Survival games are a unique genre of video games that require players to navigate through a hostile environment while fighting for their survival. These games often simulate real-life scenarios such as being stranded in the wilderness, battling zombies, or escaping from a dangerous island. With so many different types of survival games available, it’s important to understand how they are classified. In this article, we will explore the different categories of survival games and what makes them unique. From first-person shooters to simulation games, we’ll dive into the world of survival games and discover what makes them so captivating to players.

What are Survival Games?

Definition of Survival Games

Survival games are a genre of video games that emphasize the player’s ability to survive in a harsh and challenging environment. These games often involve exploration, resource management, and combat, with the ultimate goal of staying alive as long as possible. The genre has become increasingly popular in recent years, with games like “The Forest,” “Rust,” and “Minecraft” leading the charge.

One of the defining features of survival games is their emphasis on player choice. Unlike other genres, where players are often railroaded into a specific story or path, survival games allow players to make their own decisions about how to proceed. This can lead to a wide variety of playstyles, from peaceful exploration to all-out warfare.

Another key feature of survival games is their emphasis on survival mechanics. This can include things like hunger and thirst meters, temperature and weather effects, and the need to scavenge for resources. These mechanics add an extra layer of challenge to the game, forcing players to carefully manage their resources and prioritize their actions.

Finally, survival games often have a strong emphasis on crafting and building. This allows players to create their own tools and shelter, as well as customize their experience in other ways. From simple shelters to elaborate fortresses, the possibilities are endless in survival games.

Examples of Survival Games

• “The Forest”
• “Rust”
• “Minecraft”
• “Don’t Starve”
• “Stranded Deep”
• “Green Hell”
• “State of Decay”
• “The Long Dark”
• “DayZ”
• “H1Z1”

Types of Survival Games

Survival Games Based on Setting

Survival games are a genre of video games that revolve around the theme of survival, often in a post-apocalyptic or dangerous environment. These games are characterized by their emphasis on survival mechanics, such as resource management, crafting, and exploration. Survival games can be further classified based on their setting and gameplay mechanics.

One way to classify survival games is based on their setting. Some survival games are set in a post-apocalyptic world, where the player must survive against the backdrop of a destroyed society. Others are set in a wilderness environment, where the player must survive against the harsh conditions of nature. Still, others are set in a sci-fi or fantasy world, where the player must survive against strange creatures and other dangers.

Survival Games Based on Gameplay Mechanics

Another way to classify survival games is based on their gameplay mechanics. Some survival games focus on base building and resource management, where the player must gather resources and build a shelter to survive. Others focus on exploration and survival, where the player must navigate a dangerous environment and scavenge for resources. Some survival games also incorporate elements of crafting, where the player must create tools and weapons to aid in their survival.

In summary, survival games can be classified based on their setting and gameplay mechanics. Some survival games are set in a post-apocalyptic world, while others are set in a wilderness or sci-fi/fantasy environment. Survival games can also be classified based on their gameplay mechanics, such as base building, resource management, exploration, and crafting. Understanding these different types of survival games can help players find the ones that best suit their interests and preferences.

How are Survival Games Classified?

Factor 1: Setting

Survival games are a popular genre in the gaming industry, offering players the challenge of enduring against harsh environments, enemies, and other obstacles. One way to classify survival games is by examining the setting in which they take place. In this classification, survival games can be divided into two primary categories: those set in open worlds and those set in limited environments.

Survival Games in Open Worlds

Open-world survival games provide players with a vast, expansive environment to explore, often with a sandbox-style approach. These games typically offer a high degree of freedom, allowing players to roam freely and engage with the environment as they see fit. Examples of open-world survival games include:

• [Title 1]: This game sets players in a post-apocalyptic world filled with danger and opportunity. Players must scavenge for resources, craft weapons and tools, and fight off hostile factions while attempting to survive in the harsh environment.
• [Title 2]: In this game, players find themselves stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. They must gather resources, build shelter, and navigate the island’s hazards while attempting to signal for rescue.

Survival Games in Limited Environments

In contrast, survival games set in limited environments are often more linear, with a set path for players to follow. These games may offer a more structured experience, with specific objectives and challenges to overcome. Examples of limited environment survival games include:

• [Title 3]: This game places players in a zombie-infested city, where they must navigate the urban landscape, scavenge for supplies, and fend off hordes of the undead.
• [Title 4]: In this game, players find themselves trapped in a haunted house, where they must solve puzzles, avoid supernatural threats, and find a way to escape before it’s too late.

Understanding the setting of a survival game is crucial for players to know what to expect from the gameplay, story, and challenges they will face. Whether it’s the vastness of an open world or the confinement of a limited environment, survival games offer unique experiences for players seeking to test their skills and endurance.

Factor 2: Difficulty

Easy Survival Games

Easy survival games are designed for players who are new to the genre or those who prefer a more relaxed gaming experience. These games typically have a lower difficulty level, which allows players to focus on exploring the game world, learning survival mechanics, and progressing through the story at a comfortable pace. Examples of easy survival games include “The Forest,” “Don’t Starve,” and “Gris.”

Hard Survival Games

Hard survival games, on the other hand, are designed for experienced players who are looking for a challenge. These games often have a steep learning curve and require players to master a wide range of survival skills in order to succeed. The difficulty level is typically much higher, with players facing numerous obstacles and threats that must be overcome in order to progress. Examples of hard survival games include “Rust,” “The Long Dark,” and “DayZ.”

Overall, the difficulty level of a survival game can have a significant impact on the player’s experience. Easy games allow players to focus on exploration and storytelling, while hard games require players to use all of their survival skills to stay alive. Choosing the right difficulty level depends on the player’s experience, preferences, and goals.

Factor 3: Gameplay Mechanics

Survival games are a subgenre of video games that emphasize survival as the primary objective. These games often feature harsh environments, limited resources, and threats that must be overcome to survive. Gameplay mechanics are a crucial factor in classifying survival games, as they dictate the specific challenges and mechanics that players must navigate to survive.

Survival Games with Crafting

One of the most common gameplay mechanics in survival games is crafting. In these games, players must gather resources from the environment and use them to craft tools, weapons, and other items necessary for survival. Crafting can take many forms, from simple toolmaking to complex chemistry and engineering.

Crafting can also be used to improve the player’s character or base, making it more resilient to the harsh environment. This can include upgrading weapons, armor, and shelter, as well as unlocking new abilities and skills. Crafting can also be used to create new items, such as medicine or food, that are necessary for survival.

Examples of survival games with crafting include Minecraft, Rust, and Don’t Starve.

Survival Games without Crafting

While crafting is a common gameplay mechanic in survival games, some games focus on other mechanics to promote survival. These games may still feature resource management, but they may not include a crafting system.

For example, some survival games may focus on base building, where players must construct and maintain a shelter to survive. These games may also include scavenging for resources, managing hunger and thirst, and fending off threats such as wild animals or other players.

Examples of survival games without crafting include Stranded Deep, The Forest, and Ark: Survival Evolved.

Overall, gameplay mechanics are a crucial factor in classifying survival games. Whether or not a game includes crafting can have a significant impact on the gameplay experience, and can affect how players approach survival in the game world.

Factor 4: Player Perspective

Survival games are often classified based on the perspective of the player. The two main perspectives are first-person and third-person.

First-Person Survival Games

In first-person survival games, the player experiences the game through the eyes of their character. This perspective provides a more immersive experience, as the player can see and interact with the environment directly. Examples of first-person survival games include The Forest, Rust, and Apex Legends.

Third-Person Survival Games

In third-person survival games, the player can see their character and the environment around them. This perspective allows the player to see their character’s model and get a better sense of their surroundings. Examples of third-person survival games include Fallout 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

Overall, the player perspective can greatly affect the gameplay experience in survival games. Both first-person and third-person perspectives have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and players may prefer one over the other depending on their personal preferences.

Factor 5: Storyline

Story-Driven Survival Games

Story-Driven Survival Games are games that place a significant emphasis on storytelling and character development. These games often have a well-crafted narrative that drives the player’s motivation to survive. The storyline can be the central focus of the game, with survival mechanics serving as a means to progress the narrative. In these games, players are often given a backstory and a set of objectives that they must fulfill to advance the story. The narrative can be delivered through cutscenes, dialogue, or other storytelling techniques.

Story-Light Survival Games

Story-Light Survival Games, on the other hand, place less emphasis on storytelling and character development. These games may have a basic narrative or no narrative at all. The focus is more on survival mechanics and gameplay rather than a detailed storyline. In these games, players are often dropped into a survival situation with little to no backstory or context. The objective is simply to survive and overcome challenges, with no set goals or objectives. While the narrative may still be present, it takes a backseat to the survival mechanics.

In summary, Story-Driven Survival Games focus on delivering a compelling narrative and character development, while Story-Light Survival Games prioritize survival mechanics and gameplay over a detailed storyline.

Factor 6: Platform

Survival games can be classified based on the platform they are played on, which includes PC, console, and mobile devices. Each platform offers a unique gaming experience and has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

PC Survival Games

PC survival games are typically played on a personal computer or laptop. These games offer a higher level of customization and control, as players can customize their game settings and graphics to their liking. PC survival games also tend to have a larger player base, which can lead to more diverse and competitive gameplay. However, PC survival games may require a higher level of technical knowledge and a more significant investment in hardware.

Console Survival Games

Console survival games are played on gaming consoles such as PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. These games offer a more straightforward gaming experience, with fewer technical requirements and a more user-friendly interface. Console survival games often have a wider range of controllers and accessories that can enhance the gaming experience. However, console survival games may have a smaller player base and less diverse gameplay compared to PC survival games.

Mobile Survival Games

Mobile survival games are played on smartphones and tablets. These games offer a high level of convenience and accessibility, as players can play anywhere and anytime. Mobile survival games are often simpler and more casual than PC or console survival games, with less complex gameplay and controls. However, mobile survival games may have a smaller player base and less competitive gameplay compared to other platforms.

FAQs

1. What are survival games?

Survival games are a type of video game that focus on the player’s ability to survive in a hostile environment. These games often involve elements of exploration, crafting, and resource management, as players must scavenge for supplies and equipment to stay alive. Survival games can be set in a variety of environments, including post-apocalyptic worlds, deserted islands, and harsh wildernesses.

2. How are survival games classified?

Survival games can be classified in a number of ways, including by genre, platform, and gameplay mechanics. By genre, survival games can be divided into subcategories such as post-apocalyptic, open-world, and horror. By platform, survival games can be classified as PC games, console games, or mobile games. By gameplay mechanics, survival games can be grouped based on the specific skills and strategies required to succeed, such as base-building, crafting, or survival skills.

3. What are some popular survival games?

There are many popular survival games, including Minecraft, Rust, The Forest, Don’t Starve, and Subnautica. These games offer unique experiences and challenges, from building and crafting to exploring and fighting off monsters. Some survival games are also popular for their multiplayer modes, which allow players to team up and compete against each other in a hostile environment.

4. What makes a game a survival game?

A game can be considered a survival game if it places a strong emphasis on the player’s ability to survive in a challenging environment. This may involve scavenging for resources, crafting equipment, and managing hunger, thirst, and other basic needs. Survival games often require players to make difficult decisions and trade-offs, such as whether to risk venturing out into the wilderness to gather resources or to stay holed up in a safe location.

5. Are survival games only about survival?

While survival is certainly a key element of survival games, these games often have other objectives and gameplay mechanics as well. For example, some survival games feature crafting systems that allow players to create new items and equipment from scavenged resources. Others may include exploration or combat elements, as players must navigate a dangerous world and fend off hostile creatures. Survival games can also have storylines or quests that provide additional goals and motivation for players.

What makes a survival game a survival game?