Highlights

  • Don't Starve Together surprises players with its multiplayer update, offering the same tension and excitement as the original game.
  • Fans of Don't Starve Together can enjoy other multiplayer games like Project Zomboid, Valheim, Minecraft, Space Engineers, Outward, Grounded, Raft, We Need To Go Deeper, and Rust.
  • Each recommended game offers unique gameplay experiences, from surviving a zombie apocalypse to exploring underwater depths or battling against other players in a hostile landscape.

There are plenty of video games that are developed by AAA studios that are practically expected to be the next big thing in gaming, long before they even hit the market. However, it’s always more exciting when an indie darling can catch everyone by surprise and do even more with substantially less. Such is the case with Don’t Starve Together, the multiplayer update to the acclaimed game, Don’t Starve.

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Don’t Starve Together perfectly translates the tension and excitement of the original game into a multiplayer experience, but it’s not the only title that achieves such magic. Accordingly, there are many multiplayer games like Don’t Starve Together for fans of the fantastic survival game to enjoy.

Updated on January 20, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The specifications for each recommended game have been added, including their platforms and release dates.

21 Project Zomboid

Players survive together on servers that are either hosted or joined

A survivor holding out against a horde of zombies outside of a store
Project Zomboid

Platform(s)
PC
Released
November 8, 2013
Developer(s)
The Indie Stone
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Despite looking like a simple title, Project Zomboid's fun gameplay and tough challenges made it a huge hit among survival fans. Every death feels like a lesson learned as players try to develop a wealth of skills to tackle the zombie apocalypse.

This game becomes quite engaging with friends once everyone gets a hang of how the game is played. Each session of Project Zomboid is rife with danger and thrills, with players ruing the loss of their partners in-game when the going gets tough... which it does. A lot.

20 Valheim

Co-op with up to 10 people

valheim-crafting-feature
Valheim

Released
February 2, 2021
Developer(s)
Iron Gate AB
Genre(s)
Sandbox , Survival

Despite being in Early Access, many players consider Valheim to be one of the best survival games ever made. The objective of gaining Odin's favor in a world inspired by Norse mythology makes for a truly great time in every way.

The co-op gameplay of this title is incredibly engaging and keeps players invested for hours on end. It's easy to see why most people predict that this game's full release would serve as one of the most important moments for the survival genre!

19 Minecraft

Co-existing on a wealth of servers, some of which are ridiculously detailed

Minecraft Player Builds Famous RV From Breaking Bad
Minecraft

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS3 , PS Vita , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , Switch , 3DS , PC , Android , iOS , Wii U
Released
November 18, 2011
Developer(s)
Mojang
Genre(s)
Sandbox , Survival

Minecraft is a survival game that needs no introduction. The title has become one of the most popular indie titles of all time, featuring a vibrant community and etching its name in the annals of pop culture history.

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The simple act of scrounging materials to survive in a world whose difficulty can be governed by the player leads to a session of Minecraft either being extremely relaxing or devilishly challenging. This experience is enhanced when shared with a friend, with the game's servers being abundant and legendary in their own right.

18 Space Engineers

Private, friends-only, and public servers for players to join

Two astronauts standing on a ship looking out at space and a planet while another astronaut floats in Space Engineers
Space Engineers

Released
October 23, 2013
Developer
Keen Software House
Genre(s)
Simulation , Sandbox

It took around six years for Space Engineers to come out of early access although fans of the game will argue that it was well worth the wait. The game looks great! At this point, it's overflowing with content to the point where completing it all will take players hundreds of hours. That's not a bad return at all for a title that costs less than $15!

The game shares quite a few similarities with No Man's Sky in terms of its core mechanics, but where the latter chooses to focus on providing an endless sandbox for players to explore, Space Engineers instead devotes itself to giving its players a first-class multiplayer experience. Whether or not it truly succeeds in this regard is debatable, but it's hard to argue that what it does provide isn't both unique and enjoyable.

17 Outward

Split-screen and online co-op

Outward Game
Outward

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
March 26, 2019
Developer
Nine Dots
Genre(s)
RPG

It's rare to find a game that's able to challenge players without ever feeling unfair, but that's exactly what Outward manages to achieve. Better still, as well as online multiplayer, the game also offers local split-screen which is becoming increasingly rare in the modern age. It's certainly not without its flaws, but they're far outweighed by the many, many positives.

Its graphics are certainly nothing to write home about, but what it lacks in visual fidelity, it more than makes up for elsewhere. The game features a slew of old-school RPG mechanics and combines them with some of the more recent survival game concepts to great effect. Choices feel meaningful and gameplay is fluid which together leads to a wonderful experience whether playing on one's own or together with a friend.

16 Grounded

Join online games with other players easily

grounded thumbes up
Grounded

Released
September 27, 2022
Developer(s)
Obsidian Entertainment
Genre(s)
Survival Horror , RPG

Released in mid-2020, Grounded is one of the most original survival games on the market and, for those old enough to remember it, will likely invoke fond memories of the classic eighties comedy, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. That's because the plot is somewhat similar, with players taking on the roles of young children who have been shrunk down to the size of ants.

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In order to survive, they'll need to brave an army of insects while being sure not to starve or dehydrate. Much of the game takes place within the confines of a single backyard, with new areas becoming available as the main story progresses. Naturally, these new areas contain stronger, more dangerous insects like spiders and bees, ensuring that the difficulty level increases together with the player's skill.

15 Raft

Co-op survival on a deserted island

best-multiplayer-games-like-dont-starve-together-raft
Raft

Platform(s)
PC
Released
June 20, 2022
Developer(s)
Redbeet Interactive
Genre(s)
Survival

Those who enjoyed being thrown straight in at the deep end in Don't Starve Together will likely have a lot of fun with Raft. They'll begin their playthrough with nothing but a single scrap of wood, but will eventually find the materials and resources needed to expand that lonely plank into the game's titular raft. Well, they will if they can survive for long enough to find what they need, anyway.

Like many other survival games set on deserted islands, Raft places a big emphasis on finding food and water. Some of the islands that players visit are also home to dangerous creatures like sharks and bears, which can make exploration both challenging and exciting due to the increased dramatic tension. Exploring and surviving with friends through the game's online multiplayer mode only makes for a more enjoyable experience.

14 We Need To Go Deeper

A cooperative roguelike game in a submarine that supports 2 to 4 players

best-multiplayer-games-like-dont-starve-together-we-need-to-go-deeper
We Need to Go Deeper

Platform(s)
PC
Released
February 8, 2017
Developer(s)
Deli Interactive
Genre(s)
Action

The hand-drawn art style employed by Deli Interactive's We Need To Go Deeper is incredibly reminiscent of the one used in Don't Starve Together, making this a great option for those who liked the look and feel of Klei Entertainment's smash hit. That's not the only thing that's similar though, with many of the survival elements found throughout the title feeling incredibly familiar as well.

Set on a submarine deep underwater, We Need To Go Deeper allows for up to four-player co-op and forces players to deal with unusual and often terrifying sea creatures. It's one of the more challenging survival games on the market in that respect, but, for those looking to test both themselves and, most likely, their patience with their fellow players, We Need To Go Deeper is definitely the game for them.

13 Rust

Uninhibited chaos on servers where humans survive against all odds in a hostile landscape

Rust seventh anniversary Movember cake
Rust

Platform(s)
macOS , PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
February 8, 2018
Developer(s)
Facepunch Studios
Genre(s)
Survival

It was always clear that Rust had something special about it but it took quite some time for the game to truly realize its full potential. That said, watching the game's evolution since it debuted in 2013 has been nothing short of remarkable with improvements made right across the board. It's still recognizable despite these many changes, but the experience it provides is entirely different today. Well, apart from the griefers, that is. Sadly, they're still just as prevalent as ever!

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Originally based on DayZ, the game has gone on to find its own identity and has become one of the most popular online survival games out there. It features crafting, base-building, hunting, and PvP as well as a wide range of customization options. The game has now sold more than nine million copies and maintains a strong and dedicated fanbase to this day. This means that finding people to play with remains simple even in spite of the game's advancing years.

12 The Wild Eight

8-players co-op as players struggle to survive after a plane crash

The Wild Eight
The Wild Eight

Platform(s)
PC
Released
February 8, 2017
Developer(s)
Fntastic , Eight Points
Genre(s)
Adventure , Survival

After their plane crashes in the middle of nowhere, a group of eight survivors are left stranded in the wilderness and must adapt in order to survive. As they wait to be rescued, they have to work together in order to avoid falling victim to the mysterious entities that surround them. It may have taken developer Fntastic a little longer than some would have liked to get The Wild Eight working as promised, but, for a low-budget crowd-funded game, the end result is pretty damn impressive.

Some may not like the game's minimalistic art style, but those able to look past its simplicity will find a lot to like elsewhere. It features a strong narrative, solid crafting mechanics, and an intriguing world that's sure to pull players in. Where it really shines, however, is through its multiplayer mode which helps to provide players with a real sense of purpose and an added significance to all that they do.

11 Green Hell

Players survive together on servers that are either hosted or joined

A player holding a spear looking at a waterfall in Green Hell
Green Hell

Platform(s)
PC , Switch , Xbox One
Released
September 5, 2019
Developer(s)
Creepy Jar
Genre(s)
Survival

Green Hell is one of the best-looking survival games on the market with each leaf of the Amazon rainforest beautifully rendered in glorious high definition. Looks aren't all that the game has going for it either, with an interesting story, challenging gameplay, and rewarding multiplayer all contributing to the game's greatness in equal measures.

Players will need to wade into the experience slowly if they're to have any hope of making it out on the other side as there's a lot to learn when it comes to the game's mechanics. For that reason, those who lack patience might be better served elsewhere. Anyone who's willing to put the time in, however, will come away from their time with Green Hell with a big smile on their face - especially if they played through it with friends.

10 Factorio

Players either band together on a hostile planet to create the best factory, or fight against each other as part of different forces

The map of Factorio
Factorio

Platform(s)
PC , Switch
Released
August 14, 2020
Developer(s)
Wube Software
Genre(s)
Simulation , Real-Time Strategy

Factorio takes some of the doom and gloom aesthetic of Don't Starve Together and mashes it together with a Sim City-esque structure in what's a deeply engrossing experience. Factorio is a construction and management simulation title that allows players to construct and maintain factories while they manage resources and other necessary factors.

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There are plenty of games like Factorio, but the heavy focus on factories is an asset, as is the fact that this game can also be a two-player experience where both players are paranoid over resource management.

9 Starbound

Players can either join or host servers that are modestly sized

Starbound Multiplayer busy ship with various lodgings, rooms, hovering over planet
Starbound

Platform(s)
PC , Xbox One
Released
December 4, 2013
Developer(s)
Chucklefish
Genre(s)
RPG , Sandbox

Starbound is an ambitious action-adventure game that takes place after the destruction of Earth and is set on a spacecraft and various planets. As players explore the galaxy they acquire different necessary items and resources for survival and engage in a number of quests and missions.

Starbound features a stripped-down graphical style that works in its favor. It’s a game that can be tackled with more than one player, which makes the experience even more enjoyable, and the team survival aspect feels very reminiscent of Don't Starve Together.

8 7 Days To Die

Players join servers and band together to survive against the game's aggressive zombies

An attack in 7 Days to Die
7 Days to Die

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
December 13, 2013
Developer(s)
The Fun Pimps
Genre(s)
Survival , Horror

7 Days to Die should be a mandatory experience for any fans of Don't Starve Together. It takes the same multiplayer survival aspect and cranks up the severity in a post-apocalyptic open world full of zombies.

7 Days to Die is as much a tower defense game and first-person shooter as it is a survival horror game. It juggles all of these genres well in a title that doesn’t feel complicated. It really allows players to work together in creative ways to survive and it's a well-developed title.

7 Stardew Valley

Split-screen or online co-op with 2 to 4 players

Stardew Valley Field Multiplayer
Stardew Valley

Platform(s)
PC , Xbox One , Android , iOS , PS4 , Switch
Released
February 26, 2016
Developer(s)
ConcernedApe
Genre(s)
RPG , Simulation

To be fair, Stardew Valley is much more of a riff on Harvest Moon and other classic simulation role-playing games than it is on Don't Starve Together, but it still manages to tap into the same energy due to its addition of multiplayer.

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Stardew Valley can be done alone and it's a very calming experience, but bringing a partner into the fun is a much more relaxing alternative to the tension that's present in Don't Starve Together. Both titles are also largely open-ended and more about the players’ shared experience than a strong narrative.

6 ARK: Survival Evolved

Players join servers and band together to survive

ARK Survival Evolved Hunting Multiplayer
ARK: Survival Evolved

Platform(s)
Linux , macOS , PC , PS4 , Xbox One , Stadia , Switch , iOS , Android
Released
August 29, 2017
Developer(s)
Studio Wildcard
Genre(s)
Survival

ARK: Survival Evolved had some kinks in it upon its initial release, but, fortunately, they’ve since smoothed them out and brought multiplayer into the picture. ARK is another survival experience game, but it’s a notable exception because it involves dinosaurs.

It’s a satisfying change of pace to be able to hunt down and also survive against these prehistoric beasts as well as forge rudimentary weapons. It’s even more enjoyable with a partner along for the ride since it’s a smart idea to have reinforcements against a dinosaur.

5 Orcs Must Die! 2

2-player co-op goodness

Orcs Must Die 2 Attack
Orcs Must Die! 2

Platform(s)
PC
Released
July 30, 2012
Developer(s)
Robot Entertainment
Genre(s)
Tower Defense

Tower defense games can be a lot of fun and they’re some of the most reliable forms of multiplayer or cooperative gaming. The Orcs Must Die! games tap into that popular genre, but then inject it full of beastly orcs and other supernatural monsters.

Orcs Must Die! 2 is a graphical upgrade and brings some appreciated new features into the game. It’s even more of a treat to work through this defense and action title with a friend. It certainly makes it easier to take out the hordes of monsters.

4 The Forest

8-player cooperative multiplayer in the hostile wilderness

Fightining in The Forest
The Forest

Platform(s)
PC , PS4
Released
April 30, 2018
Developer(s)
Endnight Games
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Titles like Don't Starve Together have helped solidify just how much of an audience there is for apocalyptic survival games that push players to work together as a team. The Forest riffs on the same ideas that a lot of the games in the genre explore, but it uses the unassuming environment of a forested area as a pressure cooker for horror.

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The game is full of unnerving enemies that are pure nightmare fuel and it amplifies the disorienting nature of the woods. It's the kind of title where a partner is helpful just for moral support.

Sons of the Forest is also available, although the sequel is still in early access.

3 Terraria

Join servers to play with others

Terraria Multiplayer
Terraria

Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X , Switch , Vita , iOS , Android , macOS , Linux , 3DS , Stadia
Released
May 16, 2011
Developer(s)
Re-Logic
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure , Sandbox

Terraria is a title that offers up something for everyone in its open sandbox environment. There are basic survival and resource management mechanics, but there's also plenty of crafting, collecting, or hunting.

There are certainly shades of Minecraft present in Terraria, but the teamwork aspect and the idea of surviving through a crisis make the game feel like Don't Starve Together more than other games. Terraria has such a charming art style and it’s a game that’s not afraid to throw some crazy ideas and visuals at the audience, much like Don’t Starve Together.

2 Rising World

Create a new world or play with friends on an existing one

Rising World Bear Hunting
Rising World

Platform(s)
PC
Released
December 3, 2014
Developer(s)
JIW-Games
Genre(s)
Action-Adventure

Rising World tries to be true to its name and really act as a new home for gamers. There's the ability to create and destroy environments, but also robust activities like fishing. Rising World even features a day-night cycle and a weather rotation system, all to create a more diverse experience.

Rising World allows players to work together and hang out in each other's worlds. Rising World was a little rough around the edges at first, but it’s grown into quite a full and satisfying title. It's a much less stressful multiplayer experience than Don't Starve Together.