In terms of game categories that can be challenging for beginners, it’s hard to find one as tough as the survival genre. These games often drop you into a harsh environment with minimal resources, and they seem to enjoy giving you a tough time by making you fail frequently.
It’s unfortunate that many games initially present a challenging barrier, but once surpassed, they offer an exhilarating sense of progression, making you feel like you’ve gone from zero to hero as you master the game. To help you navigate these initial difficulties and find your footing in survival games, we aim to provide assistance.
We’ve created a collection of survival games that are either distinctly different from others or easier to navigate. These games could be perfect for you if you usually dislike survival games, yet are looking for one that might alter your opinion.
To put it simply, we’re going to explore games that stretch the definition of ‘survival’. We’re focusing on titles that offer something unique beyond typical survival experiences, or even games not traditionally considered survival but could pique interest in the genre for those unfamiliar with it. If you’re looking for traditional survival games for die-hard fans, here are some options to consider.
9.
Fallout: New Vegas
Play It Again, My Johnny…
To start things off, let’s delve into a series that has won many hearts due to its role-playing game (RPG) elements. Interestingly, since Fallout: New Vegas, the Fallout franchise has been incorporating survival aspects in its games. This means players must navigate the wasteland, keeping track of their hunger, thirst, and sleep levels, all while dealing with fearsome Deathclaws.
Fallout 4 offers an excellent survival adventure, yet it’s quite immersive and uncompromising. Instead, we opted for the survival/hardcore mode in New Vegas, which is less demanding but still provides an additional challenge to the gameplay.
Players should pay close attention to the load they’re carrying, opt for gradual healing using Stimpaks instead of immediate healing, and ensure they eat, hydrate, and rest regularly.
This additional feature adds a greater sense of reality and engagement to your experience within the Mojave, making it more unforgettable. I suggest you definitely give it a go!
8.
Atomfall
The North Goes Nuclear
Discussing Fallout: New Vegas, what do you think about another game that Obsidian’s work on it was deeply influenced by this very title, as even they acknowledged?
In simpler terms, Atomfall is a hybrid game that combines elements from Role Playing Games (RPG), First Person Shooter (FPS), and Survival genres. It’s built upon the strong gunplay and mechanics from the popular Sniper Elite series, but adds a layer of open-world mystery on top of these robust foundations.
In the north of England, you’re stuck within a puzzling isolated area where you must uncover hints and traces to break free. However, the path to freedom isn’t straightforward; it requires more than just following a trail or marker.
Instead, this game lacks any kind of quest indicators or guides, challenging players to explore and learn about the game world, its inhabitants, and use their acquired knowledge just as effectively as they would use their in-game weapons.
Introduce unique personalized survival and crafting elements that can be tailored to your preferences, and you’ll find a survival game like no other, appealing to all types of players. It’s worth trying out, regardless of whether you’re an avid survival enthusiast or not.
7.
Left 4 Dead 2
Push Back The Horde
When it comes to hypothetical survival scenarios in the realm of fantasy, outside of possibly a nuclear disaster, I believe nothing garners as much discussion as a zombie infestation. Have you not had conversations with your dear ones about how long each one of us could survive in such a zombie-filled world? I certainly have.
In simpler terms, Left 4 Dead 2 offers an intense and enjoyable experience for testing survival theories since it allows you and three companions to engage in a sequence of missions. Your goal is to move from safe room to safe room, surviving as long as possible before finally escaping the city filled with zombies on the last helicopter.
In this scenario, you’ll find a variety of useful items such as makeshift weapons (boomsticks) and improvised explosives (pipe bombs). However, it is crucial to note that the undead have numerous means to turn your existence into a nightmare. The Director AI operates in the background, meticulously designing a personalized hellish environment for you.
Today, it remains one of the top 4-player first-person shooter games available, offering an engaging experience that’s perfect for both seasoned players and those just starting out in survival gaming. However, be cautious not to harm the Witch under any circumstances.
6.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Wake Up, Sleeper!
It seems like you’ve already figured out that the game is a text-based, point-and-click RPG, and you’re absolutely right! However, there are some unique aspects to this game that I believe you’ll appreciate once you give it a try.
Although Citizen Sleeper mainly thrives on its exceptional narrative and story development, guided by dice rolls, it also shares many characteristics similar to survival games.
Imagine this scenario: You are an escapee trying to evade your owners, without a penny to your name or any connections in the world. Each day is a struggle for survival as you labor hard just to cover your basic needs. This is what we call survival gaming.
Additionally, you often get the sensation of being constantly watched or pursued while navigating the Starward Vector, taking care of tasks such as refueling, acquiring supplies, finishing assignments, and slipping away just in time to avoid capture by a possible adversary.
It’s not traditional survival, but it’s a stone’s throw away and well worth checking out.
5.
Vampire Survivors
Become A One-Man-Army
Sure thing! Even though this game doesn’t follow the conventional format of survival games with base construction and crafting tools from wood and stone, the fact that it includes ‘Survivors’ in its title implies that it has some connection to survival, doesn’t it?
Vampire Survivors might be the easiest and newcomer-oriented survival game you’ll encounter, given it essentially plays for you, making it akin to playing Bullet Heaven.
In simpler terms, players should navigate the screen, collect experience points (XP) and strategically select their power-ups. By doing so, they can create a powerful character that swiftly overpowers opponents, moving so fast it’s almost invisible to the human eye.
Not only can you play with a friend to boost your firepower and strategize together, but this game also offers an immediate sense of power as soon as you start playing – perfect for those not keen on the intense survival genre. If you’re someone who enjoys a more cooperative experience, this might be just what you’ve been looking for!
4.
Pacific Drive
Drive To Survive
Over the course of my gaming experience, I’ve dabbled in many classic survival games. However, it’s challenging to dispute the claim that Pacific Drive stands out as the most original and groundbreaking among them all.
Essentially, Pacific Drive resembles a conventional survival game. You’ll need to discover new areas, quickly create tools as needed, and steer clear of harmful environmental factors to prevent meeting an untimely demise. However, it stands out uniquely within its genre.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but credit the unique, dreamlike, New Weird ambiance for its captivating appeal. Additionally, the intricate roguelike structure of the game adds an element of unpredictability that keeps me hooked. However, what truly sets this game apart is the fact that you’re behind the wheel of a battered station wagon – lose that vehicle, and your gaming journey comes to an abrupt end.
As a gamer, exploring new virtual worlds is always exhilarating, but there’s something truly unique about this one – it’s not just about building bases and surviving; it’s also about navigating my very own vehicle! This feature turns the game into a thrilling adventure that sets it apart from many other survival games out there. So when you get the chance, buckle up and let’s hit the road to the Olympic Peninsula together!
3.
Dune Awakening
Become the Lisan al Gaib
Among the survival games presented, Dune Awakening stands out as the one that follows traditional survival game mechanics the most. However, I implore you skeptics not to dismiss it right away; there’s a compelling reason why I recommend it, so let’s delve deeper together.
To begin with, if you’re a Dune enthusiast in any form, this game successfully captures the essence of Arrakis. It lets you don a Stillsuit, engage in fierce battles for Spice, dodge menacing Sandworms, and strategically pick your faction. I, personally, side with the Harkonnens.
In addition to its survival-oriented gameplay,
To clarify, let me say that I’m not implying this game is simple; quite the contrary. However, nothing in the survival gaming world has ever provided a multiplayer experience as distinctive and inviting as Arakkis. If you believe that playing with friends might make the transition into the survival genre smoother for you, then Dune Awakening could be your best choice.
2.
Dying Light
Good Night, Good Luck
In the realm of relaxed gaming, open-world games are among the most widely enjoyed and user-friendly formats due to their intuitive design, which is so straightforward that even beginners can quickly get up to speed, thanks to Sony and Ubisoft’s meticulous blueprinting.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m always thrilled when developers decide to build upon the foundation laid by Ubisoft and infuse their own unique flair into the mix. And let me tell you, the original Dying Light did just that, beautifully!
In Dying Light, you’ll find the traditional elements of an open-world game such as a vast landscape filled with numerous activities, hidden treasures, and a progression system where your skills improve over time. However, unlike other games, this one also introduces zombies as a constant threat, making survival more challenging due to additional mechanics that add an extra layer of danger.
As a survivor, I find myself navigating through a world where the day-night cycle significantly affects my safety, with nighttime ventures becoming perilously risky. Resources are scarce, compelling me to endure these hazardous conditions in my desperate search for supplies. Adding to the challenge, I must constantly watch out for volatiles who have the power to make my existence a living nightmare should they detect me.
Luckily, the parkour system offers an excellent means of avoiding the infected, as long as one can jump and land gracefully. It’s an exhilarating adventure that leaves us eagerly anticipating the challenges ahead in The Beast.
1.
The Alters
If You Want Something Done, Do It Yourself
If you’re looking for a newly-released game that might prompt a fresh perspective on survival games and potentially influence your past life choices, I’d highly recommend giving The Alters a try.
As the character Jan Dolski, you find yourself forcibly landing on a threatening alien planet. To make up for the crew members who perished during our initial arrival, you’ll need to harness the potent power of an extraterrestrial element called Rapidium to create clones of your own self.
Afterward, chaos erupts since you’ll be required to collaborate with Jan, as well as multiple Jans, to relocate your mobile base and safely escape this planet. Simultaneously, you’ll need to grapple with survival mechanisms that share a resemblance with those in the 11-Bit game, This War of Mine.
Instead, the reason this game might appeal more to those not familiar with it compared to the intense civil war-centric one is that The Alters offers a mix of somber and humorous elements, making it slightly more entertaining and digestible.
Additionally, the game offers third-person navigation and action-oriented gameplay similar to Death Stranding, a captivating sci-fi narrative that doesn’t rely on typical filler content commonly found in survival games, and unique elements that ensure each player’s experience is distinct. In essence, it caters to various preferences.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can tell you that The Alters offers an immersive narrative-driven survival experience like no other. If you’re someone who appreciates a gripping tale, this game could very well be your introduction to the engrossing world of survival games.
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2025-07-04 14:40