The Best Story-Driven Survival Games

Highlights

Survival games focus on the singular goal of staying alive; some are driven by compelling narratives.
Games like
Subnautica
and
The Forest
blend survival mechanics with engaging storylines for unique experiences.
Titles like
The Long Dark
and
Green Hell
offer narrative-driven gameplay, pushing players to uncover mysteries.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that diving into these unique survival games is an absolute delight! Each one offers a distinct twist on the genre, making them truly special experiences worth savoring.

In contrast to many other game genres, survival games offer a more streamlined gaming experience, primarily centered around staying alive. While they may incorporate additional objectives or narrative elements, it’s the necessity of survival that propels players through these games.

Some survival games are different, though. They give the player a reason to survive through their narratives. While the survival mechanics are just as integral to the experience, the story drives the player’s experience forward. We’ve already talked about the survival games with the best stories. Here, we’re talking about survival games driven by their stories. All the games here are “true” survival games, rather than games that have a light focus on survival or include one or two survival mechanics.

8 Subnautica

Cleanse The Planet And Escape

In its debut, Subnautica stood out from other survival games due to several distinctive factors. Unlike many of its peers, it had minimal combat and instead focused heavily on storytelling. The game casts you as a stranded explorer on planet 4546B, with the objective being to discover a means of escape.

At first glance, it may appear straightforward, but they eventually find out that 4546B was isolated due to contamination by bizarre extraterrestrial bacteria. To break free, the main character needs to delve into the planet’s past, locate a remedy, and deactivate the quarantine. This plotline consistently propels the player’s journey, leading them to fresh gear, blueprints, and intriguing locations to discover. The survival aspects gradually fade into the background as players are instead motivated to solve the planet’s numerous enigmas rather than focus on mere survival.

7 The Forest

Looking For Little Jimmy

The story within the forest unfolds with a straightforward beginning. A commercial aircraft meets an unfortunate end on a puzzling island, leaving behind only two souls – Eric LeBlanc and his child, Jimmy. As Eric stirs to consciousness amidst the debris of the downed plane, he witnesses a distressing sight: his young son Jimmy being taken away by some grotesquely altered natives. Being an attentive father, Eric resolves to embark on a search for his lost boy.

In “The Forest,” the operating hours serve as an illustrative model of a survival game that instills a sense of vulnerability in players. The game is teeming with cannibals, resources like food and water are scarce, and the character, Eric, is constantly on the brink of perishing. Initially, the player’s attention is drawn to the survival aspect. However, as they delve deeper into the island, their focus shifts towards the narrative. The search for Jimmy propels them to venture into increasingly hazardous caves, offering insights about the island through clever environmental storytelling and rewarding them with better equipment along the way. The climax of the game presents players with a thought-provoking moral dilemma after they uncover a troubling underground facility.

6 Sons Of The Forest

Looking For A Billionaire

As a fervent admirer, I’m eager to share my thoughts on “Sons of the Forest,” a fresh sequel that continues to evolve with regular updates. Unlike other games, it refrains from delving into spoilers. The storyline bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, placing me, along with an artificial companion, on another enigmatic island in search of a missing tycoon.

With the release of version 1.0, Sons of the Forest can confidently be categorized as one of the top FPS survival games currently available. Compared to the original, this game places a greater emphasis on story and urges players to delve into the island’s mysteries promptly. This exploration yields new equipment and weapons that make the survival aspects seem less challenging. As the narrative unfolds, it connects intriguingly with the first game, taking things in a bizarre direction. While some may argue whether Sons of the Forest surpasses its predecessor, there’s no denying that it offers a more immersive and narrative-driven experience.

5 The Long Dark

Split Between Two Modes

As a gamer immersed in “The Long Dark”, I can tell you that this chilling survival sim splits into two distinct playstyles. In Survival Mode, it’s all about enduring the harsh wilderness, managing resources, and surviving for as long as my skills and wit allow. But if I want a more guided adventure, there’s Story Mode, which unfolds across five captivating chapters, offering a more structured journey through this frozen wasteland.

Anticipation persists among followers as the concluding part isn’t set for launch until late 2024; hence, let’s steer clear of disclosing any spoilers. Essentially, players assume command over the main character Will Mackenzie, who experiences a crash landing while assisting Dr. Astrid Greenwood in a puzzling operation. Each task revolves around Will’s efforts to bring the mission to fruition while unraveling the mystery surrounding the world’s past state, as depicted prior to the game’s occurrences. This mode emphasizes storytelling and guides players on their journey by indicating where to proceed and which regions to investigate. Although survival elements persist, they take a back seat compared to the emphasis placed on advancing the narrative.

4 Green Hell

Has Anyone Seen My Wife?

The challenging survival mechanics of “Green Hell” are renowned, making it feel much like juggling while in the midst of a storm. Despite being primarily recognized for its intricate survival elements, reminiscent of spinning plates during a hurricane, this game is surprisingly rich in storytelling. For many survival enthusiasts, the complex survival mechanics could be what attracts them, but “Green Hell” offers an engaging narrative as well.

In essence, just as with other games on this list, the primary motivator for progression in ‘Green Hell’ is its compelling storyline. The main character, Jake Higgins, is relentlessly searching for his missing wife, Mia. This quest leads him to explore every nook and cranny of the game map, scouring for signs of Mia in deserted campsites and indigenous settlements. While players have the option to disregard the story after completing the tutorial, it would be a significant oversight as they’d risk missing out on much of what makes ‘Green Hell’ stand out.

3 Pathologic 2

4 Acts Over 12 Days

Experiencing ‘Pathologic 2’ offers a distinct gaming adventure. Although categorized as a survival horror game, it places greater emphasis on conventional survival aspects compared to other titles within the genre. Simultaneously, it exhibits a level of structure seldom found in survival games, with its narrative divided into four acts across twelve in-game days.

Daily progression unfolds the game’s captivating tale, filled with distinctive occurrences and engagements with the villagers. The survival aspects can be demanding, serving to increase the game’s challenge. The story is almost entirely the focal point here. Each day presents challenging moral dilemmas for the player, decisions that could impact multiple endings, and choosing wisely might make survival more arduous.

2 We Happy Few

Finding The Truth About Joy

In an alternate 1960s England ruled by authoritarian forces, where citizens are kept under control through a drug called Joy, the survival game We Happy Few offers an intriguing setting. Those who reject this medication face persecution and imprisonment. The game follows three distinct characters, each with their own unique storylines that eventually intertwine.

Arthur Hastings, a government employee, gives up his drug (Joy), and embarks on a journey to uncover his past secrets. Sally Boyle, a well-off mother, experiences turmoil in her affluent life as she protects her newborn child. Ollie Starkey, once a cranky military man, transforms into a rebel fighting against England’s regime. Each character’s story impacts their survival strategies. For instance, Arthur abstains from Joy, making him vulnerable to being caught, while Ollie, being a diabetic, must carefully manage his diet. This unique combination of survival aspects and narrative exploration makes the game “We Happy Few” an intriguing survival experience where players need to think creatively to survive and unravel the truth behind Joy.

1 Grounded

Honey, I Shrunk The Player

With the transition of Grounded out of its alpha phase, the game has evolved into a more immersive narrative experience. The story revolves around four adolescents who find themselves miniaturized and stranded in an expansive backyard garden teeming with perilous oversized hazards. They must navigate each day while seeking a means to revert back to their normal size.

In this game, players have the option to solely concentrate on survival aspects if they prefer, but the game subtly prompts them to advance through the storyline as well. This can be seen through tasks like exploring the garden to obtain better equipment, which in turn advances parts of the story. At times, it’s more overt, with specific narrative-driven objectives and quests that guide players on where to go and what actions to take. Opting out of the story completely might slow down player progress significantly. Given the game’s engaging storyline, it’s worth allowing the game to steer the journey every now and then.

2024-08-12 07:04