10 Best Survival Games for Beginners

Key Takeaways

Survival games cater to all skill levels, some like Project Zomboid are punishing, others like LEGO Fortnite are beginner-friendly.
Subnautica offers a scary yet accessible experience with thorough tutorials.
No Man’s Sky provides a refreshing take on space survival, making it beginner-friendly with intuitive systems.

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours delving into the vast and varied world of survival games, I can confidently say that each game on this list offers a unique take on the genre, catering to different playstyles and preferences.

The survival genre is jam-packed with enough titles to satisfy anybody from casual players to hardcore.

It can be challenging to determine the target audience of a Survival Game based solely on its title. While all games within this genre typically involve managing resources or meters, the level of complexity and user-friendliness varies significantly among them.

To make certain that your initial experience in this genre leaves a lasting impression, we recommend these top choices for beginner-friendly Survival Games instead.

10 Project Zomboid

Embrace Death

Project Zomboid is a fantastic, if punishing, Zombie apocalypse simulator.

As a survivor, you have the entire world at your disposal to navigate and evade being devoured. Although the primary objective is survival, expect to encounter numerous deaths along the way. The excitement lies in discovering the countless creative methods through which your character might perish.

In the event that you eventually turn into a zombie, you’ll have the chance to plunder your old self, as long as you manage to locate where they are.

I considered adding Project Zomboid to the list despite its occasional unbalanced nature, but this isn’t the kind of unfairness that usually affects survival games. Unlike other games in the genre where you’re frequently reminded about resource depletion and often left guessing when things go awry, with Project Zomboid, you aren’t bombarded by resource meters and are always aware of what’s happening, even during catastrophic events.

9 No Man’s Sky

The Authority On Space Exploration

Space video games often overwhelm players with numerous space systems and mechanics that even an astrophysicist might find impressive.

Thankfully, the game “No Man’s Sky” offers a fresh perspective on familiar themes. It includes survival aspects such as managing your Exosuit’s life-support systems, though the method is relatively straightforward.

On many planets, fundamental resources can be easily found, but managing these resources doesn’t include addressing hunger as a concern in No Man’s Sky (NMS).

In my opinion, as a player who’s just come back to this game for some multiplayer fun, I’m quite impressed with how thoughtfully organized the beginner experience seems to be. Even though getting lost in space is a traditional part of the journey, learning the basics is straightforward, and the process of discovering new places remains engaging.

In stark contrast to its rocky debut, No Man’s Sky has traveled far and surpassed its early versions, leaving them behind in the cosmic expanse.

8 Subnautica

Scary, But Accessible

The ocean’s depths can be absolutely terrifying, but few games capture the wonder of the abyss like Subnautica.

In simple terms, “Subnautica” is a thrilling science fiction survival game that unfolds underwater on an alien planet. Your mission involves exploring the mysterious depths in search of essential resources. However, be prepared to make tough decisions as you navigate the aquatic inhabitants; if you don’t, you might find yourself lacking sustenance.

In the gaming genre, Subnautica boasts one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly tutorials I’ve encountered. It provides an arguably top-notch immersive experience compared to others on this list. The game explains everything clearly, and it introduces new systems at a pace that won’t overwhelm beginners.

I honestly find the title pretty scary, but never because I don’t understand what’s happening or the mechanics.

7 Grounded

The World Is Scary When You’re Small

If you recall watching the 1989 film “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids,” then you should have a good idea of what this post is about.

you’ve been reduced to such a small size that common bugs could potentially eat you for breakfast! Additionally, everyday household items transform into formidable challenges.

In my opinion, the idea in this narrative is flawlessly realized, as it meticulously unravels the ‘how’, ‘what’, and ‘why’ at every turn. When it comes to Grounded, it offers an engaging blend of tactical combat and base construction, all while keeping complex mechanics at a minimum.

Before you dive in, I must warn you that the spiders are terrifying. If you don’t have arachnophobia, give it a few hours, and that might change!

6 Don’t Starve Together

Less Punishing With A Friend

In a distinctive manner, “Don’t Starve” offers an engaging survival experience within a breathtakingly styled wilderness that’s harsh and unrelenting. Thankfully, the expansion enhances the gameplay mechanics by introducing strong multiplayer aspects, particularly cooperative play.

In “Don’t Starve Together,” you can engage in a cooperative play experience as this standalone DLC supports up to five players playing together at once. Unlike some games where adding co-op feels like an afterthought, this one maintains its quality even with multiplayer involvement.

The game remains challenging, yet with friends by your side, death isn’t permanent. The wilderness teems with indifferent beasts, but the thrill of discovering the unknown makes it exhilarating.

In the game ‘Don’t Starve’, the initial learning curve might seem challenging, but rest assured, you’ll swiftly adapt and find yourself growing more eager to play with others for motivation.

5 Palworld

A Surprise Hit

In January 2024, Palworld made a big splash globally. Although it had some rough spots, it managed to satisfy the survival urge and introduced an engaging element of creature collection that’s hard to resist.

In simpler terms, the game Palworld has multiple areas it focuses on, and the survival aspects of the game are quite straightforward. It features a basic hunger system and restricted storage for items, requiring you to frequently manage your supplies.

The allure of Palworld is, of course, the Pals. There are over 150 to collect, and many have abilities you can use to traverse the world or battle. Some Pals can even help run your base!

In simpler terms, Palworld’s survival aspects might be considered relatively straightforward, yet this simplicity makes it ideal for beginners. The game doesn’t burden you with numerous objectives, only requiring participation in a handful of crucial fights. This allows players to explore the world and progress at their own comfort, without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.

4 Raft

Lost At Sea

Among the survival games I adore, the raft stands out as one of my favorites. Admittedly, the food management aspect can be overly demanding at times, but overall, it’s an exceptional game with a captivating, enigmatic plot.

Your journey begins on a minuscule wooden platform suspended above potentially dangerous waters teeming with hungry sharks. With some ingenuity, you can construct tools from the surrounding flotsam, and if you’re fortunate enough to locate it, you might venture towards dry ground.

In the game of Raft, you’ll find all the essential elements for a survival gaming experience. This includes managing your hunger and water needs, cooking, and more. Thankfully, each mechanic is designed to be easily understood, making it simpler to navigate the struggle for survival despite its constant demands.

The aspect I enjoy most about Raft is that it isn’t freeform; rather, it offers a well-structured narrative as you accomplish tasks, ensuring there’s always a goal in sight. However, it doesn’t compel you to act immediately and allows you to progress at your convenience.

3 Core Keeper

Become A Subterranean Survivalist

Among the numerous games I’ve played over the past couple of years, Core Keeper stands out as one of my favorites. Not too long ago, it marked its 1.0 release.

Core Keeper is often referred to as a Mining-centric Sandbox game on Steam, yet it offers much more than just mining. Surviving underground can be challenging, but with the right nutrition, you’ll thrive.

The cooking aspect plays a crucial role in the game, and Pugstorm has skillfully designed it to be user-friendly and intuitive.

I absolutely can’t stress enough how much I endorse the game “Core Keeper“. If you’re considering giving it a try, be sure to brush up on some basic strategies and techniques to get off to a good start.

2 Minecraft

The Sandbox That Started A Genre

Minecraft is a groundbreaking sensation, serving as the foundation for many truly amazing works within the gaming realm.

Although quite a number of gamers found delight in the custom and imaginative modes, the core game remains a robust survival and crafting experience. It offers a straightforward hunger mechanism which encourages players to establish their own farm, and there’s an ambitious objective of vanquishing the Ender Dragon at the end.

In Minecraft, you have the freedom to discover on your own, and there are an abundance of crafting recipes that can be a bit overwhelming for beginners. However, understanding the concept that “creatures emerge during the night” is straightforward, and intricate crafting tasks aren’t crucial until later progression in the game.

1 LEGO Fortnite

Limitless Creativity

LEGO Fortnite presents a user-friendly approach to the survival game genre, featuring ample customization choices that cater to various players. What’s more, it doesn’t cost a penny to enjoy!

Playing with the LEGO Fortnite set feels like an introductory version of a survival game. Yet, this isn’t a flaw – it has essential features such as resource management and potential hazards when venturing into uncharted territories if one is not prepared.

In this game, you’ll find an engaging mechanism for building villages that attract NPC inhabitants. There’s a wealth of opportunities to express your creativity when it comes to the brick-based features of the game.

In LEGO Fortnite, you’ll find many classic survival themes, but they’ve been streamlined for easier understanding. This makes it a delightful game to enjoy either solo or with companions.

2024-12-05 17:39