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
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard
Fear and isolation seep through the walls of an abandoned southern farmhouse. "7" marks a new beginning for survival horror with the “Isolated View” of the visceral new first-person perspective.
Alien Shooter TD
Innovative Tower Defense inspired by legendary Alien Shooter series! The game was created in keeping with the best traditions of Sigma`s games, no concessions of any kind - everything is just like in real life!
Tattletail
It’s Christmas 1998. The world’s most annoying toy just came out, and yours won’t stay in his box. Can you stop Tattletail from getting you in trouble before the bloodthirsty Mama Tattletail hunts you down? Story-driven first person horror. New DLC Included!
Art of War: Red Tides
Art of War: Red Tides is a fair multiplayer strategy game that allows different teams on the same platform (e.g. smartphones, PC, etc.) to battle against each other. You will encounter players around the world!
Castle of no Escape 2
Explore 6 x 6 x 6 = 216 rooms of randomly generated hazards and enemies while collecting the necessary artefacts. Hundreds of monsters are roaming inside, guarding the sword shards — the last known thing to be capable of defeating the demonic castle owner.
The Walking Dead: A New Frontier
After society was ripped apart by undead hands, pockets of civilization emerge from the chaos. But at what cost? Can the living be trusted on this new frontier?
Force of Nature
Force of Nature is a Sandbox game that combines Action, Adventure, RPG, Strategy and Management genres
Arizona Sunshine®
Built exclusively for VR, Arizona Sunshine® puts you and up to 3 fellow survivors in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Survive solo or in co-op, handle weapons with real-life movements, and explore a post-apocalyptic world in VR. Putting the undead back to rest is more thrilling than ever before.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Shadow Tactics is a hardcore tactical stealth game set in Japan around the Edo period. A new Shogun seizes power over Japan and enforces nationwide peace. In his battle against conspiracy and rebellion, he recruits five specialists with extraordinary skills for assassination, sabotage and espionage.
Hunger Dungeon
Hunger Dungeon is a 1-6 player round-based Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game with a special pixel art style. Battle with more than 12 unique characters in fast-paced Free-for-All and Team Deathmatch rounds. Or take on the challenging Dragon Mode - the exciting first PvE mode!
Drop Alive
“Happiness is only real when shared, especially with a water drop”. (Isn’t that how it goes?). Take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the greatest journey you’ll ever set out on with the cutest friend.
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.
Killing Floor 2
In KILLING FLOOR 2, players descend into continental Europe after it has been overrun by horrific, murderous clones called Zeds that were created by rogue elements of the Horzine Corporation. 6-player Co-Op & 12-player VS Zed-slaughtering mayhem.
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.
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!
Through the Woods
Through the Woods is a third-person Norse horror adventure set in a forest on the western shores of Norway that tells the story of a mother and her missing son.
VERSUS SQUAD
Versus Squad is a fast action twin-stick shooter from the creator of Nation Red. Build your own sandbox defense and battle thousands of zombie mutants in top down combat! Face up to a dozen bosses. Simultaneously. Collect loot, build and repair. Play single player, on-line or local coop!
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).
Awkward Dimensions Redux
They may be awkward dimensions, but they're my dreams...
Killing Room
Rogue-like FPS with strong RPG elements set in a 22nd century reality-show parody. Win a fortune or die, but never disappoint your audience. And audience is virtual or real with revolutionary but optional features for streamers and their fans.
Blameless
Blameless is a mysterious first-person adventure with primary focus on puzzle solving and short story. The player will appear in a role of an architect trying to investigate strange happenings, after discovering evidence of an act of violence.
Predynastic Egypt
Do you know how did Ancient Egypt looked like before the Great Pyramids? Lead the future Egyptian citizens all the way through the historical hardships to the Unification of Lower and Upper Egypt, and you will find out!
Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location
Welcome to Circus Baby's Pizza World, where family fun and interactivity go beyond anything you've seen at those *other* pizza places! Now hiring: Late night technician. Must enjoy cramped spaces and be comfortable around active machinery. Not responsible for death or dismemberment.
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 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 survival 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 survival games based on player count.
8.7
1,071,135
156,649
110,456
players
3. 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 46,727 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among survival games based on player count.
7.6
330,349
99,903
46,727
players
4. 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. With 31,018 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played survival games.
8.3
612,177
117,993
31,018
players
5. 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 27,800 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played survival games.
9.7
206,216
4,301
27,800
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 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 #6 spot among the most played survival games.
9.3
355,171
21,892
27,195
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 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 #7 spot among the most played survival games.
8.8
327,889
42,157
23,106
players
8. 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 #8 spot among the most played survival games.
9.7
1,373,979
35,494
22,766
players
9. 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 #9 spot among the most played survival games.
7.3
97,203
33,996
21,393
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 18,183 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
18,183
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 15th 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€
0.55€
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€
0.38€
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€
0.54€
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€
0.56€
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€
0.53€
10. 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 1,117 reviews of which 746 were positive and 371 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for survival games.
6.5
746
371
-98%
13.99€
0.39€
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 15th 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 21,393 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
21,393
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 10,810, this survival game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free survival games on Steam.
9.0
506,516
48,852
10,810
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 1,208, this survival game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free survival games on Steam.
9.2
164,593
11,264
1,208
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 983 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
983
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 388 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
388
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 346 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
346
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 214 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
214
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. Attracting a solid base of 134 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free survival games on Steam.
8.6
7,068
899
134
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
96
players
10. Dead Maze
Dead Maze is a 2D MMO game set in a destroyed contemporary world, filled with zombies. Explore the world, scavenge and craft as many items as possible, to survive the hostile environment and upgrade your gear and camp as you go. Dead Maze is a free to play, survival and zombies game developed and published by Atelier 801. Released on February 13th 2018 has received 4,713 reviews of which 3,540 were positive and 1,173 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free survival games on Steam.
7.3
3,540
1,173
69
players