5 Video Games About Survival in the Wilderness You Must Play

"The Long Dark" places players in a harsh, frozen Canadian wilderness after a geomagnetic disaster.

With no zombies or fantastical threats, it focuses on realistic survival challenges like finding shelter, starting fires, hunting for food, and avoiding hypothermia.

The game's permadeath mechanic ensures that every decision matters, teaching players to plan ahead, manage resources, and adapt to changing environments.

Its stark atmosphere and emphasis on solitude make it a compelling tool for learning survival basics.

"The Forest" drops players into a dense, mysterious forest after a plane crash, where they must survive against both environmental hazards and hostile cannibals.

Players gather resources, build shelters, craft weapons, and hunt for food while exploring caves and uncovering the island's secrets.

The game's realistic survival mechanics, such as managing hunger, thirst, and stamina, combined with its eerie atmosphere, teach players the importance of preparation, adaptability, and defensive strategies in the wild.

Set in the Amazon rainforest, "Green Hell" immerses players in a tropical survival experience. The game emphasizes crafting and resource management, with mechanics for building shelters, creating tools, and treating injuries.

Its survival elements are deeply tied to the environment, forcing players to deal with venomous creatures, tropical diseases, and psychological stress.

The game's realistic portrayal of jungle survival challenges encourages players to understand their surroundings and adapt quickly.

"Raft" offers a unique take on survival by placing players on a small raft adrift in an endless ocean.

Players must gather debris, expand their raft, and fend off threats like sharks while managing hunger and thirst.

The game emphasizes ingenuity and resourcefulness, as players must craft tools, purify water, and grow food in a challenging, ever-changing environment.

It highlights the importance of improvisation and adapting to limited resources.

"Stranded Deep" places players in the role of a plane crash survivor stranded on a series of small islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Players must forage for food, craft tools, and build shelter while managing their health, hunger, and thirst.

The game focuses heavily on the use of natural resources and forces players to adapt to their environment, teaching them skills like fishing, water purification, and navigation.

Its emphasis on self-reliance and survival basics makes it a standout wilderness survival experience.