Open-World Games That Will Turn You Into A Survival Expert

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Open-World Games That Will Turn You Into A Survival Expert

Key Takeaways

  • Green Hell offers a realistic jungle survival experience, teaching edible species, crafting, resource management, and mental health.
  • Don’t Starve emphasizes prioritizing work in a survival scenario, managing food, shelter, and sanity to survive the ruthless climate.
  • Project Zomboid provides a hyperrealistic zombie apocalypse simulation emphasizing stamina, strategy, resource management, and survival tactics.

As a seasoned survivor of countless apocalyptic scenarios, I must say that these three games have left an indelible mark on my post-apocalyptic soul. Each one offers a unique perspective on what it means to survive in a world overrun by the undead or worse, other players.

Open-world video games present an expansive array of adventurous experiences for those yearning for excitement. These games often allow players to traverse diverse landscapes, such as the dense and mysterious depths of a jungle. In addition, they frequently impart valuable skills about surviving in extreme conditions, like mastering resource management, prioritizing needs, and honing orientation skills. Essentially, these games transform players into survival experts through their engaging gameplay mechanics.

Keep in mind, not every aspect of the games you play truly mirrors real-life survival scenarios. However, they can serve as valuable simulations for responding effectively to extreme situations, such as getting lost in a forest or facing a zombie outbreak. It may seem far-fetched, but remember, there’s always a chance that we could find ourselves in such circumstances.

5 Green Hell

Teaches Players About The Dangers Of The Jungle

Among the top-tier games for honing survival abilities, Green Hell delivers an authentic, engrossing simulation of jungle survival. Players find themselves stranded in the treacherous, erratic Amazon rainforest, sharing the environment with venomous creatures like snakes, scorpions, and arachnids, as well as other animals and potentially hostile indigenous tribes. However, these perils pale in comparison to the threats of contracting a fever from even a minor wound, which can prove deadly faster than most snake encounters (which usually can be avoided). Additionally, players must navigate their precarious mental state; if they lose too much sanity due to factors like fever, consuming human flesh as a last resort, or poor nutrition, they may succumb to hallucinations, disorientation, and becoming vulnerable to predators.

In this game, players will discover ways to distinguish edible plants and animals, as well as create different items like healing ointments made from medicinal herbs (not for home use) and spider ash. They’ll also be tasked with making essential tools such as axes, spears, fishing poles, traps, and shelters to endure the harsh surroundings. Simultaneously, players must monitor their diet carefully to ensure they get enough protein, fats, energy, and hydration. The challenge lies in resource allocation, navigating through dense jungle without getting lost, and staying safe while unraveling the enigma of their spouse’s disappearance.

4 Don’t Starve

Good For Learning Priorities

Although it may appear charming and endearing, the game Don’t Starve hides a merciless concept within its title. Time is of the essence here, as players must adapt quickly and make every move count to prevent being overcome by the harsh environment or the scarcity of food. As days go by, players will encounter ominous creatures, face seasonal changes, and grapple with the deterioration of their sanity – a threat that can be just as lethal as starvation.

In the game “Don’t Starve,” winter stands out as the most challenging season due to scarcity of edible resources, an escalation of menacing creatures like Deerclops, and harsh cold that can be deadly swift. While it may not mirror real-life survival situations accurately, “Don’t Starve” delivers a potent message: mastering time management in a crisis is crucial. Stay calm, and above all else, establish a reliable food supply and shelter. The multiplayer version of the game, titled “Don’t Starve Together,” adds an enjoyable cooperative aspect that makes playing with friends even more engaging.

3 Project Zomboid

A Hyperrealistic Zombie Apocalypse Simulator

This game offers an incredibly authentic Zombie survival adventure. In a highly realistic environment, where each error can be fatal, players won’t experience themselves as heroes but as ordinary people fighting for their lives. Initially, resources are plentiful and water is still available. However, as the game progresses, food spoils, and if players haven’t established a shelter yet, they will face the repercussions. Essentially, this game is a realistic survival simulator set within an imaginary crisis scenario.

If players don’t exercise, they will have less stamina and strength, and will be more likely to die on a supply run. If they aren’t cautious or stealthy enough, they can trigger an alarm and call an unstoppable horde that will annihilate them. A scratch means probable death (75% chance), while a bite is a game over. Then again, it all comes to resource management: knowing what to eat, when to eat, when to exercise, when to rest, when to forage for food, how to remain healthy, when to fight, and, most importantly, when to flee.

2 7 Days To Die

Learn How To Be Crafty And Survive A Zombie Apocalypse

7 Days to Die offers another engaging zombie survival scenario, albeit less realistic, that emphasizes base construction and stealth. Similar to other zombie games, the undead possess acute hearing and can locate players who are rummaging through loot. Players must master combat skills and strategize to find valuable loot without falling into traps filled with grotesque, toothy creatures.

Every seven days, they’ll face a brutal assault on their bases by the zombies, who become ferocious during the Blood Moon. To endure this relentless attack, players must be quick-witted, resourceful, and strategic. They should anticipate the worst and adapt as needed. While the initial Blood Moon can be managed by strengthening a base, eventually, players will need to move and build their own fortresses complete with doors, traps, mirrors, and creative defenses to fend off the horde.

1 Rust

Learn To Avoid The Most Dangerous Predators: Humans

In Rust, players learn that no one should be fully relied upon because trusting others completely can be perilous. The primary adversary in this survival game is always other players, who pose a consistent threat to newcomers navigating the grim post-apocalyptic world of Rust. Casual looting isn’t an option here, as potential danger could be lurking behind a sniper’s scope. Rust offers an exhilarating and less realistic but more socially authentic survival adventure for those seeking such experiences, from crafting their initial bows to successfully raiding enemy player bases.

mastering the fundamentals of this game is generally straightforward, however, achieving victory takes skill, time, and a calm demeanor. Some players may dedicate countless hours figuring out how to traverse the map effectively, while others might struggle with devising efficient looting tactics. Since staying low-key serves as an advantage in this game, it’s usually wise to avoid unnecessary attention. Players certainly have the freedom to be daring and impulsive, but such actions typically don’t yield positive results unless they excel at hiding, sniping, pursuing, and seeking shelter when things turn unfavorable.

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2024-09-09 10:33