Top 8 Survival Games Where You Start With Absolutely Nothing

Summary

Some survival games challenge players by starting with nothing, forcing quick resource collection.
Titles like Ark: Survival Evolved, Sons of the Forest, and Don’t Starve test player limits from the get-go.
Other games like Subnautica put players in unique environments, emphasizing different survival challenges.

Survival video games can be quite tough since they often drop players into tense circumstances where they have to gather resources just to stay alive. Some of these games realize that newcomers might need an initial boost to improve their chances of survival, so they provide a starting box or spawn the player with some supplies such as food.

On this list, you’ll find some exceptional survival games where players begin with minimal resources. They’re thrust into a challenging environment and must scavenge for essentials like food, water, and other necessities – or risk failing to survive beyond the initial day.

8. Ark: Survival Evolved

Entering A World Of Dinosaurs With Only Fists

As a fervent fan, I can’t wait to dive into the prehistoric world of Ark: Survival Evolved! To thrive here, I’ll first need to master the art of survival. In this captivating title, I find myself awakening with absolutely nothing but my own two hands, ready to start an epic journey.

As an ardent enthusiast, I can’t help but revel in the exhilarating challenge that Ark: Survival Evolved presents. For those yearning for a test of skill, it won’t take long before you’re diving headfirst into gathering essential resources to construct rudimentary tools and armament, all in the desperate bid to make it through your initial day alive.

While solo play might diminish the immediacy of spawn threats, Ark is truly at its best when played on public servers. The moment you set foot, danger is already knocking at your door. If you don’t act swiftly, you could find yourself in a perilous predicament!

7. Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

An Unknowing Ape In The Jungle

In the solitary world of “Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey,” I, as a player, find myself starting from scratch, devoid of any possessions or familiarity with my environment. Unlike in games like “Ark” where I’m often under immediate threat from established players, here, I must rely on my wits and instincts to survive. It’s a challenging journey, testing not just my physical prowess but also my ability to learn and adapt to the unknown, making each step a testament to the evolution of my character.

In Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, players embark on an open-world adventure as an ape with no initial means of self-defense. To survive, they must experiment and learn what foods are safe to consume and find ways to combine resources to create tools that can be passed down through generations. Successful exploration and discovery will allow the player’s ape character to evolve in a way that mirrors human evolution throughout history.

6. Rust

Spawning On The Beach With Nothing Around

In simpler terms, “Rust” is yet another multiplayer survival game, where swift adaptation is crucial for surviving against fellow players. Upon joining “Rust”, you’ll typically find yourself on a shoreline with no possessions to your name.

On the sand, resources are scarce and hard to come by, making it essential for players to act quickly to avoid detection from potential threats lurking on the beach, waiting to ambush vulnerable targets. Despite being years since its initial release, Rust remains active, with every player, as well as the game’s wildlife, eager to see the player fail. Only those who are strong enough will be able to endure in this hostile environment.

5. Sons Of The Forest

Surviving Against Mutants And Cannibals

A fantastic survival game where players begin with absolutely nothing is named Sons of the Forest. As the sequel to the previously released game, The Forest, this survival adventure excels in every aspect while maintaining the thrill of surviving on an island teeming with both cannibals and mutated creatures.

Characters might perish before facing these enemies due to negligence about food, water, or shelter from weather conditions. In contrast to the initial title, “Sons of the Forest” now incorporates seasonal changes within the forest, making it a more dynamic environment with salmon being abundant in spring and summer, while winter can become particularly lethal.

4. Project Zomboid

A Hardcore Zombie Survival

Different types of survival games vary greatly, presenting players with numerous hazards. While certain games concentrate solely on natural perils, others such as “Project Zomboid” immerse you in a zombie-ridden post-apocalyptic scenario, testing your ability to endure and survive.

In Project Zomboid, players get to pick their starting spots, which impact the difficulty of their initial experience. If you’re up for a tough test, consider starting in a blazing building. You’ll have limited time to gather nearby supplies before being forced out into the cityscape. There, you’ll need to scavenge for more resources to defend yourself against the hordes of zombies.

3. Subnautica

Survive Underwater On An Alien Planet

Many survival games position players on land, where they construct shelters using wood to withstand harsh conditions. But in contrast, games like Subnautica challenge this concept by requiring players to adapt and survive not just on land, but also beneath the ocean’s surface.

In the game Subnautica, players not only need to search for food but also monitor their oxygen supply since they can’t swim deep underwater indefinitely. Initially, the player starts with no gear and must repair any broken equipment before setting out on new adventures.

2. Minecraft

The Player Chooses The Difficulty In This Survival Sandbox

Minecraft might not be the most difficult gaming experience worldwide, but its simplicity doesn’t diminish the fact that it is among the finest survival games where players start with absolutely nothing. Over time, its popularity and continuous updates with fresh content have solidified its position as a standout choice in the gaming community.

In Minecraft, if a player chooses the survival mode, they’ll begin with an empty inventory and need to act quickly, gathering wood for their initial tools. Players have the option to start with advantages like a starting chest, but those aiming for a challenging experience in Minecraft should opt out of these extras.

1. Don’t Starve

Enter A Strange World With One Goal

Among the numerous survival games out there, Don’t Starve stands out as the ideal choice for beginners who start with nothing. This game boasts a unique artistic flair that distinguishes it from other survival games in the genre. Furthermore, it is often debated to be one of the most challenging ones as well.

Starting your journey in the mysterious realm of ‘Don’t Starve’, players find themselves in a rush to establish a camp before darkness falls. Venturing out without light during nighttime could lead to the player’s demise, and this is just one of the many perils that await in ‘Don’t Starve’. To survive, players need to be well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

2025-03-07 04:50