One of the most popular game genres today is undoubtedly survival games. Although they have different features from each other, the aim of all of them is to test the players under difficult conditions.
One of the first games with this goal was Rust. Released in 2013, the game has managed to take the survival genre on the rise again.
This success of Rust set an important example for the gaming industry. Survival games like Rust have begun to be released one after the other.
Despite the past seven years, there have not been games that can fully replace Rust, but we still have great games on our hands.
Let’s take a look at Rust like games together.
List of Survival Games Like Rust
13. Miscreated
One of the themes that the survival concept is directly related to is the post-apocalypse scenarios. Miscreated’s story is pretty much like that. You are trying to survive in a world where various creatures are found as deadly enemies. The impressive graphics of the game accompany this challenge well.
The main feature that puts Miscreated in the games similar to Rust category is that it has PVP. If you love Rust and want to belong to a respectful community of players, you can definitely check out this game.
- Release Date – October 30, 2014
- Developer – Entrada Interactive LLC
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows
12. Minecraft
It is not yet possible to make a game list that does not include Minecraft. While this is of course a joke that proves the success of the game, Minecraft and Rust are games that can go side by side. The day it was released, it had completely changed not only the survival genre but the game world.
If Minecraft’s normal game options don’t give you the challenge you’re looking for, you can find hundreds of survival modes as a result of simple searches.
- Release Date – November 18, 2011
- Developer – Mojang
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Swtich, MacOS, IOS, Android
11. Stranded Deep
The biggest problem of early access games is that they cannot reach the full version for a long time. Just like Stranded Deep. Seen as a combination of Rust and Raft when it was released six years ago, the game is still in early access.
Although the type of the game developed with the Unity engine is survival, crafting and base building take a more important place. If you’re asking yourself Ark or Rust these days, Stranded Deep can get you out of that confusion.
- Release Date – January 25, 2015
- Developer – Beam Team Games, Fun Labs
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, PS4, Xbox One, MacOS, Linux
10. Green Hell
One of the best-looking games among the games on the list is Green Hell. You have to follow a story unlike other survival games to progress in the game. You can do the missions alone or together with your friends.
We have to say that the average of Green Hell’s more than 25 thousand user reviews on Steam is 9/10. It’s a proof of how fun and impressive atmosphere this average game offers.
Be sure to check out Green Hell, which managed to get very high scores from both gaming sites and players. The effort to survive in the Amazon rainforest will make you happy.
- Release Date – August 29, 2018
- Developer – Creepy Jar, Forever Entertainment
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
9. 7 Days to Die
The gameplay mechanics of 7 Days to Die are quite deep. Although the main genre of the game is survival, it actually includes tower defense, strategy, and role-playing genres.
Don’t be afraid that eight years have passed since its release, but it is still in early access. The game currently has enough content to play it quite enjoyable. Let’s also point out that 7 Days to Die, unlike Rust, is scary.
- Release Date – December 13, 2013
- Developer – The Fun Pimps
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
8. Don’t Starve
Don’t Starve is one of the most successful examples of the survival genre with its brother Don’t Starve Together. Don’t Starve, which we can put in the category of single-player games like Rust, differs from the games on this list with its graphics and drawings.
There are dozens of characters with different abilities in this game, which looks like it is straight out of Tim Burton movies. If you are looking for a fun and diverse game as an alternative to Rust, your choice may be Don’t Starve.
- Release Date – August 29, 2018
- Developer – Creepy Jar, Forever Entertainment
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, PS4, Xbox One, MacOS, Linux
7. Subnautica
We’ve only discovered five percent of the oceans. While this percentage tells us we know very little of the underwater secrets, this is not the case in Subnautica.
The game is one of the oldest examples of survival games where different fish and other aquatic creatures are included.
You can also try the sequel Subnautica: Below Zero, which was released two years ago. The sequel, which preserves all the strengths of the first game, also offers a new experience with different equipment and missions. Don’t forget to survive as you dive into the beauty of the sea.
- Release Date – December 16, 2014
- Developer – Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, MacOS
6. No Man’s Sky
What happened to No Man’s Sky is quite interesting. It was first eagerly awaited by millions of players. After its release, this excitement turned into a great hatred. In recent years, the developer team has made the game incredible.
In addition to interesting missions, the fact that co-op multiplayer is very fun is one of the features that make the game the most special. If you have turned your nose to the game in the past years, No Man’s Sky is ready for you.
Don’t be stuck with the low average Steam review for the game. The vast majority of those reviews are from the disappointing launch in 2016.
Recently, everyone who has played the game is quite satisfied with the variety of content.
- Release Date – August 9, 2016
- Developer – Hello Games
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Android
5. The Long Dark
Survival games often want to challenge you in the post-apocalyptic world with zombies or creatures. The Long Dark, on the other hand, offers a calm atmosphere far from this noise. The biggest weapon of the game is its atmosphere that will make you feel cold even while playing.
The story mode added with the incoming updates made the single player experience even more perfect. Don’t miss The Long Dark, which has the most essential features of the survival genre.
- Release Date – September 22, 2014
- Developer – Hinterland Studio
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, MacOS, Linux
4. The Forest
Perhaps one of the best survival games to hit the market is The Forest. The story that begins with a falling plane and continues with mysterious creatures kidnapping your child is quite interesting.
The Forest, as you can understand from its name, takes place in geography with dense forests. You have to hunt for food while protected from the rain, and fight against zombies while setting traps.
Sons of the Forest, announced for the Forest, is currently under development. The trailers of the sequel coming years later are pretty dark and scary. If you haven’t played Forest, it’s a great time to play before the second player.
- Release Date – May 30, 2014
- Developer – Endnight Games
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, PS4
3. Raft
Just like Rust and The Forest, Raft is one of the most successful examples of the survival genre. You try to expand your boat starting with a single piece of wood in the game where you try to survive on the vast ocean.
Do not look at what we call a sandal, actually what you built in Raft is exactly a floating house. You have to be protected from shark attacks, feed and grow your floating home more and more.
- Release Date – May 23, 2018
- Developer – Redbeet Interactive
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, Linux, Android
2. Astroneer
Although it looks like a very casual game when looking at the graphics, Astroneer’s infrastructure is quite solid. You try to survive on different planets either alone or with your friends in this space-themed game.
With dozens of different resources you collect from planets, you must discover new technologies and use these technologies to build structures such as space shuttles.
Although it cannot offer the multiplayer experience that Rust has, it is a very fun game in itself.
- Release Date – December 16, 2016
- Developer – System Era Softworks
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Android
1. ARK: Survival Evolved
ARK Survival Evolved is one of the games closest to Rust in terms of both visuality and content. Just like Rust, you can spend time with other players on public or private servers.
To survive in ARK, set in a universe where dinosaurs and humans live together, you have to be careful. If you are successful enough, you can tame a dinosaur and use it as a mount.
- Release Date – June 2, 2015
- Developer – Studio Wildcard, Instinct Games
- Platforms – Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, MacOS, Linux, Android
ARK vs Rust: Which is better?
Although there is no clear answer to this question, it is very much about what kind of game you want to play. To be successful in ARK, you have to spend a lot of time in the game and improve yourself.
You also need to learn diplomacy instead of fighting all players. That’s why you have to build strong structures and keep growing while avoiding hot war.
On the Rust side, everything is about the rules on the server you are on. Generally, battles between groups on private servers are governed by certain rules, whereas on public servers there is a fairly frequent battle.
If you like competing with other players as well as improving yourself, you can enjoy Rust even more.
The best thing you can do to compare these two games is to watch streams on Twitch. Twitch broadcasters play both games by acting on private servers. Naturally, you can watch them for a while and find out which one you like more in terms of gameplay.
The equality between the two games does not change in the review scores. The average score of the two games on Steam is equal to nine. On the MetaCritic side, while Rust is 69, ARK is one step ahead with the 70.
Conclusion
Rust is one of the first examples that come to mind when talking about survival games. However, it is no longer alone on the throne. We now have great options, especially with games such as Raft, The Forest, and ARK that have been on their way successfully for years.
There is another survival game that is not on this list because it has not yet been released: The Day Before. The game, which is about the United States after the pandemic, may seem like a classic zombie game.
However, the trailers released so far look great. It seems that we can fully feel the atmosphere that DayZ tried years ago. Visually similar to Ubisoft’s The Division, the game will be released in the second half of 2021.
We hope you liked this list. Since most of the games on the list are paid, we could not fully explain the free games like Rust today. But you can be sure it’s worth the money you spend on survival games that promise hundreds of hours of fun.
Let us make the first warning if you step into the world of survival games, build your shelter first.
