Top Survival Games with Unbelievable Settings You Need to Play Now

Summary

Different settings in Open-World games, like robots in Sweden and dinosaurs on an island, offer unique experiences.
Survival games like Valheim and Subnautica provide intense gameplay in legendary or terrifying settings.
The diverse environments in games like 7 Days to Die and Last Oasis add complexity and depth to the survival genre.

As a gamer, I can say that in every survival game, the environment is the key: Typically, we’re thrown into harsh weather scenarios, zombie-infested landscapes, or a toxic wasteland to navigate. But when developers let their imaginations run wild with Survival Open-World games, it’s like stepping into a freshly minted world that rejuvenates the survival genre altogether.

This list presents top-tier open-world games boasting distinctive environments. Ranging from a game that combines rogue robots with ’80s teenagers defending their homeland, to a world where nomads journey across a blazing desert aboard wind-powered sailing vessels, engaging in battles against primitive tribes and other perilous creatures.

1. Generation Zero

Defend Your Homeland From Murderous Robots

Picture yourself in your kitchen, preparing coffee and frying eggs, when all of a sudden, your neighbor runs out shouting, and moments later, a menacing robot carrying him disappears into the woods, leaving no trace. The parents are conspicuously absent, and the only potential allies for the players are other neighborhood children (who could be other players if they’re playing cooperatively).

As I dive into the expansive virtual world of Generation Zero, I find myself on an isolated Swedish island, teeming with lethal mechanical beasts, controlled by a menacing AI that’s snatching locals and purging those who dare to defy its takeover. But fear not, for I am no easy prey! Armed with a plethora of gadgets, pyrotechnics, and every firearm and ammo I can scavenge, my mission is clear: carve out a safe passage through this island. The numerous bunkers scattered across the landscape serve as my tactical strongholds, or I can construct my own base on the surface. This exhilarating Open World Survival game promises countless hours of thrilling entertainment.

2. ARK: Survival Evolved

A Record-breaking Game With A Unique Setting

In “ARK: Survival Evolved,” you find yourself stranded on an island with just tattered clothes and a peculiar gadget fastened to your arm. Your objective? Learn, construct, battle, and domesticate prehistoric creatures to stay alive. Crafting your settlements, riding legendary beasts, and competing against other players for land and valuable resources is merely one aspect of this expansive open-world game packed with numerous activities.

The follow-up game, “ARK: Survival Ascended“, is decent, but when it comes to optimization and overall quality, the original version of the game reigns supreme at the pinnacle. Known as “ARK,” this game is generally well-liked among players who prefer a solo experience. However, its cooperative aspects significantly enhance the enjoyment for all involved.

3. The Isle

Have You Ever Dreamed Of Being A Dinosaur?

Experience a remarkable open-world survival game that places you as various prehistoric creatures! Roam as a Pterosaur or dominate as the fearsome T-Rex, show off your strength as a Triceratops, or strike terror as the ancient Crocodile. Each day on ‘The Isle’ could be your last, and every move could lead to your downfall.

Regardless if they’re prey or predator, drinking water can turn out to be risky as hidden dangers often lurk beneath the surface. For those playing as crocodiles, remember there’s always a larger one out there. This game is filled with unexpected twists and plenty of humorous (and aggravating) moments. The game truly thrives when played alongside friends.

4. Valheim

A Game That Transports Players To A Legendary Norse Land

Delving into Norse Mythology offers an enchanting backdrop, and within the game Valheim, players get the chance to take part in the ancient Viking’s revered Rites of Trials, a ritual believed to unlock the gates to Valhalla for those yet unworthy of its eternal resting place.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but rave about Valheim! From colossal trolls to fearsome dragons, this game presents an array of formidable foes for players to conquer. Immersed in a world that offers procedurally generated islands based on seeds, every adventure feels unique.

The praise it has garnered is well-deserved, particularly for its exhilarating cooperative play. Whether you’re battling beasts alongside friends or crafting together, the fun just keeps multiplying!

5. Subnautica

Fear The Deep? Good. You Should

Before diving into the game of Subnautica, players are already aware that the ocean can be treacherous. Our oceans conceal numerous mysteries, some of which may remain undiscovered forever.

In the game Subnautica, players find themselves in a chilling underwater environment brimming with colossal, menacing creatures hiding in the shadows, waiting for their next meal. It’s not just about exploration; players must navigate both underwater and within a submersible craft, enhancing the fear of the deep sea or thalassophobia. Unlike other submarine-themed games, this one offers an additional layer of suspense and excitement.

6. 7 Days To Die

One Thing Is For Sure: No One Knows What Started The Zombie Apocalypse

In the game “7 Days to Die“, players find themselves in a haphazardly placed location within Navezgane, an expansive, completely destructible map that is dynamically generated and teeming with dangerous zombies, mutated beasts, and sneaky rattlesnakes. What sets the backdrop of this game apart from others is its subtle environmental hints, which offer insights into the cause of the Zombie Apocalypse.

The game’s setting ranges from a tainted batch of Shamway (canned Spam) laced with ‘bat’ meat, to a nuclear disaster or a rogue scientist attempting to breed Super Corn: each region on the map offers hints about what triggered the Zombie Pandemic. However, players are limited in their ability to thoroughly examine these clues, as every 7 days, a Blood Moon rises, causing all Zombies to become enraged and locate the players no matter where they are hiding. Crafting shelters from junk, traps from old car engines, and turrets from tubes is just the start of the chaos. This game offers a thrilling experience, especially when played with friends.

7. Conan Exiles

One Of The Best Open World Survivals, Set In The Hyborian Age

As an exile, I’ve been left stranded in a treacherous world that bears the mark of Conan, the Barbarian. Marked by an enchanted amulet that keeps me bound here, I must navigate through hordes of deranged cannibals and towering Mammoths from the icy Northlands to survive in this accursed land of Conan Exiles. It’s a battle for life itself!

As a fervent enthusiast, I’d like to share an exciting aspect of this game: players can elevate the challenge by summoning their gods’ Avatars for colossal player-versus-player battles. Not only that, but they can construct massive bases, manned by slaves who must be overthrown before they submit. This intricate and expansive game is a dream come true for survival RPG aficionados, brimming with endless fun.

8. Last Oasis

One Of The Most Unique Survival Games, Though It Has Seen Better Days

Launch date: May 20, 2020
Developed by: Donkey Crew
Available on: Steam

In this Open-World Survival Game, characters are exiled from their tribe for an initiation: they must adapt to a world teeming with hostile tribes resembling those from Planet of the Apes, who will viciously attack them at first sight. The scarcest commodity in this barren, sun-scorched landscape is water, which players can acquire by preparing cactus meat, aloe leaves, and squeezing specific fruits found in numerous Oases as they traverse this world to avoid the relentless heat.

In this game, the backdrop portrays a shattered moon, symbolizing a catastrophic event that halted Earth’s rotation, making escape from the sun a daunting task. However, the world has evolved, with flora mutating and climate zones fluctuating between frostbite-inducing cold and scorching heat. To traverse these unpredictable conditions, players must construct colossal machines known as Walkers – essentially mobile boats for navigating the sands. These machines help them locate the next oasis before it’s consumed by flames.

As they journey through this hostile landscape, players will encounter numerous other adventurers who are also seeking survival resources. The heart of the game’s player-versus-player (PvP) aspect revolves around these interactions: anyone can plunder the possessions of others, fostering a competitive and dynamic environment.

2025-04-16 10:35