Survival gameshave become common and popular in modern times, with many people embracing the idea of struggling to help their character persist against all odds and slowly make meaningful progress. However, this gameplay loop isn’t for everyone, with some people not appreciating the monotony accompanying these acts.

However, completely avoidingall survival gamesis not the solution here. There are some great games in this genre with other strengths that players should check out, allowing them to enjoy a genre that isn’t necessarily their cup of tea.

Rustis a huge multiplayer game that has been around for quite a long time by this point. Survival gameplay is just one reason why this title has amassed such a devoted fanbase. The best thing aboutRustis its multiplayer component, which leads to meaningful interactions as players try their hardest to make alliances and fend off other hostile players.

Sometimes, complying with a group’s demands is the best way to ensure survival. In other instances, players can form massive bases of their own and dominate other players as they cement their superiority in a game.

Minecraftis one of the most popular video gamesever made, and the survival element is only one part of the puzzle that led to its mainstream appeal. The immense creativity inMinecraft’s multiplayer maps makes it clear that players can lose themselves while constructing massive and impressive structures.

This, coupled with a host of multiplayer game modes that don’t even touch on the survival part, is a huge reason whyMinecrafthas a little something for everyone. It’s easy for players to lose hours upon hours in a session when all they want to do was dip their toe in this game’s vast pool of content.

Players who want a thematically consistent survival game where the horrors of war are explored from the point of view of the common person willfindThis War of Mineto be an engaging experience. It’s a dark and morose tale that revolves around a group of survivors who must struggle to stay alive at all costs in a city besieged by war.

Survivors will be forced to make tough decisions to secure medicine, weapons, and other resources. Players can’t cling to their morality for too long, since doing so may lead to the death of a loved one as the survivors slowly start breaking apart.

An immersive horror game that manages to scare the wits out of players despite using a top-down perspective,Darkwoodis an indie masterpiece that more people should check out. The developers did justice to the themes of cosmic horror in their own way, crafting a campaign that fits the genre while not being derivative.

Players engage in a survival gameplay loop of scrounging for resources in the day while heading back to their safehouse at night to avoid any nightmarish dangers.Darkwoodtakes a while to reveal its main threat, forcing players to deal with numerous threats and make the most of a limited vision cone to stay alive at all costs.

Colony management may seem like an arduous task, andRimWorldis challenging enough to frustrate players who aren’t patient enough to grasp the game’s mechanics. However, it won’t take long for players to realize the synergy ofRimWorld’s systems, letting them embark on a successful run as they form genuine bonds with their unique, procedurally-generated colonists.

This is where the magic ofRimWorldstarts showing, engrossing players for hours as they ensure that their colonists survive against all odds. Having great medicine and protection is imperative for a colony to thrive on a hostile alien planet as they try to make a spaceship and reach home.

A city builder with an emphasis on story, Frostpunk is a tough-as-nails strategy game with survival elements where players control a city that must perseverein a volcanic winter. This is easier said than done, since it’s very easy for the city’s systems to fail and its residents to succumb to the cold in no time.

To make things worse, players must make several tough decisions with no right answer as their settlement continues to expand. Sending out scouting groups and keeping morale high at all times is imperative for players to reach the end after a challenging run.

Project Zomboidis one of the most content-rich survival gamesset in the zombie apocalypse. This may seem done to death, butProject Zomboid’s gameplay-first approach ensures that people will have a great time enjoying what this title brings to the table.

Project Zomboid’s survival gameplay features elements of the simulation genre, with players helping their playable survivor develop a diverse range of skills as they do everything in their power to survive each day. The threat of the undead hangs over the player every step of the way as they try their hardest to gain the skills necessary to stay alive in this hostile environment.

WhilePathologic 2takes elements from the survival genre, players shouldn’t fret since it’s just a small part of the overall package. Anyone looking for an immersive horror game with a unique atmosphere and open-ended design will have a great time with this title.

It’s the perfect title for players who find the first game to be a bit too dated for their liking.The mystery of the Sand Pest plagueand how it ravages the unnamed town is a huge part of what makesPathologic 2a special video game.