The survival genre has seen a surge in popularity for very good reason. Survival games take you from the depths of the sea, across lands of fantasy, onto strange planets beyond the stars. They offer unique perspectives on storytelling, but still manage to hold onto the immersive core by grounding themselves in contemporary needs. Food, water, sleep.
2023 brought with it some incredibly strong entries in the genre that are worthy of attention. These are titles that took inspiration from those that came before them, but offer something new to entice you to explore the worlds and handcrafted narratives.
8Farworld Pioneers
Between Minecraft and Terraria, it’s difficult to determine which of these landmark titles had a greater effect on inspiring future games in the industry. Starbound takes after the latter, presenting a pleasantly retro art style, and a strange new world to explore in co-op. This is an engaging premise that builds on the continued growth of the colony sim genre as seen in other titles likeRimworldand Dwarf Fortress.
Made by a developer on the Starbound team, Farworld Pioneers has a compelling selling point. The idea of combining a traditional survival experience with the challenges of a colony sim is ambitious. Perhaps with future updates, Farworld Pioneers will continue to develop these ideas even further.
7Lord Of The Rings: Return to Moria
2023 was a rough year for the Lord of the Rings series in gaming thanks to the disastrous launch ofLOTR: Gollum, which unfortunately madeReturn To Moriafly under the radar. The game is based around dwarves reclaiming the lost mines of Moria led by Gimli, with John Rhys-Davies reprising his role once again. This, along with other details, make the game feel like a worthy inclusion in the ever-growing list of worthwhile Lord of the Rings media.
Stripped of its iconic name value, Lord of the Rings: Return To Moria is a survival game similar toValheim, with a focus on combat and developing powerful equipment. A strong foundation set in a beloved fantasy world, Lord of the Rings: Return To Moria has all the potential to fulfill a niche that fans did not even realize they were wishing for.
6Novalands
Novalands is a game that wears its ambitions on its sleeve, promising a combination of survival, factory management, and exploration all wrapped up in an adorable art style. The game delivers on all of these fronts, allowing you to enjoy procedurally-generated worlds ripe for scavenging.
Unlike other survival games, Novalands borrows concepts from Factorio and Satisfactory. This allows you to automate the survival process, creating an ultimately cozy experience.
5Lego Fortnite
In the modern age of Battle Royales, it can be difficult to recall that at one time Fortnite sold itself as a survival game.Lego Fortnitereturns to these roots, offering a brand-new way to experience the world of Fortnite through the ever-so-wholesome lens of Lego. Inspired by the likes of Minecraft, this mode utilizes Fortnite’s building system to allow you to embrace your creativity in a sandbox setting.
Lego Fortnite stands as a slim, highly approachable RPG for veterans and newcomers alike. It is possible that the game will see significant overhauls in the future. Epic Games provides bountiful update support which would only improve the solid foundation presented.
4The Pale Beyond
Weather in survival games can be just as much of a challenge as any monster, a theme wonderfully encapsulated in The Pale Beyond. Taking you to the frigid Arctic in an expedition to uncover a lost ship, The Pale Beyond focuses on the tough moral toll that can come with survival, along with more contemporary needs like food and general morale.
Unlike other games in the genre, The Pale Beyond has a more narrative focus. It has a gripping tale full of tough choices for you to make. And, while these story beats do serve to heighten the experience, there are still plenty of gritty survival elements for you to sink your teeth into.
3Wildmender
Despite the intimidating name the genre bears, not all survival games have to be harrowing experiences. A case in point is Wildmender. Focused on turning a desert into a livable world, Wildmender goes beyond just accomplishing tasks for the sake of survival. The beauty that comes from taking the desolate, and breathing in life, easily makes it stand out among other survival games.
Assisted by a cute art style, Wildmender offers exactly what survival gamers seek. An engaging storyline, unique mechanics, and a satisfying loop of restoring nature to a dying world.
2Outpath
In some cases, a difficult experience is exactly what you need to drive you forward. But, other times, there’s a comfort to be found in the serene experience that Outpath provides. A simple game with endless potential, Outpath scratches that same itch satisfied by a unique survival experience like Minecraft’s skyblock.
There’s an immense amount of satisfaction to be had from growing out a base, expanding from floating island to island, while taking comfort in the automatic processes that are developed. Paired with an art style that compliments Minecraft’s graphics, this is the perfect title for those looking to sit back, relax, and watch their creations grow into something beautiful.
1Undying
For a long time, the zombie survival genre existed as one of gaming’s most oversaturated sub-genres. While this craze has died down, it hasn’t stopped developers from exploring the themes on offer. In that respect, you could hardly ask for anything better than Undying. In a zombie survival game with a narrative focus, you assume the role of a mother preparing her son to survive on his own once she’s gone.
Invoking the dire spirit of games like This War of Mine, Undying tugs at the heartstrings while at the same time crafting an unforgettable survival experience. It’s not just the character on the line, but the legacy they leave behind.
