The best open world survival RPG

There has been a huge surge in open world survival craft games in recent years. Overall, it seems like many titles across multiple genres are mixing elements of different types of games in an effort to reinvent the wheel. One area where this has been quite successful is the survival genre. We have seen some incredible games such as: minecraft It's been dominant for years, but what happens when you add RPG elements as well? Well, there are a few titles that qualify.

Games included here must meet several criteria. First, it must be open world, with no strings attached or strings attached. Secondly, it requires survival gameplay, such as managing hunger and thirst or building shelters and bases. Second, there needs to be some level of RPG elements implemented, and that means at least stat and skill progression. Of course, it's not always possible to fill out all three perfectly, so for the sake of discussion, I'll allow some flexibility in the RPG department. I'll rank these games based on their overall reception on Steam.

Includes Early Access games.

external

Don't forget to stay hydrated in Aurai

external It's a really interesting mix of Soulslike RPGs and similar things like: Elden RingThe grueling survival game KensiThere is a huge amount of magic and mythology. It's a dream come true for fantasy fans looking for more of a challenge in a traditional fantasy RPG experience where drinking water and sleeping aren't usually big concerns. Here they are in impressive harmony.

No play through is ever the same, and if you're jumping in with friends, you'd better be prepared for some shenanigans if you venture out unprepared or engage in combat too early on that you can't handle. This gets bonus points for having a pretty interesting magic system, too, and the lack of fast travel options definitely makes it more immersive, for better or worse.

Conan Exile

Learn how to succeed in a barbaric world

Do you like brutal settings? Conan Exile I am the owner of this. Enter the world of Hyboria, starting with nothing but your birthday suit and growing into a force to be reckoned with. From building a base to crafting weapons and equipment, and even enslaving slaves to do your bidding, it's a very extreme survival experience with a flair for a brutal and powerful construction system. Of course, there are RPG elements as you choose your race and level up.

The world itself is impressively large, and some of the best gameplay comes from cooperating with other players to explore together. You'll find a variety of content, from different biomes to conquerable dungeons that will help you level up. Even better, you can join multiplayer servers and enjoy some pretty intense roleplaying.

Dune: Awakening

Arrakis gives you freedom, but it doesn't cost you anything.

legend of sand dune It's a game that I felt would be suitable for something like an open world RPG, so I'm glad to see it. Dune: Awakening In most cases, that solved the problem. While there have been complaints that the final game is incredibly difficult and that the grippers and taxation system make the multiplayer gameplay quite difficult, there are still a lot of things the game got right.

You can create any kind of survivor you want. Is blade length your jam? Go for it. Are you more fascinated by the Bene Gesserit and their mystical abilities? You can access them too. Not only that, but you must find the perfect spot for your desert hideaway while avoiding the destructive sandworms made famous in the books and movies. I hope that with all the exploration and questing you can do, the game will change things up and feel more friendly to the casual solo player.

covered

If you're brave, go into the tent.

while covered It's still in Early Access, so if we didn't include EA games, we'd be missing out on a lot of amazing games that combine the elements of open world, survival, and RPG. covered It's a masterclass in its field, and while it's still a little rough around the edges, it has the potential to be something special.

It shares some similarities with: externalAnd where some of the sandbox games on the list shine, is the fact that they also have quests. You can build beautiful homes, meet NPCs, and find your own special expertise in a diverse skill tree that includes many familiar RPG archetypes. Of course, being a survival game, you have to do all this while gathering all the resources you need and suppressing your hunger and thirst.

grounded

Honey, I shrunk the kids.

Obsidian Entertainment is famous for its awesome RPGs. grounded You'll also step into the shoes of a handful of survivors, trying to figure out how they came to be the way they are in the first place.

In a large open world that's essentially your backyard, you'll need to specialize and build skills, get good gear, build shelter, and build decent defenses against the wild animals and insects that interest you. What's the best way to experience this? From the group without a doubt. The sequel improves a lot on the first game, but it's better to wait a bit until some performance fixes are implemented.

Kensi

you will die and enjoy it

None of the games on this list are as unique as this one. Kensi. Although the player base isn't as large as some of the other games you'll find here, it's definitely worth it for entertaining a large, niche group of players who aren't afraid of a tough game. You see, in Kenshi you're not a badass demigod hero saving the world. Because the world doesn't care about you.

You spawn and can be instantly obliterated or enslaved, and that's where the story begins. From there, it is a difficult path toward survival rather than becoming a god. You can build a base and hold your own in battle, but don't expect to do any of those things at first. It's simply about building skills and scavenging for items to survive and feed yourself. This may sound like a nightmare to many, but no other game offers sandboxes and simulations. Kensi. Here's what we hope to get: Kensi 2 Within the next 5 years.

7 Days to Die

Incredibly deep zombie survival experience

The zombie survival genre is huge in itself, but is it a genre that combines open world, survival, and RPG? 7 Days to Die This is undoubtedly a good option, as it includes RPG-style customization and quests. The game has a lot of moving parts, from customizable vehicles to a variety of weapons to loot, craft, and modify, as well as a huge open world to gather resources.

It is somewhat similar to the skill system of . project zomboidYou can acquire skills by reading books, which will define the type of apocalypse survivor you are. Make sure you are ready because the swarm will be at your doorstep in 7 days whether you want it or not.

project zomboid

The Sims Meet the Zombie Apocalypse

Another great zombie-themed survival game that tells the story of how you died. project zomboid. Starting with Build 42, you can choose from five different starting areas on an open world map (which is incredibly large), and character creation allows you to choose a few positives and negatives to tailor your experience to be easier or more difficult. It also adds a bit of an RPG flavor, so you can play a veteran or a police officer and see that you develop these skills by watching TV and reading books. It's worth noting that some quests may begin soon, as NPCs are reportedly set to appear in the game at some point.

something unexpected sims Fans will enjoy this game because of its isometric style and occasional moodles. You have to manage your thirst, hunger, and even boredom. Because if you don't, you'll get depressed. There are houses and buildings to plunder, animals to farm, and forests to gather. Since this is a sandbox game, you ultimately get to decide how to prepare your town in case its water and electricity are cut off. The game's realism and detail, as well as its huge sandbox customization options, are undoubtedly what made it so popular.

ARK: Survival Evolved

Naked and afraid among dinosaurs

Topping the list and undoubtedly the most popular survival open world game with RPG elements on Steam is: ARK: Survival Evolved. This game offers something a little different. That means no zombies and no magic. There are no dinosaurs. And yes, you can tame them. Yes, you can fly with wings. That said, there are some very hardcore survival elements that go beyond just drinking water and eating food. Even when you log off, your items aren't completely safe and as expected, everything you use and craft wears off.

So where do the RPG elements come in? Well, there is a whole leveling up process that you engage in with the dinosaurs you tame. Performing game tasks such as crafting or hunting will give you some XP and you can spend your reward points on attributes. The game also packs a bit of lore into its huge open world, so get out there, explore, and become a dinosaur whisperer.