The Best Survival Games for Linux

Update : Exile added at rank #8.
1

Core Keeper (2024)

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86
Review score
Logo of Core Keeper Screenshot of Core Keeper Screenshot of Core Keeper Screenshot of Core Keeper

Linux Nintendo Switch 2 PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One

Core Keeper is a mining/crafting-adventure game that combines elements from games like Terraria, Stardew Valley, and Valheim. Dive into a subterranean world where you mine, build, and battle in an ever-expanding cave of wonders. Forge your path, unearth relics, and conquer monstrous foes, solo or with friends. It's a sandbox of secrets waiting for you to uncover!


What we like:
  • Infinite exploration with diverse biomes
  • Complete creative freedom in a fully destructible environment
  • Rich in secrets and stunning vistas
  • Varied gameplay with distinct regions
  • Extensive mod support enhances replayability
What could be improved:
  • Challenging navigation without clear landmarks
  • Limited inventory and storage space

  • survival
  • crafting
  • sandbox
  • cooperative
  • mining
  • cooking
  • farming
  • pixel
  • open-world
  • building
  • boss
  • procedural
  • simulation

2

Valheim (2021)

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83
Review score
Logo of Valheim Screenshot of Valheim Screenshot of Valheim Screenshot of Valheim

early access Linux Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS

Valheim is an epic, Viking-tinged survival-creation game with blocky graphics and a modern twist. You are dropped in a wild forest with runes to guide you on your mission to conjure and defeat supernatural beasts. Players must craft weapons and armor, puzzle out how to summon the beasts, and build structures for shelter along the way.

Buy

What we like:
  • Simple default building system
  • Instant rebuilding/repairing
  • Randomly generated 3D universe
  • Easy-to-read color highlights for structural integrity
  • Level up abilities by repeating actions
  • Robust physics engine underlies all actions
What could be improved:
  • Wonky battling system
  • Limited traversal over rivers and oceans at this point

  • survival
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • cooperative

3

Dome Keeper (2022)

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85
Review score
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PC Windows Android Linux Mac OS

Dome Keeper is a thrilling mining game that combines rogue-lite elements with intense monster battles. Excavate resources, upgrade your gear, and defend your dome against enemy attacks. With effective gameplay mechanics, a variety of resources and upgrades, and unique gadgets, Dome Keeper offers a satisfying experience.


What we like:
  • Effective gameplay mechanics
  • Variety of resources and upgrades
  • Unique gadgets for the dome
What could be improved:
  • Starting over can feel slow compared to the fast-paced gameplay

  • survival
  • rogue-like
  • time-management
  • aliens
  • management
  • wave
  • resource
  • mining
  • underground
  • resource-management
  • inventory
  • base-building
  • tower-defense
  • dark
  • post-apocalyptic

4

ARK: Survival Evolved (2017)

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91
Review score
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Android Mac OS Nintendo Switch Linux Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X stadia

ARK: Survival Evolved is an action-adventure game that throws you into a mysterious world filled with dinosaurs, where you must learn to survive and craft your own weapons, clothing, and tools in order to thrive. You must explore the land, build bases and enlist the help of creatures in order to defend against predators. With beautiful water animations, lush forests and varied creatures ARK will keep you engaged and entertained for hours.


What we like:
  • Varied creatures to explore & tame
  • Combat is incredibly satisfying
  • Crafted weapons can be used to threaten or destroy enemies
  • Trading items with other players
  • Stunning visuals & water animations
What could be improved:
  • Awful character customisation
  • Long taming process can test patience

  • survival
  • dinosaurs
  • crafting
  • open-world

5

Oxygen Not Included (2019)

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96
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Oxygen Not Included is an innovative and unique colony-building game in which you control a crew of duplicants who start beneath the surface of a procedurally generated asteroid with nothing more than a ration box and cloning device. With its childlike art style and humour, Oxygen Not Included looks like less of a space simulator and more like The Sims in space, but don't let that fool you - it's brimming with complexity and depth.

Buy

What we like:
  • Child-friendly art style
  • Complexity and depth
  • Humor
  • Procedurally generated asteroid
  • Experimenting with contraptions
  • Retconning decisions
What could be improved:
  • Frame rate drops at the start of each cycle
  • AI occasionally getting confused

  • survival
  • simulation
  • colony
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • management
  • sandbox
  • space

6

7 Days to Die (2024)

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68
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox One Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Linux Mac OS Playstation 5

7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits!


  • zombies
  • survival
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • survival-horror
  • post-apocalyptic
  • cooperative

7

Don't Starve Together (2016)

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90
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Mac OS Linux PC Windows Android

'Don't Starve Together' is a standalone multiplayer spin-off of ' Don't Starve', a game that has had players hooked since its Early Access release. With the first expansion, 'Reign of Giants', incorporated into it, you and your friends can explore the wilds and craft items, while also fighting off shadow monsters. Experience all four seasons to get all of the content, with comprehensive world settings to customize your experience.

Buy

What we like:
  • Comprehensive world settings
  • Tonable down or remove giants
  • Shorten seasons to focus on progress over survival
  • Sustainable organic farm and spider mill for raw food year-round
  • Caves and beefalo taming added since original game's release
  • Revive players through multiple means with or without health penalty
What could be improved:
  • No Adventure Mode content from original game
  • Mouse and keyboard controls have sketchy hitboxes causing accidental deaths sometimes
  • Limited music depth & customization options for video setting

  • survival
  • crafting

8

Exile (2025)

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61
Review score
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web browser Linux Android Mac OS PC Windows

A survival city-builder unlike any other—shaped by rolling hills, guide generations, and grow without limits. No cap on scale, no slowdown, just strategy and survival at your pace.


  • survival
  • retro
  • sci-fi
  • colony
  • old-school
  • platform
  • scroller
  • perma-death
  • pixel
  • city-building
  • simulation
  • rpg
  • metroid
  • shoot-em-up
  • exploration

9

Project Zomboid (2013)

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93
Review score
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PC Windows Android Mac OS Linux

Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite..


  • zombies
  • survival
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • sandbox

10

Aground (2018)

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93
Review score
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Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One

Aground is a Mining/Crafting RPG with a goal, story, and reason to craft and build. The gameplay is simple, but engaging with tons of features. In Aground, you can raise dragons and launch into space, fight enemies, discover magic, and explore secrets. If you're into crafting games with a lot of exploration, Aground is a thoroughly addictive game with plenty to discover.


What we like:
  • Story is interesting and allows for a lot of exploration
  • Crafting is solid and varied
  • Mod support and community are helpful
  • Gameplay is engaging and controls are good
  • Freedom to choose which islands to visit and play at your own pace.
What could be improved:
  • Item storage can be tedious and requiring a lot of trips
  • Low-resolution graphics may take some getting used to
  • Lack of personal relationships with NPCs
  • Basic tutorial and sometimes requires use of outside resources for guidance.

  • survival
  • crafting
  • dragon
  • mining
  • open-world
  • base-building
  • city-building
  • building
  • post-apocalyptic
  • exploration
  • sandbox
  • 2d
  • choices
  • management
  • story

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