The Best Survival Games for Mac OS

Update, : The Pale Beyond added at rank #10.
1

Subnautica (2018)

View Similar Games
97
Review score
Logo of Subnautica Screenshot of Subnautica Screenshot of Subnautica Screenshot of Subnautica

Mac OS Android Xbox Series X osvr Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One PC Windows

Subnautica is a sci-fi survival game set on an alien ocean planet. You must explore the depths of this vibrant and mysterious world to uncover its secrets and find a way back home. With its hand-crafted environments, diverse creatures and engaging story, Subnautica is an explorer's dream come true.

Buy

Pros:
  • Engaging story
  • Lush environments
  • Rewarding exploration
  • Diverse creatures
  • Multiple game modes
Cons:
  • Navigation can be overwhelming at first
  • Some graphical weirdness from time to time
  • Base-building mechanics could be clearer

  • survival
  • underwater
  • crafting
  • open-world
  • exploration

2

60 Parsecs! (2018)

View Similar Games
98
Review score
Logo of 60 Parsecs! Screenshot of 60 Parsecs! Screenshot of 60 Parsecs! Screenshot of 60 Parsecs!

PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One IOS iPhone Mac OS Android

60 Parsecs! is a successor to 60 Seconds! Reatomized, a game that puts you in control of a space station crew member who must collect supplies and crewmates in order to escape the fallout of an incoming missile. With only 60 seconds to pick up your things, you must make wise decisions and manage resources carefully if you want to survive.


Pros:
  • Easy to pick up and play
  • Lots of freedom in how you approach problems
  • Characters have unique personalities and designs that are easy to get invested in
  • Crafting station for creating items
  • Special challenge stories with different criteria for completion
Cons:
  • Lack of puzzles and difficulty

  • survival
  • comedy
  • very-much-permadeath
  • crafting
  • space
  • adventure
  • cold
  • sci-fi
  • simulation
  • post-apocalyptic
  • strategy
  • dark
  • point-and-click
  • resource-management
  • atmospheric

3

Subnautica: Below Zero (2019)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of Subnautica: Below Zero Screenshot of Subnautica: Below Zero Screenshot of Subnautica: Below Zero Screenshot of Subnautica: Below Zero

Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS

Subnautica: Below Zero is an underwater exploration game that takes you on a journey of discovery, adventure and danger. You explore the depths of a frozen ocean world, encountering stunning creatures and uncovering secrets that have remained hidden for centuries. With its beautiful visuals and thrilling encounters, Subnautica: Below Zero will keep you coming back for more.


Pros:
  • Stunning visuals
  • Thrilling encounters
  • Variety of creatures
  • Deep story
  • Unique exploration mechanics
  • Endless surprises
Cons:
  • Limited survival gear at the start
  • Risky excursions can lead to death
  • Can get turned around in underwater networks

  • survival
  • underwater
  • crafting
  • exploration
  • open-world

4

60 Seconds! Reatomized (2019)

View Similar Games
98
Review score
Logo of 60 Seconds! Reatomized Screenshot of 60 Seconds! Reatomized Screenshot of 60 Seconds! Reatomized Screenshot of 60 Seconds! Reatomized

PC Windows Mac OS Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone Android

60 Seconds! Reatomized is a remastered version of the original game that released back in 2015, set in the 1950s and following the McDoodle family as they try to survive a nuclear apocalypse. The game is split into two parts - scavenging for supplies where you have 60 seconds on the clock and survival mode, making decisions inside a bunker to keep the family alive. Challenge modes give an additional layer of strategic gameplay.

Buy

Pros:
  • Replayability
  • Wacky moments
  • Strategic challenge mode
  • Hand-drawn style visuals
Cons:
  • Clunky controls when scavenging

  • survival
  • comedy
  • choices
  • post-apocalyptic
  • text
  • dark
  • adventure
  • remake
  • simulation
  • hand-drawn
  • difficult
  • point-and-click
  • rogue-like
  • funny

5

ARK: Survival Evolved (2017)

View Similar Games
91
Review score
Logo of ARK: Survival Evolved Screenshot of ARK: Survival Evolved Screenshot of ARK: Survival Evolved Screenshot of ARK: Survival Evolved

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

6

Rust (2018)

View Similar Games
87
Review score
Logo of Rust Screenshot of Rust Screenshot of Rust Screenshot of Rust

Xbox One Android Mac OS PC Windows Playstation 4

Rust is a hardcore survival game. You are pitted against other players, the environment and wild animals as you struggle to survive. With items such as storage boxes and locks, safe zones and crafting options, you can build a base of operations to take on whatever Rust throws at you.


Pros:
  • Three distinct biomes with unique flora
  • Fauna and resources
  • Crafting options to make your character more suited for the environment
  • Storage boxes and locks to protect your most valuable items
  • Safe zones that don't allow any hostile actions
Cons:
  • Poor graphics
  • Hard crashes
  • Constant attempts on your life by other players or wild animals

  • survival
  • crafting

7

The Flame in the Flood (2017)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of The Flame in the Flood Screenshot of The Flame in the Flood Screenshot of The Flame in the Flood Screenshot of The Flame in the Flood

Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS

The Flame in the Flood is a survival game that takes you on an adventure down the river with a companion dog. You'll have to craft items, scrounge for supplies, and manage your thirst and temperature meters as you explore different locations. With its charming visual style, creepy enemy designs and atmospheric soundtrack, The Flame in the Flood is an experience that shouldn't be missed.


Pros:
  • Charming visuals
  • Creepy enemy designs
  • Atmospheric soundtrack
  • Crafting system and exploration of different locations
Cons:
  • Intimidating difficulty at first
  • Split second decisions can have consequences
  • Limited inventory space

  • survival
  • rogue-like
  • crafting
  • inventory

8

Disc Room (2020)

View Similar Games
88
Review score
Logo of Disc Room Screenshot of Disc Room Screenshot of Disc Room Screenshot of Disc Room

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

9

Don't Starve Together (2016)

View Similar Games
95
Review score
Logo of Don't Starve Together Screenshot of Don't Starve Together Screenshot of Don't Starve Together Screenshot of Don't Starve Together

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

10

The Pale Beyond (2023)

View Similar Games
87
Review score
Logo of The Pale Beyond Screenshot of The Pale Beyond Screenshot of The Pale Beyond Screenshot of The Pale Beyond

PC Windows Mac OS

You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond.


  • survival
  • resource-management
  • choices
  • narrative
  • unforgiving
  • snow
  • hand-drawn
  • simulation
  • emotional
  • fiction
  • resource

Not seeing your game?