2023 will go down as one of the best years for video game titles, with so many of them being incredible games. Survival games are one genre of games in particular that have had some great releases in 2023.
From post-apocalyptic wastelands to uncharted wildernesses, these games push players to their limits as they navigate dangerous landscapes, scavenge for resources, and strive to survive against all odds. Join us as we explore the five best survival games of 2023, where the line between life and death comes down to whether you ate that spoiled meat or took the time to cook it.
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Lego Fortnite
Fortnite has been on a roll, and they unveiled some pretty crazy game modes last year. In addition to their Guitar Hero-like mode, they introduced Lego Fortnite, a Lego-themed survival experience that you have to see to believe.
You have to manage food and temperature like most other survival games and establish a village while crafting items and tools. The best part here is Lego Fortnite, and everything Fortnite now includes is completely free. There’s no reason not to check this mode out and help populate your island!
Sons of The Forest
Do you like hardcore survival games? Do you like scary mutant monsters? If you say yes to both questions, this is the game for you. A sequel to The Forest, Sons of the Forest takes it to a new level improving in every aspect, including the terror.
Now this isn’t a straight-up horror game, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any scares as you explore dark caves and brave the night with your torch. Enemies can range from normal human enemies to creatures that belong in something more akin to Silent Hill.
The story will leave you with more questions than answers until everything comes together, which will leave you either frustrated or enamoured. If you like survival games that stay true to the genre while giving you some serious scares, Sons of The Forest is your game.
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Undying
With a very unique art style, we have the indie survival game Undying. The art is not the only part that’s unique though as the story gives this game a fresh twist on conventional zombie survival games.
Typical zombie survival games have you fighting for your life while avoiding getting bitten. We all know when you get bitten, you’re going to turn eventually. At the start of Undying, you are bitten on the arm by a zombie. Your death is already assured, it’s just a matter of when.
As the game progresses, you realize you’re playing a mother trying to protect her son. You know you won’t be lasting long, and your son is too young to survive on his own, so you must start teaching him how to survive.
The problem is that you don’t know how to survive either. You fight and avoid zombies, but your attention is drawn to learning and most importantly teaching. A must-try for those who want an immersive story, you’ll be constantly asking yourself if you taught your son enough before you turn.
The Pale Beyond
Can you survive until help arrives? You are the newly appointed leader of a crew in a cold dark land, trying to maintain your stats while avoiding scurvy. Setting out to find your friends lost at sea, you quickly turn your focus to surviving yourself.
Playing through weeks at a time taking turns that you will second guess immediately. You started this journey to rescue your sister ship, now you’ve found yourself trying to survive until help finds you. This is the type of game where you will die, but you will learn something to bring to your next attempt. Though difficult, this game is worth trying out for the narrative and artwork alone.
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Did we miss any? What do you think were the best recent survival games? Let us know in the comments!
