertainment Publisher(s) Klei Entertainment Engine Lua Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Platform(s) Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PC Genre(s) Survival, Management How Long To Beat 30 Hours Metascore 87 Powered by Expand Collapse

The name of the game in Don't Starve is to... not starve. Don't Starve can be enjoyed solo, but you can also check out Don't Starve Together, which supports up to six players. After selecting a character type, you will need to work together, eat food, and survive the night.

Don't let the cartoonish 2D graphics fool you; this game can be quite difficult, especially if you are new. If you and other players all die, you may even have to start again from scratch.

10 V Rising

V Rising

MMORPG Survival Released May 8, 2024 ESRB T For Teen due to Blood, Violence Developer(s) Stunlock Studios Publisher(s) Stunlock Studios Engine Unity Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 5 Genre(s) MMORPG, Survival How Long To Beat 40 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Ever dream about being the bad guy? In V Rising, you can play as a bloodthirsty vampire, building your vampire castle in the depths of the forest. During the day, focus on upgrading and expanding your lair. When night falls, head out into the world, kill villagers, and loot outposts.

V Rising is a unique survival experience, as you have considerably more power than the average human. Along the way though, you can run into powerful bosses. After defeating them, you will be able to gain new recipes and abilities.