Best of
The best survival games
Survive first, build second, thrive third. Survival games drop you in with nothing and turn every small step into a win: the first shelter, the first tool, the first night you do not dread. Brutal or relaxed, these are the ones that get that curve right.
This list in numbers
- 121 games in this category
- 88 average rating of the top 30
- 23 median playtime in hours
- 18 release years covered (2008 to 2026)
- 15 of 30 playable in co-op
- 14 of 30 are cheap or free
Why these three lead
Alan Wake 2 takes the top spot with 93 out of 100, followed by Minecraft at 93 and Resident Evil 2 (Remake 2019) at 93. All three clear the 88 point average of this list, and the gap to the rest of the field is small enough that your own taste matters more than the ranking.
How this list is put together
I start from every game in the database that fits this category, currently 121, and sort them by the aggregated critic rating. The 30 highest scoring titles make the list. No publisher can pay to appear here, and the affiliate links have no effect on the order. The full method is explained under how I pick.
- 01 93/100
- 02 93/100
Minecraft Details
In a procedurally generated block world, you can build, explore and survive with almost no limits, alone or with friends. It's the best-selling video game of all time and stays relevant thanks to constant updates.
PCPlayStationXboxSwitchMobile - 03 93/100
Resident Evil 2 (Remake 2019) Details
Described in detail under The best horror games
PCPlayStationXboxSwitchMobile - 04 91/100
Vampire Survivors Details
Described in detail under The best roguelikes
PCPlayStationXboxSwitchMobile - 05 90/100
- 06 90/100
Valheim Details
In a procedurally generated Viking purgatory, players build bases, slay mythical bosses and sail off to new islands. Ideal for long co-op evenings full of building projects and shared exploration.
PCXboxPlayStationSwitch - 07 89/100
ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is a PvPvE extraction shooter where players fight hostile robots and other raiders over loot. From an underground shelter they venture to the surface to salvage resources and escape alive.
PCPlayStationXbox - 08 89/100
- 09 89/100
Fallout 3
Having escaped an underground vault, players explore an irradiated Washington D.C. in search of their missing father. The open world is packed with choices, quirky characters and post apocalyptic atmosphere.
PCXboxPlayStation - 10 89/100
Left 4 Dead 2 Details
Described in detail under The best horror games
- 11 89/100
V Rising
As an awakening vampire, one must hide from the sun during the day and hunt for blood at night to build power and castles. Between base building, boss fights and PvP, a bloody survival adventure unfolds.
PCPlayStationXbox - 12 88/100
Apex Legends Details
A battle royale shooter with a fluid movement system and legends who each bring their own tactical abilities. The ping system makes coordinating with teammates easy even without voice chat.
PCPlayStationXboxSwitch - 13 88/100
Dune: Awakening
Dune: Awakening is a survival MMO set on the hostile desert planet Arrakis. Players harvest the precious spice, build bases and risk dangerous encounters with giant sandworms and rival factions.
PCPlayStationXbox - 14 88/100
- 15 88/100
Vintage Story
A deep voxel survival game often described as Minecraft for adults, featuring realistic metallurgy, food spoilage and a dark lore about a fallen civilization. Its slow but rewarding progression system caters to patient tinkerers.
- 16 87/100
- 17 87/100
Cairn
From the creators of Furi and Haven, this survival climber has players reach a summit never climbed before. Routes, pitons and resources must be carefully managed to survive the unforgiving Mount Kami.
PCPlayStationSwitch - 18 87/100
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
Described in detail under The best roguelikes
PCPlayStationXboxSwitchMobile - 19 87/100
Marathon
Marathon is a PvP focused extraction shooter set on the alien planet of Tau Ceti IV. As cybernetic mercenaries, Runners explore the ruins of a lost colony solo or in three person crews, hunting for rare artifacts and loot.
XboxPCPlayStation - 20 87/100
- 21 87/100
Starbound
A 2D space sandbox game in the style of Terraria, in which players explore procedurally generated planets, build bases and follow a main story about a galactic threat. Different races with their own quest lines add variety.
PCPlayStationXbox - 22 87/100
The Last of Us Part II Remastered Details
Years after the events of the first game, Ellie moves through a devastated Seattle on a brutal quest for revenge. Morally complex characters and intense survival combat make this one of the medium's most emotional stories.
PlayStationPC - 23 86/100
- 24 86/100
Frostpunk Details
In a frozen end times world, a last city must be built around a generator and kept alive, while moral decisions about laws and survival constantly have to be weighed against each other. The cold is the true enemy and grants no breathing room.
PCPlayStationXboxSwitch - 25 86/100
- 26 86/100
- 27 86/100
- 28 85/100
Abiotic Factor
In an underground research facility reminiscent of Half-Life, scientists must survive after an accident, build bases and study anomalies. The co-op focus and dry humor make it one of the most original survival titles of recent years.
PCXboxPlayStation - 29 85/100
- 30 85/100
Worth reading on this
Common questions
- How many games of this kind are in the database?
- There are currently 121. This page shows the 30 with the highest critic rating, so nothing below that cut is missing by accident, it simply scored lower.
- What is the single best pick right now?
- Alan Wake 2, with 93 out of 100. That said, the top of this list sits within a few points, so the second or third entry may fit your evening better.
- How much time do these games ask for?
- The median across this list is about 23 hours. 6 of the 30 entries are finished in fifteen hours or less if you are short on time.
- Can I play these with friends?
- 15 of the 30 entries support co-op. The rest are built as single player experiences.
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