5 Best Games Like Don’t Starve

Don't Starve is a game in which players will have to contend with not only fierce enemies. But nature itself as well. This game is fantastic and one of the most aesthetically unique entries in the survival genre. This is partially due to the game's mechanical and systematic frameworks, which allow for a wonderful survival experience. That being said, plenty of titles also do an excellent job of capturing the survival genre. So without further ado, here are our picks for the 5 Best Games Like Don't Starve. 

5. Windbound

Starting off our list of the best games like Don't Starve, we have Windbound. Windbound is a survival game that manages to have quite an emphasis on exploration and traveling throughout it. Players quickly find themselves shipwrecked and must make the most out of their environment in order to survive. However, Windbound does a fantastic job of allowing for players to adapt to their surroundings. It does this in a number of ways, such as having a thorough crafting system, as well as hunting mechanics.

These inclusions make the game feel challenging but never too difficult to be insurmountable. This is an outstanding balance to strike in a survival game due to the inherent difficulty of the genre's premise. As the game emphasizes sailing mechanics, it goes without saying that being able to craft and helm your own boat feels phenomenal. So if you haven't checked out Windbound and are looking for a survival game emphasizing exploration, definitely check it out. Simply put, it is one of the best games like Don't Starve on the market today.

4. Valheim

Valheim is a game that started off from a humble beginning, and following one of the most successful launches of an indie title on Steam, it is still one of the best games like Don't Starve available today. Simply put, the atmosphere in this game is phenomenal. This is significantly aided by the game's art style and environmental design. Players are tasked with creating a hero and venturing out into the wilds in search of glory and fame. Along the way, they will come across many figures inspired by Norse mythology, which really serves to ground the game's lore.

Along the player's journey, they will be able to build and craft weapons, housing, and more in order to survive. The mobs within Valheim offer their own bit of challenge as well. None more so than the area bosses, which act like roadblocks in the player's path. Fighting these bosses feels fantastic and makes the hours of preparation prior feel very rewarding to play through. So if you haven't played a survival game in quite a while or are new to the genre. Then Valehim is a great title for any player to jump into.

3. Sons of the Forest

Next on our list, we have an entry that serves as a sequel to a phenomenal survival horror game. Sons of the Forest is a sequel to the highly popular and well-received survival horror game The Forest. In Sons of the Forest, players will have to fend for themselves as they make their way through lush yet terrifying environments. While the environments may be wonderful to look at, the enemies that attack you in the game certainly are not and can oppose quite a threat to novice players.

There are a high number of different mutated enemy types, which manages to vary the encounters within this title. This goes a long way in keeping the gameplay from feeling repetitive and stellar. Added to this is a stellar crafting and gathering system, which really sells the survival aspects of the game itself. The game also features an amazing co-op element that is always fun to pick up with a friend. All in all, Sons of the Forest is one of the games like Don't Starve that has the most potential for a bright future.

2. Rust

Our next entry is one of the largest survival games available on the market. Rust is an absolutely massive multiplayer survival game with an emphasis on crafting, FPS gameplay, and survival mechanics. Along the way, players will have to forge alliances and feuds and participate in the game's absolutely massive world events. Players are able to host their own serves as well, which offers a unique flavor for every individual experience. Additionally, the game also features farming mechanics for those who wish to live a bit more passively within Rust.

There are extensive tech trees for players to fill out, which will allow them to create a number of structures as well as devices and gadgets to use along their travels. There also exists player trading, although oftentimes, it is highly contested as everyone in the game is out for resources for themselves. This doesn't keep alliances from being formed, however, which sometimes leads to massive PvP battles. Altogether, if you enjoy games like Don't Starve, then definitely check out Rust.

1. Ark: Survival Evolved

For our last entry on this list, we have a survival game with a unique twist. Ark: Survival Evolved can best be described as a survival game with dinosaurs. This means that for the player you are able to team, defeat, as well as harness the power of many different dinosaurs. Each of the dinosaurs has its own strengths and weaknesses and can be used alongside the player's weapons for added utility. The game features a heavily contested PvP mode as well, in which players will definitely have to watch their backs.

There is base-building in the game, and it is here that players will spend a lot of their time at the game's higher levels. It should be noted, however, that once a player dies, they will love everything in their inventory that hasn't been placed in housing storage. This places great weight on the survival aspect of the game. Even if you want to play the game more passively, it allows that as well. Simply put, if you are looking for a survival game with a unique gimmick and something in the same vein as games like Don't Starve, then Ark: Survival Evolved is a great choice.

So, what's your take on our picks for the 5 Best Games Like Don't Starve? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.