Highlights

• Free survival games offer thrilling and captivating adventures for gamers of all types, with stunning visuals and engaging gameplay.
• Players can choose from a wide selection of survival games, both popular and lesser-known, to find the right game for their preferences and skill level.
• These free survival games provide a range of experiences, from eerie and spine-chilling to feel-good and hilarious, ensuring hours of enjoyable gameplay.

Free games can be just as engaging and visually stunning as their paid competitors. While the list is not endless, it's not impossible to find free survival games that are among the most thrilling or scary post-apocalyptic games that fans of the genre will ever have a chance to play.

RELATED: The Best Survival Horror Games Of The Last Console Generation

Thanks to there being such a wide selection, both beginner and more experienced gamers can find the right survival games for them that'll surely provide a few hours of joyous and adventurous playtime. Players can choose from fun survival simulators and popular survival games that are played by millions of gaming fans all over the world or try one of the lesser-known survival games.

Updated September 20, 2023, by Via Erhard: Free survival games offer players a wide array of adventures that are as thrilling as they are captivating. No matter if someone is a seasoned gaming pro or just a casual player who is looking to have some fun with friends and family, these free survival games have something special to offer for gamers of all types. During their adventures, gaming fans can explore some of the most stunning virtual realms, where they can uncover heart-pounding mysteries, face off against relentless foes, and dive into futuristic worlds teeming with danger and excitement. However, players will have to do much more than shoot their way through these beautiful worlds and will have to rely on their strategic and problem-solving solving skills as well. Thanks to brilliant creators, players can go on some of the most eerie, spine-chilling, as well as feel-good adventures of their lives.

1 Swallow the Sea

Swallow the Sea is a unique and surreal 2D free-to-play survival exploration game that offers a short yet captivating underwater journey. During their adventures, players will get to assume the role of a humble egg cell and navigate through a bizarre humanoid fish-filled sea.

Gamers' goal is to survive by preying on smaller life forms, gradually growing larger and stronger. The game also has a unique pixel art design that is both intriguing and grotesque. As players explore this strange aquatic world, they'll meet all kinds of grotesque monsters and will have to make a decision if they want to avoid or devour them. Swallow the Sea is also an ideal choice for both casual and seasoned gamers who love weirdly wonderful adventures.

2 Zardy's Maze

Zardy's Maze is an adrenaline-pumping horror game that will test players' skills as they explore a spine-chilling cornfield maze. As gamers go through this deadly maze, they'll have to cut down colossal, otherworldly plants that have taken root and are trying to kill them.

RELATED: Genuinely Scary PlayStation 1 Games

Players will only be armed with a flashlight and an axe as they face the lurking horrors that dwell in the darkness. This free-to-play horror survival game is a thrilling and spooky experience that keeps players on their toes thanks to its procedurally generated mazes and its fresh challenge with every playthrough.

3 Iron Snout

Iron Snout is a visually vibrant yet downright brutal free-to-play survival game that plunges players into the thrilling showdown between a courageous piglet and relentless hordes of wolves. In this fast-paced and cartoon-like combat game, players will have to unleash special moves against their enemies that are both hilarious and dangerous.

While Iron Snout is a hilarious and colorful survival game, it's also highly challenging, and it even features some of the most vicious and evil animals in video games. It's an unforgettable experience that can be played solo or in co-op mode.

4 Gatekeeper: Eclipse

Gatekeeper: Eclipse is one of the best FPS games of 2023 that provides its players with a fast-paced and thrilling experience. It's a great option for those who love sci-fi shooters and want to embark on an epic quest.

During their journey, players will have to engage in challenging battles since they'll be attacked by hundreds of machine enemies. Their goal is to find the Heart of the Universe that was stolen and to protect it from the evil machines who are emerging from portals. Gatekeeper: Eclipse has a simple but colorful and fun design and is one of the most beginner-friendly free survival games.

5 Empty Shell: Prologue

Empty Shell: Prologue is one of the highest-rated new free-to-play survival games on Steam with a spooky retro art style. Players will step into the shoes of volunteers who have to survive in an abandoned secret facility on a Japanese island.

RELATED: Games With The Saddest Storylines, Ranked

This story-rich horror survival game takes its players on a unique and challenging adventure. Gamers will get to know a chilling story and uncover the dark secrets that led to the end of the facility's operation. Empty Shell: Prologue also offers a unique top-down perspective, which makes the gameplay more interesting.

6 Plokoth

Plokoth is one of the most beautiful free-to-play survival games set in a Jungle. This charming hand-drawn and atmospheric 2D platformer takes its players on a fun adventure and is a great choice for gamers who are looking for family-friendly free survival games.

Players will get to explore three areas of a colorful and mysterious jungle as they step into the shoes of Plo, who has to find a way to destroy a horrible disease and save his girlfriend's life. Plokoth has a simple but entertaining story, and thanks to its action-filled and fun world, it'll provide an enjoyable time for casual and avid gamers alike.

7 Durka Sim

Durka Sim is another beginner-friendly free survival game with minimalist graphics but a hilarious and unique story. Players will get to step into the shoes of Mickey and will have to try to stop the armed invasion of orderlies from another universe with the help of the Mysterious One.

RELATED: The Best PS5 Games That Can Be Run At 4K & 60 FPS

During their adventure, gamers will have to find the infinity stones to neutralize the invasion and eventually take the infinity stones to their ships. Durka Sim is a free-to-play survival visual novel game where players can explore a weird but thrilling world as they try to find a way to survive without any gore or bloodshed.

8 Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter is one of the highest-rated post-apocalyptic survival simulation games with great world-building. This charming free-to-play survival game is perfect for casual and avid gamers alike and anyone who loves retro games that challenge not only their survival skills but critical thinking and planning skills as well.

Fallout Shelter is an atmospheric and fairly casual free survival game that can be played in a single-player or multiplayer mode. Players get to explore a dystopian world where humans have to live two thousand feet beneath the surface of the earth. Gamers also have to find ways to not only keep their Dwellers alive but also keep them safe and build a thriving and happy community.

9 Muck

Muck is one of the most fun free multiplayer survival games that's set in a vibrant yet dangerous fantasy world. This entertaining survival game has unique graphics, and gaming fans can explore a dangerous and one-of-a-kind open world filled with deadly creatures.

RELATED: Most Brutal Survival Games

Muck is one of the most popular survival-rogue-like games that transports its players into a fun but challenging world. It's perfect for those players who are looking for a free-to-play survival game that's not dark or bloody but still challenges them and in which they'll have to use their smarts while crafting, building, and exploring its world.

10 Unfortunate Spacemen

Unfortunate Spacemen is one of the most thrilling free-to-play multiplayer survival horror games set in space. This eerie survival game has dark humor and a twisty psychological horror story and is one of the best games for Among Us fans.

Unfortunate Spacemen takes its players on a memorable journey during which they can become shapeshifters and have to investigate while trying to survive a vibrant but dangerous world. Players get to become brave spacemen who have to survive at a failing outpost where danger lurks around every corner, and no one can be trusted.

11 The Riftbreaker: Prologue

The Riftbreaker: Prologue is one of the best free-to-play survival horror games around and is perfect for those who love vintage games and cool graphics. Thanks to this colorful and challenging survival action RPG, players can become explorers and test their strategic and survival skills while trying to build a base on one of the distant planets of the Milky Way Galaxy.

RELATED: Scariest Smiles In Horror Games

The Riftbreaker: Prologue has creative world-building with deadly aliens as well as a unique planet. Players not only get to explore this new land, but they'll also have to find ways to extract vital resources and collect various specimens while also engaging in battles and trying to protect their base and stay alive.

12 CRSED: F.O.A.D.

CRSED: F.O.A.D. is a massively multiplayer battle royale game that's one of the most underrated survival games that's worth playing. This free-to-play survival game is one of the most brutal and surprisingly beautiful games players can try. Players can not only get into bloody fights in 4 different detailed locations but can customize their characters with all kinds of masks, hats, and other accessories.

It's a fairly bloody game with a great selection of realistically modeled weapons and armor players can use to help them be the last man standing. However, players get to use all kinds of imaginative, lethal mystic forces and even superpowers to win their fights. It's a more difficult survival game, so it will be challenging for beginners who not only have to worry about other characters but also the constantly shrinking world around them and the deadly Dark Zone.

13 Scary Buddies

Scary Buddies is not for those who are looking for gore or difficult survival horror games, but it's an excellent choice for those who want to try a great free-to-play survival game and love murder mystery games. This atmospheric murder mystery online party game requires a minimum of 3 players and can be played with up to 15 friends. Players can also make their experience more immersive if they play online in VR.

RELATED: Horror Games To Play If You Like Poppy Playtime

Players will have to spend a weekend in a mysterious and dark secret-filled mansion with friends, but soon it turns out that at least one of them is a murderer. In this customizable spooky game, there could be even multiple killers. Players will take the parts of innocents, cops, and killers and try to stay alive until the bloody weekend finally ends. It's a perfect choice for beginners and avid gamers alike who love detective games.

14 Dead Frontier 2

Dead Frontier 2 is one of the scariest free-to-play online survival horror games that'll surely give its players some nightmares, especially if they're beginners. This free dark survival horror game transports its players into a dangerous and spooky dystopian world where they will be one of the few people who survived a deadly outbreak.

This scary game has great visuals with atmospheric world-building where players will have to face and kill deadly infected zombies on every corner. Players can create their own unique characters, choose skills, and decide if they want to operate alone or in a group. While exploring the game's haunting world and fighting for their survival, players will have to collect supplies, improve their skills, trade with others, and decide if they will help or leave other survivors behind.

15 Fray Fight

Fray Fight is one of the most enjoyable free-to-play 2D RPG survival games that will be entertaining for casual and more experienced gamers alike. In this surprisingly charming Norse mythology-inspired, action-survival game, players can step into the shoes of six unique Viking heroes to build their legacy while fighting their way through monsters and an enemies-filled world to reach Valhalla.

Players will have to be careful and strategic when choosing their build and items, but they will also have to collect gold and use power synergies to be able to survive and defeat the many waves of their thousands of enemies. This entertaining survival game never gets gory or bloody, but players can still fight epic bosses while exploring the game's 4 fun-filled maps.

16 SMITE

SMITE is one of the most surprisingly complex and incredibly fun, free survival games in which players can become goddesses, gods, and all kinds of mythological figures. It's also the perfect fee-to-play survival game for Marvel fans who always wanted to wield Thor’s hammer or become one of the other iconic heroes.

RELATED: Best Survival Games For Newcomers To The Genre

This mythology-inspired game has great graphics and over a hundred playable gods. Players will be able to take part in team-based combat and try to survive fights against real players and during non-player-controlled missions. Because of its complexity, it can be difficult for beginners, so it's a good idea to check for tips, like which are the best Gods for the arena, before getting started.

17 Albion Online

Albion Online is one of the most beloved open-world MMO RPGs with a fascinating world where almost all items, including weapons, armor, and tools, are crafted by players. Gamers can explore Albion's vast medieval fantasy land while taking part in intense battles of all sizes.

The game has a vibrant and great design and a complex world in which players have to learn how to craft, trade, improve their skills, conquer territories, and fight to stay alive. Players will have to fight other players, demons, and all kinds of powerful bosses. Even though players can decide to settle down and build a home, they still need to work on their skills to be able to protect themselves and stay alive in this magical but dangerous land.

18 Paladins

Paladins is a free survival fantasy game in which players will have to fight against other champions in a vibrant but deadly world. It's perfect for gamers who are looking for epic battles but prefer less dark or depressing games and like to play in more feel-good environments with diverse characters.

Players can choose from hundreds of fun skins, each with a unique set of skills that could determine their ability to stay alive during epic fights against powerful enemies. While Paladins is an entertaining and beautiful game, it can be hard for beginners as players will have to move fast to be able to stay alive and defeat more experienced gamers. However, it's a vibrant and exciting game that'll be very enjoyable with a little practice.

19 Apex Legends

Apex Legends is one of the most influential survival games that are free to play and is a perfect choice for those gamers who love battle royale shooters. This award-winning hero shooter has an excellent selection of heroic characters with new legends added constantly, cool weapons, and ever-changing maps.

Players will get to take part in strategic squad play and epic battles in this vibrant sci-fi-inspired world. It's a fairly fast-paced game, and the fights can get too intense for beginners, who'll probably die easily. However, it's a must-try game for sci-fi and survival game fans.

MORE: The Best Survival Games Of All Time