What separates survival games from other genres is how immersive and demanding they can be. These games truly make the player feel like they are a part of the world. To mimic the intensity of surviving, most games within the genre are pretty difficult, which can put some players off. However, the genre is gaining popularity thanks to the growing availability of many hardcore survival games on more platforms.
One essential consideration when crafting a good survival game is its length. They need to be long enough for players to fully understand the world, while not being overwhelmed by the mechanics (since survival games often don't hold players' hands). These games on this list get it right. The engage the player, and are long enough to keep them entertained even when there is downtime.
6 Green Hell: 16 Hours
One of the more demanding survival games out there, Green Hell requires players to pay attention to everything, especially the character's state of mind — which can alter the world. Players can play solo or co-op, but solo is where Green Hell becomes a challenge. In this mode, things start to happen that force players to rely on their wits to survive. Otherwise, the character's mind will work against them.
16 hours is probably the best length for Green Hell because of how limited the environment is. Since it's just in the Amazon rainforest, trying to do more would make the game less appealing. Still, it provides the player with plenty of entertainment.
5 Subnautica Below Zero: 20 Hours
What sets Subnautica Below Zero apart is not just its length, but also the environment. While many survival games these days are set in post-apocalyptic worlds, this game takes place deep in the ocean of an alien planet. Its appeal lies in how vast the world is and everything players can do. The world is so big that many players haven't fully discovered everything in the world.
Since it's 20 hours long, players will be too busy fighting off the game's terrifying beasts to complete it. For good measure, going after those creatures will help them survive and escape quicker. Adding to Subnautica Below Zero's appeal is the learning curve. It is both challenging and rewarding; however going into it blindly will slow down the pace. If players consider using these tips, they'll be progressing in no time.
4 Don't Starve: 33 Hours
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This is probably one of the most challenging survival games, where everything matters and permadeath is a threat. From the errands to the day and night cycle, everything within Don't Starve has an impact on the player's actions. During the day, players will have time to find resources, recipes, and other things to help them build a base. At night it's a different story. Players must have a light source or the screen will be black and an enemy named Charlie will attack the player.
Don't Starve sits at 33 hours to completion, which gives players more time to discover the open world and deal with its characters. The game is quite difficult, but once players master the mechanics, Don't Starve becomes easier. It rewards players for sticking with it, leading to its appeal.
3 Rust: 64.5 Hours
A hardcore survival shooter, Rust is so complex that only dedicated players will play. Like most games of Rust's ilk, it's true to life in many of its mechanics. Even though Rust is under 65 hours, it can be longer due to fact that it's a multiplayer game as well.
When a game like Rust is true to life, everything gets more difficult due to the hunger, thirst, and health mechanics that need monitoring. Ignoring them will make players lose quite often and early. Since Rust is quite hard, players should follow some tips or guides, because like most survival games, it requires patience. Since the developers of Rust are always adding more content, it's always a good time for new players to get into it.
2 DayZ: 39.5-120 Hours
DayZ has inspired many games, such as The Day Before. Both are centered around zombie infections and require strong teamwork in order to survive. However, unlike The Day Before, DayZ puts more emphasis on gathering resources and trying to stay alive as long as possible. Players will have to fight zombies and other players at the same time because DayZ also acts as a battle royale as well. With the minimum being just under 40 hours, players will have tons of time to explore the Soviet Russian landscape.
But what makes DayZ so popular is that it leans into the survival aspect. For example, if players eat food that isn't cooked well, they may get sick, making them an easier target to hit. These mechanics give have a steep learning curve, but will make players feel like they're accomplishing something in-game.
1 Ark: Survival Evolved: 55-855 Hours
This is probably one of the more unique survival games in the genre, as players roam the world with dinosaurs. Ark: Survival Evolved has many different modes, but the most important ones are the PVP and PVE. In PVE, players can work together to build bases, train and breed dinosaurs, and play the game with less worry. In PVP, players can do the same thing, but with impending attacks from other players.
Not only is Ark: Survival Evolved one of the biggest Xbox games, it's also the longest sitting, between 55 and 855 hours for single-player. However, while riding and attacking dinosaurs may be appealing, players should note how difficult the game can be, even for survival games enthusiasts. However,, once players get their tribes by joining other players, things become less demanding and more entertaining.