Games Like 7 Days to Die 25 Must-Play Games

If you’re a fan  of the thrilling survival experience in 7 Days to Die, you’re in for a treat! This blog explores 25 must-play games that deliver the same adrenaline-pumping excitement, whether you’re battling hordes of zombies, crafting your own sanctuary, or exploring vast, dangerous worlds. Each game on this list offers unique mechanics and challenges, ensuring hours of gripping gameplay. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into a collection of games that will test your survival skills and keep you on the edge of your seat. Let’s uncover your next great adventure!

Update Notice: Updated in June 2024, this guide highlights the best games similar to 7 Days to Die. Discover exciting survival and crafting games, including the latest releases and hidden gems. Stay entertained with top game picks that blend challenge and adventure. Our goal is to recommend games that are easy to find and fun to play.

1. The Forest

The Forest is a survival horror game that plunges players into a mysterious and foreboding woodland after a plane crash. As the sole survivor, the player must craft, build, and fight for survival against a society of cannibalistic mutants. The game is renowned for its intense gameplay, where every choice can mean the difference between life and death. With its immersive environment and dynamic weather system, The Forest offers a chilling, yet thrilling, open-world experience that tests the player’s resilience and strategic thinking.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Open-world exploration
• Crafting and building mechanics
• Dynamic weather system
• Day and night cycle
• Mutant AI that learns from your actions

Release Date: April 30, 2018

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4

Age Group: 18+

Genre: Survival Horror, Adventure

2. Rust

Rust is a multiplayer survival game developed by Facepunch Studios, known for its intense and unforgiving nature. Players are thrust into a harsh environment where they must gather resources, craft tools, and build shelters to survive. Interaction with other players can either lead to alliances or brutal conflicts, making trust a gamble. The game’s open world is dynamically challenging, ensuring that every decision can mean the difference between life and death. With its gritty graphics and demanding gameplay, Rust offers a uniquely immersive experience that tests the limits of survival strategy.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Multiplayer-only gameplay
• Vast open-world environment
• Deep crafting and building system
• Player-driven economy and interactions
• Dynamic weather and day-night cycle

Release Date: February 8, 2018

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Age Group: 18+

Genre: Survival, Multiplayer

3. DayZ

DayZ is an immersive, open-world survival game set in the post-apocalyptic region of Chernarus, a fictional former Soviet Republic. Players navigate a landscape ravaged by a mysterious plague, struggling against not only the infected but also other survivors. The game emphasizes realism and player interaction, requiring players to manage hunger, thirst, and health while scavenging for resources and crafting tools. With no given objectives, DayZ offers a unique, player-driven experience where every interaction and decision shapes the gameplay.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Massive open-world environment
• Realistic survival mechanics
• Dynamic weather and day-night cycle
• Player-driven interactions and stories
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: December 13, 2018

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition enhances the immersive zombie survival experience of the original game with expanded content and improved features. This edition includes all previously released DLCs, adding new missions, weapons, and vehicles, alongside upgraded graphics and an enhanced tutorial for newcomers. Players can build and manage their community of survivors, each with unique skills, in a dynamic world where decisions have lasting consequences. The game emphasizes cooperative play, allowing friends to join forces in a post-apocalyptic world to combat the relentless zombie horde and reclaim a semblance of civilization.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Open-world exploration
• Base-building and community management
• Dynamic events and challenges
• Character progression and skill trees
• Co-op multiplayer mode

Release Date: March 13, 2020 (Juggernaut Edition)

Platforms: PC, Xbox One

Age Group: 18+

Mist Survival is a gripping single-player survival simulation game set in a post-apocalyptic world where a mysterious mist has enveloped the land, bringing with it deadly creatures and relentless dangers. Players take on the role of one of the few survivors immune to the virus carried by the mist. Tasked with gathering resources, building shelters, and securing food, players must also fend off attacks from infected wildlife and hostile survivors. The game’s dynamic weather system and day-night cycle add layers of realism, challenging players to strategize and adapt to survive the eerie, fog-laden environment.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Single-player sandbox survival
• Realistic survival mechanics
• Dynamic weather and day-night cycle
• Stealth and combat mechanics
• Base-building and crafting

Release Date: August 15, 2018

Platforms: PC

 Age Group: 16+

The Long Dark is a survival game set in the harsh, frozen wilderness following a geomagnetic disaster. Players must navigate the silent, snow-covered environment of the Canadian wilderness, facing threats from wildlife and the brutal cold. The game emphasizes realistic survival mechanics, including managing hunger, cold, and health. Its episodic story mode, Wintermute, provides a narrative-driven experience, while the sandbox mode offers endless exploration and survival challenges. With its stunning art style and immersive atmosphere, The Long Dark tests players’ resilience and decision-making skills in an unforgiving landscape.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• First-person exploration and survival
• Realistic survival mechanics
• Dynamic weather and wildlife
• “WINTERMUTE” story mode
• Sandbox mode for pure survival experience

Release Date: August 1, 2017

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

 Age Group: 16+

Conan Exiles is an open-world survival game set in the brutal lands of Conan the Barbarian. Players must navigate a harsh environment, gathering resources, crafting tools, and building shelters to survive. The game features a unique building system allowing for the construction of everything from small homes to sprawling cities. Combat is visceral, with the ability to capture and enslave NPCs to help manage resources. With its expansive world and deep lore, Conan Exiles offers a challenging and immersive experience for fans of survival and adventure genres.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Open-world exploration and survival
• Deep crafting and building mechanics
• Combat and enslavement systems
• Dynamic weather and environment
• Regular updates and expansions

Release Date: May 8, 2018

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

 Age Group: 18+

8. ARK: Survival Evolved

ARK: Survival Evolved is an action-packed survival game that immerses players in a mysterious prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs. Developed by Studio Wildcard, the game challenges players to survive and thrive on a series of islands teeming with dangerous creatures and natural hazards. Players must hunt, harvest resources, craft tools, grow crops, and build shelters to protect themselves. The game also features a unique taming mechanic, allowing players to domesticate and ride various dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasts. With its robust multiplayer mode, ARK offers both cooperative and competitive gameplay experiences, making it a dynamic adventure for survival game enthusiasts.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Open-world exploration with over 80+ dinosaurs
• Deep crafting, building, and taming mechanics
• Multiplayer interactions and tribe systems
• Regular updates, expansions, and new content
• Dynamic weather and day-night cycle

Release Date: August 29, 2017

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Dying Light is an open-world, first-person survival horror game developed by Techland, and released in 2015. Set in a vast and dangerous urban environment devastated by a mysterious virus, players navigate the city of Harran, using parkour skills to evade zombies, especially during the perilous night when the infected grow aggressively powerful. The game blends elements of action, adventure, and horror, with a dynamic day-night cycle that significantly impacts gameplay. Its immersive world, compelling narrative, and innovative mechanics offer a thrilling and challenging experience for both solo and cooperative play.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• First-person action survival gameplay
• Parkour-inspired movement mechanics
• Dynamic day-night cycle
• Deep crafting and weapon customization
• Co-op multiplayer mode

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Subsistence is a sandbox survival game that challenges players to brave the wilderness and build a life from scratch. In this game, players must manage their resources wisely while facing threats from wildlife and the environment. The gameplay involves crafting, hunting, and farming, with a unique focus on base building and defense. Set in a richly detailed open world, Subsistence offers a blend of strategy and adventure, making it a compelling choice for fans of the survival genre.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Open-world sandbox survival
• Deep base-building mechanics
• Farming and hunting systems
• Hostile AI and wildlife
• Solo or co-op gameplay

Release Date: October 25, 2016

Platforms: PC

Green Hell is a gripping survival game set in the uncharted Amazon rainforest. Developed by Creepy Jar, it challenges players to stay alive amidst the dense and perilous jungle environment. With a richly detailed open world, the game emphasizes realism and survival mechanics, requiring players to manage their health, find food, and craft tools and shelter. The psychological thriller aspect intensifies the experience as players confront not only wildlife and natural hazards but also their character’s mental state. This game is renowned for its immersive gameplay and stunning visuals, offering a truly intense survival simulation.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Realistic survival simulation
• Dynamic environment with changing weather and wildlife
• Deep crafting and building mechanics
• Psychological survival elements
• “Spirits of Amazonia” story mode

Release Date: September 5, 2019

Platforms: PC

Project Zomboid is an open-world survival horror game developed by The Indie Stone. Set in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-infested world, players must navigate the challenges of survival such as hunger, fatigue, and the ever-present threat of zombies. The game is known for its deep, complex systems including crafting, building, and farming, along with a realistic medical system. With its isometric view and permadeath feature, Project Zomboid offers a gritty, immersive experience where every decision counts.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Isometric sandbox survival gameplay
• Realistic survival mechanics
• Dynamic world with changing weather and seasons
• Multiplayer mode for cooperative survival
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: November 8, 2013

Platforms: PC

Age Group: 18+

Stranded Deep is a survival video game that plunges players into the unpredictable perils of a remote Pacific island following a mysterious plane crash. Developed by Beam Team Games, the game challenges players to manage their health, hunger, and thirst while navigating the diverse ecosystems both on islands and underwater. Crafting tools, building shelters, and exploring both the deep sea and island terrain are crucial for survival. With its dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, Stranded Deep offers a deeply immersive experience, testing players’ survival skills in a beautifully treacherous environment.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• First-person open-world survival
• Detailed crafting and building mechanics
• Dynamic weather and oceanic systems
• Realistic survival elements, from hunger to sunburn
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: January 23, 2015

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Age Group: 16+

Genre: Survival, Adventure

SCUM is a survival game developed by Gamepires, known for its detailed survival mechanics and deep character customization. Set in an open-world environment, it challenges players to manage hunger, thirst, and other bodily functions while navigating through a treacherous landscape filled with other players and hostile environments. The game is notable for its intricate simulation of metabolic rates and body mass, making survival in the game as much about smart resource management as it is about combat. Its multiplayer aspect adds an intense competitive edge, engaging players in a strategic battle for dominance and survival.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Open-world survival with a detailed metabolism system
• Realistic combat and injury mechanics
• Deep crafting and building systems
• Dynamic weather and environment
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: August 29, 2018

Platforms: PC

Miscreated is an online multiplayer, post-apocalyptic survival game set in a harsh world ravaged by a devastating nuclear war. Players navigate this open-world environment, challenged by mutants, changing weather, and other survivors. The game emphasizes crafting and base-building, with a deep emphasis on scavenging resources to survive against environmental dangers and human threats. With its stunning graphics and immersive gameplay, Miscreated offers a gritty, realistic experience for fans of the survival genre.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Multiplayer online survival gameplay
• Vast open world with dynamic weather and day-night cycle
• Realistic survival mechanics
• Base building and fortification
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: December 18, 2018

Platforms: PC

Just Survive is a multiplayer survival game that thrusts players into a post-apocalyptic world where they must gather resources, build shelters, and fend off threats from both the environment and other players. Originally known as H1Z1: Just Survive, the game emphasizes survival mechanics, crafting, and base-building, set against a backdrop of a zombie-infested landscape. Players must collaborate or compete to secure scarce resources, manage their health, and navigate the dangers of a relentless world, making strategic choices to ensure their survival.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Open-world survival in a post-apocalyptic setting
• Detailed crafting and base-building mechanics
• Dynamic player interactions and narratives
• Regular updates and events
• PvP and PvE gameplay modes

Release Date: January 15, 2015 (Early Access)

Platforms: PC

17. Unturned

Unturned is a sandbox game in the multiplayer survival genre where players fend off zombies in a blocky, open-world environment. Developed by Smartly Dressed Games, it combines crafting and exploration elements, with players scavenging for resources to build shelters and weapons. The game stands out for its simplistic, voxel-based graphics and a robust modding community that adds layers of depth and variety. It offers a unique blend of survival challenges and creative freedom, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Open-world sandbox survival gameplay
• Blocky graphics and vibrant world
• Detailed crafting and base-building mechanics
• Single-player and multiplayer modes
• Regular updates and community-driven content

Release Date: July 7, 2017

Platforms: PC

Age Group: 12+

Genre: Survival, Sandbox, Multiplayer

Dead Island is a gripping action role-playing game developed by Techland and published by Deep Silver. Set on the fictional island of Banoi, a tropical paradise turned nightmarish due to a zombie outbreak, players must navigate through chaotic environments to survive. The game uniquely combines first-person combat with a heavy emphasis on melee weapons and character development. Its open-world setting, alongside a compelling cooperative multiplayer mode, makes Dead Island a thrilling experience for players seeking a blend of horror, survival, and adventure.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• First-person action RPG gameplay
• Detailed tropical island setting
• Vast array of weapons and tools
• Cooperative multiplayer mode
• Engaging storyline and side missions

Release Date: September 6, 2011

Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Age Group: 18+

Genre: Action, Horror, RPG

19. How to Survive

How to Survive is an action-packed survival horror RPG that tests players’ ability to endure in a post-apocalyptic scenario infested with zombies. Set on a series of remote islands, players must scavenge resources, craft weapons, and secure food and water to stay alive. The game features a unique day-night cycle that influences gameplay, with nights bringing more formidable challenges. The integration of survival guides within the game adds a strategic layer, teaching players crucial survival tactics while they fend off the undead and explore the islands’ mysteries.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Action-packed survival gameplay
• Diverse environments and challenges
• Deep crafting and RPG mechanics
• Engaging storyline and missions
• Cooperative multiplayer mode

Release Date: October 23, 2013

Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U

Age Group: 16+

Genre: Action, Survival, RPG

20. Empyrion – Galactic Survival

Empyrion – Galactic Survival is a 3D open-world game that combines space exploration, survival, and combat elements. Players can travel across different planets, each with its ecosystem and dangers, and build everything from bases to spaceships. The game emphasizes resource management and technological advancement, allowing for a customizable experience. With both single-player and multiplayer modes, Empyrion offers a rich, interactive universe where creativity and survival go hand in hand, providing endless opportunities for adventure and discovery.

Features:

• Open-world space survival gameplay
• Detailed crafting and building mechanics
• Diverse planets and ecosystems
• PvE and PvP combat modes
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: August 5, 2015

Platforms: PC

21. Fade to Silence

Fade to Silence is a survival horror game developed by Black Forest Games and published by THQ Nordic. Set in a post-apocalyptic world encased in perpetual winter, players take on the role of Ash, a man struggling to survive against harsh weather conditions and supernatural creatures known as the Eldritch. The game combines elements of resource management and base building, challenging players to gather supplies and recruit followers to strengthen their camp. With its intense survival mechanics and eerie atmosphere, Fade to Silence offers a gripping, isolating experience that tests the resilience and strategic planning of its players.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Single-player and co-op survival gameplay
• Frozen post-apocalyptic setting
• Detailed survival mechanics
• Engaging storyline and character interactions
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Age Group: 16+

Genre: Survival, Adventure, Horror

22. Raft

Raft is an innovative survival game where players find themselves alone, or with friends, on a small raft in the middle of the ocean. Tasked with expanding their makeshift vessel using debris floating around, players must also manage their hunger, thirst, and protection against potential threats. The game evolves as the raft grows, leading to exploration of islands and underwater reefs. With a focus on crafting, resource management, and environmental storytelling, Raft offers a unique adventure that challenges players to survive and uncover the secrets of the expansive, perilous sea.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Oceanic survival gameplay
• Detailed crafting and building mechanics
• Engaging storyline and mysteries to uncover
• Multiplayer mode for cooperative survival
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: May 23, 2018

Platforms: PC

Age Group: 12+

Genre: Survival, Adventure

23. Last Day on Earth: Survival

Last Day on Earth: Survival is a captivating mobile game that thrusts players into a post-apocalyptic world where survival is the sole objective. This immersive game challenges players to gather resources, build shelters, and fend off hordes of zombies. With its engaging crafting system and strategic gameplay, players must navigate the hostile environment, form alliances, and continually upgrade their skills and bases. The game’s intense scenarios and realistic graphics ensure a thrilling survival experience that keeps players on the edge of their seats.

Available On: Google Play Store

Features:

• Post-apocalyptic survival gameplay
• Detailed crafting and building mechanics
• Engaging storyline and missions
• Multiplayer mode for cooperative and competitive gameplay
• Regular updates and events

Release Date: May 25, 2017

Platforms: Mobile (Android, iOS)

Age Group: 16+

Genre: Survival, Sandbox, Mobile

24. Don’t Starve

Don’t Starve is an open-world survival game developed by Klei Entertainment that challenges players to endure in a dark, gothic environment filled with peculiar dangers. The player assumes the role of Wilson, a scientist who has been transported to a mysterious wilderness world. The objective is to use the resources from the environment to craft items and build structures that aid in survival against an array of bizarre creatures, seasonal changes, and other threats. With its unique art style and unforgiving nature, Don’t Starve demands strategy, creativity, and perseverance from its players, making it a standout in the survival genre.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Wilderness survival gameplay with a touch of magic
• Unique hand-drawn art style
• Deep crafting and building mechanics
• A dynamic world with changing seasons and random events
• Regular updates and expansion packs

Release Date: April 23, 2013

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile (iOS, Android)

Age Group: 12+

Genre: Survival, Sandbox, Adventure

25. World War Z

World War Z is a thrilling cooperative third-person shooter inspired by the popular movie and novel of the same name. The game sets players against massive swarms of fast-moving zombies in various global locations, including New York, Moscow, and Jerusalem. Players must strategize and work together to complete missions, fortify defenses, and survive waves of relentless undead. With its dynamic swarm simulation technology, the game offers intense and unpredictable gameplay, ensuring a gripping experience for fans of action-packed survival horror.

Available On: Steam

Features:

• Cooperative third-person shooter gameplay
• Multiple story-driven campaigns set around the world
• Dynamic swarm simulation with hundreds of zombies
• Diverse classes and weapon upgrades
• Regular updates and new content

Release Date: April 16, 2019

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Age Group: 18+

Genre: Action, Shooter, Horror

Conclusion