Jenny Ford
Survival multiplayer games have become a significant part of the gaming landscape, offering players an adrenaline-pumping mix of strategy, resource management, and intense competition. Whether you’re crafting, building, or fighting for your life against other players, these games present some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences available. If you’re looking to test your survival skills in a competitive environment, here are some of the best survival multiplayer games you should try.
1. Rust
Rust is the quintessential survival game, and it has been a top choice for players looking to test their mettle in a hostile open world. Developed by Facepunch Studios, Rust places players on a massive island filled with dangerous wildlife, other hostile players, and an array of survival challenges. The game begins with players having nothing but a rock and a torch. From there, you need to gather resources, build shelter, craft weapons, and protect yourself from both the elements and the ever-present threat of other players.
What makes Rust stand out is its brutal and unforgiving nature. Players must strategize to build alliances, secure resources, and defend their bases. The competitive aspect of Rust shines through in its raids and resource wars, making it a game that tests both your ingenuity and your combat skills. To maximize your effectiveness, read up on multiplayer strategies and combat strategy guides.
2. ARK: Survival Evolved
ARK: Survival Evolved by Studio Wildcard is a game that takes the survival genre to the next level by adding prehistoric creatures into the mix. Players are stranded on an island filled with dinosaurs, dragons, and other ancient beasts. The goal is to survive by gathering resources, building structures, and crafting weapons while also taming and training dinosaurs to help you thrive.
The game offers a unique twist on survival gameplay by allowing players to team up and create tribes, which can provide additional protection and resources. Additionally, players can engage in epic battles, hunt for rare resources, and build massive bases. The mechanics of taming dinosaurs and integrating them into your gameplay adds a layer of strategy and depth that keeps players invested for hours. For tips on how to get the best out of your ARK experience, check out role-playing game guides and role-playing game tips.
3. DayZ
DayZ is a game that has been synonymous with post-apocalyptic survival since its early days as a mod for ARMA 2. The standalone version, developed by Bohemia Interactive, brings a hyper-realistic take on survival in a zombie-infested world. Unlike many survival games, DayZ emphasizes realism, with mechanics such as hunger, thirst, diseases, and injuries that require constant attention. Players must scavenge for food, water, and supplies while navigating a vast, open-world environment that is filled with dangers both undead and human.
What truly sets DayZ apart is the intense interaction between players. Trust can be rare, and encounters can turn deadly in an instant. The tension of meeting another survivor and deciding whether to fight, flee, or form an uneasy alliance adds a psychological element that keeps players on edge. For strategies to outmaneuver enemies and survive longer, look into puzzle game strategies for tips on thinking ahead and staying one step ahead.
4. Minecraft
Minecraft may not immediately come to mind when thinking of survival games, but the popular sandbox title by Mojang has a robust survival mode that challenges players to gather resources, build shelter, and fend off hostile mobs. Whether you’re playing solo or joining a server with friends, survival mode pushes you to mine for resources, craft weapons, and strategize against creatures like zombies, skeletons, and Creepers. The flexibility of the game allows players to create their own survival experiences through mods and custom servers that introduce new challenges and dynamics.
One of the most captivating aspects of Minecraft is its community and the multitude of gameplay modes. Players can choose to play in hardcore mode, where death is permanent, or try custom maps that offer unique survival challenges. To sharpen your survival skills and make the most of your gameplay, explore puzzle game walkthroughs that delve into strategies for finding the rarest resources and surviving long nights.
5. The Forest
The Forest by Endnight Games is a survival horror game that takes place on a mysterious island after a plane crash. Players must explore the dense forest, scavenge for supplies, and build shelters while defending themselves against hostile, mutated cannibals. The game has an intense atmosphere that blends survival mechanics with horror, creating an experience that is both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Building a base and crafting weapons and traps are essential for surviving the increasingly aggressive enemy attacks. The open-world nature of The Forest allows players to discover hidden caves, underground bunkers, and unique items that provide both narrative clues and useful resources. The experience can be even more enjoyable when playing with friends, adding a layer of cooperative strategy to the gameplay. Check out mobile gaming tips and multiplayer game modes to optimize your team’s gameplay and create the strongest base.
6. Conan Exiles
Conan Exiles is a survival game set in the brutal world of Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian. Developed by Funcom, the game combines traditional survival mechanics with RPG elements. Players must gather resources, build fortresses, and battle enemies to dominate the land. The game features an open world filled with dangers, from fierce animals to hostile NPCs and other players. What sets Conan Exiles apart is its combat system, which allows players to wield a variety of weapons, perform devastating combos, and learn different fighting styles.
The game also features a rich crafting system that lets players create everything from simple tools to grand structures. Joining or forming a clan can be vital for survival as it provides support, resources, and power in the game world. For insights on advanced crafting and survival tips, explore advanced strategies and beginner game guides to understand the basics and nuances of the game.
7. Scum
Scum is a survival game that prides itself on its realistic approach to survival mechanics. Set in a fictional Croatian island, Scum challenges players with a highly detailed system that takes into account aspects like metabolism, calorie intake, and even body weight. Players can craft items, hunt for food, and engage in combat against both NPCs and other players. The game’s complexity lies in its attention to detail, including tracking hydration levels, nutritional intake, and how certain items affect your character’s overall health.
Scum also offers a robust multiplayer experience where players can work together to form alliances or become hostile foes. The survival aspect, combined with its open-world environment, makes Scum an excellent choice for gamers looking for an in-depth, realistic survival experience. For guidance on how to thrive in this detailed world, check out multiplayer gaming tips and multiplayer game guides.
8. 7 Days to Die
7 Days to Die by The Fun Pimps is a unique combination of survival horror and tower defense. Players are stranded in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, and the primary objective is to survive for as long as possible. The game takes place in an open world that features a day-and-night cycle, where the undead become more aggressive after dark. Players must scavenge for supplies, build shelter, and defend against waves of zombies while searching for resources and weapons.
The game has a cooperative mode where players can team up to face the zombie horde, creating a more dynamic and tactical gameplay experience. For tips on how to stay alive and fend off zombie attacks, refer to action game tutorials and multiplayer strategies.
Conclusion
Survival multiplayer games offer an unmatched blend of strategy, exploration, and teamwork, testing your abilities to adapt and persevere in harsh environments. Whether you’re battling other players, forming alliances, or tackling deadly creatures, these games challenge you at every turn and ensure no two matches are ever the same. From the harsh wilderness of Rust and DayZ to the strategic depth of ARK: Survival Evolved and the tense atmosphere of The Forest, there’s no shortage of options to put your skills to the test. Dive into these games, sharpen your survival strategies, and get ready to face the challenges that come with testing your endurance in the wild.