10 Best Survival Games on Xbox Game Pass (December 2025)

Looking for the best survival games on Xbox Game Pass in 2025? Xbox Game Pass has tons of exciting survival titles where players face the wild, build shelter, fight threats, and stay alive through smart choices. There are different types of survival games — some are realistic and gritty, others are creative and full of adventure. Each one brings something fun and challenging. To help you choose what to play next, here’s a list of the top survival games available right now on Xbox Game Pass.

What Defines the Best Survival Games?

The best survival games are the ones that keep you thinking, building, and exploring nonstop. What I usually look for is how the game handles crafting, how deep the survival systems go, and how fun it is to play solo or with friends. Some games throw you into wild open worlds, while others give you a more focused setting with clear goals. I’ve looked at variety, how well the mechanics work, how fun the loop stays over time, and how it feels to return to it again and again. So, this list is based on how the games actually play, what they offer, and how much fun they bring to survival fans.

List of 10 Best Survival Games on Xbox Game Pass

These are the survival games players keep coming back to. Let’s dive in and see what makes them great!

10. Dead by Daylight

A multiplayer horror chase of survival and fear

Four survivors face off against one merciless killer in this eerie multiplayer setup. Players scramble to repair generators, open gates, and dodge danger. The killer roams nearby, hunting with unique powers and traps. Survivors rely on quick thinking and sharp timing to stay ahead. Also, maps change often, so no two escapes feel the same. The game builds high-tension moments that push players to make fast decisions capable of changing the outcome of a match.

Furthermore, friends can join together, taking on killer or survivor roles. Communication helps plan movements and approaches. With constant updates and new killers inspired by famous horror icons, there’s always something new to explore. Dead by Daylight remains one of the best survival games on Xbox Game Pass, filled with gripping multiplayer action that keeps players hooked every round.

9. Vampire Survivors

Endless monster swarms, nonstop action, simple survival loop

Vampire Survivors delivers retro-styled survival mayhem where hundreds of monsters flood the screen as players grow stronger. The main goal revolves around lasting as long as possible by choosing upgrades and weapons that attack automatically. Furthermore, runs start simple but evolve quickly as power-ups multiply and screen-filling attacks appear. So, dodging enemies and planning builds becomes the heart of the gameplay.

Moreover, the simplicity of the controls hides surprising depth, and players can constantly experiment to find ideal combinations that hold off waves of creatures. In addition, every run feels rewarding as progress unlocks permanent upgrades. This blend of strategy and chaos places Vampire Survivors comfortably among the top survival games in the Game Pass library. Short sessions often stretch into long hours of satisfying monster-slaying action.

8. Generation Zero

An open-world battle against robotic invaders

Set in 1980s Sweden, Generation Zero places players in a countryside suddenly overrun by mysterious machines. The story unfolds through exploration, where forests, towns, and coastlines hide clues about what went wrong. Players move through these regions using stealth to avoid detection and gather supplies such as ammo, weapons, and health packs. Every corner brings danger as robotic patrols sweep the area with glowing sensors. When it comes to combat, patience and planning are crucial since rushing in often attracts more danger.

Players can switch between solo and group sessions, sharing progress and resources to take down stronger enemies. Larger robots demand better tactics, and understanding how they move becomes part of the excitement. Generation Zero is one of the best survival games to play with friends because of its massive open world, dynamic battles, and constant need to adapt to its mechanical threat.

7. No Man’s Sky

Infinite planets waiting to be explored

In No Man’s Sky, players begin on a random planet with a damaged ship and minimal tools. The main goal revolves around survival and discovery across countless unique worlds. Finding materials to repair equipment becomes the first challenge, and soon the journey expands across entire star systems. Planets differ in weather, resources, and lifeforms, creating constant surprises as exploration moves forward. Crafting gear, upgrading the ship, and scanning wildlife make progress feel rewarding and layered with possibilities.

After getting the ship back to working order, the real adventure opens up through space travel. Exploring new systems reveals hostile environments and strange alien species waiting to be studied. The massive scale and endless discoveries define why it is among the best survival games in the Game Pass library. Here, survival means balancing oxygen, fuel, and protection from hazards while searching for upgrades.

6. Rain World

A survival platformer about instinct and danger

Rain World places you in control of a small slugcat trying to survive within a haunting ecosystem filled with hungry predators and violent storms. The world feels alive, with animals acting through instinct and natural behavior. Food, shelter, and timing determine how long survival lasts, and even the smallest mistake can change the rhythm of the entire area. Finding safe zones before the rain arrives becomes a constant balance between caution and risk.

Adaptation means everything in this strange place. Understanding how creatures react helps you stay ahead. Patience allows you to read the world and endure longer without rushing. That natural tension makes this one of the best Game Pass survival games, as it focuses on observation and steady instincts instead of power or speed.

5. Dead Space

One of the best survival horror games of all time

Deep in the cold silence of space, Dead Space delivers a chilling battle for survival. The story follows Isaac Clarke, an engineer trapped on a massive ship overrun by monstrous creatures known as Necromorphs. The main goal centers on repairing systems while staying alive in intense encounters. Players guide him through a series of challenging missions where resource management and awareness determine survival. Every fight relies on careful precision as players cut through alien limbs with advanced mining tools turned into weapons.

Audio logs, messages, and strange discoveries reveal pieces of a story wrapped in mystery. Necromorphs charge from unexpected angles, and staying alert becomes the key to survival. Using quick aim and accurate timing keeps enemies away, but conserving ammo is equally important. So, if you’re interested in a survival horror game, this one is a must-play on Xbox Game Pass.

4. Far Cry Primal

Prehistoric survival in a wild ancient world

Far Cry Primal invites players straight into the Stone Age, where instincts shape survival. The main focus lies in hunting animals, crafting weapons, and building shelters to defend territory. Spears, clubs, and bows serve as the primary tools for staying alive while facing rival tribes and wild beasts. Players explore massive valleys, dense forests, and icy peaks, gathering materials and unlocking skills that make survival smoother.

Furthermore, fire becomes a powerful weapon and guide in dark areas, helping to scare away predators. Stealth also matters when sneaking up on enemies or stalking animals through tall grass. The entire experience keeps players busy managing resources and crafting tools to stay strong across changing landscapes. This Stone Age adventure rightfully earns its spot among the best survival games in the Game Pass library, blending primitive combat with rich exploration and intense wilderness action.

3. Hunt: Showdown 1896

Tense battles against monsters and rival hunters

Up next on our list of Xbox Game Pass survival games, we have Hunt: Showdown 1896, a game that drops players deep into swamps filled with danger and reward. Players enter match-based hunts where teams track down targets across dense forests and broken farms. The main goal is to find clues scattered across the map and locate terrifying bosses waiting inside lairs. Once the bounty is collected, the game shifts into a heart-pounding chase where others hunt the hunters.

So, each match blends pressure with planning as danger can emerge from any direction. Also, every bullet matters, so players must stay alert and use their surroundings for cover while facing monsters or rival hunters. Stealth becomes just as valuable as shooting when hunters hide or ambush opponents near extraction points.

2. DayZ

Open-world survival in a post-apocalyptic land

DayZ is a massive open-world survival game set in a world filled with chaos and constant danger. Players start with almost nothing and must search for supplies scattered across towns, forests, and fields. Food, water, and medical items become the most valuable treasures. In this world, staying alive completely depends on managing hunger, thirst, and injuries while staying aware of threats from infected creatures and others seeking the same resources.

Weapons, vehicles, and shelters define how players survive while moving from one area to another. Towns may hold useful gear, but they also attract the infected. Weather changes suddenly, so preparing for cold nights or hot days keeps survival intense. Overall, DayZ captures survival at its rawest and stands as one of the best zombie survival horror games on Xbox Game Pass.

1. Grounded 2

Small heroes facing giant challenges once again

If you played the first Grounded, you already know why players got hooked so quickly. The idea of being shrunk in a backyard and fighting for survival made it different from anything else. The charm came from seeing regular spaces like gardens or puddles turned into massive worlds filled with danger. Players loved finding ways to survive through bugs, plants, and clever building tricks that made them feel resourceful instead of powerless.

That idea continues to grow in Grounded 2, where the same tiny heroes return, but the world is far bigger. The sequel changes how players interact with the environment. Bug companions known as buggies make survival smoother and more exciting. These insect partners can be used for combat or for carrying supplies across vast spaces. The bond between the player and these insects makes the journey more personal. With all this, Grounded 2 easily tops our list of this month’s best survival games in the Game Pass library.