Top Survival Games for PC You Must Play in 2024 (2024)

Image by IGN

In an ever-expanding universe of PC gaming, survival games have carved out a niche that continually captivates and challenges players with its unique blend of resource management, problem-solving, and adrenaline-fueled encounters. From confronting aliens and zombies to mastering the art of hunting, fishing, and farming for sustenance, survival games offer an immersive experience that tests one's ability to endure against the odds. These games not only emphasize the struggle against hunger and environmental dangers but also incorporate multiplayer elements, allowing for shared adventures and challenges in harsh, unforgiving worlds. The allure of surviving in diverse and dynamic environments, combined with the satisfaction of building, exploring, and conquering, makes survival games a genre that consistently draws in new enthusiasts while keeping veteran gamers engaged.

This article aims to highlight some of the best survival games for PC you must play in 2024, featuring a carefully selected list that includes titles like 'The Forest', 'No Man's Sky', '7 Days to Die', 'Conan Exiles', 'Raft', and the eagerly anticipated 'Sons of the Forest'. Each game presents unique scenarios ranging from survival on a deserted island to thriving in post-apocalyptic landscapes plagued by zombies. Alongside the well-known challenges of survival games, such as zombie survival games or survival games with aliens, these selections also bring novel elements of strategy, such as managing the complexities of a society in games like 'Frostpunk'. Whether you're a seasoned player searching for the next big challenge or new to the genre and curious about the best survival games on PC, this article serves as your guide to the top survival adventures that await in 2024.

The Forest

Image by steam

Survival Horror Elements

In "The Forest," players face a harrowing survival horror experience as they defend themselves against a clan of genetic mutant enemies that exhibit almost human-like traits, with families, beliefs, and morals 1. These mutants, which include varied forms such as the Virginia, Armsy, and Cowman, are not just mindless adversaries; they interact dynamically with each other and the player, offering a complex challenge that varies with each encounter 1. The caves, a crucial element of the game, are filled with these formidable foes and are essential for progressing through the game's story, housing key items and disturbing scenes 2.

Crafting and Building

Crafting and building are central to surviving in "The Forest." Players collect resources like wood, rocks, and ropes to construct everything from simple shelters to elaborate fortresses 1 3. The survival guide provides blueprints for various structures and traps, enhancing the player's ability to secure their perimeter and survive the mutant threats 4. Additionally, the crafting system allows players to create a wide range of tools and weapons, from simple axes to complex bombs, which are essential for exploration and defense 5.

Exploration and Threats

Exploration is a significant aspect of "The Forest," with a vast open world filled with dense forests and deep underground cave systems 3. The game challenges players to explore these environments while managing their survival against environmental hazards and the constant threat of mutant attacks. The dynamic weather system and the day-night cycle further amplify the game's challenges, requiring players to adapt their strategies continually 1. Stealth and strategic combat play crucial roles in managing threats, as players can choose to engage enemies directly or use the environment to evade and hide from them 1.

No Man's Sky

Image by polygon

Space Exploration

"No Man's Sky" offers an expansive universe filled with unique planets and space stations. The Orbital update has significantly enhanced these features by introducing a complete overhaul of Space Stations, which are now vast and diverse, featuring new shops, gameplay, and activities 6. These stations are not only larger but also uniquely customized based on system, race, and locale, providing a fresh experience with each visit. Players can now also customize their ships, gathering parts from salvaged wrecks and ruins to create never-before-seen starship types 6.

Base Building

Base building in "No Man's Sky" has evolved significantly since its introduction. The game now allows players to colonize planets with their own Star Bases, which has seen a popularity surge since the update in July 2018 7. Players can create ramshackle settlements that upgrade and fill with NPCs over time, allowing them to carve out their own fiefdoms. The Prisms update further expanded the possibilities for base building, introducing new building parts for underwater and sky-high constructions 7.

Multiplayer Experience

The multiplayer aspect of "No Man's Sky" has transformed the game into a more social experience. Since the NEXT Update in July 2018, players have found it easier to engage cooperatively, with The Nexus acting as a central MMO social hub where players can organize and participate in missions 7. Multiplayer now supports up to 32 players per system, although recent updates have seen this feature become less stable, with a typical limit of about eight players on a planet at any given time 8. Despite some networking issues, the multiplayer functionality continues to be a major draw for players seeking a shared space exploration adventure 8.

7 Days to Die

Image by Rock Paper Shotgun

Zombie Horde Mechanics

In "7 Days to Die," understanding the mechanics of zombie hordes is crucial for survival. The game features different types of hordes, such as Roaming Hordes and Blood Moon Hordes, each with unique behaviors. Roaming Hordes, appearing both day and night, consist of various zombies and occasionally wild animals, moving towards the player's last known location unless diverted 9. The intensity of these hordes increases over time, starting with a single zombie and escalating to larger, more diverse groups 9. Screamers, attracted by high activity levels, can summon additional zombies, creating spontaneous and challenging encounters 9. During the Blood Moon Horde, zombies gain the ability to locate players regardless of their hiding spots, necessitating robust defense strategies 9.

Crafting and Building

Crafting in "7 Days to Die" is an essential skill, enabling players to create tools, weapons, and fortifications essential for survival. Players can craft items using the Crafting Window, where most in-game items are assembled 10. The game offers various crafting stations like the Forge, Workbench, and Chemistry Station, each with unique recipes 10. Effective resource management is vital, as players need to gather or create all necessary components and possibly learn specific recipes before crafting certain items 10. Advanced crafting skills reduce resource costs and crafting time, enhancing efficiency in a post-apocalyptic environment 10.

Base Defense

Effective base defense is vital to survive the relentless zombie hordes in "7 Days to Die." Players can employ various defensive strategies such as constructing fortifications with traps and barriers, creating elevated positions for better defense, or utilizing land mines for perimeter security 11. Building durable structures from materials like cobblestone and iron enhances a base's resilience against zombie attacks 11. Strategic use of the game's building mechanics can significantly increase survival chances by creating barriers that exploit zombie pathfinding, thereby directing the horde into deadly traps or away from critical base areas 11.

Conan Exiles

Image by Conan exile

Combat and Sorcery

In "Conan Exiles," the Age of Sorcery update has revolutionized gameplay, introducing a wealth of corrupting sorceries and expanded combat options. Players can now engage in battles using not just traditional weapons but also powerful sorceries. These include summoning demonic mounts, concealing oneself from enemies, and even manipulating the weather to bring down thunderclaps on adversaries 12. The update has also restructured the attributes and perks system, allowing players to specialize in sorcery by choosing perks that enhance their magical abilities once a certain level of corruption is achieved 12.

Base Building

Base building in "Conan Exiles" is strategic and essential for survival and progression. Players start by constructing simple sandstone structures and can advance to more complex buildings using materials like the flotsam from the Siptah DLC 13. The game encourages creativity and tactical planning, especially when laying out base defenses against wildlife and hostile players. Incorporating elements such as insulated wooden ceilings supported by pillars not only adds aesthetic value but also structural integrity to the buildings 13. Additionally, players must manage their bases to prevent decay, using the game's stability and decay systems to maintain their structures over time 14.

Exploration

Exploration in "Conan Exiles" is vast and fraught with challenges. The game's expansive map includes diverse environments that range from scorching deserts to snow-capped mountains. As players venture further, they encounter increasingly difficult enemies and complex terrains that require careful navigation and preparation. The introduction of the Age of Sorcery has added new layers to exploration, with areas that are specifically designed to test the player's mastery of both combat and sorcery 12. The game's minimalistic approach to guidance encourages players to discover and interact with the environment intuitively, leading to a more immersive and personal experience 15.

Raft

Image by Steam

Oceanic Survival

In "Raft," players find themselves cast away on a tiny raft amidst a vast, unforgiving ocean. With nothing but a hook made of old plastic, survival hinges on their ability to harness ocean debris and resources. The constant threat of man-eating sharks adds a layer of danger as players attempt to navigate and survive the open waters. The game challenges players to scavenge reefs, gather debris floating by, and expand their makeshift raft into a more substantial floating home 16.

Crafting and Building

"Raft" emphasizes crafting and building as core mechanics for survival. Players use their collected materials to craft survival equipment, weapons, and even crop plots. The building aspect allows for the expansion of the raft from simple wreckage to a buoyant mansion. Innovative building strategies are essential, such as using upside-down triangles for extended floor construction without the need for excessive pillars, optimizing space and resources effectively 17 18.

Multiplayer Features

The multiplayer mode in "Raft" enhances the survival experience by allowing friends to join forces online. This feature not only speeds up progression but introduces higher difficulty levels with increased resource spawns and shark threats. Players must strategically manage their resources and defend their raft together, making cooperation crucial. The game requires all players to be connected online and friends on Steam to join each other's games, fostering a community of players who can share strategies and survival tips through platforms like the Raft Discord 19.

Sons of the Forest

In "Sons of the Forest," players return to a cannibal-infested peninsula, echoing the eerie and mysterious atmosphere of its predecessor, "The Forest." This sequel, however, introduces a more expansive map with diverse biomes and a larger scale of exploration, offering both thrilling and terrifying experiences as players navigate through the game 20.

AI Threats

The artificial intelligence in "Sons of the Forest" has been significantly enhanced, featuring a dynamic system where NPCs exhibit complex behaviors influenced by a variety of factors such as fear, anger, and energy levels. This sophisticated AI system uses rule-based modeling to create realistic interactions, where entities remember past actions and react accordingly, providing a challenging and evolving gameplay experience 21.

Survival Mechanics

Survival mechanics in "Sons of the Forest" have evolved from its predecessor, removing the sanity meter and effigy building, which shifts focus more towards direct interactions with the environment and enemies. The crafting system has been overhauled; players now utilize a more intuitive interface with 3D printers for creating essential items like arrows and water flasks. The game also introduces harsher survival conditions with changing weather and seasons affecting resources and player strategies 20.

New Features from The Forest

Building on the foundation of "The Forest," this sequel introduces several new features to enhance gameplay. The free building system allows players to construct structures without the need for placing blueprint markers, making the building process more fluid and less restrictive. Additionally, the interaction with NPCs has deepened, with characters like the mutant Virginia, who can assist in survival by providing resources and protection 20.

Frostpunk

Image by frostpunk

City Management

In "Frostpunk," managing the city revolves around strategic placement and resource allocation to ensure the survival of the community in extreme conditions. Key to early survival is focusing on wood production, as it is essential for building and heating 22. Players can choose between Saw Mills and Wall Drills, with Wall Drills recommended for long-term resource management 22. As the game progresses, steel becomes the main resource concern, necessitating early production and stockpiling to avoid bottlenecks 22. Effective city management also includes planning the layout to optimize heat distribution from the central generator, using steam hubs to extend the livable zone without excessive coal consumption 23.

Survival Mechanics

"Frostpunk" challenges players with its brutal Survivor Mode, where pausing is disabled, and the difficulty is significantly increased 22. The game requires careful management of technology and resources, prioritizing technology related to resource gathering and heating 22. Players must also make strategic decisions about resource stockpiling and when to deploy resources effectively. Utilizing automatons for resource-intensive tasks can conserve human resources and maintain a stable community 22.

Moral Choices

The moral choices in "Frostpunk" are deeply integrated into gameplay, affecting everything from city management to the survival of the population. Players face decisions that impact the hope and discontent levels of their citizens, with choices ranging from enforcing strict laws to utilizing more compassionate policies 24. The game's narrative pushes players to choose between the Order and Faith paths, each providing different benefits but also requiring sacrifices that test the player’s ethical boundaries 24. These decisions culminate in a reflective endgame that questions the morality of the choices made to ensure the survival of the community 25.

Conclusion

Through this exploration of the top survival games set to captivate and challenge players in 2024, it's clear that the genre continues to evolve, offering deeper, more immersive experiences. From the haunting depths of "The Forest" and its sequel to the boundless exploration within "No Man's Sky," each game presents unique survival scenarios that demand a combination of wit, strategy, and resilience. These games not only test survival skills against environmental dangers and hostile entities but also engage players in crafting, building, and managing resources in innovative ways. The inclusion of multiplayer features further enriches the gameplay, allowing for shared adventures and challenges in these richly designed worlds.

The broader implications of these evolving survival games speak to our intrinsic fascination with survival, exploration, and the construction of societies under the most extreme conditions. As players anticipate the release of games like "Sons of the Forest" and continue to delve into the worlds of "Conan Exiles" and "Frostpunk," the genre's significance in gaming culture is only set to increase. These games not only serve as entertainment but also as interactive narratives that explore the limits of human tenacity and ingenuity. The journey through 2024's lineup of survival games promises not just hours of engagement but a testament to the genre's enduring appeal and its capacity to continuously draw players into its challenging yet rewarding realms.