Top 10 PC Survival Games To Play In 2024

Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into some seriously immersive and challenging worlds? If you're anything like me, you love the thrill of testing your wits against the odds, and what better way to do that than with a survival game? In 2024, the PC gaming scene is bursting with incredible titles that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So, let's get straight into my top 10 survival games for PC that you absolutely need to check out this year. Trust me, these games aren't just about surviving; they're about thriving, building, and conquering.

1. Minecraft

Okay, let's kick things off with a classic that continues to evolve and captivate players worldwide: Minecraft. Yes, you heard it right! Minecraft remains a top-tier survival game due to its endless possibilities and consistent updates. For those who might have been living under a rock, Minecraft is a sandbox survival game where you mine resources, build structures, and fend off creatures in a procedurally generated world. What makes Minecraft so enduring is its accessibility and depth. You can play it casually, building a cozy cottage and farming, or you can dive into complex redstone contraptions and explore vast, dangerous caves. The survival aspect is ever-present, especially when night falls and the monsters come out to play.

What sets Minecraft apart is its modding community. The sheer volume of mods available transforms the game into virtually anything you can imagine. Want to explore a world filled with dinosaurs? There’s a mod for that. Fancy building a space station and traveling to other planets? Yep, there’s a mod for that too. And with regular updates from Mojang, the base game continues to receive new features, biomes, and creatures, ensuring there's always something new to discover. Minecraft isn’t just a game; it’s a creative outlet, a social platform, and a constantly evolving adventure. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a new player, Minecraft offers a unique and endlessly replayable survival experience that still stands tall in 2024. So grab your pickaxe, gather your friends, and get ready to build, explore, and survive in a world where the only limit is your imagination.

2. The Forest / Sons of the Forest

Next up, we have a truly terrifying and immersive experience: The Forest and its successor, Sons of the Forest. The Forest plunges you into a dense, mysterious woodland after a plane crash. Your primary goal? To find your son while surviving against a tribe of cannibalistic mutants. The game brilliantly blends survival mechanics with horror elements, creating an atmosphere of constant dread and tension. Gathering resources, building shelters, and crafting weapons are essential, but so is understanding the behavior of the enemies that stalk you. The Forest is not just about surviving the environment; it’s about surviving the horrors that lurk within it.

Sons of the Forest takes everything that made The Forest great and cranks it up to eleven. The graphics are stunning, the AI of the enemies is more advanced, and the crafting system is even deeper. You now have a companion, Kelvin, who can help you with tasks, adding a new dynamic to the gameplay. However, the cannibals are smarter and more aggressive, making survival even more challenging. What makes the Sons of the Forest stand out is its narrative depth. As you explore the island, you uncover a dark and disturbing story that adds layers of intrigue to the survival experience. The game keeps you constantly on edge, forcing you to adapt and strategize to stay alive. If you're looking for a survival game that will genuinely scare you while providing a rich and engaging gameplay experience, The Forest and Sons of the Forest are must-plays in 2024. Just be prepared to sleep with the lights on!

3. Subnautica

Alright, let’s dive into something completely different: Subnautica. Forget forests and mutants; Subnautica throws you into an alien ocean after your spaceship crashes. Your mission is to survive, explore, and ultimately escape this aquatic world. What makes Subnautica so captivating is its sense of wonder and discovery. The underwater environment is teeming with bizarre creatures, vibrant coral reefs, and mysterious shipwrecks. As you explore deeper, you uncover the secrets of the planet and the fate of previous explorers. The survival mechanics are tightly integrated with the exploration aspect.

You need to manage your oxygen, food, and water while venturing further into the unknown. Building underwater bases is crucial for survival, allowing you to create safe havens and expand your reach. Subnautica is not just about surviving; it’s about adapting to an alien ecosystem and understanding its dangers and wonders. The game features a compelling story that unfolds as you explore, revealing the history of the planet and the reasons for the ship crash. Encounters with colossal leviathans and other terrifying creatures add a constant sense of danger, making every dive a thrilling experience. If you're looking for a survival game that combines exploration, base-building, and a gripping narrative in a stunning underwater world, Subnautica is a perfect choice. Get ready to explore the depths and uncover the secrets of Planet 4546B!

4. DayZ

Next up is DayZ, the granddaddy of the zombie survival genre. DayZ drops you into a massive open-world map overrun by zombies and other desperate players. The game is known for its unforgiving realism and player-driven stories. There's no hand-holding; you need to scavenge for supplies, find weapons, and navigate the dangers of the world. What makes DayZ so compelling is its emergent gameplay. Every encounter with another player is unique and unpredictable. Will they be friendly and offer to team up, or will they try to kill you for your gear? This uncertainty creates a constant sense of tension and makes every interaction meaningful.

Survival in DayZ is a constant struggle. You need to manage your hunger, thirst, and health while avoiding zombies and other players. The game features a complex medical system, where you can get sick, injured, or infected. Finding the right medicine and treating your wounds is crucial for survival. DayZ is not just about killing zombies; it’s about surviving in a world where humanity has collapsed and every other player is a potential threat. The game's massive map offers a vast playground for exploration and conflict. You can build bases, scavenge for loot, and engage in intense firefights with other players. If you're looking for a hardcore survival experience where every decision matters and every encounter is fraught with danger, DayZ is the game for you. Just be prepared for a brutal and unforgiving world where trust is a rare commodity.

5. Rust

Now, let’s talk about Rust. Rust is a multiplayer survival game where you start with nothing but a rock and a torch. Your goal is to survive, build, and dominate the harsh world around you. What makes Rust so unique is its player-driven society. You can team up with other players to form clans, build massive bases, and raid your neighbors, or you can be a lone wolf, scavenging for resources and avoiding conflict. The choice is yours.

Survival in Rust is a constant battle against the environment and other players. You need to manage your hunger, thirst, and health while dealing with the dangers of the world, such as wild animals, radiation, and the ever-present threat of other players. Building a secure base is crucial for survival, providing you with a safe place to store your loot and defend against raids. Rust is known for its intense PvP combat and its dynamic social interactions. The game's open-world environment encourages players to compete for resources and territory, leading to epic battles and alliances. Whether you're a builder, a fighter, or a trader, Rust offers a diverse range of gameplay options. If you're looking for a survival game where you can build, raid, and dominate in a player-driven world, Rust is the game for you. Just be prepared for a cutthroat environment where only the strongest survive.

6. Ark: Survival Evolved

Ark: Survival Evolved throws you onto a mysterious island filled with dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Your goal is to survive, tame these creatures, and ultimately uncover the secrets of the Ark. What makes Ark so unique is its dinosaur taming mechanic. You can tame almost any creature in the game, from small raptors to massive brontosauruses, and use them as mounts, combat companions, or resource gatherers.

Survival in Ark is a constant challenge. You need to manage your hunger, thirst, and health while dealing with the dangers of the environment, such as extreme weather, predators, and other players. Building a secure base is crucial for survival, providing you with a safe place to store your loot and defend against attacks. Ark is known for its massive scale and its diverse gameplay options. You can explore vast landscapes, build intricate structures, and engage in epic battles with other players and dinosaurs. Whether you're a solo player or part of a tribe, Ark offers a rich and rewarding survival experience. If you're looking for a game where you can ride dinosaurs, build massive bases, and explore a prehistoric world, Ark: Survival Evolved is the game for you. Just be prepared for a challenging and dynamic environment where anything can happen.

7. Don't Starve Together

Don't Starve Together is a unique and charming survival game with a distinctive art style and challenging gameplay. You and your friends are thrown into a dark and whimsical world filled with strange creatures and bizarre environments. Your goal is to survive as long as possible by gathering resources, crafting items, and avoiding the dangers that lurk in the shadows. What makes Don't Starve Together so special is its emphasis on cooperation and teamwork. You need to work together with your friends to overcome the challenges of the world, such as hunger, sanity, and the ever-present threat of monsters.

Survival in Don't Starve Together is a constant balancing act. You need to manage your hunger, sanity, and health while exploring the world and crafting items. The game features a wide range of characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. Experimenting with different characters and strategies is key to survival. Don't Starve Together is known for its challenging difficulty and its rewarding sense of accomplishment. The game's unique art style and quirky humor add to its charm, making it a truly memorable survival experience. If you're looking for a game that you can play with your friends and that will test your survival skills, Don't Starve Together is the game for you. Just be prepared to die a lot, but don't give up!

8. 7 Days to Die

7 Days to Die combines elements of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. You need to scavenge for resources, build fortifications, and defend yourself against hordes of zombies that become increasingly aggressive every seven days. What makes 7 Days to Die so unique is its voxel-based world and its emphasis on building and crafting.

You can build almost anything in the game, from small shelters to massive fortresses, and use them to protect yourself against the zombies. Survival in 7 Days to Die is a constant battle against the undead. You need to manage your hunger, thirst, and health while scavenging for resources and building defenses. The game features a wide range of weapons and items that you can craft, allowing you to customize your playstyle. 7 Days to Die is known for its challenging gameplay and its intense horde nights. As the sun sets, hordes of zombies will descend upon your base, testing your defenses and your survival skills. If you're looking for a game that combines building, crafting, and zombie survival in a challenging and rewarding way, 7 Days to Die is the game for you. Just be prepared for a brutal and unforgiving world where every day is a struggle for survival.

9. Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid is a hardcore zombie survival RPG with a focus on realism and simulation. You are dropped into a zombie-infested world with one goal: survive as long as possible. There's no cure, no help, and no hope. Your only chance is to use your wits and skills to scavenge, build, and defend yourself against the relentless hordes of the undead. What sets Project Zomboid apart is its deep and complex gameplay systems. Every action you take has consequences, and every decision you make can mean the difference between life and death.

Survival in Project Zomboid is a constant challenge. You need to manage your hunger, thirst, fatigue, and mental state while dealing with the dangers of the world, such as zombies, injuries, and other survivors. The game features a wide range of skills that you can learn and improve, allowing you to specialize in different areas, such as combat, crafting, or medicine. Project Zomboid is known for its unforgiving difficulty and its emergent storytelling. Every playthrough is unique, and the game's open-ended nature allows you to create your own stories of survival and loss. If you're looking for a realistic and challenging zombie survival experience, Project Zomboid is the game for you. Just be prepared for a world where death is inevitable, and survival is a constant struggle.

10. This War of Mine

This War of Mine offers a unique and sobering perspective on survival. Instead of playing as a soldier or a hero, you control a group of civilians struggling to survive in a besieged city. You need to manage their hunger, health, and morale while scavenging for resources and avoiding snipers and hostile scavengers. What makes This War of Mine so powerful is its focus on the human cost of war. The game forces you to make difficult choices that have moral implications, and it explores the emotional toll that survival takes on ordinary people.

Survival in This War of Mine is a constant struggle. You need to manage your resources carefully, make difficult choices, and protect your survivors from harm. The game features a day-night cycle, where you scavenge for supplies during the day and defend your shelter at night. This War of Mine is known for its emotional impact and its thought-provoking themes. The game's bleak atmosphere and its focus on the human experience of war make it a truly memorable and powerful survival experience. If you're looking for a game that will challenge your values and make you think about the consequences of war, This War of Mine is the game for you. Just be prepared for a dark and depressing world where hope is a rare commodity.

So, there you have it, guys! My top 10 survival games for PC in 2024. Each of these games offers a unique and challenging experience that will test your skills and keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether you're into building, crafting, fighting, or exploring, there's a survival game out there for you. So, grab your gear, gather your friends, and get ready to survive! Happy gaming!