The best single-player survival games

14. Raft

Raft offers around 50–100 hours of engaging gameplay in the middle of an endless ocean with nothing but a small platform and a hook. The game is extremely easy to learn, with accessible mechanics and flexible building options that let you design your raft however you want. | © Redbeet Interactive

13. Grounded

Grounded shrinks you down to the size of an ant and offers a great balance between survival challenge and streamlined gameplay. Boss fights add an extra layer of excitement, and the New Game Plus mode provides a ton of replayability. | © Obsidian Entertainment

12. Escape From Tarkov

Escape From Tarkov is an intense, hardcore survival shooter that immerses players in a gritty, war-torn cityscape. Nowadays, the game is better than ever, offering a wealth of new content and long-awaited features like significant performance improvements and map-to-map travel. | © Battlestate Games

11. Astroneer

Astroneer is a unique experience that leans towards the softer side of survival, offering a bright experience. Whether you're bounding across alien landscapes or mining deep underground caves, the game is a delightful adventure for explorers of all kinds. | © System Era Softworks

10. Pacific Drive

Pacific Drive is an ambitious debut from Ironwood Studios that combines roguelike exploration, deep survival mechanics, and an engaging narrative. With your car as your main companion, navigate scary landscapes and face strange anomalies. | © Ironwood Studios

9. Subnautica

Subnautica is a masterwork of survival and exploration set on an alien ocean world. Dive into stunning underwater biomes and experience haunting soundscapes as you uncover the planet's secrets and construct bases in this remarkable adventure. | © Panic Button Games

8. ARK: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved shines with multiplayer mode, stunning lore, an epic soundtrack, and a world full of dinosaurs. For players who prefer single-player, there's no shortage of challenges and adventures to keep you engaged, even with the occasional bugs. | © Studio Wildcard

7. Palworld

Palworld blends elements of survival, creature collecting, and adorable Pals in a vibrant open world. You can use Pals to build, farm, and even fight alongside your Pokémon-like companions in epic battles. | © Pocket Pair

6. Sons of the Forest

Sons of the Forest is an unpredictable survival horror experience where you should survive on a deadly island filled with terrifying threats. It's a must-play for anyone seeking a true survival challenge, as it can keep you on edge from start to finish. | © Endnight Games Limited

5. Frostpunk 2

Frostpunk 2 is a non-traditional mix of survival and city-building, where you can lead humanity in a frozen, post-apocalyptic world. With dwindling resources, harsh decisions must be made - can you balance hope against the relentless cold? | © 11 bit studios

4. Valheim

Valheim is a Norse-inspired survival game that offers endless opportunities where every world. From altering terrain to digging canals, building epic bases, and sailing in wild storms, Valheim is all about survival and creativity. | © Iron Gate Studio

3. Rust

Rust is an unforgiving survival where you can start with nothing and fight to dominate a hostile world. From crafting your first weapon to building a fortress, every moment is a battle to stay alive. It's not for everyone, but if you like, ruthless PvP, Rust delivers a survival experience like no other. | © Facepunch Studios

2. No Man's Sky

No Man's Sky is basically Minecraft in space; the game features endless building, exploration, and crafting across an infinite galaxy. You can dive into thrilling expeditions, collect unique ships, and complete tons of missions - there always will be something to discover. | © Hello Games

1. Minecraft

Minecraft is a unique sandbox experience where you can explore, mine, and survive in a limitless world where the only boundary is your imagination. Whether you're building a fortress or just trying to stay alive by burying yourself underground, this survival classic is endless. | © Mojang Studios