19 best survival games in 2023
Survival games on Android differ in gameplay but are united by their rewarding gameplay. Whether you enjoy the tense horror of Alien: Isolation or the casual gameplay of Terraria, each moment is another step toward success. While survival games go hand-in-hand with thetop Android adventure games, the stakes are usually much higher.
We’ve collected our favorite survival games from the Play Store, which you can enjoy on any Android phone or tablet. However,keep your device topped up with a long-lasting power bankto ensure you don’t get interrupted in the middle of a critical moment.
1The Wanderer
The Wanderer might look like just another post-apocalyptic survival game, but plenty of unique features here help it stand out. It’s almost an RPG; it’s possible to customize your character and upgrade your stats. But at the core, it’s a survival game that forces you to make tough decisions each day.
Another feature of The Wanderer that makes it unique is its replayability. Every location is randomized for each playthrough, and the difficulty settings introduce new challenges. It’s a game that you won’t put down after a single run.
2Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is over ten years old, but it’s got enough features to hold its own against any modern survival game. However, you must jump through a few hoops before enjoying this sprawling survival game. Firstly, we recommend you play this with an external keyboard or aChromebook, not a virtual keyboard. Secondly, the game uses ASCII tiles by default, so you must install some mods to add graphics. Fortunately, this is quickly done through the in-game menu.
Once you’ve settled into Cataclysm, you might never need another survival game again. But even if the unintuitive UI concerns you, we highly recommend you give this turn-based survival game a go.
3Endling - Extinction is Forever
Most survival games take place over long periods, gradually ramping up the difficulty as you become more experienced with the game. Endling - Extinction is Forever is a short survival game (4-5 hours), but its length belies the stunning experience within.
In Endling - Extinction is Forever, you’ll play as a fox shepherding her family through environmental disasters. It’s a powerful emotional journey, so if you want to play a meaningful survival game, you should try this one.
4Settlement Survival
Settlement Survival is a city-builder/survival game where you’ll lead a group of colonists to prosperity in the wild. It’s relatively easy-going as survival games go, but the threat of disaster looms ever over your head during gameplay.
In our hands-on with Settlement Survival, we praised the immersive survival city-builder, despite requiring a TapTap account and sluggish controls. There’s a lot to love here, so give this survival game a go (just be warned, it will suck you in for hours at a time!)
5Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition
Don’t Starve’s scratchy storybook visuals have an ominous tone to their quirky appearances. Awkwardly proportioned characters may look funny, but the dark side of the game is always just around the corner. While death is inevitable, you’ll gather food, scavenge resources, and keep your fire burning in a desperate attempt to stay alive.
Don’t Starve encourages exploration and experimentation. The grim storybook graphics create an atmosphere equal to thebest horror games; the first time your fire goes out will send a shiver down your spine. But you’ll soon get to grips with the mechanics, and before you know it, you’ll be absorbed in the game’s excellent story.
6Minecraft
Minecraft appears on many of ourbest Androidgame roundups for a good reason. It’s a game that lets players play how they want, whether they like to build peacefully or prefer to test the limits of their survival skills. But while there are plenty of ways to play the game, Survival mode is the best way to experience the popular sandbox game.
Minecraft’s Survival mode forces you to manage your hunger and fend off monsters to survive. You’ll die reasonably often, so check that to store your valuable items safely at home. It’s a fantastic cooperative survival experience, so grab a friend to join you in your adventure.
7The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands
The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands is perfect for those who prefer a more casual survival game. While there are plenty of dangers ahead, and starvation is just a day away, the game’s slow pace lets you tackle problems at your own pace.
Good planning is essential for survival here, but you will quickly pick up the game’s mechanics. Note that while the game is free to download, it requires an in-app purchase of $3.99 to continue past Day 6.
8This War of Mine
This War of Mine is a hauntingly realistic game that forces us to face the realities of war. You manage a group of civilians hiding in a war-torn city, avoiding snipers and hostile scavengers to collect resources. It’s challenging, but knowing that you’re dealing with real-life situations is a grim acknowledgment of people’s struggles.
This War of Mine follows a day/night cycle. You’ll manage your shelter during the day and use the cover of the night to venture out for resources. Every decision has consequences, so carefully plan your next move to avoid disaster.
9Crashlands
Crashlands is a cheerful survival RPG that conceals challenging game mechanics behind cartoons and humor. Your goal is to help galactic trucker Flux Dabes recover his packages after crash-landing on an alien planet. On your quest, you’ll fight monsters, level up, craft tools, and, most importantly, make new friends.
Crashlands incorporates helpful mechanics that help keep the focus on exploring and building. A self-sorting infinite inventory ensures quick access to the necessary tools, and base building is quick and easy. Try it out if you want a break from the endless lists of gritty, realistic survival games.
10Terraria
Terraria is a sandbox game that emphasizes exploration above all. Death is a minor inconvenience, as Terraria wants you to take your time and explore the world. Full of challenging bosses and more weapons than you can imagine, it’s ideal for those who like to discover new things in every playthrough. While you can ramp up the difficulty, it’s worth starting at an easier difficulty to see everything the game offers.
Terraria is an excellent choice for anyone who thinks Minecraft lacks content. There are no urgent missions, so take your time to craft weapons, build fantastic structures, and trade with NPCs for valuable items.
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