The 33 best survival games 2026 for PS5, Steam, and Xbox

6. Fallout 76

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Everything you need to know about Fallout 76 – in 2 minutes

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What is Fallout 76 about? Fallout 76 takes place after a fictional nuclear war that almost destroyed the world. You play as a survivor who was housed in a so-called “Vault”, a huge bunker.

Your Vault 76 has now been opened as one of the first, and your task is to rebuild America. You start in West Virginia, in the Appalachia region, where Fallout 76 is set.

What does Fallout 76 do well?

A lovingly designed, detailed world that can be explored for hours
A quirky humor that sets the game apart from other representatives of the genre and is reflected in sometimes very bizarre locations
Equipment modifications and perks allow for character customization that is refreshingly comprehensive for the survival genre
A friendly community that often helps newcomers

For whom is Fallout 76 suitable? Explorers in particular will enjoy Fallout 76. The world is one of the best features of the game and has a lot to offer if you are willing to look around. This appeals especially to solo players with a desire to explore, but group players can also have fun with friends.

7. No Man’s Sky

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No Man’s Sky brings a new update, sends you into the criminal underworld of ‘Outlaws’

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What is No Man’s Sky about? In No Man’s Sky, you have access to a vast world in space, where you can discover over 18 trillion planets and unknown species, craft, and modify your spaceship.

No Man’s Sky is essentially the epitome of an “Open World” and has supported a multiplayer aspect since the NEXT update, which has further expanded the game. Nowadays, the game is even becoming more MMO-like.

With the “Voyager” update released in August 2025, a customizable spaceship and new quests were added, further expanding the game.

What does No Man’s Sky do well?

A gigantic world that seemingly never ends and always has something new to discover
Detailed environments and beautiful graphics that invite admiration
Your own spaceship and even pets

For whom is No Man’s Sky suitable? If you’re still waiting for Star Citizen, you can already experience a huge space saga with No Man’s Sky. The game offers every imaginable freedom. Furthermore, the space environment and the alien planets especially pay off for sci-fi fans. So, if you want to fully immerse yourself in a sci-fi survival game, you’ll find your game with No Man’s Sky.

8. Sons of the Forest

Developer/Publisher: Endnight Games | Release: February 23, 2023 | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: PC| Shop: Steam

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5 Tips for a Good Start in Sons of the Forest

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What is Sons of the Forest? In the sequel to the acclaimed The Forest, you return years after the events of the first part to the island – this time apparently as Timmy, who was rescued in part 1. Your mission: find a billionaire and his daughter.

Similar to the first part, you crash and must survive in the forest first. Once you achieve that, you can return to your mission. While exploring the island, you come across more and more clues about the secrets, mutants, and strange occurrences. However, the story is not for the faint of heart.

What does Sons of the Forest do well?

Horrifying, disfigured enemies that could come from a top-notch horror film
A story with multiple endings influenced by your decisions
Unique horror elements that add a certain thrill to survival

The Forest has better ratings on Steam, but Sons of the Forest is technically the superior game and is still being developed. That’s why you find Sons of the Forest here on the list.

The twist in Sons of the Forest: You replay the same story in every session. Whether alone or with friends, your goal is always the same.

Nonetheless, you can have fun on the island, build, and craft and even find companions who help you with building and combat. Sons of the Forest expands the systems that were already strong in the predecessor.

For whom is Sons of the Forest suitable? Sons of the Forest is primarily aimed at horror fans who want to feel fear and panic as constant companions in a game. The convincing atmosphere and unique creatures, such as the Wilds that wear masks made from human faces, even make hardened players shiver.

The game doesn’t catch you with eternally long building sessions but with gripping action and a foreseeable ending to the story, where building fans can also let loose. The game primarily targets an adult community.

9. Palworld

Developer/Publisher: Pocketpair | Release: January 19, 2024 | Model: Buy-2-Play | Platforms: PC (Steam), Xbox

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Palworld showcases the small monsters in massive action in the early access trailer

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What is Palworld? Pokémon with guns. This is probably the most fitting description for Palworld and the absolute surprise hit of 2024. Similar to Valheim back in the day, Palworld picked up a massive player base and had over 1 million players on Steam alone at launch – shortly thereafter, it doubled.

You collect the titular Pals in Palworld and… make them work for you, by not exactly friendly means. You can equip the cute companions with firearms and let them fight for you.

At its core, the game is a sandbox game where you can explore and catch new Pals, but you must also make sure that you don’t starve. If in doubt, you can just eat your Pals.

What does Palworld do well?

Essentially a real Pokémon MMO, but clearly aimed at an adult audience with rather macabre humor
A strong mix of exploration, combat, and building, with still important survival mechanics like hunger
Relatively easy to get into, which you can even try with friends

For whom is Palworld suitable? If you are looking for a survival game in timeless comic graphics and want to reminisce about games from the past, but still want an adult approach, Palworld is just your game.

Especially the combination of cute companions with crazy shooter mechanics makes Palworld a unique gameplay experience. The success is based on a single guy who actually works part-time in a convenience store.

Palworld has also received several major free expansions in Early Access:

A first free expansion for Palworld came with Sakurajima, introducing a new island and new Pals.
The free Feybreak expansion for Palworld followed, which also brought a new island and numerous improvements.
With the Tides of Terraria update, a collaboration with Terraria introduced new monsters and more Pals.

On July 10, 2026, Palworld will celebrate its official 1.0 release. If you want to jump back in, here are some tips:

10. Rust

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Everything you need to know about the survival MMO Rust – in 2 minutes

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What is Rust? Rust has no real story. You find yourself naked on a beach, equipped only with a rock as a weapon and tool, and must survive. To do this, you gather various resources, loot abandoned buildings, and avoid stronger players.

Rust is a classic PvP survival game where other players are your biggest threat. At the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, the game experienced a significant surge in popularity, when 50 streamers played Rust together – interrupted only by a troublemaker.

Since May 2021, Rust is also available for Xbox One and PS4 – but those who own the new generation of consoles can also play thanks to backward compatibility.

What does Rust do well?

A simple game principle that everyone quickly gets used to
Every building piece and weapon is a clear advancement that brings you closer to your set goals
Special vehicles like hot air balloons and boats give Rust a unique feature
A large, active, and slightly crazy community

For whom is Rust suitable? Definitely for PvP enthusiasts. You should only play Rust if you enjoy shooting at others with all kinds of weapons and don’t mind dying frequently. Rust is particularly fun in larger teams, as surviving alone is virtually impossible in the long run. Clan battles ensure constant action. If you don’t want to constantly confront other players, you should stay away from Rust.

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.