We present the 30 best survival games 2026 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Are you tough enough to secure your survival in these survival MMOs and games?
Additionally, we have adjusted the games that have already been fully released or will soon leave Early Access.
This list is a personal selection by the author. Many survival games are playable in multiplayer or co-op. You can also find single-player titles. Free survival games are not included.
Most of our featured games have a Buy2Play model, meaning they cost money once. If you want to get into the survival genre or just want to discover new games, you can find the top 5 free survival games on Steam for PC here.
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 working at MeinMMO since late 2017 and is our survival expert. His first encounters with the genre were with Stranded (2003), which absolutely fascinated him. Survival has thus been in his blood for over half of his life.
His most played modern survival titles include Fallout 76 and Conan Exiles, in 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 places great importance on a beautiful environment that rewards exploration and a well-designed 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 Norse mythology-inspired Valheim. After your death, you are brought to this land by a Valkyrie and must prove yourself against monsters and beasts to be allowed to fight alongside the Allfather Odin.
Valheim quickly became one of the biggest games on Steam shortly after its launch, even surpassing Rust in the genre.
By the way: Version 1.0 of Valheim will officially be released on September 9, 2026:
What makes Valheim so good:
- A mix of atmospheric surroundings and pixel art that particularly appeals to “old folks”
- Procedurally generated random worlds
- An innovative system where you have to 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 end the chapters of the game
- Co-op gameplay and fully optional PvP
Who should play Valheim? Anyone with an interest in Norse mythology and who enjoys survival games without PvP pressure should take a look at Valheim. Due to the exploration system and the bosses, it is especially suited for those who want to game with friends. 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
that is deadly to humans and brings forth strange mushroom creatures. You play as a flame touched
who survives the miasma and is destined to save the world.
The game is essentially a sandbox game with survival and adventure elements, roughly a mix of Valheim and The Legend of Zelda – or a Minecraft for adults
. Enshrouded comes with a voxel system and strong features for combat, building, and exploration.
Enshrouded will officially leave Early Access on October 15, 2026. You can read more about it on MeinMMO:
What makes Enshrouded good?
- A picturesque world you can explore on foot or with a glider
- Riddle-towers with jump’n’run sections similar to those you may know from Zelda games
- A skill system for different play styles
- Voxel mechanics for building, giving you complete freedom and allowing you to build absurd bases – even hobbit holes if you want
- Water physics!
Who is Enshrouded suitable for? Anyone who prefers a more relaxing approach to survival games and values exploration and building over sheer survival will be happy with Enshrouded. The game’s great strength lies in its large, beautiful world and sandbox mechanics.
Those looking for hardcore action and who want to suffer for every drop of water should look elsewhere.
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 unarmed. You must survive and learn more technologies, tame dinos, and craft futuristic equipment.
Your goal is to climb the volcano in the center and defeat the final boss inside it. To gain access, you must engage in several excitingly designed boss battles that bring you closer to your goal.
What makes ARK so good?
- Unique boss fights with great mechanics that present tough challenges
- Dinosaur varieties for combat, collecting, or even for building upon
- A comprehensive skill system where you can freely experiment and learn all sorts of recipes
Who is ARK suitable for? Those who want to experience Jurassic Park should check out Ark. ARK is particularly suited for dinosaur fans who want to follow the prehistoric lizards through a dense jungle. Sci-fi fans will also find enjoyment through the high-tech equipment. ARK is particularly suitable for groups of players who enjoy playing together and want to build something over the long term.
The sequel Ark 2 was supposed to be released in 2024, but since then the developers have been tight-lipped. At least the developers recently provided an update on what the future holds for 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 and turns them into infected who attack surviving humans. You are one of the survivors, as you are immune to the virus.
DayZ is an open-world sandbox where your only real objective is to survive. How you accomplish that is up to you. You can fight your way through the wilderness, scavenge the remaining resources from ghost towns, or rob other players.
What makes DayZ so good?
- A massive open world (depending on the map 163 to 230 km²) based on real locations
- Authentic gunplay and melee combat
- Various survival mechanics like hunting, crafting, diseases, and injuries
- Vehicles
- Many freedoms to modify the game using the developers’ tools (e.g., via Steam Workshop)
Who is DayZ suitable for? DayZ is aimed at fans of classic horror and zombie survival games. It is dark and bleak, set in a desolate world and challenges players significantly. The new update brings a new forest environment with it.
Those who enjoy games like Left4Dead but prefer to experience that in an open world or want to see how one of the first successful survival games plays should check out DayZ. It’s best if you have a bit of knowledge about the genre, as DayZ can be quite punishing.
5. Conan Exiles Enhanced
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 throws you relentlessly into a hostile desert. You are bound to a cross under the scorching sun for various crimes. Conan himself frees you from this and then sends you to survive – or die – on your own in the desert.
You have been fitted with a bracelet that binds you to the cursed land and kills you if you try to leave. You fight your way through dungeons and various regions like swamps and volcanoes to learn in a long, detailed story how you can remove the bracelet and escape through the “journey”.
The game has since been expanded with several updates, adding new content like building parts and weapons, magic, and a new island you can visit. Conan Exiles has received an upgrade for its companions and villagers with the living village
update.
On May 5, 2026, Conan Exiles also received a comprehensive Enhanced update that beautifies the game, improves performance, and reduces the game size by several gigabytes. However, this update is only available for Steam, while PlayStation and Xbox still run on the old
version.
What makes Conan Exiles good?
- An intriguing combat system with various combat styles for many types of weapons and mounted combat
- A new magic system where you have to create your own spells
- A harsh and unforgiving world for adults, where everything and everyone is out to kill you
- A deep story told by NPCs, tablets, and the world itself
- The ability to build structures from different civilizations in the Conan universe through DLCs
- It doesn’t take itself too seriously and features a rough humor for adults
Who is Conan Exiles suitable for? Conan Exiles is aimed primarily at adult players who enjoy a challenging experience and are not afraid of a steep learning curve. Fans of Conan the Barbarian will also find plenty to enjoy here. Conan Exiles is not easy and is one of the most challenging 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.
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