The only survival game I've put a lot of hours into is Valheim, and even that, I've mostly enjoyed because it feels like an activity I've done with friends.
My husband and I put together a server with our old college friends back in 2021 when the pandemic still had a lot of people stuck isolated at home, and it's impossible for me to separate the role that getting to play the game with them played in real-world-survival in a tough time.
I've found that overall, survival games are too open-ended for me to enjoy them for a long time unless there's that social aspect (Valheim basically ended up as the thing we did "hanging out" together on video calls despite being stretched out across several time zones). Without that, I prefer games with more specific goals or plotlines or I feel restless.
While playing with the group, I had the sort of dedicated role of map-explorer. On my own, it would have felt like aimless wandering, but with the group, it felt like scouting ahead to help the group find new, interesting areas for building or resource-gathering, so it felt like a more dedicated/focused role and kept me enjoying it for far longer than I would have otherwise.
Yes! Every time I played survival games, everyone was assigned a role. I was usually the gatherer or the builder. But like you, I think I also can't get around the sandbox element of survival games. I just started playing Dune and I like that they have objectives to guide me on what to do, and so does Necesse. It's still a little bit daunting, but I guess the linear aspect of games help me a lot.
I always end up thinking, "Man, this would be cool and fun with my peeps."
And funny you mentioned Velheim, because I've seen so many cool combat videos online on that game. I bought it, booted it up, and stopped after a short while. Survival games look so cool when you're really into them.
I've seen a lot of great things about the Dune game, so it's neat to hear that they added that sort of structure. I'll have to file that information away for when I upgrade to a computer that's actually capable of running it 😁
We share similar sentiments when it comes to survival games. I like them in theory, but I'm also too impatient for them. But that does not mean that I have to turn a blind eye to it!
I've had my eye on Solarpunk for quite some time now. I've always loved the concept of Solarpunk. So when I saw the game, I immediately wishlisted it. I haven't played the demo yet, but I'm looking forward to its release.
I tried out Grounded with friends, but we didn't get to the groove of it for some reason. It has a cool concept and a well made game, so maybe we weren't in the mood that day. Also, my friends teased me for scaling down the Arachnophobia mode lol. What can I say, I have nothing against spiders but seeing them that big would creep me out.
We played The Survivalists (fitting name, huh?) and it was a pretty fun time, so I can recommend you that one. I apparently have 14.5 hours on record for that game. It's a silly little game that we enjoyed.
The concept of survival game is preeeetyy coooooool. Specially the building aspect, but getting there is ROUGH.
Solarpunk has me interested because of its looks, and its very cozy aspect. The demo made it feel more of a cozy sandbox than the traditional survival game, if that makes sense.
And I understand your Arachnophobia. It may not bother me in video games, but in real life, I am NOT a fan of worms. I was helping my wife with some gardening stuff and I had to take a second after I pulled some dirt and it revealed a squirming worm.
Survivalist is only 2 dollars right now... I'm going to look further into it.
You've got some great classics here. I think it's fair to say that survival games are not a genre but a collective of gameplay mechanics placed inside another genre. So, there is a lot of variety in the market for different play styles.
I can easily call Raft and Grounded as two of the best I've played. I can also see why they appeal to you as they are closer to cosy survival than hardcore. Project Zomboid is hard, but a lot of fun with friends. I can also recommend Mines of Moria (if you like co-op), V-Rising (if you like boss fights), Enshrouded (lots of exploration and combat) and the upcoming Voyagers of Nera (very aquatic).
7 Days to Die is tough but great with other players and has a clear goal to chase. Valheim is also great for goals and team play, though a bit heavy on grinding. Ark is awesome if you can run a dedicated server and tweak the settings. And then there is Don't Starve Together: cute but tough.
You can also try clones like Soulmask and Almost Human, which are somewhat shallow but refined copies of other game ideas.
You may be right about the cozy aspect, because that's why Solarpunk has my attention.
I had my eye on Mine of Moria, but I don't have friends for it. Funny enough, I greatly enjoyed V-Rising! Can't believe I forgot to mention it. I don't know much about Enshrouded or Voyagers of Nera, so I will need to look into those.
7 Days to Die just felt so clunky to me. Valheim is dope but I couldn't get around it. Ark is uh... I also couldn't get the ball rolling on Don't Starve.
I haven't tried Soulmask or Almost human, because of what you said that they are somewhat shallow.
Man, I've tried a lot of games... How long does a person need to play these types of game to know they dig that game or not?
Thank you very much for the comment and recommendations.
The only survival game I've put a lot of hours into is Valheim, and even that, I've mostly enjoyed because it feels like an activity I've done with friends.
My husband and I put together a server with our old college friends back in 2021 when the pandemic still had a lot of people stuck isolated at home, and it's impossible for me to separate the role that getting to play the game with them played in real-world-survival in a tough time.
I've found that overall, survival games are too open-ended for me to enjoy them for a long time unless there's that social aspect (Valheim basically ended up as the thing we did "hanging out" together on video calls despite being stretched out across several time zones). Without that, I prefer games with more specific goals or plotlines or I feel restless.
While playing with the group, I had the sort of dedicated role of map-explorer. On my own, it would have felt like aimless wandering, but with the group, it felt like scouting ahead to help the group find new, interesting areas for building or resource-gathering, so it felt like a more dedicated/focused role and kept me enjoying it for far longer than I would have otherwise.
Yes! Every time I played survival games, everyone was assigned a role. I was usually the gatherer or the builder. But like you, I think I also can't get around the sandbox element of survival games. I just started playing Dune and I like that they have objectives to guide me on what to do, and so does Necesse. It's still a little bit daunting, but I guess the linear aspect of games help me a lot.
I always end up thinking, "Man, this would be cool and fun with my peeps."
And funny you mentioned Velheim, because I've seen so many cool combat videos online on that game. I bought it, booted it up, and stopped after a short while. Survival games look so cool when you're really into them.
Thank you for that comment!
I've seen a lot of great things about the Dune game, so it's neat to hear that they added that sort of structure. I'll have to file that information away for when I upgrade to a computer that's actually capable of running it 😁
Couple of hours in, and I can say this:
The structure part is optional, but recommended.
And
Man, these quests are making it so easy to stomach this whole game.
We share similar sentiments when it comes to survival games. I like them in theory, but I'm also too impatient for them. But that does not mean that I have to turn a blind eye to it!
I've had my eye on Solarpunk for quite some time now. I've always loved the concept of Solarpunk. So when I saw the game, I immediately wishlisted it. I haven't played the demo yet, but I'm looking forward to its release.
I tried out Grounded with friends, but we didn't get to the groove of it for some reason. It has a cool concept and a well made game, so maybe we weren't in the mood that day. Also, my friends teased me for scaling down the Arachnophobia mode lol. What can I say, I have nothing against spiders but seeing them that big would creep me out.
We played The Survivalists (fitting name, huh?) and it was a pretty fun time, so I can recommend you that one. I apparently have 14.5 hours on record for that game. It's a silly little game that we enjoyed.
The concept of survival game is preeeetyy coooooool. Specially the building aspect, but getting there is ROUGH.
Solarpunk has me interested because of its looks, and its very cozy aspect. The demo made it feel more of a cozy sandbox than the traditional survival game, if that makes sense.
And I understand your Arachnophobia. It may not bother me in video games, but in real life, I am NOT a fan of worms. I was helping my wife with some gardening stuff and I had to take a second after I pulled some dirt and it revealed a squirming worm.
Survivalist is only 2 dollars right now... I'm going to look further into it.
Thanks for the comment and recommendation.
You've got some great classics here. I think it's fair to say that survival games are not a genre but a collective of gameplay mechanics placed inside another genre. So, there is a lot of variety in the market for different play styles.
I can easily call Raft and Grounded as two of the best I've played. I can also see why they appeal to you as they are closer to cosy survival than hardcore. Project Zomboid is hard, but a lot of fun with friends. I can also recommend Mines of Moria (if you like co-op), V-Rising (if you like boss fights), Enshrouded (lots of exploration and combat) and the upcoming Voyagers of Nera (very aquatic).
7 Days to Die is tough but great with other players and has a clear goal to chase. Valheim is also great for goals and team play, though a bit heavy on grinding. Ark is awesome if you can run a dedicated server and tweak the settings. And then there is Don't Starve Together: cute but tough.
You can also try clones like Soulmask and Almost Human, which are somewhat shallow but refined copies of other game ideas.
You may be right about the cozy aspect, because that's why Solarpunk has my attention.
I had my eye on Mine of Moria, but I don't have friends for it. Funny enough, I greatly enjoyed V-Rising! Can't believe I forgot to mention it. I don't know much about Enshrouded or Voyagers of Nera, so I will need to look into those.
7 Days to Die just felt so clunky to me. Valheim is dope but I couldn't get around it. Ark is uh... I also couldn't get the ball rolling on Don't Starve.
I haven't tried Soulmask or Almost human, because of what you said that they are somewhat shallow.
Man, I've tried a lot of games... How long does a person need to play these types of game to know they dig that game or not?
Thank you very much for the comment and recommendations.