Best Games About Surviving Life Underground

Summary

UnderRail and Metro 2033 offer a deadly, underground metro system for survival amid scarcity and faction politics.
Return to Moria immerses players in a co-op, dwarven survival adventure amidst dark ruins.
Arx Fatalis unveils an immersive world of underground passageways and survival choices for players.

As a seasoned survivor who’s spent countless hours delving into the depths and darkness of subterranean worlds, I can confidently say that these games have a special place in my survival-loving heart. From the cooperative thrills of Anno Park to the strategic cunning required in War for the Overworld, each game offers a unique take on the struggle for existence beneath the surface.

Beneath the harsh, excessively expansive and luminous expanse of the upperworld resides a soothing, subdued domain shrouded in darkness. Living beneath the ground might not be suitable for everyone, but it holds an allure for those seeking a rocky refuge, yearning to hide themselves from the scrutinizing gaze of the daylight dwellers.

As a seasoned movie critic, I’ve come across numerous films that delve into subterranean worlds, but none quite like these. Unlike their surface-dwelling counterparts, these movies immerse you completely in the chilling mysteries hidden beneath our feet. While games such as Dwarf Fortress and Undertale have dabbled in simulating an underground environment or crafting unique underworld settings, they all share a common thread: survival in the face of horrors unimaginable lurking in the depths. These aren’t just games; they’re survival manuals for those who dare to descend into the unknown.

UnderRail

The Fate Of All Humanity Is On The Line

Survival Style: Isometric RPG

In a future where the Earth’s surface is no longer habitable, mankind has taken refuge in subterranean cities linked by vast train networks. Despite the nostalgia of this old-world transportation, this new underground world is just as perilous. UnderRail invites players to traverse an expansive subterranean metro system filled with life (though not necessarily friendly), risk, scarcity, and opportunity.

Survival primarily involves choosing the right conflicts, mastering strategic turn-based fights (since every adversary has a possibility to outsmart the player), prudently administering scarce resources, and maneuvering through the dangerous intrigues of diverse factions. These range from petty neighborhood gangs to aspiring governments, each striving for supremacy.

Lord Of The Rings: Return To Moria

Dig As The Dwarves Do In The Depts Of Khazad-Dum

Survival Style: Co-op, open-world survival crafter

In Middle-earth’s fourth age, during the time period of “The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria,” Khazad-Dum, also known as Moria, was left abandoned. Yet, no company could be better suited for tackling rocky terrain, overcoming darkness, and facing danger than a group of tough, valiant dwarves.

As a devoted fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, “The Lord of the Rings,” I embarked on a captivating journey through the procedurally generated depths of Moria in the game titled “Return to Moria“. In this immersive adventure, I found myself tasked with navigating my own unique maps, relying on my strength, cunning, and crafting abilities to thrive amidst the ruins and restore them to their former grandeur. The oppressive gloom of the deep dark only served to heighten the sense of anticipation and adventure.

Arx Fatalis

Because The Weather Outside Is Frightful

Survival Style: Immersive fantasy sim

Arx Fatalis was, and remains, visionary in its design and aspirations. Once players adapt to (or adjust) the controls, they’ll be drawn into an intricately detailed fantasy world simulation, although it’s important to note that this world is primarily set within subterranean environments like underground tunnels, reclaimed mineshafts, and ancient buried temples.

In ancient times, the world above Arx Fatalis was plunged into an unending frost due to its sun’s slow demise. Many inhabitants of Arx see this as a divine punishment from the gods. However, the fate of this underground world is in the hands of players, who must navigate and survive using their preferred strategies – be it stealth, strength, or magic.

Hollow Knight

Exploring The Carapace Of An Empire Dead And Buried

Survival Style: Action platformer

As a film enthusiast who’s always captivated by the intricate structures of ant colonies behind glass walls, I found an uncanny resemblance in Hollow Knight’s Hollownest. This sprawling, interconnected subterranean realm shimmers with hidden treasures, adversaries, and mournful whispers of a civilization of insectoids that once thrived and is now but a memory. The game places you in the role of the titular knight, equipped with a nail-turned-sword and the resolute determination to plunge deeper into the world beneath our feet.

In the game Hollow Knight, it’s not so much about conserving supplies like food but rather honing your skills to navigate its tough combat and exploration obstacles. Every nook of Hallownest presents a fresh challenge, whether it’s encountering corrupted beings, dodging clever traps, or facing enchanting bosses.

War For The Overworld

Not Exactly Fighting On The Side Of Light

Survival Style: Base-building, real-time strategy

Just like its spiritual precursor, Dungeon Keeper, War for the Overworld turns the traditional concept of the underground survival genre upside down by allowing players to assume the role of a malicious overlord. Rather than surviving against adversaries, players must construct and fortify their subterranean lair to ward off heroic invaders who aim to obliterate their territory.

Even though characters acquire dark, powerful abilities, it doesn’t make them invulnerable. To maintain loyalty among their subjects, they must ensure that gold reserves are plentiful, their domains expansive, and their defenses effective.

Metro 2033

On The Wrong Side Of The Line

Survival Style: First-person shooter

In the gripping tale of Metro 2033, the Moscow Metro no longer serves as a simple means of transportation; it’s our final sanctuary, a refuge for humanity, following nuclear devastation that transformed the surface into a haunting radioactive wasteland. Each station stands alone as its own microcosm, teeming with survivors desperate to survive or militarized enclaves seeking control. Valuables such as filters, working gear, and ammunition are rare gems, so precious that they’ve even been turned into a form of currency, with bullets acting as the new coins.

The tunnels connecting these stations are treacherous no-go zones infested with mutated creatures and fraught with the constant threat of conflict between rival factions. Of course, players will inevitably find themselves crossing these no-man lines in a brutal bid to return to an area of relative safety.

2024-12-24 02:36