Best Open World Survival Craft 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 open world survival craft games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free open world survival craft games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Salt
Salt is an open world exploration game where you sail from island to island looking for loot and new discoveries! Relax and explore at your own pace, picking a direction and setting sail across a vast ocean filled with quests, merchants, ruins, pirates, and other mysterious places.
cyubeVR
Immerse yourself in a voxel game exclusively designed for VR. A beautiful infinite procedural world. Explore, gather resources, craft with your hands in 3D, and build anything you can imagine. Featuring great VR controls, near-infinite view distance, Steam Workshop mod support, and much more!
Subnautica
Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.
Total Miner
Total Miner is an open world voxel sandbox game. It is primarily designed for creative RPG game builders, but also has two action/adventure style game modes where you can just jump in and play.
Survive the Nights
Survive the Nights is a unique FPS survival game focusing on teamwork, fortification, creativity & strategy. Secure a structure or roam free, the choice is yours. Gameplay focuses on realistic survival, post zombie infestation. Prepare during the day for nightfall. How many nights will you survive?
Stationeers
Stationeers puts you in control of the construction and management of a space station to run by yourself or online with your friends. Complex atmospheric, electrical, manufacturing, agriculture, and gravitational systems require your thought and management at all times!
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!
Castle Story
Castle Story is a creative voxel-based strategy game in which you can build castles one brick at a time using an army of little creatures called Bricktrons. Design and build your own castles, expand your territory in a vast landscape and defend your Bricktrons against onslaughts of hostile creatures.
The Long Dark
THE LONG DARK is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster. There are no zombies -- only you, the cold, and all the threats Mother Nature can muster.
Brigand: Oaxaca
Brigand: Oaxaca is a highly difficult post-apocalyptic RPG/FPS set in Mexico. Emphasis is on challenge, a branching story with multiple endings, and total freedom of action (kill friendly characters, rob stores, jump across roofs, etc.).
Creativerse
A sandbox adventure game as big as your imagination.
Phoning Home
A tale of survival about two shipwrecked robots - ION and ANI - on their life-defining journey in this unique genre-mix of exploration, puzzle and survival.
Force of Nature
Force of Nature is a Sandbox game that combines Action, Adventure, RPG, Strategy and Management genres
Junk Jack
Make the world truly yours in Junk Jack, a relaxing sandbox experience focused on building and improving your home. Discover new planets, tame and breed creatures, cook foods, collect animal companions, farm exotic plants, collect fish, grow flowers, play with your friends!
Radiation Island
Radiation Island is a survival adventure game where you craft your own destiny in a huge open world environment. As part of the Philadelphia Experiment you have become stranded in a parallel, alternate reality. Discover this new and mysterious world, with all its surprises.
Planet Explorers
Planet Explorers is an open world sandbox adventure RPG game set on a distant planet. The game uses a new OpenCL calculated voxel system to allow players to change the terrain in any way, create new objects such as weapons, vehicles, objects, and do it anywhere.
Subsistence
Subsistence is a sandbox, first person, solo or co-op, PvE open-world survival game. Struggle through changing seasons to build a base, develop technology and gear-up in the hostile environment. Defend yourself from wildlife, the elements and AI hunters (who also build bases in the world).
How to Survive 2
Dead or Alive? Make up your mind, stranger. We don’t like that undead business here in Louisiana…Survive solo or with friends as you look to fulfill your basic needs of food, water and shelter, crafting your own tools and weapons while you secure your camp and face flesh hungry zombies.
No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky is a game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe.
Frozen State
Frozen State is a brutal, survival game set in a world embraced by the man-made ice age meant to protect mankind from pestilent hybrids. Bitter cold and numbing fear are the constant companions in the journey through the retro-futuristic Frozen State world.
Most played open world survival craft games on Steam
Take a look at the top open world survival craft games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. Dune: Awakening
Rise from survival to greatness and challenge the power of an Imperium in Dune: Awakening, a multiplayer survival game on a massive scale. Survive the sandworm, craft your ornithopter, build a fortress, and ascend to power on an open world Arrakis shared with hundreds of other players. Dune: Awakening is a open world survival craft, massively multiplayer and third person game developed and published by Funcom. Released on June 10th 2025 has received 24,981 reviews of which 21,591 were positive and 3,390 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played open world survival craft game, thanks to its 155,662 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.5
21,591
3,390
155,662
players
2. 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 1,227,784 reviews of which 1,071,135 were positive and 156,649 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. While seeing 110,456 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among open world survival craft games based on player count.
8.7
1,071,135
156,649
110,456
players
3. 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 730,170 reviews of which 612,177 were positive and 117,993 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. While seeing 31,018 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among open world survival craft games based on player count.
8.3
612,177
117,993
31,018
players
4. 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 377,063 reviews of which 355,171 were positive and 21,892 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 27,195 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played open world survival craft games.
9.3
355,171
21,892
27,195
players
5. 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 370,046 reviews of which 327,889 were positive and 42,157 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 23,106 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played open world survival craft games.
8.8
327,889
42,157
23,106
players
6. 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 1,409,473 reviews of which 1,373,979 were positive and 35,494 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 22,766 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played open world survival craft games.
9.7
1,373,979
35,494
22,766
players
7. 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 survival game developed and published by Starry Studio. Released on July 09th 2024 has received 131,199 reviews of which 97,203 were positive and 33,996 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. With 21,393 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played open world survival craft games.
7.3
97,203
33,996
21,393
players
8. 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 499,828 reviews of which 471,451 were positive and 28,377 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 18,183 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played open world survival craft games.
9.4
471,451
28,377
18,183
players
9. 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 creature collector game developed and published by Pocketpair. Released on January 18th 2024 has received 380,709 reviews of which 358,266 were positive and 22,443 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 16,110 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played open world survival craft games.
9.3
358,266
22,443
16,110
players
10. Don't Starve Together
Fight, Farm, Build and Explore Together in the standalone multiplayer expansion to the uncompromising wilderness survival game, Don't Starve. Don't Starve Together is a survival, open world survival craft and multiplayer game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. Released on April 21st 2016 has received 499,061 reviews of which 475,393 were positive and 23,668 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 14,957 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played open world survival craft games.
9.4
475,393
23,668
14,957
players
Best deals on open world survival craft games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of open world survival craft games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted open world survival craft games.
1. Nova Lands
Nova Lands is a factory building, exploration, and island management game. Explore, engage in combat, and automate your industry. The planet you’re on is full of mysteries, creatures, people, and things to do. Welcome to your new home amongst the stars! Nova Lands is a automation, base-building and sandbox game developed by BEHEMUTT and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on June 22nd 2023 has received 2,823 reviews of which 2,546 were positive and 277 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for open world survival craft category.
8.7
2,546
277
-99%
19.99€
0.37€
2. Boundless
Shape your citizen, forge your destiny and sculpt your world in this epic voxel sandbox MMO built on endless possibility. Boundless is a open world survival craft, sandbox and massively multiplayer game developed and published by Monumental and LLC. Released on September 11th 2018 has received 2,745 reviews of which 1,918 were positive and 827 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in open world survival craft games.
6.8
1,918
827
-98%
19.50€
0.56€
3. Starsand
Starsand is a mystic survival game set among the dunes of an arcane desert. An open-world full of danger, vast environments and mysterious happenings await you! Explore, hunt, craft, build – and SURVIVE. Starsand is a open world survival craft, survival and open world game developed by Tunnel Vision Studio and published by Toplitz Productions. Released on November 17th 2022 has received 1,157 reviews of which 773 were positive and 384 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in open world survival craft games.
6.5
773
384
-98%
16.79€
0.44€
4. Breathedge
Survive in outer space! Together with your immortal chicken, discover the truth behind your sudden spaceship crash. Craft tools, pilot vehicles, and even control space stations to survive and explore the wreckage. Breathedge is a open world survival craft, space and singleplayer game developed by RedRuins Softworks and published by RedRuins Softworks and HypeTrain Digital. Released on February 25th 2021 has received 15,320 reviews of which 12,620 were positive and 2,700 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for open world survival craft games.
8.1
12,620
2,700
-97%
24.99€
0.82€
5. Tribes of Midgard
A vibrant blend of survival and action RPG for 1-10 players! Craft legendary items, grow your home base and embark on an epic journey through procedural realms to face towering creatures hel-bent on unleashing Ragnarök. Valhalla can wait, Einherjar! Tribes of Midgard is a open world survival craft, online co-op and multiplayer game developed by Norsfell and published by Gearbox Publishing. Released on July 27th 2021 has received 22,475 reviews of which 17,197 were positive and 5,278 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for open world survival craft games.
7.5
17,197
5,278
-97%
19.99€
0.60€
6. Above Snakes
Piece by piece, create your own world in this relaxing Wild West-inspired worldbuilder. Craft, farm, hunt, build your base, and explore. Above Snakes is a open world, atmospheric and open world survival craft game developed by Square Glade Games and published by Crytivo. Released on May 25th 2023 has received 1,699 reviews of which 1,297 were positive and 402 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for open world survival craft games.
7.4
1,297
402
-97%
24.99€
0.83€
7. Life is Feudal: Your Own
Hardcore and realistic; LiF is a Medieval multiplayer sandbox RPG, with free terraforming, a rich crafting system and preset and modular building construction. With engaging survival aspects, no target physics-based combat and a unique formation system - along with numerous other features - LiF is not for the faint of heart! Life is Feudal: Your Own is a open world survival craft, medieval and open world game developed and published by Bitbox Ltd.. Released on November 17th 2015 has received 12,000 reviews of which 7,912 were positive and 4,088 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for open world survival craft games.
6.5
7,912
4,088
-96%
19.99€
0.86€
8. How to Survive 2
Dead or Alive? Make up your mind, stranger. We don’t like that undead business here in Louisiana…Survive solo or with friends as you look to fulfill your basic needs of food, water and shelter, crafting your own tools and weapons while you secure your camp and face flesh hungry zombies. How to Survive 2 is a survival, zombies and multiplayer game developed by Eko Software and published by 505 Games. Released on September 08th 2016 has received 10,914 reviews of which 7,552 were positive and 3,362 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for open world survival craft games.
6.8
7,552
3,362
-95%
14.99€
0.84€
9. The Wild Eight
The Wild Eight is an intense survival action-adventure set in the frozen wilderness of Alaska. Team up with friends in online co-op or go solo, explore the mysterious land, craft weapons and fight to live another day. The Wild Eight is a survival, open world survival craft and multiplayer game developed by Eight Points and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on October 03rd 2019 has received 7,897 reviews of which 5,407 were positive and 2,490 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for open world survival craft games.
6.7
5,407
2,490
-95%
24.99€
1.28€
10. How to Survive
“A real Gem” – Destructoid at E3 “Offers a different experience for zombie game veterans” – Co-Optimus“Has a lot more going for it than smashing brains and gory, red goo ... With a surprisingly deep crafting system” – GamesRadarYou're shipwrecked on an isolated island, a desperate castaway in a total freakshow world. How will you survive? How to Survive is a survival, zombies and crafting game developed by Eko Software and published by 505 Games. Released on August 29th 2014 has received 17,025 reviews of which 14,071 were positive and 2,954 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for open world survival craft games.
8.1
14,071
2,954
-94%
14.99€
0.92€
Free open world survival craft games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play open world survival craft games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play open world survival craft 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 survival game developed and published by Starry Studio. Released on July 09th 2024 has received 131,199 reviews of which 97,203 were positive and 33,996 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. With 21,393 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free open world survival craft games on Steam.
7.3
97,203
33,996
21,393
players
2. 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 multiplayer, action and open world survival craft game developed and published by Adrian Kaminski. Released on April 15th 2023 has received 7,967 reviews of which 7,068 were positive and 899 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 134, this open world survival craft game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free open world survival craft games on Steam.
8.6
7,068
899
134
players
3. Ylands
Adventure awaits you and your friends in the world of Ylands! Gather resources, craft tools, construct anything and everything, and explore the lands! Build a ship and set sail, encountering mythical animals, a wide variety of sea-life, enemies of all kinds and much more! Ylands is a adventure, multiplayer and free to play game developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on December 05th 2019 has received 8,040 reviews of which 5,072 were positive and 2,968 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free open world survival craft games on Steam.
6.2
5,072
2,968
81
players
4. Walking Zombie 2
Zombie singleplayer shooter in modern polygon graphics with rich RPG elements. Walking Zombie 2 is a fps, zombies and open world survival craft game developed and published by Alda Games. Released on October 11th 2019 has received 12,515 reviews of which 10,981 were positive and 1,534 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free open world survival craft games on Steam.
8.6
10,981
1,534
80
players
5. XERA: Survival
Action-focused, open world survival shooter, PvPvE against fellow mercenaries and lethal XOIDS. Raid for resources alone or with team-mates, build and defend your base, stash your gear and survive against the odds. You are the hunters. You are the hunted. And the robots never sleep… XERA: Survival is a base-building, open world survival craft and multiplayer game developed and published by Spotted Kiwi Interactive. Released on September 26th 2021 has received 7,774 reviews of which 5,185 were positive and 2,589 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free open world survival craft games on Steam.
6.6
5,185
2,589
43
players
6. Cubic Castles
Your blocks, your castle, your world! Build anything you can dream up and explore with other players! Cubic Castles is a mini-MMO that combines the best of block-building and 3D platform action! Create fantastic parkour challenges, explore worlds made by other players, or even make friend! Cubic Castles is a free to play, open world survival craft and building game developed and published by Cosmic Cow LLC. Released on August 13th 2014 has received 4,280 reviews of which 3,172 were positive and 1,108 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free open world survival craft games on Steam.
7.2
3,172
1,108
13
players
7. BEACHED
A free-to-play, low-poly, open-world survival shooter where you’ll battle other players, explore massive monuments, and fight to stay alive. Build and fortify your base to defend against enemy raids, gather resources, and conquer a harsh, competitive world. Survival means doing whatever it takes. BEACHED is a free to play, multiplayer and early access game developed and published by Gradient Studios. Released on August 04th 2021 has received 3,524 reviews of which 2,286 were positive and 1,238 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free open world survival craft games on Steam.
6.4
2,286
1,238
5
players
8. Planet Explorers
Planet Explorers is an open world sandbox adventure RPG game set on a distant planet. The game uses a new OpenCL calculated voxel system to allow players to change the terrain in any way, create new objects such as weapons, vehicles, objects, and do it anywhere. Planet Explorers is a open world survival craft, sandbox and open world game developed and published by Pathea Games. Released on November 08th 2016 has received 6,812 reviews of which 4,226 were positive and 2,586 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free open world survival craft games on Steam.
6.1
4,226
2,586
5
players
9. Arid
Discover the mysteries of the Atacama, explore the abandoned mining networks, evade the scorching sun and survive the environment in one of the most arid place in the world. Arid is a FREE survival game made by students from Breda University. Arid is a open world survival craft, survival and multiplayer game developed by Sad Viscacha Studio and published by Breda University of Applied Sciences. Released on June 29th 2021 has received 1,868 reviews of which 1,620 were positive and 248 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free open world survival craft games on Steam.
8.3
1,620
248
3
players
10. Tinkerlands: A Shipwrecked Adventure
A Shipwrecked Adventure is a free prologue immersing you into the vast world of Tinkerlands. Uncover the story of the first survivors on these mystical islands. Explore the breathtaking archipelago, craft essential tools, build your settlement, and strive to survive! Tinkerlands: A Shipwrecked Adventure is a open world survival craft, action-adventure and procedural generation game developed by CodeManu and Endless Coffee and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on April 12th 2024 has received 2,035 reviews of which 1,920 were positive and 115 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free open world survival craft games on Steam.
9.0
1,920
115
2
players