Summary
The point of animal simulator games is to allow players to experience animal life from various angles, but it’s the survival ones that truly stand out. They let you explore jungles or ocean depths as a variety of creatures, fully immersing you in the heart of the wild, where every decision might be a matter of life and death.
From seeking food and shelter to outsmarting predators and adapting to changing environments, the games on this list will give the virtual animal experience that’s as close to reality as possible. Let’s check out the best animal survival games that will challenge you to claw your way to the top of the food chain.
This list will take into account aggregate critic and player scores at the time of this writing as well as the author’s overall enjoyment and immersion while playing the game!
Steam User Reviews
Mixed - 66%
This online multiplayer survival game allows you to become a part of the fascinating African wildlife. Whether you choose the life of a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore, you’ll have to face a realistic open world where survival is the only rule.
You can roam the savannah as a lion or lurk beneath the waters as a Nile crocodile, for example. Either way, protecting your territory and dealing with predators will be an inevitable part of your animal experience, so teaming up with your online friends might be a smart choice.
Metascore
Mixed or Average - 64
Have you ever wondered how humans evolved from now-extinct primates? Well, Ancestorsdrops you right into Neogene Africafor an 8-million-year journey through the evolution of the human species. It’s a difficult open-world adventure in which you guide your primate crew through the ups and downs of the prehistoric era.
You’ll need to figure out stuff like walking upright and tool-making, passing your hard-earned wisdom to the next generation. Just bear in mind the game’s extremely steep learning curve and stay patient because the choices you make will highly impact your clan’s destiny.
Very Positive - 87%
The WILDS is a great option for gamers who’d rather play as an animal without stressing about over-complicated mechanics or survival challenges. Here, you get to customize your furry or feathered character’s look and abilities, which might affect how they cope in the wild later.
But don’t let the beautiful graphics and relaxing atmosphere of the wilderness fool you. It’s all about forming your own pack and starting a family, so protecting them from predators in the unforgiving environment will demand some effort after all.
Overwhelmingly Positive - 97%
If a wolf is your favorite animal, this realistic simulator is a fun and interactive way to learn more about this pack-oriented creature. You get to step into the paws of a young wolf on a quest to find a mate and raise its own family in Yellowstone National Park.
Whether you’re up for a challenge or prefer something laid-back, WolfQuest can offer you both – from the easy mode where your stamina lasts longer and your pups won’t catch any sickness to the Ironwolf hardcore mode where you only have one life.
Generally Favorable - 75
Endling – Extinction is Forever vividly depicts a mother fox’s efforts to protect her cubs in an unforgiving wild. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t hold back on how humans mess up the planet and what this means for animals.
As the last mother fox on Earth, you’ll be raising your litter while trying to stealthily track down your lost cub. Be warned, though: the game keeps it quite realistic, giving you a taste of the tough life these animals face in the world destroyed by human actions.
Mixed or Average - 69
Despite its cartoonish art style, The Shelter series delves into the tough reality of motherhood in the wild. Whether you’re a predator or prey on the food chain, surviving as an animal while looking out for your kids is not an easy journey.
You can play as a mother badger in Shelter, protect your lynx cubs in Shelter 2, or play as an adorable cub in Paws. In Shelter 3, you’re a matriarch leading a whole elephant herd, while in Meadow, you can even team up with your online buddies.
Very Positive - 89%
What sets this game apart from other animal simulators is that itallows you to live the life of a bug. Insects aren’t frequently given enough attention in video games, which Nature And Life - Drunk On Nectar surely provides.
You’re in for hours of fun, with lots of chances to come back for more since each species, whether butterflies, spiders, or praying mantises, brings a unique gaming experience. Plus, there are different modes to dive into, from surviving as a bug to creating your own garden full of insects.
Generally Favorable - 83
InStray, you step into the furry paws of a ginger tabby cat rocking a cute little backpack. You’re on a journey to reunite with your family, but all you’ve got are your feline instincts and some stealthy moves to navigate a dystopian world taken over by robots.
The game is packed with puzzle-solving and platform action as you wander through the city uncovering its secrets. It’s a one-of-a-kind adventure that lets you see the world through a cat’s eyes, complete with a captivating story and great visuals.
Mixed or Average - 54
Inspired by nature documentaries, AWAY: The Survival Series follows a sugar glider on its mission to rescue its family. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world, where humans are history and the wild remains a dangerous place for many critters.
As you explore stunning landscapes, search for food, and glide through the forest, your every move is described by a narrator – just like in wildlife documentaries. So, even if you’re not into sugar gliders, this game brings a unique twist to survival games and is definitely worth a try.
Very Positive - 83%
Dinosaurs are also animals, right? So, naturally, beingone of the most realistic dinosaur simulatorsout there, The Isle deserves a place on this list. Whether you decide to play as a human or your favorite dino, the only goal is to survive.
This is an open-world survival game with many dangerous prehistoric creatures after all. You’ll start out tiny and vulnerable, so learn how to hunt and claim territory if you want to stay alive. At the end of the day, a single mistake could cost you big.
