5 Most Anticipated Survival Games of 2024

From a wide selection of launch and gameplay trailers, 2024 promises fans an epic survival game adventure. With each upcoming title, players should expect a varied experience of settings, maps and missions. All the same, you will not regret your adventures as you try to endure the harsh nature of each environment you choose.

For what it's worth, we can't wait to experience and experiment with the resources each of the upcoming games will give us. However, as we wait, we have a list of games proving to outstand their rivals in the survival subgenre. This year, here are five of the most anticipated survival games in 2024.

5. Palworld

Palworld is an upcoming multiplayer open-world survival game set to release on January 19, 2024. Drawing inspiration from the Pokémon franchise, the game features creatures known as Pals.  In the game, players have the freedom to decide their playstyle, shaping their narrative within the open-world environment.

One exciting feature of the game is the inclusion of an unofficial morality system. The system provides players with choices to determine their in-game interactions with pals.  Also, players can engage in morally questionable activities such as poaching and exploiting them for personal gain. There's even the option for a darker path, where players can choose to enslave and kill Pals.

One notable feature is the ability to use Pals for more than just companionship. Players can mount their Pals to traverse different terrains. Additionally, the game incorporates fantasy and adventure elements, allowing players to immerse themselves in a world filled with magical creatures and diverse landscapes. The game aims to provide a player-driven experience, catering to those who prefer cooperative and more chaotic gameplay styles within the survival genre.

4. Nightingale

Another eagerly awaited survival game is Nightingale, slated to release on February 22, 2024. The game uniquely blends Victorian steampunk aesthetics and magical fantasy elements. The game offers a unique experience with its shared-world multiplayer survival gameplay. Undoubtedly, it has captured attention since its announcement at the Game Awards over two years ago.

The combination of survival elements, a captivating gas lamp fantasy setting, and the promise of a vast, customizable world fuels the anticipation for Nightingale. A notable feature of the game is the incorporation of a card system. Players collect various  Realms cards that can be mixed and matched to generate new worlds. This feature provides a diverse and freely explorable environment. However, players should be cautious, as creatures from these portals may threaten the player's home.

What sets Nightingale apart is its ever-expanding series of locations with diverse biomes like forests, swamps, deserts, and jungles. Each realm has a distinct visual appearance, unique points of interest, and different plant and animal life. The game introduces NPC factions, dangerous foes, and portals to travel between the worlds. Interestingly, the portals require unique realm cards, and players can customize the parameters of the realms they enter, including enemies, weather, day-night cycles, and available resources.

3. Enshrouded

Enshrouded is an eagerly anticipated survival game scheduled for release on January 24, 2024. The game’s popularity followed a recent beta test where streamers provided feedback. Players take on the role of one of the last surviving humans in a world filled with magic and mystery. The goal is to survive and thrive in a broken world plagued by a dangerous element known as the shroud.

In the game Enshrouded, you start your adventure in a wild and mysterious world where survival is the key. You gather resources like rocks and logs to make tools and build your place. The first job is to set up a base called the Altar of the Flame, beginning your journey from a simple hut. However, you must watch out for wolves and other wildlife. To do so, you'll need gear like a shield and a club to deal with them.

Combining immersive gameplay and visually appealing graphics creates a captivating experience for players. Similarly, the attention to detail, especially in the diverse landscapes, dungeons, and caves, showcases the effort to make the world feel alive and filled with magic. As players explore and build within this visually stunning environment, the anticipation for Enshrouded is undoubtedly justified, promising an exciting and visually rich gaming experience.

2. Ark 2

Ark 2 is set for a late 2024 release, according to a recent confirmation by Snail Games CEO Jim Tai. The game's release has undergone several delays. It was initially announced at The Game Awards in 2020 with an original release date of 2022, later pushed to 2023, and now slated for late 2024. The exclusivity deal with Xbox means it will launch as an Xbox Series S and X console exclusive, available on Game Pass for Xbox and PC via Steam and Windows.

The narrative of Ark 2 will build upon the events of the Genesis Part 2 DLC for Ark: Survival Evolved, released in 2021. The game introduces a captivating plot in which players, under the leadership of legendary hero Santiago (played by Vin Diesel), set out on a fascinating adventure to defend his daughter Meeka from antiquated ghosts and visions of a brand-new future. With a complete overhaul of the series, Ark 2 promises a next-generation survival experience, combining thrilling gameplay elements.

Ark 2 is preparing for early access, inviting players to explore, team up, and face challenges. The game brings in cool features like user-created mods with new creatures and items. Additionally, the game will support cross-platform play and new maps to explore. Similarly, the combat is improving too, with new features like target-lock, blocks, dodges, and special attacks that depend on your skills.

1. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

After a long wait, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has finally arrived, ready to immerse players in an exciting first-person shooter adventure. Since 2022, the gaming community has eagerly anticipated this post-apocalyptic open-world shooter, a sequel to the renowned S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series. Set to release in the first quarter of 2024, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. Additionally, GSC Game World announced that the game will be a Microsoft-exclusive release, restricting its availability to Microsoft Windows and the Xbox Series X/S platforms.

Inspired by the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, players navigate the zone as they contend with various factions and make crucial choices affecting the storyline. Plus, they must adapt to the unpredictable nature of the environment. The game promises to offer a captivating narrative set in a mysterious zone.

The game aims to elevate the visual experience by incorporating advancements in graphics and technology. Based on the trailer, the devs use contemporary gaming capabilities to bring the beautiful and hazardous zone to life. Anticipation for the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is notably high among dedicated series fans and the broader gaming community, all eager to immerse themselves in Chernobyl's thrilling and challenging landscapes.

So, which one of these games are you most excited to dive into? And are there any other survival titles you're eagerly awaiting this year? Share your thoughts on our socials here.