We present to you the 31 best survival games of 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Are you tough enough to ensure your survival in these survival MMOs and games?
Additionally, we have adjusted or removed some shop links and added some information on several games.
Our list is a personal compilation by the author. Many survival games can be played in multiplayer or co-op modes. You will also find single-player titles. Free survival games are not included.
Most of the games we feature use a Buy2Play model, meaning they cost a one-time fee. If you want to dive into the survival genre or simply discover new games, here are the top 5 free survival games on Steam for PC.
If you’re interested in mobile games, you should check out the list of the best survival games for iOS and Android.
About the Author
Benedict has been with MeinMMO since late 2017 and is our survival expert. His first encounters with the genre began with Stranded (2003), which absolutely fascinated him. Survival has been in his blood for more than half his life.
His most played modern survival titles include Fallout 76 and Conan Exiles, into which he has likely invested around 600 hours together. He also enjoys trying out new titles and indie games in the genre to search for hidden gems and tips. Benedict particularly values a beautiful environment that makes exploration worthwhile and a sophisticated crafting system.
1. Valheim
Developer/Publisher: Iron Gate Studios/Coffee Stain Publishing | Release: February 2, 2021 (Early Access) | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: PC (Steam) | Shop: Steam
What is Valheim about? You play as a Viking in the Valheim inspired by Norse mythology. After your death, you are brought to this land by a Valkyrie and must prove yourself against monsters and beasts to fight alongside the Allfather Odin.
Valheim developed into one of the biggest games on Steam shortly after its launch, surpassing even Rust within its genre.
This is what makes Valheim so good:
- A mix of atmospheric environment and pixel look that particularly appeals to “old farts”
- Procedurally generated, random worlds
- An innovative system where you must explore new areas and find materials to learn new recipes
- Taming wild creatures
- Extensive options for base building and crafting
- Boss fights that start and conclude the chapters of the game
- Co-op gameplay and purely optional PvP
Who is Valheim worth it for? Anyone interested in Norse mythology and who enjoys survival games without compulsory PvP should take a look at Valheim. Due to the exploration system and the bosses, it is especially suitable if you want to play with friends. However, even solo, Valheim is worth a look.
2. Enshrouded
Developer/Publisher: Keen Games | Release: January 24, 2024 (Early Access) | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: PC (Steam)
What is Enshrouded about? A dark power covers the world with a vile Miasma
, deadly to humans and producing strange mushroom creatures. You play as a touched by the flame
, who survives the Miasma and is destined to save the world.
The game is fundamentally a sandbox game with survival and adventure elements, roughly a mix of Valheim and The Legend of Zelda – or also a Minecraft for adults
. Because Enshrouded comes with a voxel system and strong features for combat, building, and exploration.
At release, Enshrouded had over 112,000 concurrent players on Steam.
What does Enshrouded do well?
- A picturesque world that you can explore on foot or with a glider
- Puzzle towers with platforming sections like you might know from Zelda games
- A skill system for different playstyles
- Voxel mechanics for building, giving you complete freedom to create absolutely crazy bases – even hobbit holes if you want
Who is Enshrouded suitable for? Anyone who prefers a more relaxed approach to survival games and values exploration and building over sheer survival will be happy with Enshrouded. The game’s greatest strength lies in its large, beautiful world and sandbox mechanics.
Those looking for hardcore action who want to suffer for every drop of water are better served elsewhere.
Enshrouded presented a comprehensive underwater update with fishing features just in time for gamescom 2025 .
3. ARK: Survival Evolved
Developer/Publisher: Studio Wildcard | Release: August 29, 2017 | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Android, iOS, Stadia, Nintendo Switch
What is ARK about? In ARK: Survival Evolved, you land on a deserted island full of dinosaurs, naked and without tools. You must survive and learn more technologies, tame dinos, and build futuristic gear.
Your goal is to climb the volcano in the center and defeat the final boss within it. To gain access, you must engage in several exciting boss fights that bring you closer to your goal.
What makes ARK so good?
- Unique boss fights with great mechanics that present challenging obstacles
- Dinosaur species of all shapes and sizes for combat, gathering, or even riding on
- A comprehensive skill system where you can freely explore and learn all kinds of recipes
Who is ARK suitable for? Those who want to experience Jurassic Park should check out Ark. ARK is especially suited for fans of dinosaurs who wish to follow the prehistoric reptiles through a dense jungle. Sci-Fi fans will also enjoy the high-tech gear. ARK is especially tailored for groups of players who like to play together and want to build something together in the long run.
The sequel Ark 2 was supposed to be released in 2024, but since then the developers have been tight-lipped. At least there was recently an update from the developers regarding the future of Ark 2.
4. DayZ
Developer/Publisher: Bohemia Interactive | Release: December 13, 2018 | Model: Buy-2-Play| Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S | Shop: Steam | PS Store | Microsoft Store
What is DayZ about? DayZ is a classic zombie survival game. A virus infects the population of a post-Soviet state, turning them into infected individuals who attack the remaining survivors. Among them is you, as you are immune to the virus.
DayZ is an open-world sandbox where your only true goal is to survive. How you do that is up to you. You can struggle through the wilderness, scavenge the remaining resources from ghost towns, or rob other players.
What makes DayZ so great?
- A massive open world (depending on the map between 163 and 230 km²) based on real locations
- Authentic gunplay and melee combat
- Various survival mechanics such as hunting, crafting, diseases, and injuries
- Vehicles
- Many freedoms with the ability to modify the game through the developers’ tools (such as via Steam Workshop)
Who is DayZ suitable for? DayZ targets fans of classic horror and zombie survival games. It is dark and grim, set in a desolate world, and challenges players significantly. The new update brings a new forest environment.
If you enjoy games like Left4Dead but prefer to experience it in an open world, or want to see how one of the first successful survival games plays out, you should check out DayZ. Ideally, you should already have a bit of knowledge about the genre, as DayZ is truly tough.
5. Conan Exiles
Developer/Publisher: Funcom | Release: May 8, 2019 | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: Windows (PC), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
What is Conan Exiles about? Conan Exiles ruthlessly throws you into a harsh desert. You are bound to a cross in the blistering sun for various crimes. Conan himself frees you from this and then sends you to survive – or die – in the desert.
An armband has been placed on you, binding you to the cursed land and killing you should you attempt to leave. You fight your way through dungeons and various areas like swamps and volcanoes to learn in a long, detailed story how to remove the armband and escape through the “Journey”.
Meanwhile, the game has been expanded with several updates, including new content such as building components and weapons, magic, and a new island to visit. Currently, Conan Exiles has received an upgrade for its companions and your villagers with the “Living Settlement” update.
What does Conan Exiles do well?
- An engaging combat system with various fighting styles for many types of weapons and mounted combat
- A new magic system where you have to create your own spells
- A harsh and unfriendly world for adults, where everything and everyone wants to kill you
- A deep story told by NPCs, tablets, and the world itself
- The ability to build structures from various cultures in the Conan universe through DLCs
- It doesn’t take itself too seriously and has a raunchy humor for adults
Who is Conan Exiles for? Conan Exiles is primarily aimed at adult players who like it tough and are not afraid of a steep learning curve. Fans of Conan the Barbarian will also find a lot to enjoy here. Conan Exiles is not easy and is one of the trickiest survival games on the market.
The realistic and brutal world is open to explorers and fighters alike. Even role players can find groups to play with on private servers. However, those playing on PC or Xbox have a significant advantage. Conan Exiles is now available on Xbox Game Pass and thus can be tried for just a few euros. Anyone who already has the Pass should definitely check out Conan Exiles.
