The survival genre of video games forces players in harsh, unforgiving environments and compels them to scavenge, gather resources, and fight to stay alive. These games are known for their intense and entertaining nature, as players must constantly balance their hunger, thirst, and health while fending off dangerous predators, hostile NPCs, and even other players if the games have a multiplayer component. The thrill of these games comes from the constant sense of danger and the satisfaction of overcoming difficult challenges. With elements of strategy, exploration, and combat, survival games provide a unique and compelling gaming experience that keeps players on the edge of their seats.
However, some survival games can get pretty dark and oppressive, exploring themes such as isolation, desperation, and the human capacity for violence. These games often force players to make difficult moral decisions, fight against nightmarish creatures, and run away from larger-than-life threats that are incredibly scary to face off against. The oppressive atmosphere of these games can be emotionally draining, and players may feel a sense of despair and hopelessness as they struggle to survive in a world that seems determined to kill them.
10 We Happy Few
We Happy Few was a game that was hyped to the moon before its launch because of how similar it felt to the BioShock series. Despite failing to meet this hype and releasing with many bugs, the current state of We Happy Few is pretty stable and is quite fun for players who are willing to look past its flaws.
The game explores a dystopian alternate history where citizens are forced to take a drug called Joy that keeps them happy and obedient. Taking this drug is encouraged for people to remain happy in a bleak world, and players who decide against drugging themselves will attract the attention of law enforcement.
9 The Long Dark
Taking place in the frozen wilderness of Canada, The Long Dark is an unforgiving survival game where players must fight against the elements and deal with dangerous wildlife. This game features a proper story mode where players control a pilot who crashlands after a geomagnetic storm causes his aircraft to go haywire.
The game's immersive atmosphere and emphasis on core survival skills make it a brilliant title indeed. Unlike other titles on this list, it's the attention paid to the environment and its brutal nature that makes it such an engaging and unnerving experience.
8 The Forest
A survival horror game that takes place in the woods, The Forest pits the protagonist, Eric LeBlanc, against a group of cannibalistic mutants who are truly horrifying to encounter. Like most titles in the genre, the reason why this character is stuck in the forest is because of a plane crash.
As unimaginative as the premise may be, the rest of the game is anything but. The onset of night makes the game even more nerve-wracking, with the mutants becoming more aggressive and unforgiving in their pursuit of the player.
7 DayZ
DayZ is a game that initially started as an ARMA 3 mod before transforming into a standalone title. Players are thrust into a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, where they must scavenge for supplies, build shelter, and fight off both zombies and other opportunistic players.
The game can be pretty dark and unforgiving, although players can team up with their friends to make things easier. Teaming up may make things easier, but players who find the title to be too tough to bear can make their journey easier in co-op.
6 Project Zomboid
The aftermath of a zombie apocalypse has formed a premise for many captivating survival games, and Project Zomboid is no exception. Players must scavenge for supplies, build shelter, and fight off hordes of the undead.
There are many skills that players can develop, with veterans prioritizing certain ones over others to optimize a playthrough after understanding the game's systems. To top it all off, Project Zomboid has impressive mod support to make repeated playthroughs even more engaging.
5 NEO Scavenger
Players looking for a hardcore survival experience will be more than satiated by NEO Scavenger. The game world has been devastated by an unknown cataclysm, forcing players to scavenge and fight for their lives every step of the way.
Raiders and looters are numerous, while various beasts can also target the player. Staying alive is a massive challenge, with illnesses also being something that people have to account for in this unforgiving landscape.
4 Don't Starve
Don't Starve places players in a bizarre and dangerous world where they must gather resources, build shelter, and fight off monsters to survive. The game's unique art style and challenging gameplay make it a standout title in the genre.
The threats that loom at night are one of the biggest reasons why Don't Starve became such a massive success. Without light or shelter, players will be mobbed and torn apart by the creatures of the night in no time flat.
3 This War Of Mine
This War of Mine explores the darker side of what the act of survival entails, putting players in the shoes of civilians trapped in a war-torn city. The game focuses on the human cost of war, as well as the moral dilemmas faced by ordinary people trying to survive.
The game's powerful and resounding themes have made it a critically acclaimed title that offers a unique and emotionally impactful gaming experience. That being said, keep in mind that This War of Mine is a highly uncomfortable game to play at times, and it may not be up everyone's alley.
2 Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a roguelike survival game that features a deep and complex crafting system along with a wide variety of enemies and challenges. The game's focus on realism and the importance of preparation and strategy make it a challenging and rewarding experience for players who enjoy a high level of difficulty.
The game's vast list of enemies and the procedurally generated world makes every playthrough a new and engaging one. The learning curve is steep, but rewarding when players manage to demolish threats that were giving them a tough time a few hours ago.
1 RimWorld
A game that blends survival with colony management, RimWorld is a captivating experience that tasks players with building and maintaining a thriving community in a harsh and unforgiving world. The game's emphasis on character development and storytelling is truly impressive, with its procedural storytelling being quite impressive indeed.
The game's deep and complex gameplay mechanics make it a truly addictive experience in every way. Failure is a common part of the learning process, and players will lose a ton of colonists before finally helping a lucky group escape their predicament.