The Best Survival Games for Mac OS

Update : Six Ages 2: Lights Going Out added at rank #14.
1

Subnautica (2018)

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97
Review score
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Android Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One

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

What we like:
  • Engaging story
  • Lush environments
  • Rewarding exploration
  • Diverse creatures
  • Multiple game modes
What could be improved:
  • 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)

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98
Review score
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Android Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One IOS iPhone

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.


What we like:
  • 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
What could be improved:
  • 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

60 Seconds! Reatomized (2019)

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98
Review score
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Android Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One IOS iPhone

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

What we like:
  • Replayability
  • Wacky moments
  • Strategic challenge mode
  • Hand-drawn style visuals
What could be improved:
  • Clunky controls when scavenging

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

4

Subnautica: Below Zero (2019)

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90
Review score
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Xbox One Mac OS PC Windows

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.


What we like:
  • Stunning visuals
  • Thrilling encounters
  • Variety of creatures
  • Deep story
  • Unique exploration mechanics
  • Endless surprises
What could be improved:
  • 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

5

Rust (2018)

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86
Review score
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Android Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One

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.


What we like:
  • 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
What could be improved:
  • Poor graphics
  • Hard crashes
  • Constant attempts on your life by other players or wild animals

  • survival
  • crafting

6

Don't Starve Together (2016)

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94
Review score
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Xbox One Nintendo Switch Linux Mac OS PC Windows

'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

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

8

No Man's Sky (2016)

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89
Review score
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Android Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS Nintendo Switch ps1 vr2

No Man's Sky is a massive universe-sim sandbox experience that lets you explore an infinite number of planets with unique lifeforms and environments. Upgrade your ship and suit for survival and choose your own path - whether you want to be a trader, fighter, or explorer. The game offers great graphics and good VR support with the ability to play with friends and share your discoveries.


What we like:
  • Deliver on promises
  • Great graphics
  • Cross-play enabled
  • Good VR support
What could be improved:
  • Some bugs present
  • Not challenging enough
  • No co-op progression

  • inventory
  • survival
  • exploration
  • sci-fi
  • crafting
  • pirates
  • resource
  • aliens
  • trading
  • discovery
  • multiplayer
  • space
  • sandbox
  • management
  • open-world

9

This War of Mine (2014)

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

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

10

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

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