Best Survival games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated survival games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free survival games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
DayZ
How long can you survive a post-apocalyptic world? A land overrun with an infected "zombie" population, where you compete with other survivors for limited resources. Will you team up with strangers and stay strong together? Or play as a lone wolf to avoid betrayal? This is DayZ – this is your story.
Kingdom Two Crowns
Gather coins, build defenses and reclaim your fallen Kingdom. Explore and uncover secrets, unlock new technologies and protect your crown versus waves of Greed monsters that come at night. Kingdom is a solo or co-op micro-strategy and tower defense game set in an atmospheric pixel world.
Obenseuer
Obenseuer is an urban survival RPG game, where you become a property manager of a rundown unfinished tenement building, in an isolated quarantine district of Obenseuer. Maintain and upgrade your tenement for rent, uncover the secrets of this infamous district and grow your wealth with your craft.
Kenshi
A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Train your men up from puny victims to master warriors.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
A tactical game combining the turn-based combat of XCOM with story, exploration, stealth, and strategy. Take control of a team of Mutants navigating a post-human Earth. Created by a team including former HITMAN leads and the designer of PAYDAY.
Prime World: Defenders 2
Defenders 2, - an exciting hybrid of Tower Defense and CCG, - is now available on Steam! Challenge endless hordes of monsters: build an impassable defense on their path and protect your mines. Collect all the unique towers and prove that even a tornado is not an obstacle for you.
Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Bad North is a charming but brutal real-time tactics roguelite. Defend your idyllic island kingdom against a horde of Viking invaders, as you lead the desperate exodus of your people. Command your loyal subjects to take full tactical advantage of the unique shape of each island.
One Hour One Life
A multiplayer survival game of parenting and civilization building. Get born to another player as your mother. Live an entire life in one hour. Have babies of your own in the form of other players. Leave a legacy for the next generation as you help to rebuild civilization from scratch.
Lost in Vivo
A horror game about claustrophobia. During a storm your service dog is forced down a broken sewer drain. You find the nearest sewer entrance and run in after it. Along the way you will meet others that are also stricken by abnormal or psychological fear.
DOKA 2 KISHKI EDITION
DOKA 2 KISHKI EDITION is a game where you kill zombies, or you yourself are zombies, this is a game where you kill in the most sophisticated ways of people, that is, there you can come up with a certain area. Thank you for my rock childhood.
Zombie Builder Defense
Top down, action packed, multiplayer, zombie shooter. Build your base with friends and see how long you can survive the endless horde of zombies. Level up with friends, or alone, how you die is up to you.
The Colonists
Build a new home for your team of robots as they begin a new life for themselves on a distant planet where they can fulfil their ultimate dream: to be human.
Star Shelter
Star shelter is a space survival game built from the ground up for VR. You are stranded in space, you must climb around in Zero-G, explore, scavenge, craft, hack and fight to survive. You have to build, arm and upgrade your own space station in order to escape the cosmic graveyard.
Grim Nights
Your village must survive for 13 days! Gather resources, expand, explore the underground for riches, and train soldiers to defend against hordes of the undead.
Giraffe Town
A giraffe born with slippery feet sets out to find love...
Chinese Parents
In this casual sim set in China, you step into the shoes of an average kid from birth towards the end of your high school. Study hard, have fun, make friends and face your ultimate challenge, the “Gaokao”. What will your life be after that? And when you have a child, will you be a Tiger Parent?
Niffelheim
Your avatar is a brave warrior who has fallen in battle. But instead of well-deserved peace in Asgard, his soul is trapped in the harsh world of Niffelheim. Survive in this hostile world, ransack the neighbor lands, explore dangerous dungeons and find your way to Valhalla
Dark Deception
Death awaits you in Dark Deception, a story-driven first-person horror maze game. There's nowhere to hide & nowhere to catch your breath. Run or die - it's your choice. Trapped in a realm of nightmarish mazes with a mysterious woman, your only hope of survival is to find a way to escape.
Orion Sandbox Enhanced
This is a 2D crafting survival sandbox game. You will be able to explore a huge 2D side-view world, building houses, crafting tools, weapons and armour from the resources you collect. There is a day/night cycle and each night many dangerous monsters can be found and defeated.Most played survival games on Steam
Take a look at the top survival games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 16th 2025.
1. Rust
The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife, other inhabitants, the environment, and other survivors. Do whatever it takes to last another night. Rust is a survival, crafting and multiplayer game developed and published by Facepunch Studios. Released on February 08th 2018 has received 1,210,131 reviews of which 1,055,970 were positive and 154,161 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played survival game, thanks to its 79,179 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.7
1,055,970
154,161
79,179
players
2. DayZ
How long can you survive a post-apocalyptic world? A land overrun with an infected "zombie" population, where you compete with other survivors for limited resources. Will you team up with strangers and stay strong together? Or play as a lone wolf to avoid betrayal? This is DayZ – this is your story. DayZ is a survival, open world and online co-op game developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on December 13th 2018 has received 424,833 reviews of which 325,442 were positive and 99,391 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. While seeing 31,464 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among survival games based on player count.
7.6
325,442
99,391
31,464
players
3. Terraria
Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available! Terraria is a open world survival craft, sandbox and survival game developed and published by Re-Logic. Released on May 16th 2011 has received 1,394,254 reviews of which 1,359,264 were positive and 34,990 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. While seeing 28,364 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among survival games based on player count.
9.7
1,359,264
34,990
28,364
players
4. RimWorld
A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. RimWorld is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Ludeon Studios. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 207,285 reviews of which 203,071 were positive and 4,214 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 19,206 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played survival games.
9.7
203,071
4,214
19,206
players
5. Valheim
A brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players, set in a procedurally-generated purgatory inspired by viking culture. Battle, build, and conquer your way to a saga worthy of Odin’s patronage! Valheim is a open world survival craft, survival and online co-op game developed by Iron Gate AB and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on February 02nd 2021 has received 494,961 reviews of which 467,117 were positive and 27,844 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 18,374 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played survival games.
9.4
467,117
27,844
18,374
players
6. Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite.. Project Zomboid is a survival, zombies and open world game developed and published by The Indie Stone. Released on November 08th 2013 has received 367,520 reviews of which 346,127 were positive and 21,393 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 18,071 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played survival games.
9.3
346,127
21,393
18,071
players
7. 7 Days to Die
7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits! 7 Days to Die is a survival, zombies and multiplayer game developed by The Fun Pimps and published by The Fun Pimps Entertainment LLC. Released on July 25th 2024 has received 366,213 reviews of which 324,486 were positive and 41,727 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 18,059 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played survival games.
8.8
324,486
41,727
18,059
players
8. Palworld
Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called "Pals" in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game! Palworld is a open world, survival and multiplayer game developed and published by Pocketpair. Released on January 18th 2024 has received 376,422 reviews of which 354,339 were positive and 22,083 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 16,982 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played survival games.
9.3
354,339
22,083
16,982
players
9. ARK: Survival Evolved
Stranded on the shores of a mysterious island, you must learn to survive. Use your cunning to kill or tame the primeval creatures roaming the land, and encounter other players to survive, dominate... and escape! ARK: Survival Evolved is a open world survival craft, survival and multiplayer game developed by Studio Wildcard, Instinct Games, Efecto Studios and Virtual Basement LLC and published by Studio Wildcard and Snail Games USA. Released on August 27th 2017 has received 724,811 reviews of which 607,154 were positive and 117,657 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 16,339 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played survival games.
8.3
607,154
117,657
16,339
players
10. Once Human
Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future. Unite with friends to fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, compete for resources, and build your own territory. Once, you were merely human. Now, you have the power to remake the world. Once Human is a multiplayer, free to play and open world survival craft game developed and published by Starry Studio. Released on July 09th 2024 has received 124,888 reviews of which 92,215 were positive and 32,673 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. With 14,237 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played survival games.
7.3
92,215
32,673
14,237
players
Best deals on survival games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of survival games available on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted survival games.
1. The Pale Beyond
You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond. The Pale Beyond is a resource management, survival and choices matter game developed by Bellular Studios and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on February 24th 2023 has received 1,808 reviews of which 1,609 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for survival category.
8.5
1,609
199
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. This Means Warp
It’s co-op space survival fun, Jim, but not as we know it. This Means Warp is an intense spaceship management roguelite experience for 1-4 players. Explore a procedurally generated universe, upgrade your ship, battle dangerous enemies and adapt your strategies to survive in a hostile galaxy. This Means Warp is a survival, online co-op and space game developed by Outlier and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on May 04th 2023 has received 620 reviews of which 445 were positive and 175 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in survival games.
6.9
445
175
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. Tin Can
You've barely managed to escape your exploding spaceship. Now in an old escape pod, you hurtle through space at the mercy of the cosmos. With no knowledge of the pod’s complex systems, your life depends on a technical manual and your own wits. How long can you survive? Tin Can is a simulation, space and survival game developed by Tin Can Studio and published by Tin Can Studio and IndieArk. Released on May 12th 2022 has received 1,175 reviews of which 995 were positive and 180 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in survival games.
8.1
995
180
-94%
16.67€
1.00€
4. Help Will Come Tomorrow
In an uninhabitable Siberian wilderness, in a wake of October Revolution, a group of passengers survives the mysterious catastrophe of Trans-Siberian railway train. They must endure in a harsh ice-clad climate until rescue arrives. Facing many dangers, their own weaknesses and, their own prejudice. Help Will Come Tomorrow is a survival, adventure and resource management game developed by Arclight Creations and published by Klabater. Released on April 21st 2020 has received 884 reviews of which 708 were positive and 176 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.6
708
176
-94%
19.67€
1.18€
5. Dead Age
Survive the zombie apocalypse with a “Final Fantasy” turn-based combat and permanent death! Manage survivors, craft materials, and make difficult decisions. Defend your camp against hordes of the undead to prevail in this non-linear rogue-lite (comparable to FTL). Innovative Indie Survival-RPG! Dead Age is a rpg, zombies and strategy game developed by Silent Dreams and published by Headup. Released on November 04th 2016 has received 5,457 reviews of which 4,457 were positive and 1,000 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.9
4,457
1,000
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
6. The Flame in the Flood
A rogue-like river journey through the backwaters of a forgotten post-societal America. Forage, craft, evade predators. The Flame in the Flood is a survival, adventure and action roguelike game developed by The Molasses Flood and published by The Molasses Flood and Curve Games. Released on February 24th 2016 has received 7,140 reviews of which 5,423 were positive and 1,717 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.4
5,423
1,717
-93%
15.14€
1.06€
7. Garbage
Experience the struggle which a homeless man goes through in a humorous manner. Primitive elements of contemporary life that we take for granted, such as staying warm, well-nourished, and hygienic, will become an issue. Garbage is a simulation, management and strategy game developed by Homebased and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on June 04th 2021 has received 1,109 reviews of which 741 were positive and 368 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for survival games.
6.5
741
368
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
8. Frostpunk
Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process? Frostpunk is a city builder, survival and resource management game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on April 24th 2018 has received 121,609 reviews of which 112,488 were positive and 9,121 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for survival games.
9.1
112,488
9,121
-91%
30.00€
2.70€
9. Conan Exiles
An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer. Conan Exiles is a survival and open world game developed and published by Funcom. Released on May 08th 2018 has received 106,283 reviews of which 83,576 were positive and 22,707 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.8
83,576
22,707
-91%
41.89€
3.77€
10. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis
A medieval city under siege and a handful of civilians are all that keep the walls from falling. Mixing survival strategy and resource management, build your camp, craft supplies, and scavenge the occupied city to supply the last troops holding back the invaders. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis is a singleplayer, city builder and immersive sim game developed by Black Eye Games and published by Ravenscourt. Released on May 18th 2021 has received 1,627 reviews of which 1,283 were positive and 344 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.6
1,283
344
-91%
25.11€
2.26€
Free survival games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play survival games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play survival games.
1. Once Human
Once Human is a multiplayer open-world survival game set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future. Unite with friends to fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, compete for resources, and build your own territory. Once, you were merely human. Now, you have the power to remake the world. Once Human is a multiplayer, free to play and open world survival craft game developed and published by Starry Studio. Released on July 09th 2024 has received 124,888 reviews of which 92,215 were positive and 32,673 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. With 14,237 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free survival games on Steam.
7.3
92,215
32,673
14,237
players
2. Unturned
You're a survivor in the zombie infested ruins of society, and must work with your friends and forge alliances to remain among the living. Unturned is a free to play, survival and zombies game developed and published by Smartly Dressed Games. Released on July 07th 2017 has received 553,929 reviews of which 505,358 were positive and 48,571 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 8,948, this survival game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free survival games on Steam.
9.1
505,358
48,571
8,948
players
3. Eternal Return
Eternal Return is a free-to-play, 2.5D perspective Battle Royale game. Search, Craft, Hunt, and Fight using a variety of characters. Plan your strategy and become the last survivor on this eternal experiment. Eternal Return is a free to play, anime and multiplayer game developed by Nimble Neuron and published by Nimble Neuron and SapStaR Games. Released on July 19th 2023 has received 64,273 reviews of which 51,171 were positive and 13,102 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 2,326, this survival game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free survival games on Steam.
7.9
51,171
13,102
2,326
players
4. Fallout Shelter
Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec. Build the perfect Vault, keep your Dwellers happy, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland. Fallout Shelter is a free to play, base-building and survival game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on March 29th 2017 has received 73,710 reviews of which 65,209 were positive and 8,501 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 962 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
8.7
65,209
8,501
962
players
5. Muck
Muck is a survival-roguelike. Collect resources, find items & build a base to survive for as long as you can. Muck is a survival, multiplayer and crafting game developed and published by Dani. Released on June 05th 2021 has received 174,482 reviews of which 163,372 were positive and 11,110 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 799 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
9.3
163,372
11,110
799
players
6. Stay Out
Stay Out - is a MMORPG with shooter elements, based on spirit of “stalking” - an urban exploration, searching and exploring mysterious, abandoned and forgotten by humanity pieces of our planet. Stay Out is a free to play, survival and multiplayer game developed and published by MOBITECH LLC. Released on November 27th 2019 has received 25,115 reviews of which 16,289 were positive and 8,826 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 615 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
6.4
16,289
8,826
615
players
7. Will To Live Online
Will To Live is a MMORPG-shooter whose action takes place in a severe post-apocalyptic world. Explore the world, engage in fights with mutants and other survivors, join the clans in the struggle for existence and prove your right to Live. Will To Live Online is a survival, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by AlphaSoft LLC. Released on April 05th 2018 has received 17,454 reviews of which 12,204 were positive and 5,250 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 294 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
6.9
12,204
5,250
294
players
8. No More Room in Hell
The chances of you surviving this all out war of society and the undead are slim to none. Already, there are millions of the walking dead shambling about, searching for food to eat. There's no known cure. One bite can possibly end it all for you. However, you aren't alone in this nightmare. No More Room in Hell is a free to play, zombies and multiplayer game developed by No More Room in Hell Team and published by Lever Games. Released on October 31st 2013 has received 73,867 reviews of which 66,402 were positive and 7,465 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 270 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
8.9
66,402
7,465
270
players
9. Super Sus
Welcome to join the multiplayer social deduction game - Super Sus! Engage in intense gameplay with global players, as you strategize to safeguard your spaceship from the cunning Impostors determined to sabotage the mission and eliminate everyone aboard! Super Sus is a multiplayer, online co-op and social deduction game developed and published by GIANT INTERACTIVE HK LIMITED. Released on July 30th 2024 has received 1,084 reviews of which 748 were positive and 336 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 182 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
6.7
748
336
182
players
10. Zumbi Blocks 2 Open Alpha
Loot. Kill. Survive. Can you escape ? (probably not) Zumbi Blocks 2 is the official sequel to the 2013 free browser zombie game. Stuck on an island, cut off from the rest of humanity, you wake up. The secret to breaking free from this place lies asleep, underground. From the soil, zumbies emerge. Zumbi Blocks 2 Open Alpha is a action, multiplayer and open world survival craft game developed and published by Adrian Kaminski. Released on April 15th 2023 has received 7,679 reviews of which 6,817 were positive and 862 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free survival games on Steam.
8.6
6,817
862
96
players