If you enjoyed the dangerous, barbaric world of Conan Exiles and Green Hell, where survival depends on your strength and strategies to dominate your enemies, there are other games similar to it that you can enjoy playing.
These engrossing, customizable survival games offer rich worlds to conquer however you desire. Step into the harsh yet captivating realms awaiting new legends and let the age of exile come to an end.
Having played and vetted these myself, I present a list that encapsulates the thrilling feel of Conan Exiles in diverse new settings.
From prehistoric lands to futurescapes, these rich worlds offer the same ruthless challenges but with fresh environments to explore. So, are you ready?
1. Rust
Rust is based in an open-world setup on an island. This is a survival game at its purest, where every element on the island is out there to kill you. This includes the wildlife as well as the other survivors.
This is a multiplayer game where multiple people are playing together, each fighting to survive. The Rust also supports clan gaming, as well as regular PvP fights, making it interesting for gamers who like to play together, as well as for those who like to play solo.
Key Highlights
- Online multiplayer game – fight other players
- Randomly generated maps keep it fresh
- Constant updates
- Play with your group in clans or play solo
- Available on MacOS, Windows, XBOX One, and PlayStation 4
2. ARK: Survival Evolved
Ark: Survival Evolved is often seen as a predecessor to many of the other genre games on this list. The ARK has a cult following. It is based in an open world where dinosaurs are out there to kill you.
If this threat wasn’t enough, other human players also pose a danger. This game carries a diverse set of species, some of which can even be tamed.
I also like the fact that Ark can be played solo, as well as in a tribe mode where you can team up with other players to fight other tribes.
Key Highlights
- Over 190 creatures are a part of the game
- Form tribes with fellow players to fight other tribes
- Tame creatures to expand your army
- Establish and capture bases to increase your influence
- Suports MacOS, Windows, XBOX one, PS 4, Android, iOS, Switch, and Stadia
3. Valheim
Valheim is a game based in an interesting world. It is designed partially on Norse mythology and partially in the real-life lore of the Vikings. My favorite part of the game is how much mythology it has absorbed.
Through the various biomes that you pass through, you have to prepare to fight six enemies of Zeus. Throughout the game, you not only fight your enemies but also gather resources and build structures that help you progress.
Key Highlights
- Rooted in Norse Mythology
- A well-structured game that passes through six major levels
- Play the game solo or in a co-op mode
- Excellent soundtrack that adds to the experience
- Available for Linux, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
4. 7 Days to Die
One of my favorite things about the survival genre is the different kinds of worlds that they are based in.
7 Days to Die is an excellent option based on a post-apocalyptic world after the Third World War. It uses horror as a key element where you fight off zombies. The idea of the app is very simple – survive as long as you can.
Through the course of the game session, you gather food and water, find new shelters, and most importantly, fight zombies who want to eat you.
Key Highlights
- Set in a world after the Third World War
- Fight zombies to survive
- Features a lot of customization options for your character
- Multiplayer and LAN modes are also available
- Supports Windows, MacOS X, Linux, PS4 and Xbox One
5. Night of the Dead
Night of the Dead is one of the coolest PC games out there if you dig the survival genre. As someone who enjoys PC gaming more than console gaming, this was the game for me.
It is based in an open world and provides a thrilling journey as you progress in the game. The game comes with a timer that keeps flashing how much time you have left until the zombies attack your base.
It relies a lot on your innovation and intelligence, as you can set traps to capture and kill the zombies.
Key Highlights
- Single-player (multiplayer expected soon)
- Provides regular updates
- Gives you greater control over your surroundings
- The soundtrack adds to the thrill and the horror element
- Only on PC at the moment
6. SCUM
SCUM is one of the games which I enjoyed the most while creating this list. It is based in a prison in Croatia. The idea is to survive, as well as to remove the implant that allows you to escape.
The key reason why I loved this one is the fact that it has a lot of real-life elements, from calories and vitamin breakdown, to performing toilet activities. The night vision mode is one-of-a-kind and feels very life-like.
Key Highlights
- Prison-based multiplayer game
- Play with up to 80 people
- Life-like mechanics and elements
- In an early-access mode at the moment, out in 2024
- Available only on PC for now
7. Don’t Starve
The first thing you notice about Don’t Starve is how visually stunning it is. The game’s art has been acclaimed as well as awarded by multiple publications.
The cartoon-like look of the game is deceptive as everything in the world is out there to kill you. The idea of Don’t Starve is simple. All you need to do is to survive for as many days as possible.
A day counter is also shown on the screen to help you keep track. As you progress, you can unlock new characters, each of whom comes with their unique features.
Key Highlights
- Single-player gaming with a multiplayer expansion
- Unlock new characters as you progress
- 2D characters in a 3D world: A unique visual appeal
- Every map is unique and differently generated
- Available on Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, OS X, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, XBOX One, and Switch
8. DayZ
DayZ is based in a post-soviet society, where you have to fight off zombies. For the game, you can explore the terrain, as well as meet other players who you can fight with.
Everything in this game is against you – other players, as well as the zombies. You need to gather food supplies and weapons, as well as survive random events like gas attacks and helicopter crashes.
Key Highlights
- No maps, scoreboards, or quests – only survival
- Up to 60 players at a time
- Supports VOIP communication between players
- Lots of different weapons to choose from and attack
- Supports Windows, Xbox One, and PS 4 platforms
9. The Forest
The Forest is the ultimate survival game for those who enjoy a storyline and some horror elements. Most of these games don’t really give the storyline too much attention.
Here, however, you play a father searching for his son in a forest. The Forest also has a deeper meaning to it – asking you who the true enemy is — the cannibals who are out there to get you, or you, who is a strange man in their land.
Key Highlights
- Excellent story-driven plot
- Fight cannibals and mutants in a forest to find your son
- Multiple endings based on the choices you make
- Open-world gaming – do anything you want
- Supports Windows and PS 4 platforms at the moment
10. Subnautica
Unlike Conan Exiles’ harsh exiled lands, Subnautica throws players into an alien ocean world, trading barbaric forests for otherworldly underwater biomes and fantastic creatures for an instantly unique survival premise.
Here, you fight not only other oceanic creatures, but also other submarines, wildlife, and volcanoes that are out there to kill you. All of this while you also search for food, water, and equipment.
Key Highlights
- Offers 4 gameplay modes: survival, hardcore, freedom, and creative
- Additional support for VR headsets
- Based on a futuristic alien planet – a unique world
- Single-player video game
- Supports MacOS, Windows, PS4, PS5, XBOX One, XBOX Series X/S, Switch
11. The Long Dark
The Long Dark is a single-player game that is quite life-like because you have to take care of many factors, including your calories and vitamin intake, your body temperature, as well as wildlife and other factors out to kill you in the wild!
If you’re from Canada or have been to Canada, you’re going to love this even more because it is based in the Canadian wilderness.
This is a survival game in the truest of sense because once you die, you’re dead. You start from scratch.
Key Highlights
- Over 100 gear items that can be found across the game
- Four modes: Pilgrim, Interloper, Custom, and Survival Mode
- Multiple updates over the years
- Supports Windows, MacOS, PS4, XBOX One, Switch, and Linux
12. No Man’s Sky
One of my absolute favorites on this list is the storyline, as well as the visuals. No Man’s Sky deals with planetary exploration in an infinite universe.
The game can be played in a story mode as well as in a multiplayer setup. The best thing about this is that you could land on a planet that has not been explored by anyone who has ever played this game and make that your base!
Key Highlights
- Infinite universe – keep discovering newer galaxies and planets
- Play in Virtual Reality mode for an immersive experience
- Story-based mode as well as multiplayer gaming
- Survive after facing other players and pirates
- Supports PS4, PS5, XBOX One, XBOX Series X/S, Windows, MacOS, Switch
13. Grounded
A world which is equal parts beautiful and dangerous, Grounded features a unique gameplay as the player is shrunk down to the size of an insect, where they fight off other insects and survive the dangers that surround them.
It can be played solo, as well as with three friends. There are lots of customizations (and even mutations!) which keep things fresh and interesting.
Key Highlights
- Witness the world from a unique perspective
- Play single-player as well as co-op mode with friends
- Spiders can be made less scary for people with arachnophobia
- An intriguing soundtrack that adds to the experience
- Available only for Windows and XBOX One and XBOX Series X/S
Frequently Asked Questions
While Conan Exiles has been out for a while and is somewhat outdated, it still sees quite some activity thanks to the recent re-releases on the new-gen XBOX consoles.
Yes, most survival genre games come with co-op and multiplayer support where you could team up with your friends, or choose to play against each other.
You will need to check the rating for that. Some games feature an open world where you can talk with other players. Those might not be suitable for kids.
Wrap Up!
There is indeed a certain thrill to playing games which is unparalleled. This is even more true when it comes to playing an open-world game where you can wander anywhere and do anything – and play at your leisure and pace. I hope this list has helped you find just the right kind of alternative.
Leave a Reply