The Best Survival Games for Linux

Update, : Monster Outbreak added at rank #33.
1

Valheim (2021)

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89
Review score
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early access PC Windows Xbox Series X/s Linux Xbox One Xbox Series X Android

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

Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • Wonky battling system
  • Limited traversal over rivers and oceans at this point

  • survival
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • cooperative
  • base-building

2

ARK: Survival Evolved (2017)

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

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.


Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • Awful character customisation
  • Long taming process can test patience

  • survival
  • dinosaurs
  • crafting
  • open-world

3

Disc Room (2020)

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88
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Mac OS Linux Xbox One

Disc Room is an exciting game that takes place in 2089 when a gigantic disc appears around Jupiter. You play as a scientist on board to explore the strange and dangerous environment and dodge discs while surviving for as long as possible. Underneath the surface, there are various tasks and objectives to complete in each room which require you to think creatively.


Pros:
  • Unique concept
  • Inventive challenges
  • Ability upgrades
  • Comic-style cutscenes
  • Visually appealing art style with themed visuals per region
  • Exciting soundtrack by doseone
Cons:
  • Challenging difficulty requiring quick inputs and reflexes
  • Obtuse 8-bit era inspired mechanics

  • bullet-hell
  • puzzle
  • arcade
  • survival
  • gore
  • cartoony
  • 2d
  • platform
  • boss
  • difficult
  • twitch-action
  • precision
  • retro
  • room-by-room
  • boss-fight

4

Don't Starve Together (2016)

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95
Review score
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Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

'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

Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • 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
  • rogue-like

5

Dome Keeper (2022)

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83
Review score
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PC Windows Linux Mac OS

Dome Keeper is a 2D mining rogue-lite game where you must excavate for resources and upgrades in order to survive the alien hordes. You'll have to make strategic decisions on how to use your limited resources and unlock defensive systems in order to escape the planet alive.

Buy

Pros:
  • Strategic resource management
  • Smooth gameplay
  • Intense experience with plenty of tension
  • Variety of difficulty settings and ways to customize runs
  • Rewards careful strategies
Cons:
  • Some reliance on luck when it comes to resource placement
  • Minor issues with certain mechanics

  • time-management
  • aliens
  • mining
  • survival
  • rogue-like
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • management
  • wave
  • tower-defense
  • pixel
  • underground
  • resource
  • dark
  • perma-death

6

Aground (2018)

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93
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Linux Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

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.


Pros:
  • 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.
Cons:
  • 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

7

The Long Dark (2017)

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85
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox One Playstation 4 Linux Mac OS

THE LONG DARK is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster. There are no zombies -- only you, the cold, and all the threats Mother Nature can muster.


  • survival
  • sandbox

8

This War of Mine (2014)

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94
Review score
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Linux IOS iPhone Android Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows Mac OS

In This War Of Mine you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city; struggling with lack of food, medicine and constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle.


  • survival
  • war
  • war-torn
  • crafting
  • resource-management
  • stealth

9

Shelter 2 (2015)

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94
Review score
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PC Windows Linux Mac OS

Guide a powerful Lynx through vast open landscapes. Give birth to your cubs, raise and strengthen them by mastering your skills for hunting prey. Explore the wild beauty of nature and do everything possible to prepare your family for the vicious entities dwelling on the cold tundra.


  • survival
  • open-world
  • atmospheric
  • simulation
  • cute
  • adventure
  • card
  • nature
  • exploration
  • collectible
  • single-player

10

Unturned (2017)

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91
Review score
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Xbox Series X Playstation 4 Xbox One Linux PC Windows Mac OS

You're a survivor in the zombie infested ruins of society, and must work with your friends and forge alliances to remain among the living.

Buy

  • survival
  • zombies
  • multiplayer
  • crafting
  • post-apocalyptic
  • shooter
  • loot
  • mmo

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