Best survival games for PC 2022

Terraria
Terraria (Image credit: Re-Logic)

Survival games push players to their limits by placing them in hostile environments where they'll have to deal with all forms of threats with limited tools at their disposal. They can be thrilling to play as you eke out progress by constructing gear and shelter to protect yourself from the elements and enemies. If you're up for the challenge, check out our guide to the best survival games for PC below. You may also want to check out our guide to the best gaming desktop PCs to make sure you're in the best shape to survive.

Terraria - PC

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Terraria was released in 2011, but it remains a genre staple due to its stunning pixelated art style, intense and fluid combat, unique bosses and enemies, and expansive crafting system. Delve deep into the ground searching for treasure and the materials you need to craft gear and build cities that will host allies.

Survival of the fittest

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Survival games offer unique challenges, pushing players to try to figure out the rules and strategies for themselves while often risking losing all their progress if they make a mistake. To get to know the genre, we recommend starting with Terraria. It's the oldest title on this list but it's still well worth checking out to get a sense for how to explore a vast sandbox world.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Grounded, an early access title that has phenomenal graphics that bring to life the tiny world in a normal backyard. If you really want to see how intense survival games can be, opt for Rust, where you'll need to survive both the elements and the predation of other players. Whichever you buy, these games are sure to keep you on your toes and stretch your creativity as you fight to live another day.

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.