As far as video game genres go, survival usually has an attached connotation to it; it's supposedly stressful and intimidating. Because it turns out, catering to basic needs without the comfort of a society is tougher for the typical modern man even digitally, much to the chagrin of his caveman ancestors. But thanks to technology and virtual escapism, survival needn't be hard, especially for beginners of the video game genre.
"Easy survival" sounds like an oxymoron, but these games do exist, and they act as the perfect gateway substance to get some beginners hooked and primed for harder challenges. After all, the survival genre is a steadily growing industry niche in gaming and having some beginner-friendly titles is proof that there's something for everyone, even the most squeamish of digital survivalists.
8 Minecraft
- Release year: 2011
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Xbox 360, Raspberry Pi, Windows Phone, PlayStation 3, Fire OS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Apple TV, tvOS, Nintendo Switch, New Nintendo 3DS
Minecraft takes the "there's something for everyone" idea too seriously. It's everywhere now and is one of the most available games on any market. It's also one of the most accessible— even five-year-old kids can have fun with this post-apocalyptic survival game.
The secret lies in simplicity. Minecraft's Spartan approach to gameplay and graphics ensures that everyone gets a grasp of what it's all about and how to play it. At the same time, it also fosters creativity by letting players build whatever they want with the game's building blocks.
7 No Man's Sky
- Release year: 2016
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
There's no doubt that No Man's Sky has completely redeemed itself and is now a gift that keeps on giving. It's primarily an exploration sandbox game where players drive their spaceship from planet to planet mining and building. However, there's also a survival gameplay mode that leaves players stranded on a hostile planet.
Even so, that mode isn't as tough as the more dedicated survival games and players can ease themselves into that with the default game mode for No Man's Sky. Regardless of the game mode, the main draw of No Man's Sky has always been the diverse and procedurally-generated environments.
6 Astroneer
- Release year: 2016
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Astroneer is similar to No Man's Sky. It's also a survival sandbox exploration game set in a sci-fi environment. In this game, players are tasked with exploring and reshaping distant and alien worlds, practically acting as colonists. As always, colonization has its risks and in this game, players will have to worry about their character's oxygen levels.
Still, it's a pretty relaxed experience since there aren't many basic needs or resources to cover here compared to those hardcore survivalist simulators that fuss too much about realism. Astroneer's gameplay loop, for that matter, is mostly leisurely terraforming a virgin planet.
5 Subnautica
- Release year: 2014
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh operating systems
Speaking of leisurely strolls in paradise, Subnautica has those in spades except it's a swim instead of a stroll. It's a nautical-themed survival game where players are deep-sea divers, or pretty much undersea astronauts as they explore, study, and uncover the mysteries of the vast deep oceans.
What makes it great for beginners is that Subnautica manages to strike a good balance between fun and desperation. There's usually no apprehensive atmosphere here where players feel like rushing every time and jumping from food to food. There are plenty of moments to appreciate the game's innate and masterfully crafted marine beauty.
4 Among Trees
- Release year: 2020
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Among Trees is relatively recent and didn't make much of a splash in the sea of survival games since it was only released for one platform. That doesn't mean it's not worth playing as it quickly sets itself apart by being more Swiss Family Robinson instead of Robinson Crusoe.
It's a survival sandbox game set in a paradise where there's relatively little to no threat of dying and all players have to do to stay safe is partake in the foliage and mushroom buffet until they get plump enough and start building a relaxing cabin in the woods. To that end, it's similar to Astroneer or No Man's Sky except it's the tree-hugger version of those games.
3 Green Hell
- Release year: 2018
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Green Hell is actually hardcore and story-driven, similar to a horror-survival game like The Forest. Players start out as a man looking for his wife after they got separated in the humid and wild Amazon rainforest. The reason why beginners might find it welcoming is that the game has difficulty sliders Reducing the difficulty to the easiest can make it more like a digital Amazon rainforest field trip.
Moreover, the game world's size isn't that big. In fact, at times, it can feel a bit cramped with a narco drug lab situated a few running meters from an Amazon village and what not. Still, that makes the game a lot more manageable for newcomers.
2 Frostpunk
- Release year: 2018
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, iOS, Android
Frostpunk is a unique blend of genres as it's a strategy game, a city-builder, and a survival game rolled into one. Also, it's not that easy, but it's highly accessible thanks to the myriad of tutorials and fair progression that eases players into higher difficulties.Its atmosphere as a survival game is also unmatched and is an excellent game to draw anyone who needs convincing about the appeal of survival games.
In Frostpunk, players take on the role of the mayor of a post-apocalyptic city after the whole world got turned into a freezer. They must then manage and delegate the resources and expand heating and basic facilities while also taking care of the social aspects of their fractured society by picking an ideology.
1 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim/Anniversary Edition
- Release year: 2011 (2021 for the Anniversary Edition)
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
The decade anniversary edition of Skyrim has more to offer in case its fans are starting to get bored. Because this version officially included a dedicated survival mode. Prior to that, modders had to force in their own preferred survival mechanics. Players who don't want to do some modding needn't tinker with their game installations any longer.
Skyrim's survival mode adds the need for eating, sleeping, drinking, and warmth. Players will also need to cook food, manage their inventory better because of the reduced carry weight, and also grit their teeth as they traverse the rough Nord terrain since there's no fast travel. Of course, compared to other hardcore survival titles, it's still fun and manageable, making it a lovely welcoming wagon for beginners in the genre. As an added bonus, players get to be woken up Ralof (again) in the said welcome wagon.