Survival games have come a long way since the days of crafting weapons and eating bugs to survive. They are especially exciting because they test players’ resourcefulness, ingenuity, and ability to adapt to changing environments.
With the release of the PlayStation 5, these games have reached new heights of realism and immersion. From exploring post-apocalyptic wastelands to battling mechs in a distant future, the PlayStation 5 has given gamers the opportunity to experience new challenges, stories, and gameplay.
Here is a list of the absolute best PlayStation 5 survival games of all time. We’ll be looking at the unique stories and mechanics that set these games apart from the competition, as well as their overall impact on the gaming industry.
What Are Survival Games?
Survival games are a subgenre of action video games typically set in dangerous or otherwise challenging environments. Most survival video games aim for players to last as long as possible by scavenging for resources and building things like shelters, weapons, and toolkits.
There are many different survival games, but a common theme is that they all feature randomly or procedurally generated landscapes that players must learn to adapt to.
The 8 Best PlayStation 5 Survival Games of All Time
A video game typically needs to feature at least a couple of the following elements for it to be regarded as a “true” survival game: the capacity to control one’s thirst and hunger, the ability to produce items, the ability to construct bases, and the ability to gather resources.
Survival games have been around for years, but with the introduction of the PS5, they’ve become even more popular.
These exciting and challenging games can be an excellent way to escape from reality and put yourself in a new and thrilling world. With that in mind, here are the nine best PlayStation 5 survival games ever released.
#8: This War of Mine
This War of Mine is a game about survival during wartime and allows you to experience life in a besieged city from a civilian perspective. The game is unique among war-themed video games because it focuses on the civilian experience of war rather than front-line combat.
The player controls civilian survivors in Pogoren, Graznavia. To survive everyday dangers, the characters must make numerous difficult decisions. Depending on the choices made in the game, each character has a different ending. The game’s goal is to use the player’s resources to survive the war.
Most player characters lack military or survival experience and need constant help. Due to opposing snipers, survivors must stay inside during the day, allowing the player to create equipment, trade, upgrade the shelter, cook food, and treat survivors.
The player may seek supplies at night. During expeditions, player-controlled survivors can discover NPC war survivors to help or plunder and kill. Installing a radio in the player’s shelter provides weather warnings, economic updates, and war news to help plan shelter upgrades and scavenging trips.
The player controls one to four survivors. Decisions affect the survivors’ endings. Each character has one or two help/hinder features in addition to secret, variable characteristics that affect the battle, movement speed, etc.
| Developer | 11-bit studios |
| Publisher | 11-bit studios |
| Modes | Single-player |
| Available Platforms | Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Initial Release Date | November 2014 |
#7: Subnautica: Below Zero
Subnautica: Below Zero is a survival-themed action adventure with a strong focus on exploration. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding Subnautica: Below Zero and its secrets are waiting to be discovered. Plus, it has great visuals and an eerie soundtrack that add to the game’s atmosphere.
Players must survive the dangerous environment by scavenging resources, building and maintaining shelters, and crafting equipment. They will also need to learn how to craft new items, navigate treacherous terrain, and battle hostile creatures.
- From the award-winning studio, Unknown Worlds Entertainment, presents the return to the world of 4546B with Subnautica Below Zero
- Survival Is Key: Gather valuable materials, craft tools, manage your hunger and thirst, all while evading the dangerous wildlife that sees you as its next meal
- The Mysteries Submerged on Planet 4546B: You came here in search of answers. You risked everything to get here and you will not leave until you have uncovered the truth
- Exploration: Delve into unique aquatic and terrain biomes that will unlock not only materials, but the answers that you seek
- Next Gen: Supports up to 4K in High Quality Mode & 60 FPS in Performance Mode. Improved texture fidelity & loading times
The gameplay of Subnautica: Below Zero has been expanded upon from its predecessor, offering more advanced crafting options and an increased variety of creatures to interact with. The story revolves around the character’s mission to uncover the secrets of 4546B and the energy signature it emits.
As players explore the environment, they encounter hidden objects that help unravel the mystery. The game offers various mechanics, from intense combat to building bases and vehicles. It also features a wide range of biomes with unique flora and fauna.
Players will find themselves swimming through vibrant coral reefs, discovering ancient ruins, and scavenging for supplies in mysterious caves. With its expansive open world, stunning visuals, and varied gameplay mechanics, it is no wonder why this survival game has become so popular.
| Developer | Unknown Worlds Entertainment |
| Publisher | Unknown Worlds Entertainment |
| Modes | Single-player |
| Available Platforms | macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo SwitchPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox OneXbox Series X/S |
| Initial Release Date | May 2021 |
#6: Tribes of Midgard
Tribes of Midgard is an action role-playing survival video game that focuses heavily on cooperative play, as working together is essential for success. In addition to scavenging for resources, you’ll also have to defend your village against raiders, navigate through treacherous terrain, and make important decisions about how to best utilize your resources.
Players can form tribes of ten people and play together. The player controls an Einherjar, a Viking hero who has to protect the seed of Yggdrasil from enemies like giants, trolls, dark elves, and Helthings.
- Explore a bright Norse realm: discover dungeons, slay legendary beasts, and build anywhere as you explore formidable, procedurally-generated lands on your quest to take on Ragnarok.
- Face colossal game-changers: protect the speed of Yggdrasil from a nightly invasion of helthings, and work together with your tribe to withstand the ever-looming threat of the jotnar.
- Forge your Viking Legend: choose your class and take the battle into the wilds as you seek resources to craft epic armor and mighty weaponry. Then, unleash powerful abilities and prepare clever...
- Rally the tribe: when the giants arrive, it takes a village to bring them down! Adventure through midgard solo, or form a tribe of up to 10 players in online pve co-op.
- Keep up the fight: throughout the year, limited time seasonal events bring bigger challenges and even mightier treasures to the endgame of midgard, including new ways to progress and unlockable...
The player spends the day exploring an area generated on the fly and gathering materials to make new weapons, armor, and village defenses. At night, the attackers will come to the player’s village and try to kill the Yggdrasil seed. The player must collect the attackers’ souls to keep the seed alive.
Each day, the game’s enemies get stronger and harder to beat. The game has eight different classes, each with its fighting skills. The player can also collect runes to raise their stats and improve their qualities. The game has two main modes: the story-based Saga mode and the more open Survival relaxed.
| Developer | Norsfell Games |
| Publisher | Gearbox Publishing |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Available Platforms | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox OneXbox Series X/S |
| Initial Release Date | July 2021 |
#5: No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky is one of the most unique and ambitious survival games in an infinite, procedurally-generated universe with up to 18 quintillion planets to explore. The game’s main elements are the ability to explore, survive, fight, trade, and build a base. Players must scavenge resources, craft tools, build bases, and battle hostile aliens to survive and progress.
As you explore various star systems, you can discover ancient artifacts, uncover alien mysteries, and ultimately learn the truth about the universe. The game’s incredibly detailed graphics make it look like you’re truly exploring the depths of space, and the deep storyline keeps you engaged throughout your entire journey.
- Embark on an epic voyage, find your own destiny in this epic space adventure
- Includes 6 years of updates
- An entire universe to explore on the go in the palm of your hands
- For the first time ever, PlayStation 5 physical edition as well as Nintendo Switch (physical & digital)
The game also features an advanced crafting system. You can collect resources from various planets and use them to craft weapons, ships, and technologies. You can also upgrade your gear as you progress in the game.
No Man’s Sky also offers intense combat. You can build powerful ships and equip them with advanced weapons and shields to take on alien forces or engage in epic battles with other players. Overall, No Man’s Sky is an amazing survival game that offers endless possibilities for exploration and adventure. It’s an absolute must-play for any PlayStation 5 owner looking for a unique and engaging experience.
| Developer | Hello Games |
| Publisher | Hello Games |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Available Platforms | PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox OneXbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, macOS, iPadOS |
| Initial Release Date | August 2016 |
#4: The Last Stand: Aftermath
The Last Stand: Aftermath is a survival game that is a thrilling and intense post-apocalyptic survival experience. It will challenge even the most experienced survivalists.
As you explore this shattered landscape, you’ll be able to scavenge supplies, build fortifications, and craft weapons to aid your survival. You’ll need to make sure that you balance your resources carefully, as food and ammunition will be scarce.
You can also recruit other survivors to join your group, allowing you to increase your chances of survival by having more hands on deck. The game appears much like Dysmantle because they are both top-down zombie survival games.
On the other hand, Aftermath is much more linear than Dysmantle, but its post-apocalyptic world still leaves much room for exploration. The hook of Aftermath is also a little stronger than that of Dysmantle.
- Sneak and fight your way through a dangerous post-apocalyptic wasteland
- Outwit hordes of rabid infected, some with deadly special abilities
- Scavenge for materials to craft into weapons and supplies
- Risk undeath by using powerful mutations to make yourself stronger
You play as an infected person who slowly turns into a zombie over time. As you lose your humanity, you gain powers. Almost everything you do has a risk and a reward; even the smallest mistake could speed up the infection or kill you outright.
The Last Stand: Aftermath is a scary game that will make you count your bullets and second-guess every move. It is one of the best PS5 survival games for showing what your last days might be like in a zombie apocalypse, even though it has a problem called “pixel hunting.” But if you find the game itself, you might be in for a pleasant surprise.
| Developer | Con Artist Games |
| Publisher | Armor Games Studios |
| Modes | Single-player |
| Available Platforms | PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X, and Series S |
| Initial Release Date | November 2021 |
#3: Dysmantle
Dysmantle is a PS5 survival game, the main objective of which is to survive in the world while trying to build up your tribe’s strength. This can be done by gathering resources such as wood, stone, iron, and food and scavenging for useful items.
The game also features an interesting crafting system that allows players to create tools and weapons. These can be used to fend off dangerous creatures or explore the world. The fact that you can farm almost everything in the environment makes it easier to find ingredient Y to make item A, but you can also spend your time fishing or solving mysteries instead.
The crafting system in Dysmantle is quite extensive and allows you to create all sorts of things, like weapons, armor, tools, and more. You can also build structures and upgrade them to create a haven for yourself.
As you explore the island, you’ll find new materials to help you craft better items. The combat system in Dysmantle is fairly simple but challenging at times. You’ll need to be quick on your feet as you fight off enemies with your weapons.
| Developer | 10tons Ltd. |
| Publisher | 10tons Ltd. |
| Modes | Single-player |
| Available Platforms | Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 |
| Initial Release Date | November 2020 |
#2: Breathedge
The game features beautiful graphics and a detailed world you can explore and interact with. You’ll have to scavenge for materials to repair your craft, build tools and weapons, and fend off hostile aliens. The game also has some light puzzle elements, as you’ll have to find ways to get through locked doors.
You play the part of “Man,” which is a great name, and after going to space for a funeral, you find yourself in the middle of a comedy plot with hamsters, chickens, and a lot of potty jokes.
Almost immediately, everything goes wrong, and you find yourself stuck in a cosmic graveyard. You have no choice but to save oxygen and slowly make your way across what seems to be an infinite amount of space, one absurdity at a time.
One of the most interesting aspects of Breathedge is its sense of humor. You’ll encounter quirky robots, strange cosmic creatures, and other oddities that will make you laugh out loud. You’ll also face frightening situations while navigating dangerous areas and fighting off hostile aliens. If you’re looking for a survival game that’s both unique and fun, then this one is worth checking out.
| Developer | RedRuins Softworks |
| Publishers | RedRuins Softworks, HypeTrain Digital |
| Modes | Single-player |
| Available Platforms | PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X, and Series S |
| Initial Release Date | September 2018 |
#1: Vigor
Vigor is an online survival shooter game that can be played for free. The goal of this game is to stay alive and improve an abandoned shelter to protect the player from dangerous surroundings. During Encounters with other players, Outlanders must look for resources and better gear.
Every Encounter has a map with all the exits and points of interest (POIs), like hideouts, outposts, houses, a radio tower, and a transformer station. The POIs can give players important materials to upgrade their Shelters to the highest level. This will give you more materials and food and reduce the time it takes to make weapons and food.
The gameplay of Vigor also emphasizes building relationships with other players. You can join clans and fight alongside them or trade resources with them. Additionally, you can join other players in competitive matchmaking modes to test your skills.
Vigor provides an interesting and engaging experience for gamers of all levels. It is a great game for those who love a challenge and want to put their survival skills to the test.
| Developer | Bohemia Interactive |
| Publisher | Bohemia Interactive |
| Modes | Multiplayer |
| Available Platforms | PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Series S |
| Initial Release Date | July 2018 |
Final Thoughts
When it comes to PlayStation 5 survival games, there is no shortage of options. Whether you’re looking for an adventure-filled journey with Tribes of Midgard or intense combat and base-building in This War of Mine, there’s something for everyone.
Vigor provides a unique take on survival games, with its focus on post-apocalyptic scavenging and quick-thinking action. Dysmantle offers an expansive experience with procedurally generated levels and loot.
The Last Stand: Aftermath is a thrilling multiplayer game emphasizing strategic base-building and intense gunplay. No matter what type of survival game you are looking for, there will surely be something for you on the PlayStation 5.
