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
Longvinter
Fish, farm, craft, gather, cook, loot or steal from other players and build a campsite or a village with your friends in an open-world multiplayer sandbox game without rules!
Dark PGT
Dark PGT – A Souls-like game in an alternate universe of future USSR on Unreal Engine 5. You will play the role of alcoholic-schizophrenic experiencing psychological disorders and hallucinations. Travel to a village in 2030 to unravel all its secrets and solve all its problems.
The Backrooms 1998 - Found Footage Survival Horror Game
The Backrooms: 1998 is a first-person found footage psychological horror survival game where it tells the story of a young teen after accidentally falling into the depths of The Backrooms in 1998. Roam freely, mark, explore and try unravel the story - however you are not alone. Don't scream.
Ancient Cultivatrix
"Ancient Cultivatrix" is a Roguelite cultivation game with tower defense elements. The world was corrupted by chaos and became utterly depraved. Please gather the surviving cultivatrices and unite them. Enhance Taoist energy and spiritual prowess together, gradually uncovering the elusive truth.
Legacy: Steel & Sorcery
Legacy: Steel & Sorcery is an action-combat PvPvE extraction RPG set in the classic fantasy world of Mithrigarde, rich with expansive outdoor zones. Play solo or with friends to gather loot, slay creatures, and defeat other players.
Mind Over Magic
Mind Over Magic is a colony sim set at the site of a cursed magic school. Build and optimize your own magical academy, train powerful Mages, and master mighty relics in order to battle through the Underschool, a mysterious underground dungeon that holds the key to liberation from a deadly curse.
My Little Blacksmith Shop
Craft weapons, armor and tools, manage resources and expand your workshop. Experience realistic physics-based forging, unlock new recipes and special orders, and interact with a medieval town's inhabitants as you work to become the greatest blacksmith in the land.
Foundation
Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.
Achilles: Survivor
Thousands of enemies. One survivor. Fight like a demigod, build deadly defenses, and grow stronger after every run in this fast-paced bullet hell set in mythic Greece.
Dying Light
First-person action survival game set in a post-apocalyptic open world overrun by flesh-hungry zombies. Roam a city devastated by a mysterious virus epidemic. Scavenge for supplies, craft weapons, and face hordes of the infected.
Settlements Rising
Settlements Rising is a medieval city building and colony management game. It offers a lively colony experience with simulated villagers, dozens of professions and resources, natural disasters, and raids, while providing full control over the colony through trade, production chains and datas.
IDUN - Frontline Survival
A defense RTS where you can move turrets at will. Extract resources, upgrade technology, and defend against enemy swarms in a gripping space campaign. Hold the line, set up your turrets, and brace for screen-filling hordes!
汉尘：腐草为萤
“The last day of Han dynasty”It is a survival simulation business game based on the background of the end of the Han Dynasty in China. From the perspective of ordinary people, you can spend a difficult but warm time, and keep warm together with the characters you know in the troubled times.
Warlords Under Siege
Warlords Under Siege is a mix of RTS and Roguelike genre, where you build a small city and defend it against continuous waves of enemies. Improve your assortment of weapons with each playthrough, unlocking new possibilities to beat the ever-increasing threat.
MISTERY
A multiplayer game of survival and social deduction. You work with others to collect materials, survive the dangers, and complete tasks. Beware of monsters, but more of the alternates disguising as your teammates. They can change into supernatural monsters and attack you at any time.
Last Train Outta' Wormtown
Last Train Outta' Wormtown is a chaotic Sandworm vs. Cowboys showdown. The Worm can only detect players touching the sand, like "hot lava" with a giant sandworm twist! Work together, Complete the objectives, and get outta' Wormtown! - Or, play as the Worm and gobble up your friends!
Age of Darkness: Final Stand
Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a dark fantasy survival RTS where you must illuminate, build and defend humanity’s last bastion against hordes of Nightmares. Set in the remnants of a kingdom consumed by a deadly fog, you decide. Will you hide in the light? Or take back your world.
Aloft
Soar the skies in Aloft, the co-op sandbox survival game set in a world of floating islands. Build any island into a skyship, your home in the clouds. Find lost knowledge, cure the fungal corruption, and brave the hurricane to restore the ecosystem.
Airborne Empire
Build your sky city while exploring a vast landscape in this Open World RPG City Builder. Combining the methodical construction and management of a city builder; the unique lift, balance, and propulsion needed for a flying city; and the compelling characters, dangers, and adventures of an RPG!
The Last Flame
Recruit a party of unique heroes, fight deadly encounters, loot and craft powerful gear, discover and create thousands of synergetic builds! The Last Flame is an endless roguelike auto-battler in which you guide a righteous party of heroes through many challenges.
硬币与仙人掌 (Coins & Wishpalm)
Discover a Knight's life after laying 『Down The Sword』-------- Experience the rich 'daily leisure' content after the battle.
My Summer Car
My Summer Car is the ultimate car owning, building, fixing, tuning, maintenance AND permadeath life survival simulator. You start the game with hundreds of loose parts and assemble both car and engine.
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 June 14th 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 1,227,784 reviews of which 1,071,135 were positive and 156,649 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played survival game, thanks to its 108,775 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.7
1,071,135
156,649
108,775
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 430,252 reviews of which 330,349 were positive and 99,903 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. While seeing 41,880 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among survival games based on player count.
7.6
330,349
99,903
41,880
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 28,844 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among survival games based on player count.
8.3
612,177
117,993
28,844
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 210,517 reviews of which 206,216 were positive and 4,301 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 24,465 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played survival games.
9.7
206,216
4,301
24,465
players
5. 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 24,053 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played survival games.
9.3
355,171
21,892
24,053
players
6. 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 23,369 reviews of which 20,361 were positive and 3,008 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 23,241 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played survival games.
8.5
20,361
3,008
23,241
players
7. 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 19,867 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played survival games.
9.7
1,373,979
35,494
19,867
players
8. 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 19,113 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played survival games.
7.3
97,203
33,996
19,113
players
9. 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 19,108 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played survival games.
8.8
327,889
42,157
19,108
players
10. 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 15,613 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played survival games.
9.4
471,451
28,377
15,613
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 June 14th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted survival games.
1. 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 627 reviews of which 447 were positive and 180 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for survival category.
6.8
447
180
-99%
19.50€
0.38€
2. 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 1,862 reviews of which 1,658 were positive and 204 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in survival games.
8.5
1,658
204
-98%
19.50€
0.45€
3. Terraformers
Terraform Mars in this turn-based colony builder and resource management game with roguelike elements. Explore the planet, develop spectacular cities, spread life and turn the Red Planet into a green one! Terraformers is a simulation, procedural generation and survival game developed by Asteroid Lab and published by Goblinz Publishing and IndieArk. Released on March 09th 2023 has received 3,293 reviews of which 2,906 were positive and 387 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in survival games.
8.5
2,906
387
-98%
19.99€
0.44€
4. 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 1,198 reviews of which 1,015 were positive and 183 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for survival games.
8.1
1,015
183
-98%
17.99€
0.46€
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 5,475 reviews of which 4,467 were positive and 1,008 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.9
4,467
1,008
-98%
14.99€
0.39€
6. 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 893 reviews of which 714 were positive and 179 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.6
714
179
-98%
19.99€
0.46€
7. 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 1,641 reviews of which 1,295 were positive and 346 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.6
1,295
346
-98%
24.99€
0.50€
8. Dead In Vinland
DEAD IN VINLAND is a survival/management game, mixed with RPG and adventure elements, about a Viking family trying their best to survive on a mysterious island. Dead In Vinland is a rpg, strategy and survival game developed and published by Ishtar Games. Released on April 12th 2018 has received 1,691 reviews of which 1,313 were positive and 378 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.5
1,313
378
-98%
19.99€
0.49€
9. Shortest Trip to Earth
Shortest Trip to Earth is a roguelike spaceship simulator focused on exploration, ship management and tactical battles. Embark on a perilous journey across the universe with nuclear missiles, armed crew and a cat. Shortest Trip to Earth is a rogue-lite, space and strategy game developed and published by Interactive Fate. Released on August 15th 2019 has received 1,390 reviews of which 1,072 were positive and 318 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for survival games.
7.4
1,072
318
-98%
25.13€
0.54€
10. 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. Phoning Home is a adventure, action and indie game developed and published by ION LANDS. Released on February 07th 2017 has received 1,046 reviews of which 719 were positive and 327 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10.
6.6
719
327
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 June 14th 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 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 19,113 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free survival games on Steam.
7.3
97,203
33,996
19,113
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 555,368 reviews of which 506,516 were positive and 48,852 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 10,000, this survival game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free survival games on Steam.
9.0
506,516
48,852
10,000
players
3. 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 175,857 reviews of which 164,593 were positive and 11,264 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 951, this survival game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free survival games on Steam.
9.2
164,593
11,264
951
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 74,448 reviews of which 65,847 were positive and 8,601 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 921 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
8.7
65,847
8,601
921
players
5. 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 17,577 reviews of which 12,263 were positive and 5,314 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 403 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
6.9
12,263
5,314
403
players
6. 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 74,253 reviews of which 66,753 were positive and 7,500 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 333 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
8.9
66,753
7,500
333
players
7. 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 1,263 reviews of which 871 were positive and 392 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 211 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
6.7
871
392
211
players
8. 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. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free survival games on Steam.
8.6
7,068
899
99
players
9. Faaast Penguin
"Faaast Penguin" is a wild and thrilling knockout action racing game where up to 40 penguins collide in a chaotic race to the finish! It's free with cross-platform support! Unleash attacks! Hop on ULTIMATE RIDES! Use shortcuts! Pass your rivals and reach the finish line first! Faaast Penguin is a free to play, battle royale and multiplayer game developed and published by historia Inc.. Released on September 19th 2024 has received 1,159 reviews of which 859 were positive and 300 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free survival games on Steam.
7.1
859
300
91
players
10. CRSED: Cuisine Royale
CRSED: Cuisine Royale – is a brutal MMO last-man-standing shooter with realistic weaponry, elements of lethal mystic forces and incredible superpowers! CRSED: Cuisine Royale is a battle royale, free to play and multiplayer game developed by Darkflow Software and Matter Team and published by Gaijin Network Ltd. Released on June 15th 2018 has received 38,590 reviews of which 30,411 were positive and 8,179 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free survival games on Steam.
7.8
30,411
8,179
75
players