A lot of survival games blend action-adventure, horror, shooter, and survival elements to create a unique and memorable gameplay experience. Depending on your personal preferences, to legitimately find the best survival games for you, you'll have to double-check the included genres in the title you're looking at. So, just like last week’s list of the best logistical games to play when you’re through with Dyson Sphere Program, we’ve gathered up a list of some of the best non-zombified survival games to play while you wait for developer Iron Gate Studios to finish up their masterpiece in progress. 7 – Ark: Survival Evolved. Developer: Studio Wildcard. Browse the newest, top selling and discounted Open World Survival Craft products on Steam. The Last of Us is a game that needs little introduction; it’s one of the best games of all time–zombie survival or otherwise. You play as Joel, a man who’s lost everything he ever cared for. He is soon reluctantly tasked with transporting a girl who appears to be immune to the zombie virus across the country, where her unique ability. Over 20 years ago, one of the greatest and first true survival horror games was released on the PS1. Now the classic Resident Evil 2 is back and it has had a facelift. Not only does Resident Evil 2 look flipping gorgeous, but the whole game has been rebuilt from the ground up.
2021 is gathering steam and we are all looking to shake off the horrific residue of 2020. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a little slice of scary. Here are the 15 most terrifying survival horror games of all time.
As a genre, it feels as if survival horror games have really hit their stride in the past ten years. Hell, past five maybe. Hi-tech ambient headsets, polished 4K graphics, and horrifying settings have led to some genuinely terrifying experiences that really stick with you.
The most powerful thing about survival horror, and why I believe it will continue to grow and define the next decade of gaming, is simultaneously gaming’s greatest strength: putting you in the shoes of a character. And when you are seeing through the eyes of someone alone in an asylum who won’t move until you do, it’s one hell of a waking nightmare.
Layers Of Fear
While Layers Of Fear has been accused of being a walking simulator, it is indeed far more and it must be praised for its rattling original themes. The story has you play a nameless artist returning to his Gothic 18th-century mansion.
You soon descend into madness, due to questionable paint ingredients, and it quickly becomes apparent that the narration is unreliable and you are objectively a very bad person who will “die to finish your last painting”.
Few games make you question literally everything in the game world as your psychosis slowly engulfs you. “Hey, was that chair there a second ago?” Pure brilliance.
Layers of Fear is available on PS4.
The Evil Within
While most modern survival horror games understandably adopt a first-person perspective, The Evil Within pays respect to the genre’s pioneers like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, and the over shoulder view is awesomely terrifying as the story unravels.
Horror mastermind Shinji Mikami created some truly grotesque creatures into The Evil Within and the pervading anxiety of having only one shotgun shell never eases until after the credits roll.
The Evil Win is available on PS4, plus PC and Xbox via Game Pass.
SOMA
Blurring the lines between humanity and technology, SOMA is a horror game with a deeply philosophical underpinning. Frictional Games – the minds behind Amnesia – prove they are still the masters of survival horror, offering you no weapons but your legs to run with.
The gripping atmosphere of an underwater labyrinth known as PATHOS-II is openly reminiscent of Bioshock’s Rapture in all the best ways. You play Simon who has to escape from an existential nightmare of strangely human robots before the sea crushes you completely.
Available on PS4 and PC.
Dead Space
Dead Space is the progenitor to all modern sci-for horror games and breathed new life into the dormant genre. Isaac Clarke is investigating a deep space mining ship that has been infested with monsters known as Necromorphs and the void of space is the perfect setting for grotesque horror.
With plenty of firepower at your disposal, it certainly leans into more FPS territory than survival horror at times, but it absolutely nails the core elements of the genre. Its popularity and initiative in drafting a blueprint for sci-fi horror is undeniable and everlasting.
The entire Dead Space franchise is currently available as part of Xbox Game Pass.
Resident Evil 2 Remake
Over 20 years ago, one of the greatest and first true survival horror games was released on the PS1. Now the classic Resident Evil 2 is back and it has had a facelift. Not only does Resident Evil 2 look flipping gorgeous, but the whole game has been rebuilt from the ground up.
It’s a time-honoured retelling of Leon and Claire’s horrifying journey through a zombie-filled Raccoon City with more gore, clever puzzles, and smooth gunplay. The perfect way to go back to the very roots of the survival horror genre.
Resident Evil 2 is out now on PS4.
Alien: Isolation
There have been many horror games adapted from movies over the years. And many have flopped before they even began, but Alien: Isolation is the exception. Its aesthetics are closely sketched from the designs of the first movie, taking us to a time just after the Nostromo’s demise and Amanda Ripley is beginning her search of her mother.
Hearing the haunting Xenomorph rattle through ducts above your head or stalk the hallway ahead is a truly terrifying ordeal. The gameplay is surprisingly challenging too, balancing survival and gunplay elements well. Along with the alien, intelligent AI can often be just as frightening, if not more so.
Alien: Isolation is out on PS4, PC via Steam, plus PC and Xbox One via Game Pass.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
While many modern survival horror titles take place in the future – I mean, what’s more frightening than the future, right? – Amnesia: The Dark Descent takes us back to the 1830s. It was deservedly a huge success upon release due to the absence of weapons and new insanity features, making you think carefully about burning any lantern oil.
Yet what made Amnesia shine was its hugely compelling and complex stories, acutely combining elements of history with science fiction and, of course, insanity.
Available on PS4, PC, Mac, and Linux.
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 is a dark game. One of the grimmest and most nightmare-inducing ever made in fact. Following a message from his missing wife, James Sutherland journeys to an ominous town called Silent Hill, and understandably, shit starts going awry.
Silent Hill are the masters of survival horror. They revolutionised the genre in 1999 on the PlayStation 1 and were the first to focus on atmosphere rather than cheap jump scares. Silent Hill 2 was a revelation and a must-play for any survival horror fan.
Outlast
When I first played Outlast, I was so frightened and shocked that a game could so powerfully rock me to the core that I felt sick. Granted I played it with the lights out and a headset on around midnight, but I was truly, honestly frightened and very much felt as if I was the character.
Exploring an old asylum with nothing but a handicap that drains batteries with a vengeance, Outlast is incredibly thematic. Using a night vision to explore dark spaces, the grainy green glowing effect is very original and wholly terrifying.
Simply one of the greatest and most terrifying games of all time, Outlast is singular. Your only options are to run or hide.
Outlast is available for PC on Steam or the Microsoft store.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The most famous survival horror franchise of all time took a huge risk in 2017 by tapping into the first-person titles waves at the time. The main story is complex, shocking, and completely gripping.
Finding yourself in the Bakers’ family home, a twisted shack in America’s deep south, you are in for the hell ride of your life. The horror is in your face, gruesome and gleefully evil. Plus, it can be played effortlessly as a standalone game or in VR. Proof, that 2o years on Capcom are the undeniable masters of horror.
Resident Evil 7 is available for PS4 (including PSVR), Steam, plus Xbox and PC via Game Pass.
Darkwood
Darkwood is a truly horrifying experience, one that is a lot scarier than it may initially appear. This little indie game is inspired by Polish folklore and has a dream-like energy that soon starts to morph into a nightmare.
You wake up in a twisted forest that has been cut off from the rest of the world. The game doesn’t hold your hand, or give much direction in general, other than to let you know that you must try to escape the forest. So starts the nerve-shredding process of exploring and gathering supplies during the day, and then securing your home at night. Because at night terrible creatures will come looking for you. Or not. It really depends if they feel like it.
This tension, and the fear of what may be lurking just out of sight, is critical to Darkwood. It’s also what makes it one of the best survival horror games of recent years. For my money it’s scarier than anything that has come out in 2021.
Available on PS4.
BioShock
Some might argue that BioShock isn’t a survival horror game at all. I would argue that they are wrong. Quite simply, BioShock is about exploring a world where something has gone very wrong. Science and technology have been used to try and allow humankind to reach its full potential. However, this hubris backfires and results in everyone morphing into deformed, insane mutants that will kill anyone they come across. Sounds like a survival horror game, right?
You must make your way through this world, an underwater city called Rapture, trying your best to help other humans along the way. The story revolves around a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Well, almost the end (if you know, you know).
A classic of the genre that is still definitely worth playing for those that missed it when it was originally released. If you can, get a hold of the 2016 remaster.
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
Any list of horror games that doesn’t have something influenced by H.P. Lovecraft on it isn’t trying hard enough. Unfortunately, when it comes to video games that are directly related to Lovecraft’s works, the number of quality titles is limited. That said, that makes this decision an easy one.
Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth is an oldie, but most certainly a goodie. It is one of the most successful Lovecraft adaptations full stop, films included. Based on the short story The Shadow Over Innsmouth, you take on the role of a private investigator that is on a missing persons case.
You end up finding a lot more than a missing person; human/fish hybrids, terrifying ancient gods, and all manner of things occult. It’s enough to drive anyone to the brink of insanity – which is also a major theme in this classic survival horror game.
F.E.A.R.
Zuma revenge crack keygen database. Perhaps more of a shooter than an outright horror game, this one makes the list because of how damn scary it is. If creepy little children are your kryptonite, then this one should be avoided. Or embraced, depending on if truly terrifying is what you are looking for.
Camtasia 8 crack free download. You are a member of a special forces team that specialises in dealing with paranormal threats – which is a good thing because this game is full of paranormal shit that needs to be taken care of, particularly a mysterious young girl who seems to have extraordinary telepathic powers.
F.E.A.R. has a lot of jump scares, and a really creepy atmosphere that recalls The Ring.
Available on Steam.
System Shock 2
Space is a great place to set survival horror games – you are surrounded by infinite black and there isn’t really anywhere to escape to. System Shock 2 utilises this setting well, but has more than its fair share of original concepts too.
It also has one of the greatest villains in video game history. Shodan is an AI that has taken control of a whole spaceship and is in the process of playing god. I won’t go into too much more detail, as it is best to go into this one blind. However, if you aren’t sure, perhaps thinking the game looks too old and outdated, find a clip of Shodan’s voice. It should be all the proof you need that this classic is still capable of sending a shiver down anyone’s spine.
A remake of System Shock 1 is scheduled for 2021, so if you enjoy this, make sure to keep an eye out for that.
System Shock 2 is available on PC through most retailers.
gaming
It’s certainly hard out here in these digital streets, forests, and other locales that forces one to fight for their very lives.
Your chances of making it out of a dangerous situation with all your limbs intact increases when you have a friend or two close by. That same sentiment applies to the fun factor that’s present in many of the finest survival games on the market today. The titles we’ve compiled for this list of recommendable games will push you to your very limits as you fight alongside your friends to emerge as the last team standing. There’s danger around every corner in all of these enjoyable releases, which means you’ll have to rely on your know-how and the knowledge of your local/online buddies in order to stay alive for as long as possible.
These are 25 of the best multiplayer survival games that you definitely want to take for a spin.
1. ‘Among Us’
There’s a super sus imposter on the loose. And it’s up to you and your trusted crewmates to sniff them out and vote them off the ship if/when you catch them in the act of murder. As the imposter, your duty entails sabotaging everyone else’s ship tasks and eliminating whoever’s left alive. Among Us has transformed from a little known indie gem into a mega-popular online multiplayer social deduction game that shows no signs of slowing down.
2. ‘Left 4 Dead’ (Series)
Blasting zombies with your friends is considered top-tier entertainment. The series that replicates that experience so well is Valve’s Left 4 Dead, which challenges four players to fight for their survival while contending with an undead menace. Both games offer up varied campaigns that present its survivors with different circumstances to overcome and a whole lot of brain-eaters to mow down. Make sure you give both of these classic FPS games a spin before you move onto their spiritual successor, Back 4 Blood.
3. ‘Second Extinction’
Planet Earth now belongs to the dinos. And what makes this development even worse is the fact that those massive creatures have mutated into something far more sinister. Second Extinction is all about teaming up with two other allies in an effort to take back their home planet. And the best method towards reaching that objective is by using a huge assortment of firearms to blast those dino hordes to bits. It’s time to join the war effort against Earth’s new ruling class and give humanity the upper hand it so desperately needs.
4. ‘Dead by Daylight’
Dead by Daylight is a terrifying game of cat and mouse. As one of four survivors, you’ll need to band together to escape the wrath of a crazed killer who’s out to sacrifice you to an evil entity. If you’re in the mood to play the villain, then go on ahead and choose that option if you’d like. Dead by Daylight has maintained its popularity since launching thanks to the inclusion of recognizable horror icons, such as Leatherface, Freddy Krueger, and Ghostface.
5. ‘Rust’
Rust throws you and a vast community of other survivors onto a map with one aim in mind – survive. You’ll need to brave the dangers of the wild as you hunt animals for food, build yourself a home, and keep the elements at bay that can lead to your demise. You’ll need to arm yourself well if you have any hopes of killing other players and coming out of the winning end of raids. Rust is a kill or be killed type of game that tests your survival skills to the fullest.
6. ‘Raft’
Living out the rest of your days on a hastily put together raft doesn’t have to suck. Raft gives you the opportunity to link up with a few other drifters for some island exploring and other fun endeavors at sea. You’ll help out your seafaring buds as everyone gathers a bevy of useful goods, fends off hungry sharks, and builds their raft into something a bit more grandiose. Raft is all about making the best of you and your online buddies’ perilous sea voyage.
7. ‘ARK: Survival Evolved’
Waking up in your birthday suit on an island full of domineering creatures is pretty damned frightening. But once you get over that initial fear and come to grips with your current situation, you’ll gradually morph into a courageous survivor. ARK: Survival Evolved follows a massive community of male and female avatars that do their best to survive. And that entails killing or taming feral animals, developing a tribe with your friends, using crafting essentials to produce the items you and your people need, etc.
8. ‘Don’t Starve Together’
The multiplayer component to the hit survival game Don’t Starve encapsulates everything that made that title grab a whole lot of people’s attention. You and another miniature avatar must work as a unit in order to stay alive within the unfriendly wilderness. Don’t Starve Together’s Tim Burton inspired art style will most certainly attract you, while its harsh survival gameplay will force you to adapt and use teamwork to thrive in an uncompromising world.
9. ‘Hunt: Showdown’
Hunt: Showdown makes everyone that plays it a cunning bounty hunter who’s out to capture the biggest targets. It just so happens that those targets are supernatural monsters that take a strong concerted effort to catch. You and your two fellow hunters will battle it out on spacious maps containing other fervent hunters who also want to cash in on the current bounty. Solo players and teams can tap into a myriad of guns, crossbows, melee weapons, and traps in order to capture the mythical creature and make it to the extraction point in one piece. Plus you’ll need to keep an eye out for players looking to steal your prize and cut off your great escape at all times.
10. ‘Dying Light’
Techland’s zombie survival classic actually isn’t the most obvious pick (we’re alluding to Dead Island for those not in the know). That honor goes to Dying Light, which mixes in first-person parkour platforming and intense zombie combat encounters. Dying Light’s multiplayer components come in the form of a four-player co-op mode that lets everyone tackle the main campaign together and a mode that lets you take on the role of a bloodthirsty zombie. Tearing up the human population as an undead killer is cool and all, but hopping around the game’s open-world expanse of Harran is where the survival fun truly lies.
11. ‘7 Days to Die’
Zombies rule the world in this one. You can choose to take a stand against them and thrive in it via the main campaign or multiplayer portion. 7 Days to Die’s multiplayer setup flings you and your friends into a randomly generated expanse. And in order to make the best of a bad situation, you and your crew will have to explore, craft, build, and do so much more. Raiding other players’ bases can be accomplished, as well as getting into bloody skirmishes with a slew of rabid zombies. 7 Days to Die’s focus on zombies may not be wholly original, but it manages to make that gameplay concept an interesting one.
12. ‘Killing Floor 2’
Those crazed Zeds from the first Killing Floor have now gone global. Due to their aggressive nature, they’ve caused an international outbreak that has spread beyond Europe. It’s up to you and five other players to bring down the Zeds’ growing numbers simply by shooting them down with some of the most inventive weapons you’ll ever see. Killing Floor 2 is an incredibly satisfying co-op shooter that makes you take on hordes of rabid baddies and even lets you become one of those ferocious Zeds yourself.
13. ‘PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS’
The battle royale shooter that dominated Twitch before Fortnite hit the scene is still kicking to this very day. Thanks to the game’s additional DLC seasons, PUBG has expanded by featuring new maps, gameplay changes, and rewards. The basis for PUBG revolves around 100 players being dropped on a huge space and fighting it out until there’s only one survivor left standing. You won’t get to rely on building up structures to block incoming shots here – relying on your wits, gathered materials, and careful aim are PUBG’s most essential roads to victory.
14. ‘Conan Exiles’
At the very beginning of Conan Exiles, Conan the Barbarian himself saves you from certain doom. After regaining your freedom, you take your custom character out into a harsh open-world sandbox and attempt to build yourself into someone with great importance. Aligning yourself with other players’ means you’ll be embroiled in all sorts of activities, such as base building/defending, bloody combat encounters, animal capturing, etc. Conan Exiles’ survival mechanics make total sense when paired with the mythical locale of the game’s Exiled Lands. Be sure to take a side tour to the Frozen North for an extra chilly challenge, too.
15. ‘Grounded’
What if you were shrunk down to a microscopic size and were forced to live a new life in your own backyard? That’s the loaded question that Grounded asks of its player base. And the answers delivered thus far have been fascinating. The miniature youngsters running around this fun take on survival games must carefully manage their hunger/dehydration levels, steer clear of dangerous insects, and uncover new sections of their new home. Crafting essential weapons/traps out of the resources you’ll gather and developing a mini fortress is that much more fun with three friends close by.
16. ‘SCUM’
SCUM is a self-described “prison riot survival game.” If that description entices you, then keep on reading. Up to 100 players are set upon a private island centered in Croatia. Those players are set up as prisoners who are forced to fight for their lives and freedom while competing on a twisted game show. The fame you earn from certain actions can better your progress as it goes towards beneficial items. SCUM features deep character customization, crafting, and combat systems that make every moment within it feel as close to real-life as possible. Did you just drop a butt nugget somewhere on the map? Whoever finds it can use it to track you and kill you, so poop wisely.
17. ‘DayZ’
DayZ is another one of those survival games that tests your will as you struggle to hold on during a zombie apocalypse. Not only do you have to defend yourself from the infected, but you’ll also need to steer clear of shady survivors. The rest of the player population is filled with folks who are out to get you and take all of your supplies, but there are also trustworthy players who can help you survive a bit longer than usual. Gather your goods, build yourself a home, and fend off debilitating diseases if you have any hopes of thriving in DayZ’s perilous world.
18. ‘Outward’
The vast landscape within Outward presents a myriad of threats that you must overcome. Besides vile creatures, your character also has to contend with harsh temperatures, sickness, hunger, and other familiar survival game elements. Outward presents all of its survival mechanics within a fantasy RPG shell and lets you enjoy all of its magic-infused combat with a friend. Be wary of the decisions you make in this game – its constant auto-saving feature means you’ll have to live with every decision (good or bad) you make during your arduous co-op excursion.
19. ‘Terraria’
If your favorite Metroidvania game had a baby with Minecraft, Terraria would be the end result. It’s a 2D sprite based sandbox game that incorporates building, exploring, mining, fighting, etc. All of those survival game characteristics are all the more fun when you choose to enjoy them with a bite-sized buddy. Terraria’s multiplayer also features PvP elements that let you battle it out with other players and even teams that are out for blood. Dig as deep as you can in Terraria and see how far you can go.
20. ‘Starbound’
Starbound is pretty much a rendition of Terraria that delves into space travel and planetary discovery. The game’s procedurally generated quests give your bounty hunter a wealth of intriguing missions to complete. You can even ignore that profession altogether and live out your days as an outer space farmer, intergalactic landlord, creature collector, or whatever else tickles your fancy. The game’s survival difficulty is the best way to experience Starbound with a ready and willing space buddy at your side.
21. ‘The Wild Eight’
Ask anyone if they’d be willing to live in Alaska and they’d most likely answer with a definite no. But we’re sure those very same folks would be a lot more open to braving Alaska’s frigid temperatures in video game form. The Wild Eight is one of those games. Up to eight players will have to embark on a dangerous trek after surviving a mysterious plane crash. You’ll need all the help you can get since blizzards and beasts can kill you in an instant. The Wild Eight’s stirring plot and well-tuned gameplay are definitely worth the price of admission.
22. ‘Minecraft’
Crafting and building in peace are at the forefront of one of the world’s most beloved games known as Minecraft. But its multiplayer survival mode presents a more worthwhile challenge for players looking to push their limits to the extreme. You and your blocky buds need to eat good, build homes, and craft battle-ready gear in an effort to stay alive for as long as possible. Ready yourself for battle against zombies, spiders, the dreaded Enderman, and more as you maneuver through Minecraft’s addictive survival mode.
23. ‘State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition’
When State of Decay 2 first launched, it wasn’t without its fair share of glitches and bugs. The retooled Juggernaut Edition does away with those nagging issues while also remastering the game’s visuals and featuring all of its engrossing DLC. You and three additional post-apocalyptic remnants must band together to deal with incoming zombie hordes as a part of the game’s Daybreak Pack. Plus you can choose to play State of Decay 2’s main campaign with three extra survivors for even more zombified multiplayer thrills.
Best Survival Games 2021
24. ‘No Man’s Sky’
The redemption arc tied to No Man’s Sky is nothing short of remarkable. It went from an utter disappointment to a space exploration epic that finally realized its full potential. The most current iteration of the game looks, sounds, and plays a lot better than its original incarnation. Up to 32 players can hop into the same session and take on the game’s survival mode difficulty. Enemies are harsher, resources are scarcer, and hazards are far more plentiful (unfortunately) in No Man’s Sky’s tougher gameplay setup.
25. ‘No More Room in Hell’
Best Survival Games On Steam
As one of eight survivors, you’ll need to defend yourself from the shambling (and always hungry) undead menace in No More Room in Hell. This mission is all the more arduous since weapons and ammo are a lot harder to come by, which means your encounters with waves of zombies can be nail-bitingly hard if you’re not properly prepared. Keep in mind that the farther you are from your friends, the harder it is for them to hear you over their headsets. Defend your shelter, shoot down the zombie opposition, and hold on long enough so everyone can get extracted from their harrowing circumstances in No More Room in Hell.