Top 20 video games about crafting and surviving in an open world

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Ignacio Weil

Gaming - November 9th 2024, 19:00 GMT+1

About this gallery:

For this list, we decided to look at all the games where you’re out of your element in an open world, surviving against creatures and natural disasters using your crafting skills.

Remember, this list is totally subjective! If you think we missed an essential crafting/survival game, why not shout it out in the comments? | © Hello Games

20. Saleblazers (2024)

Ever dreamed of running a cute island shop while fighting off creatures that *really* don’t want you there? *Saleblazers* says, “Why not both?” With your weapons and wits, you’ll craft, build, and somehow manage to set up a store while fending off dangers in a quirky open world. Perfect for those who like a touch of business management with their survival. Shopkeeping has never been so intense! | © Airstrafe Interactive

19. Volcanoids (2019)

In *Volcanoids*, you're not just surviving the land – you’re surviving against the land. Living in a world where volcanic eruptions are your biggest foe, you’ll dig, craft, and drill your way to safety inside a steampunk-style mobile drillship. As you harvest materials, beware the lava, because nothing screams “permanent vacation” like being too close to magma! | © Volcanoid

ARK Survival Evolved — 18. ARK: Survival Evolved (2017)

Nothing says survival quite like dodging T-Rexes while crafting a base in *ARK: Survival Evolved*. With dinosaurs, sci-fi tech, and “you really want me to tame that?” creatures, *ARK* throws you into a chaotic prehistoric world where you can ride, or be eaten by, gigantic beasts. Just make sure your base is dino-proof; they’re *always* hungry! | © Studio Wildcard

7 Days to die MSN — 17. 7 Days to Die (2013)

It’s one thing to survive the zombie apocalypse; it’s another to craft a fortress and survive for 7 days (and then some) in *7 Days to Die*. This open-world horror gives you limited time to prep before the next undead wave, so gather fast, build smart, and hope your barricades hold. A bit of crafting, a touch of panic – what’s not to love? | © The Fun Pimps

Green Hell MSN — 16. Green Hell (2019)

Welcome to the Amazon, where nearly everything wants you on the menu! *Green Hell* turns crafting and survival up to 11, placing you alone in the jungle with limited supplies, unforgiving wildlife, and a whole lot of “oh no.” Crafting here is less “fun hobby” and more “keep yourself from going insane,” adding a psychological twist to survival. | © Creepy Jar

ICARUS — 15. Icarus (2021)

*Icarus* is like a survival boot camp on a distant planet, where missions and resource gathering rule your time. The catch? The clock’s ticking, and the stakes are high as you craft everything from basic tools to high-tech survival gear. Get in, survive, craft like mad, and get out… preferably without losing your mind (or life). | © RocketWerkz

14. V Rising (2022)

You’re not just surviving in *V Rising –* you’re thriving as a vampire, building an empire one blood-drained victim at a time. Crafting takes on a dark twist as you develop a castle fit for a night-loving overlord. Just remember to stay in the shadows; the sun’s a killer! It’s like Dracula meets *Minecraft*, but with a bit more bite. | © Stunlock Studios

13. Stranded: Alien Dawn (2023)

In *Stranded: Alien Dawn*, you’re an uninvited guest on a hostile alien world, and it’s time to get crafty… literally. With strange flora, fauna, and the universe’s worst luck, survival is about using whatever you can find. Craft, build, and make sense of this bizarre landscape while avoiding the many things that want you gone. | © Haemimont Games

Rust MSN — 12. Rust (2013)

*Rust* throws you into a world where literally everyone (and everything) is out to get you, but hey, at least you have rocks. Craft weapons, build bases, and try to survive the onslaught of other players and environmental hazards. It’s a brutal, open-world free-for-all that asks: Are you strong enough to outlast everyone else? | © Facepunch Studios

11. The Long Dark (2014)

In *The Long Dark*, there are no zombies, no dinosaurs – just you, the snow, and the sheer will to stay warm and not starve. This game nails the “quiet apocalypse,” where each day is a struggle against the elements. Craft your tools, build fires, and embrace your inner wilderness expert as you survive the bleak, beautiful cold. | © Hinterland Studio

10. Raft (2018)

Stuck on a small raft in the middle of the ocean, *Raft* asks, “Can you survive with just planks and scraps?” You’ll build, fish, purify water, and keep an eye out for hungry sharks as you turn your floating pile of junk into a true seaworthy fortress. It’s simple, hilarious, and surprisingly addictive – just don’t fall overboard! | © Redbeet Interactive

9. Satisfactory (2020)

*Satisfactory* isn’t your typical survival game; it's all about building the most *satisfying* factory on an alien planet. You’ll craft conveyor belts, machines, and towers while fending off local fauna. It’s about efficiency, creativity, and making the world’s most complicated assembly line. Efficiency never felt so good! | © Coffee Stain Studios

No Mans Sky — 8. No Man’s Sky (2016)

Blast off into the great beyond with *No Man’s Sky*, a survival game where planets are generated randomly, and every crafting material has cosmic potential. Build bases, upgrade your gear, and explore galaxies that go on forever. It’s crafting meets intergalactic exploration, with a dash of “I’ve never seen this plant before!” | © Hello Games

7. Grounded (2020)

Imagine being shrunk to the size of an ant and dropped in your backyard – *Grounded* does just that. You’ll craft weapons from twigs, armor from acorns, and fend off spiders the size of semi-trucks. It’s survival in a world where grass is tall as trees and every bug wants a piece of you. Welcome to the tiny, terrifying jungle! | © Obsidian Entertainment

6. Enshrouded (2023)

In *Enshrouded*, you’re battling more than hunger – you’re battling a foggy curse. In a world covered in a toxic mist, crafting isn’t just a choice; it’s the key to survival. Build your sanctuary, gather resources, and clear away the mist to discover the strange secrets lurking in the shadows. It’s a foggy nightmare worth exploring. | © Keen Games

The Planet Crafter — 5. Planet Crafter (2022)

You’re not just surviving in *Planet Crafter*; you’re transforming a barren planet into a thriving habitat. With each resource gathered and each crafted item, you’re actively terraforming a wasteland into a green paradise. It’s survival with a twist – build your tools, shape your world, and watch a planet come alive under your watch. | © Miju Games

4. The Forest (2014)

*The Forest* throws you into the woods after a plane crash, with survival essentials and the lurking threat of cannibal mutants. Craft your shelter, set traps, and gather food while you unravel the mystery of what happened. This game isn’t just about surviving; it’s about staying sane while surrounded by things that definitely aren’t. | © Endnight Games

3. Valheim (2021)

In *Valheim*, you’re a Viking dropped into a mystical world where the Norse afterlife isn’t quite the paradise you’d expect. Craft weapons, build villages, and battle mythic beasts in a beautiful, open world inspired by Norse mythology. It’s survival with a Viking twist, complete with longhouses and boss fights that will test your mettle. | © Iron Gate AB

Cropped Subnautica — 2. Subnautica (2018)

Dive into the depths with *Subnautica*, a game where you’re not just surviving, but exploring an alien ocean. Craft submarines, build underwater bases, and discover some unsettling creatures that lurk below. It’s survival with a side of “don’t look too far into the dark” – an underwater adventure that’s as beautiful as it is terrifying. | © Unknown Worlds Entertainment

1. Minecraft (2011)

Is there any survival game more iconic than *Minecraft*? This sandbox classic lets you craft, mine, and build your way through endless adventures, whether you’re battling monsters or just building a replica of the Taj Mahal. Its open-endedness makes it the ultimate survival game – where your imagination is the only limit. | © Mojang Studios

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In the vast digital wilderness, nothing quite compares to the thrill of gathering resources, crafting gear, and battling against the odds in an open-world survival game. From rugged forests to strange alien landscapes, these games transport players into worlds where every tree, stone, and beast is a part of their journey to survive – and thrive.

Whether you’re crafting a fortress to withstand the night’s terrors or braving harsh elements on a deserted island, survival games blend strategy, creativity, and a pinch of chaos to keep you hooked. Here, we’ve gathered the top 20 open-world crafting and survival games that deliver heart-pounding moments and endless adventures. Ready to dive in? Let’s survive and conquer!