Survival gamesare spread across every console, with many being available pretty much everywhere. Whether you play via Steam or from the comfort of your couch, there is something for everyone. If you are a PC gamer looking for some good survival games, then you’ve come to the right place.
Here, we are going to take a look at the best survival games available on PC. Most of these games are available on Steam, making them easy to purchase and download. Additionally, some of these games vary in skill/difficulty; keep this in mind if you are a beginner to the genre.
These games are presented in no particular order.
Updated June 08, 2025 by Jacqueline Zalace:Survival games provide a great immersive experience. Once you finish a survival game, you may be itching for the next, but thankfully, we’re here for you. We’ve updated this list with a few more of the best PC survival games that you can play.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way; Minecraft. If you have any interest in survival games, then you’ve probably heard about this survival crafting game. Minecraft is a powerhouse that has captured the hearts of gamers pretty much everywhere.
Minecraft places you in a vast world with tons of resources. you’re able to build an epic base, oropt for PvP content. Regardless of your choice, you will need to survive in the blocky world without falling victim to monsters or other players.
Ark: Survival Evolved is another classic. In this game, you are thrown into a harsh world filled with dinosaurs. While surviving, you will need to build a protective base and upgrade your gear. You will also be able to tame the creatures that populate the world, essentially giving you dinosaur pets.
you’re able to also check out Ark: Survival Ascended, which is the 2023 remake of Evolved.
These tames can act as mounts, as well as help you gather resources. Ark: Survival Evolved really shines when playing with others. you’re able to join a large server filled with hostile players, as well as make a small server with friends to work together.
Sons of the Forest is the first truly scary game we have on our list. In this game, you are tasked with finding a missing billionaire on an island, which happens to be full of cannibals. These aren’t just normal-looking people though; some of these cannibals have become quite horrifying to look at.
If you are a fan of Sons of the Forest, be sure to also check outThe Forest. This game launched first, but you don’t have to play them in order to understand what is going on. Still, we suggest checking out both.
Next up, we have Kenshi. This is a sandbox survival game, which means you can do anything that your heart desires. You can customize your characters (yes, you can have a squad), build bases, and explore the vast world.
While this may sound relaxing, Kenshi can be quite brutal. The world is dangerous, but still interesting enough to keep you hooked after death. At its core, Kenshi is a classic RPG set in an open environment.
Rust is another game where pretty much everything in the world is out to get you. Rather than focusing on a ‘job’ as you would in Kenshi, your main task in Rust is to not die. This is also another game that shines when playing with others. This could be teaming up with friends, or killing anyone that stands in your way.
Thankfully, Rust is also infinitely playable. On Steam, you will see dozens of reviews with players well over 1,000 hours. Overall, Rust is one of the best games to play if you are looking for a multiplayer survival experience.
Valheim is a bit more laid-back than previous entries. In this Norse mythology-inspired world, you will need to build the ultimate Viking den while defeating a series of world bosses. Along the way, you’re able to travel to new biomes, explore dungeons, and take on strong enemies, like thegiant blue trollshown above.
While there is a clear boss progression to follow, you can pause this and dedicate hours to building a home worthy of a great Viking hero. Valheim can be played with friends, but a solo-player experience is totally possible. Just sit back, listen to the music, and kill some Greydwarves.
A lot of survival games through zombies or other paranormal creatures your way. In Green Hell, the enemy is the jungle around you. Real-world problems can affect you in Green hell, ranging from disease to your own mental health (sanity).
Rather than feeling like a video game jungle, Green Hell feels like real life. This includes the addition of Body Inspection, which allows you to essentially diagnose where your pain is coming from. This differs from many other games where you consume some sort of healing item and instantly (or gradually) get better.
Enshrouded was first launched in January 2024, bringing players to Embervale. This game is set in a world where a mysterious fog known as the Shroud has spread throughout the land. Your goal is to build a base, save NPCs, andfight back against the Shroud.
Along the way, you’re able to take the typical survival game detours; build a mansion, craft strong armor, and pillage enemy outposts. With intense combat and powerful enemies, Enshrouded is a challenging breath of fresh air.
The name of the game in Don’t Starve is to… not starve. Don’t Starve can be enjoyed solo, but you can also check out Don’t Starve Together, which supports up to six players. After selecting a character type, you will need to work together, eat food, and survive the night.
Don’t let the cartoonish 2D graphics fool you; this game can be quite difficult, especially if you are new. If you and other players all die, you may even have to start again from scratch.
Ever dream about being the bad guy? In V Rising, you can play as a bloodthirsty vampire, building your vampire castle in the depths of the forest. During the day, focus on upgrading and expanding your lair. When night falls, head out into the world, kill villagers, and loot outposts.
V Rising is a unique survival experience, as you have considerably more power than the average human. Along the way though, you can run into powerful bosses. After defeating them, you will be able to gain new recipes and abilities.
