Survival games typically place players in harsh environments where they must overcome different barriers and challenges to see the next day. This adds a sense of immersion and struggle because players must strategize, gather resources, and make critical survival decisions. On the other hand, side-scrolling games generate a sense of nostalgia in many people who grew up with legendary titles from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Ultimately, the appeal of side-scrolling survival games stems from their unique combination of retro feel, challenge, exploration, and immersion. In addition, these games can evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue by emphasizing contextual storytelling, subtle visual signals, and player imagination.
10 Until We Die
- Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by mutants, Until We Die takes place in a subway system. As a commander with a group of survivors, players must gather resources, fight hordes of mutants, and expand their base to ensure survival.
Aside from the unnerving atmosphere, the game also focuses on base building and real-time strategy. To survive the mutant-infested subway, players must efficiently manage resources and personnel to defend their bases against horde attacks. To increase the odds of staying alive, players can also recruit diverse survivors with distinct abilities to aid them in exploring and overcoming the hazards of their underground environment.
9 Deadlight
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.
Losing your family during the apocalypse is probably one of the scariest things ever. This scenario awaits players as they follow the story of Randall Wayne as he travels through the crumbling ruins of Seattle in search of his family in the zombies-ridden post-apocalyptic world of Deadlight. Unlike most other zombie titles, where guns, ammo, and explosives will solve the problem, this game requires players to avoid zombies if they wish to survive.
What makes Deadlight shine is its engaging narrative, which is peppered with twists to keep players wanting more. Combining platforming, puzzle-solving, and zombie themes is definitely a unique touch as well. ​​​​​​Quick thinking is crucial to progress, providing unparalleled tension and desperation within the genre.
8 Lone Survivor: The Director's Cut
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, macOS, Wii U, and PlayStation Vita.
Lone Survivor: The Director's Cut will plunge players into a world ravaged by a disease that wiped out most of humanity. The game incorporates psychological horror themes and challenges players as they attempt to survive and escape the disease-infested hellscape.
Most horror games need players to focus on maintaining their physical health, which is difficult enough given the punishing gameplay environment. However, because mental health is a factor in Lone Survivor, players must decide wisely to achieve one of the good endings.
7 The Final Station
- Platforms: PC, MacOS, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
Many survival games are set in a dying world and are mostly explored on foot, but The Final Station follows a train conductor, Edward Jones, who lives 106 years after a disaster known as The First Visitation. So, the majority of gameplay is done aboard a train.
The game has two gameplay elements: caring for survivors on the train while managing resources and engaging in strategic fighting at different train stations to find hidden codes and essential supplies. Furthermore, The Final Station's art design and soundtrack give a sense of isolation that helps to bring the plot to life.
6 Endling - Extinction is Forever
- Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Android, and iOS
In Endling - Extinction is Forever, players assume the role of the last surviving mother fox, who must protect her young from the dangers of a dying world caused by human activity. To do so, they must scavenge for food and avoid predators.
The game boasts a fantastic emotional storyline that delivers a powerful environmental message. In addition, the stunning, haunting hand-drawn art style and the excellent soundtrack enhance the game's atmosphere. It is a gem that truly deserves attention from people looking for an emotional journey.
5 Grim Nights
- Platforms: PC​​​​​
Players in Grim Nights take on the role of a medieval village leader, entrusted with gathering resources to secure the village against nightly monster raids. Strategic planning and resource management are critical to survival, as players must strike a fine balance between defending the town and ensuring the availability of important resources for survival.
Building strong walls and deploying guards to safeguard the town are clever tactics, as the town's fate is determined by the player's ability to manage resources efficiently and tactically position defenses. With a difficulty level comparable to Until We Die,Grim Nights provides a demanding and intense survival experience not to be missed.
4 Overslept
- Platforms: PC​​​​
Set in a hospital, Overslept puts players in the role of Jazlynne, a psychologist who enjoys taking naps after work. However, one day she oversleeps and wakes up in a familiar but very different hospital.
Players must solve puzzles and escape from a hospital haunted by a tall, mysterious entity. Unsure when the entity will appear, Overslept's lighting and sound create an unsettling atmosphere that will keep players on the edge of their seats. The game's design builds a sense of paranoia and dread that adds to the overall experience.
3 The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS.
The Coma 2 follows Mina Park, a schoolgirl trapped in a dark and twisted version of her school. Based on Asian folklore, this game challenges players to solve puzzles and gather clues to find a way to escape while an evil entity pursues them. Through its smart mechanics and storytelling, this indie title can keep players engaged as they try to uncover the secrets of the twisted alternate world.
The game features atmospheric, story-driven gameplay with survival mechanics. It also has a mechanic where Mina can be permanently injured if the player is not carrying the right equipment.
2 This War of Mine
- Platforms: PC, Android, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Linux, macOS
In a war-torn city, players take on the role of a group of civilians struggling to survive. They must scavenge for food, medicine, and other resources to keep themselves and their hideout alive. Hostile snipers and scavengers add another layer of danger and tension as survivors must try to avoid them while carrying out their missions.
This War of Mine offers a different take on the genre, where players control civilians instead of soldiers fighting in the war. The game provides a somewhat accurate depiction of the impact of war on civilians and the hardships they face. Players must make realistic and difficult decisions, trying to protect everyone in their group while facing the risk of starvation or sacrificing some for the long-term survival of the rest.
1 Sheltered
- Platforms: PC, OS X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch.
As a family who stumbled upon an empty bunker, players find themselves in a world devastated by nuclear fallout, where they must ensure their survival. Sheltered challenges people to maintain their shelter, scavenging for vital supplies in the dangerous wasteland.
Players have to carefully manage the supplies they scavenge to keep the family alive for as long as possible. Additionally, players may encounter other survivors who could be helpful allies in the future through quests. Finally, decorating and renovating is a crucial game feature, as players must create furniture and amenities to turn their shelter into a livable home for their family.