The Best Survival Games for Linux

Update : Dissident: Frostland Escape added at rank #46.
1

Valheim (2021)

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88
Review score
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early access Linux Android PC Windows Xbox Series X Xbox One

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.

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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

2

Dome Keeper (2022)

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82
Review score
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PC Windows 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
  • management
  • wave
  • aliens
  • mining
  • underground
  • resource
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • inventory
  • dark
  • tower-defense
  • post-apocalyptic

3

This War of Mine (2014)

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

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
  • longer-term
  • stealth

4

Disc Room (2020)

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88
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Linux Mac OS

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.


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

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

5

Oxygen Not Included (2019)

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95
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
  • base-building
  • management
  • resource-management
  • sandbox
  • space
  • space-colony
  • resource
  • farming
  • building
  • colony-building

6

Don't Starve Together (2016)

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97
Review score
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Linux Android Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS

'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.

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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

7

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

8

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

9

Don't Starve (2015)

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95
Review score
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PC Windows IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One Linux Mac OS

Don’t Starve is an uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic. Enter a strange and unexplored world full of strange creatures, dangers, and surprises. Gather resources to craft items and structures that match your survival style.


  • survival
  • crafting
  • rogue-like

10

Lost Ruins (2021)

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71
Review score
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PC Windows Linux Mac OS Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch Xbox One

Lost Ruins is a challenging and engaging Metroidvania game that offers a unique experience by focusing on inventory management rather than leveling up. With stunning graphics and sound effects, players navigate through the monster-filled dungeon as they retrieve their memories. The game offers different weapons, spells, and unique accessories that encourage experimentation and strategic tactics. With multiple endings and unlockables, Lost Ruins offers high replayability to players.


What we like:
  • Unique formula utilizing inventory
  • well-designed and rewarding exploration system
  • balanced equipment system
  • offers different game modes and endings
  • stunning graphics and sound effects
What could be improved:
  • Small map
  • checkpoint system can be frustrating
  • missable side-quests
  • jumping mechanics and aerial attacks can be imprecise
  • limited storyline compared to other metroidvanias

  • survival
  • boss
  • metroidvania
  • dungeon
  • anime
  • pixel
  • retro
  • platform
  • combat
  • inventory
  • exploration
  • 2d
  • dark
  • hack-and-slash
  • cute

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