If you’re a fan of DayZ, then you’re likely familiar with the thrill of surviving against all odds in a post-apocalyptic world filled with danger. The game’s emphasis on gathering resources, crafting items, and building bases to protect oneself from both the environment, and other players, evokes a sense of immersion that other genres simply can’t provide.
Fortunately, there are other survival games like DayZ that offer similar gameplay experiences. Here’s a list of 10 of them to whet your appetite!
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1. Rust
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Year Published: 2013 (Early Access), 2018 (Full Release)
Developer: Facepunch Studios
Rust is a PvP-focused game where players must gather resources, craft items, and build bases to survive against other players and the environment. Similar to DayZ, Rust has an emphasis on player interaction, and there is a very real risk of losing everything if you are killed or if your base is destroyed.
The game’s open-world environment and rich crafting system make it a popular choice among survival game fans, and the sense of freedom in Rust is vast.
2. Ark: Survival Evolved
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Year Published: 2015 (Early Access), 2017 (Full Release)
Developer: Studio Wildcard
Ark: Survival Evolved takes place on an island full of various monsters and creatures, including dinosaurs. Players must gather resources, craft items, and build bases to protect themselves from both the environment and other players.
The game’s taming system allows players to capture and tame dinosaurs to use as mounts or defenders, adding a unique twist to the survival gameplay.
3. Conan Exiles
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Year Published: 2017 (Early Access), 2018 (Full Release)
Developer: Funcom
Conan Exiles is a survival game set in the world of Conan the Barbarian, where players must gather resources, craft items, and build bases to survive against other players and the environment.
The game features a combat system with different weapons and armor, and a workforce system where players can capture NPCs and task them with working in their bases. Conan Exiles’ immersive world and rich storyline make it a popular choice for players looking for a more in-depth survival experience.
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4. 7 Days to Die
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Year Published: 2013 (Early Access), 2016 (Full Release)
Developer: The Fun Pimps
7 Days to Die is another survival game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies. Players must gather resources, craft items, and build bases to survive against the zombies and other players.
The game’s dynamic world and horde system add a unique challenge to the survival gameplay, while the crafting system allows for endless possibilities in terms of base-building and item creation. Although the graphics look a little dated compared to many on this list, it still holds up as one of the best survival games around.
Related: The 7 Best Games Like 7 Days to Die
5. H1Z1
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
Year Published: 2015 (Early Access), 2018 (Full Release)
Developer: Daybreak Game Company
H1Z1 is a fast-paced survival game that takes place in a battle royale format whereby players have to survive against enemy players and zombies. Players must scavenge for guns, vehicles, and equipment, and the loot they find is likely to determine how long you will survive in the game.
The game’s Battle Royale mode (a la Fortnite) offers a competitive twist to the survival gameplay, making it a good choice for players looking for a more intense experience, though the game may require a bit of persistence at you get used to brutality of the PvP.
6. Miscreated
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Year Published: 2014 (Early Access), 2018 (Full Release)
Developer: Entrada Interactive LLC
Like most of the games on this list, Miscreated follows the survivalist model in which players gather resources, craft items, and build bases. In Miscreated, surviving during the night is a much different experience to surviving during the day, and both offer different challenges.
The game has a dynamic weather system and radiation system that add a unique challenge to survival gameplay, while the immersive world and detailed graphics make it stand out among other survival games.
7. The Forest
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4
Year Published: 2014 (Early Access), 2018 (Full Release)
Developer: Endnight Games
The Forest is a survival game with horror elements that immerses players in a hauntingly beautiful island filled with cannibalistic mutants. Players are tasked with gathering resources to create weapons, shelters, and other necessary items to survive the harsh conditions. They must also build bases to protect themselves from the dangers that lurk around the corner.
The crafting system is well developed, allowing players to create unique weapons and traps using resources gathered from the environment. The game’s story mode adds a different twist to the survival gameplay, as players must uncover the mysteries behind the island and its inhabitants to progress through the game. The game also features a day/night cycle and weather system, which affects the gameplay and makes surviving in The Forest even more challenging.
8. Deadside
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Year Published: 2020 (Early Access)
Developer: Bad Pixel
Deadside is an much-forgotten survival game that should really have been bigget than it was when first released. Set in a barren, post-apocalyptic world, players are tasked with traversing the enviornment and surviving against the elements and other players.
Deadside has a realistic ballistics system, and its dynamic world adds a real challenge to the survival involved in the gameplay. The game also has impressive graphics and stunning visuals that will have you immersed from the outset.
9. Scum
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Year Published: 2018 (Early Access), 2021 (Full Release)
Developer: Gamepires
Scum is a survival game like DayZ that places a strong emphasis on realism, where players must fight to survive in a prison island by gathering resources, crafting items, and building bases to protect themselves.
The game’s attention to detail is evident in its realistic metabolism system, where players must manage their hunger, thirst, and other needs to stay alive. Scum also features a wide-open world environment with endless possibilities for exploration and base-building, providing players with a vast sandbox to play in. The game’s intense focus on realism makes it a unique and challenging survival experience for players seeking a more immersive game.
10. Project Zomboid
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
Year Published: 2011 (Early Access), 2019 (Full Release)
Developer: The Indie Stone
Project Zomboid is unique in this list in the sense that it is the only game that plays through an isometric perspective. Like the others though, it is set in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies. The game’s deep skill system allows players to improve their character’s abilities over time, adding an RPG-like element to the survival genre.
Project Zomboid’s emphasis on survival and the need to scavenge for resources make it a popular choice among fans of the survival game genre. The game’s dynamic world and challenging gameplay make it a great alternative for players who are looking for a survival game like DayZ.
Get in Touch
Can you think of any other survival games like DayZ? Let us know in the comment section below.
For any enquiries contact me at richard@blogofgames.com
For another great overview of similar survival games to DayZ, check out this great YouTube video below by Game Advisor.
Survival games are my jam! 🎮💀