Survival and crafting games are a dime a dozen these days; You have to be intuitive about games like Ark: Survival Evolved. Many games claim similarity, but that’s lip service, nothing more.
Why Do People Love Survival and Crafting Games Like ARK: Survival Evolved?
Survival and crafting games are appealing because the players must work for every minimal amount of success they achieve. Players do not receive any help; they must put in the effort.
The only solution to ensuring survival is logical thinking and using the game’s thematic setting to take advantage. The rewarding feeling of conquering harsh conditions, collaborating with friends, and unlocking the benefits of our hard work makes it all worth it.
Related Article: 6 Survival Games To Play In 2023
ARK: Survival Evolved is peak survival and crafting; other titles must measure up to it. Let’s take a look at some alternative options that deserve mention.
12. Radiation Island
Release Date: January 29, 2015
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Mac, Android.
Radiation Island is the perfect example of a game that focuses on one aspect of survival and makes it work. The shift in focus doesn’t mean the game forgoes every other survival mechanic; it focuses more on warding off the titular radiation.
The emphasis on crafting armor and radiation-proof material is strong because it’s realistic. Food and water are no good if radiation has contaminated them. You need shelter for protection against wildlife and strangely mutated humanoid creatures.
How Is Radiation Island A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
For a one-to-one comparison, both games focus on surviving the dangerous situations of their environments. In ARK: Survival Evolved, the persistent danger is from the dinosaurs, whereas in Radiation Island, it’s the radiation threat.
11. Green Hell
Release Date: August 29, 2018
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch.
If you like challenging survival games, none are more difficult nor as punishing in their gameplay as Green Hell. The players must fend off the draining humid weather, the savage animals, the tribesmen, and hallucinations if their sanity depletes. In particular, the diseases and medicine crafting add new layers of survival mechanics for hardcore players only.
Related Article: Is Green Hell Multiplayer Fun?
Players can ease their suffering by convincing a friend to join them in the co-op mode for campaign and survival modes. Multiplayer is fun for making the difficulty tolerable but it doesn’t reduce it to the point that there’s no difficulty.
How Is Green Hell A Similar Game to ARK: Survival Evolved?
In Green Hell, the environment is the main enemy, alongside the other perils players must face. A similar situation is in ARK: Survival Evolved because players are alone, and danger is everywhere.
The dinosaurs are massive, terrifying, quick, and can easily overwhelm the player, similar to Green Hell’s hostile surroundings. Leeches still make us squiggly.
10. Grounded
Release Date: July 28, 2020
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows.
For a game to be groundbreaking, it has to come up with a radically different concept ripe for exploration. Grounded is an Xbox-exclusive title that has breathed new life into the survival game genre.
We play as one of the protagonists who has somehow shrunk in size, and now they have to deal with things from their tiny perspectives. Every day common hurdles like ants and spiders become horrifying monstrosities that must avoid.
How Is Grounded A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
The crafting in Grounded is similar to ARK: Survival Evolved, and both games’ enemies are giants compared to the protagonists. Grounded has a brighter color scheme and humor with its story focus; the same isn’t true for ARK: Survival Evolved, but both games are fun to play.
9. Rust
Release Date: December 11, 2013.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Mac, Linux.
Add multiplayer madness to survival games, and you’ve got a good system that works as it did for Rust. Playing Rust is a thrilling experience because you have to rush every time you play.
The environment is hostile, but the main worry is other players. The animals can come after you, and you have to fend them off, but guarding what you’ve collected and killing anyone after you is the game’s main component.
How Is Rust A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
Rust is heavily gameplay focused, just like ARK: Survival Evolved. The players must meet the characters’ needs; otherwise, there is a danger of the protagonist dying. The wild animals persistently come after you in both games, and you have to think on your feet.
8. Eco
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Platforms: Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac.
The great thing about Eco is that it’s not just a survival game. It’s a game also used for educational purposes in some institutes, which is fantastic and inspiring to hear. Eco involves creating a sustainable life cycle on a resource-rich planet while researching. The research aim is to invent a way to destroy an imminent threat to all life from a meteor collision.
The gameplay’s crux is balancing resource-draining the planet and getting the populace to contribute to a healthy environment. It’s an entirely new concept, but the danger of the meteor doesn’t make this game a relaxing experience.
How Is Eco A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
Eco and ARK: Survival Evolved are pretty similar because the constant threat of extinction of the human race is present in both games. Plus, it’s hilarious that one game has dinosaurs, and the other has a meteor coming. The comparison jokes write themselves.
7. V Rising
Release Date: May 17, 2022
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Vampires! We love playing as bloodthirsty predators that can fly and have incredible vampiric powers. The devs decided to incorporate the perspective of a vampire into a survival game experience, and the result is magnificent.
Players collect resources to craft advanced items and ingredients. Resource collection aims to construct a castle for the vampire, which will serve as protection from humans. Using the castle to defeat powerful foes results in our character attaining new powers and technology. Blood is a constant need of the vampire, and he must have it to stave off hunger.
How Is V Rising A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
V Rising and ARK: Survival Evolved may seem different initially, but they’re similar. Both games push the theme of surviving against all odds, and the problems of hunger and thirst are also present. Both games also deal with fictional creatures; one has vampires other has dinosaurs.
6. Arid
Release Date: June 29, 2021
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
We applaud the creative vision and ingenuity of the game developers of Arid. Students developed the mind-blowing game on the university campus, creating a unique survival game. Players not only have to deal with the regular needs of hunger, thirst, fatigue, and rest but have to avoid the scorching rays of the sun actively.
The nighttime is also extremely dangerous as snakes and other dangers lurk in the shadows. Finding a safe space for resting and making a bed is vital to ensure our character’s survival. The heat of the desert is exaggerated, but it’s used very effectively and works in the game’s favor.
How Is Arid A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
The games share a unique setting of pushing players into the wilderness. With Arid, it’s the unforgiving desert, while in ARK: Survival Evolved, it’s the tropical island where prehistoric animals roam about casually.
Both games focus on exploration and crafting to survive the tough hand by fate. Individual success in both games are reasons to celebrate the small milestones until the next problem arises.
5. Undying
Release Date: October 19, 2021
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Ready to get your heartstrings tugged at by an emotional tale in a survival game? Well, too bad if the answer is no because that’s what Undying does. The story of mother and son evokes a powerful emotion of tragedy in the making. A zombie bites the mother, and she will transform into a mindless flesh-eating undead; she has to train her son to take care of himself.
The game focuses on a post-apocalypstic survival setting. The mother has to ensure her son is able to learn everything from crafting essential items to cooking food properly. Assembling weapons and using them is also part of the lessons imparted to the child.
How Is Undying A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
Undying is cruel to the point that it dangles the mother’s condition in front of the players to remind them about the time constraints. Every day is precious, and has to be utilized to the fullest. ARK: Survival Evolved is similar in this regard, because of the constant danger. Both games encourage players by putting them in difficult situations.
4. Bum Simulator
Release Date: August 21, 2021
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows.
We now move from the tragedy of Undying to the hilarity of Bum Simulator. The funniest survival game around, and by far one the more intriguing concepts to grace gaming. You play as an urban beggar who has to grind and scrap, using quick thinking and street smarts to climb the ladder of success.
The game puts no pressure on gamers which is frankly a huge weight off the shoulders, and allows players to immersive themselves in the game.
How Is Bum Simulator A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
Both games feature growth in an unfriendly habitat. The theme of survival of the fittest is apparent in Bum Simulator as well as ARK: Survival Evolved. The brawl to live and walk away with the spoils of a fight is another idea that the two games share.
3. Volcanoids
Release Date: January 29, 2019
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Volcanoids introduced a steam-punk setting to a survival and crafting genre, and the game also focuses on a mechanical drill vehicle. Players must venture out to look for resources to upgrade the drill base and fight off unfriendly creatures.
Volcanoid’s basebuilding activity gives players a new area to focus on, a dedicated goal to work toward. The graphics are beautiful, and the shooting mechanic gives players power to face the unknown.
How Is Volcanoids A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
The safe havens in ARK: Survival Evolved are far and few between, so anytime players come across one they make full use of it. With Volcanoids, things are a bit different in the sense that the base travels with the players. There are upgrades which improve the functionality and aesthetics, but both games focus on seeking shelter. We, as human beings feel safe within secure confines.
2. The Forest
Release Date: April 30, 2018
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows.
The Forest is a fantastic survival game that makes people question everything they know about survival games. The game offers no auto-save, shelter after construction can save game progress, and tools have to be crafted in a semi-realistic time-frame; its not instant.
The Forest also has a mysterious plot that players can learn about at their convenience. The game avoids giving players hints about any mechanic until they take action for themselves. It’s an excellently executed survival and crafting game.
How is The Forest A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
The Forest and ARK: Survival Evolved bring freshness to the survival genre. Both games are set on islands and have lots of hostile creatures that are ready to attack the players. The narratives of both games are strong, and filled with mysteries and supernatural elements.
1. Minecraft
Release Date: November 18, 2011.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Android.
Minecraft is perhaps the most well-known survival and crafting game in existence. Even those gamers who don’t like the blocky aesthetic of the game cannot deny that Minecraft is beloved by many.
Minecraft allows players to start from scratch, collect resources, manipulate the environment, go on raids, defeat various enemies, build their base, and craft different items. With constant updates, new quality features are added to make the game more appealing to the player base.
How Is Minecraft A Similar Game To ARK: Survival Evolved?
Minecraft’s visuals may not seem like it matches the serious tone of ARK: Survival Evolved, but both share lots of common elements. The weapon crafting is similar and requires a lot of grinding, as is base construction. Resources are varied, and combat encounters are intense in both games.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our recommendations of similar games like ARK: Survival Evolved. We left out other games because we didn’t want the obvious choices. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In the meantime, here is another List Of 18 Survival games.
2 Comments
I love survival games! I’m definitely going to check out ARK: Survival Evolved.
Hello! We’re glad to know that a gamer has discovered a new game that they’ll find enjoyable. Happy gaming!