Don't Starve, the stylistic survival game from Klei Entertainment, recently celebrated its 8th anniversary. A real indie success story, Don't Starve has grown massively over the years, adding extra content and being ported to new consoles. In 2015 it received a multiplayer expansion called Don't Starve Together, which was also warmly received by the community.
While Don't Starve rode the first wave of survival games, there have been many similar titles over the years, both good and bad. No other game could copy Don't Starve's unique art-style, but there are a few that provide equally satisfying survival gameplay. For all the fans of Klei's game that are looking for something new, here are some of the best alternatives to Don't Starve out there.
The Long Dark
The first survival game that is often recommended to fans of Don't Starve may not look very similar on the surface. The Long Dark is an indie title developed by Hinterland Studio, and drops players into the frigid cold of the Canadian Wilderness. Unlike Don't Starve, The Long Dark is played from a first-person perspective, and has much more of a realistic art-style.
However, both games share the same brutal approach to survival, with limited resources and tough decisions to be made. Fuel is essential to keeping warm, but clothing and calorie intake can be equally important. Just like in Don't Starve, each open-world game of The Long Dark will challenge players in a different way, making it a fine choice for those seeking a similar experience.
Oxygen Not Included
Oxygen Not Included is another survival-sim from Klei Entertainment, but with a very different theme. Instead of Tim Burton-esque wanderers in a surreal realm, Oxygen Not Included challenges players to keep colonists alive in a hollow asteroid. While Don't Starve has players control a single character, in Oxygen Not Included they are responsible for an entire colony.
Despite this core difference, Oxygen Not Included is just as much of a survival-sim as Don't Starve. Players must contend with limited oxygen, adequate food sources, and even proper disposal of waste. The lives of the trapped colonists balance on a knife's edge, and it's up to players to make sure that they survive for as long as possible. For those particularly fond of Don't Starve, trying out this other Klei Entertainment game could be worthwhile. With some solid mods available for Oxygen Not Included as well, players could put some real time into the game.
Subnautica
Another popular survival-sim from an indie developer, Subnautica was released in 2018 by Unknown Worlds Entertainment. Like The Long Dark, Subnautica has a more realistic art-style, but still shares a lot in common with Don't Starve. Subnautica begins with the player crash landing onto the uninhabited ocean planet 4546B, where they must survive with only their wits and the replicator inside their emergency pod.
Because of its aquatic setting, Subnautica adds an extra level to the survival gameplay. A lot of the game revolves around the player increasing how deep they can dive, and for how long. The treasures and secrets of 4546B are located far below the surface, but there are plenty of dangers to contend with too. Although they look nothing alike, Subnautica really captures the same atmosphere and fear of the unknown as Don't Starve.
Don't Starve is out now for PC, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
