The gameplay-reveal trailer of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl has left people with an immense desire to play it. It had everything that a gamer could ask from a survival horror genre and more. The aesthetics, design, and attention to detail felt extremely polished, which is why people are waiting to play it. For now, the initial release date for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is 28 April 2022.
While nothing can make the months of wait go away, there is something that can certainly make it easy. After all, there are many great survival horror games that players can check out if they're fans of survival horror games like the STALKER series, with many games eliciting the same level of tension and fear that makes these games so immersive in the first place.
Updated on July 12, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra: STALKER is one of the most hardcore and tough survival horror games ever made, with the simple act of exploring the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone being a nerve-wracking endeavor where death awaits the player at every corner. As a result, it takes a while to get into these games... but the feeling of mastering STALKER's gameplay loop is extremely satisfying, and it's easy to see why the wait for Heart of Chornobyl is proving to be downright unbearable for many fans. Thankfully, there are more than enough games in this genre that can scratch the itch for players until STALKER 2 finally releases.
15 Project Zomboid
It may feel like Project Zomboid has been in early access for ages, but that shouldn't prevent people from checking this amazing game out for themselves. The game's focus on horror may not seem all that intense until players have to scrounge for resources desperately while trying to avoid a dangerous zombie horde that can tear their player character up in seconds.
The beauty of Project Zomboid stems from its broad and impressive gameplay systems. Players could approach a situation from various angles depending on their strengths and weaknesses. With updates coming regularly and the game being extremely addictive, it's clear to see that anyone who loves the tense gameplay of the STALKER series will feel right at home with Project Zomboid.
14 Darkwood
Darkwood is one of the most underrated indie games around, with the top-down perspective making many people think that this game isn't really all that frightening. However, the addition of a vision cone coupled with some truly insane sound design leads to a game that will shock players to their very core while looking over their shoulders every step of the way.
The atmosphere of this game is unmatched, and the larger-than-life nature of the horrors that plague players is truly nightmarish to behold. Players who get scared pretty quickly will be extremely unnerved by how Darkwood manages to weave a horrifying gameplay experience, with its brooding tension paying off in ways that will keep any person alert for the long haul.
13 Don't Starve
Don't Starve is an indie darling that blew up upon release, with its Tim Burton-esque art style and engaging survival gameplay grabbing the attention of many players. The dichotomy between day and night is shown off very well here, with Don't Starve forcing players to scavenge as much as possible during the day to create shelters that prevent the denizens of the night from tearing them apart.
It may seem like a simple gameplay loop that doesn't really bring anything new to the table, but Don't Starve constantly throws curveballs at the player that forces them to adapt with each death. It's an excellent title that provides hours upon hours of gameplay, and any player who loves the tense gameplay of the STALKER series will find Don't Starve to be right up their alley.
12 DayZ
It was 2013 when people got the chance to try out DayZ. This survival horror open-world title quickly caught the eyes of the fans for its extremely brutal gameplay and realistic gunplay. The reason DayZ is so detailed is mainly because of ARMA 2. Originally, this game was just a favored mod for the popular military simulation video game.
As time went on, the mod became a full-fledged game, thanks to developer Bohemia Interactive. After half a decade of early access, DayZ officially made its way to Windows in 2018. Xbox and PS4 also got their version of the game next year.
11 Deadly Premonition
If there's a list of the most-underrated open-world survival horror games, Deadly Premonition is on it. This classic came out on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2010 and later on Windows. In the game, players will assume the role of an F.B.I. Special Agent Francis York Morgan, figuring out a big murder mystery.
Deadly Premonition is a unique game from the puzzles to the design and is certainly worth checking out.
10 The Forest
Anyone who has played The Forest will admit that this one brings horror to the survival genre like no other game. From the outside, The Forest will look like a very polished game. But there's a lot more to it than just visuals.
This game is full of crafty gameplay mechanics that give meaning to the survival-horror genre. In The Forest, players will have to survive cannibalistic mutants while searching for the missing child, Timmy.
9 State of Decay 2
Anyone who has played the State of Decay 2 will vouch for the fact that it's a great survival horror game. But what makes it even better is its world and environment. State of Decay 2 is a zombie game that is pretty much like The Walking Dead in terms of setting.
Players will have to find sources, scavenge, hunt, loot, kill, and survive to progress in the game. It's truly a fun game that becomes even better since it has multiplayer.
8 We Happy Few
When Gearbox Publishing announced this title, many took it as a second coming of the Bioshock or Dishonored games. After all, the style, the setting, and the gameplay were quite a nod to those titles.
However, We Happy Few turned out to be a different kind of action-adventure survival horror game. It has roguelike features in addition to role-playing and survival gameplay mechanics. We Happy Few is a must-play for those who want to try a solid alternate-reality dystopian game.
7 Metro Exodus
Metro titles are known for their amazing graphics and environment. However, most enthusiasts can confirm that Metro games are more than just an excellent system benchmark. They are a solid first-person shooter with great level design and a deep post-apocalyptic backstory.
Metro Exodus takes everything good about its predecessors and throws it into a semi-open world full of mystery. As of now, players can enjoy Metro Exodus on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, Luna, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Linux, and macOS. There's also a sizeable modding community.
6 Days Gone
Some people think Days Gone is excellent, and others think it's average. But no one will deny that it's certainly a fun open-world game. Days Gone offers a plethora of survival gameplay mechanics alongside motorcycle upgrades and enemy hordes.
It is an incredibly fluid and polished game that is certainly a breath of fresh air in its genre. The best part is this game is no longer a PlayStation exclusive anymore. Days Gone is now available on Windows and has a positive Steam users rating.
5 Alan Wake
Alan Wake is a classic and certainly a must-play for anyone looking forward to Alan Wake 2. The remastered version of the original Alan Wake came out in 2021 and is a worthwhile title to play for people who want to experience a proper story-driven survival horror.
There aren't too many games like Alan Wake on the market, which makes this one extremely unique and fun to play. It's simple, full of action with a range of weapons, tiny details, and mystery that should keep anyone who plays it on their toes.
4 Bloodborne
While the Souls games are mostly action RPGs, Bloodborne is a survival horror RPG title. The unique world in this game is full of hidden secrets and scares that players can not get in any other game on the list.
Moreover, the environment of this game is one of a kind and extremely intriguing. If the world setting isn't enough, Bloodborne offers extremely dense gameplay mechanics and role-playing features similar to Dark Souls games yet different enough.
3 Dying Light & Dying Light 2
If the players want to dive into a game that is equally open-world as it is story-driven, then Dying Light is that game. Techland went above and beyond with it came to the original Dying Light. They released multiple updates, great DLCs, and a lengthy campaign for those who want their games to last.
If players have already completed the original game, then Dying Light 2 is coming two months before STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl and looks just as good as its predecessor.
2 The Evil Within 2
The Evil Within 2 is a unique experience that explores the world created in the original game. Not only does this game expand on the mystery-driven story of the main protagonist, but it also offers multiple unique levels.
The Evil Within 2 is full of survival-horror elements and interesting boss battles that can keep anyone intrigued. However, the best part about this game is its narrative and well-written story, which is bound to hook players in till it is over.
1 Older STALKER Games
Lastly, there are the original STALKER games. This list includes STALKER: Shadow of Chornobyl, STALKER: Clear Sky, and STALKER: Call of Pripyat, all of which are worth playing. While the games are a decade old, they still hold up in gameplay and the overall post-apocalyptic world.
Since these are essentially STALKER 2's predecessors, they offer a resemblance to the upcoming title, unlike any other game. Moreover, a number of mods are available for players who want to spice up the graphics.