The best survival games to play on PS5, organized by co-op, open world, horror, crafting and hardcore survival — with clear reasons to pick or skip each game.
Grounded is the easiest co-op recommendation, Subnautica is the standout solo exploration pick, and ARK: Survival Ascended is the deeper sandbox for players who want taming and long-term progression.
Every pick below includes the reason it fits, the reason you might skip it, and the practical detail that matters for this search.
Use the table first; read the full notes only for the games that fit.
| Game | Best for | Players | Key fit | Skip if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARK: Survival Ascended | Creature taming | Solo / MP | Best for players who want dinosaurs, large bases and a deep long-term survival sandbox. | You dislike grind |
| Grounded | Co-op | 1–4 | A polished co-op choice with clear goals and approachable survival systems. | You want bleak horror |
| No Man’s Sky | Exploration | Solo / MP | Best when exploration and discovery matter more than constant survival pressure. | You want hardcore needs |
| Subnautica | Solo exploration | 1 | The best solo pick here when you want survival systems to support a strong sense of discovery and mystery. | You need co-op |
| The Long Dark | Hard solo survival | 1 | Choose it for cold, hunger, risk management and a slow, deliberate survival loop. | You want base building |
| Conan Exiles | Base building | Solo / MP | A strong console option when large builds, thralls and persistent sandbox progression are the appeal. | You want a tidy campaign |
| 7 Days to Die | Zombie defense | Co-op / MP | Best if you want scavenging and building to lead toward recurring horde defense. | You dislike rough edges |
| Green Hell | Jungle survival | Solo / Co-op | A fit for players who want disease, injuries and resource management to stay central. | You want relaxed survival |
ARK delivers one of the biggest survival sandboxes on console, but it asks for patience.
Taming, breeding, large bases and long progression.
You want a short, frictionless campaign.
Grounded is easy to recommend to a group that wants co-op survival without a huge learning cliff.
Two to four players who want a readable progression path.
You want a grim or realistic survival tone.
No Man’s Sky is a broad exploration sandbox with survival elements rather than a punishing survival sim.
Players who value discovery, bases and a huge universe.
You need hunger, scarcity and danger to dominate the experience.
Subnautica makes exploration itself the reward, with crafting and base building supporting the journey.
Solo players who love exploration and environmental storytelling.
You specifically need online co-op.
The Long Dark is one of the clearest choices for players who want survival to feel like survival.
Solo players who want scarcity and environmental pressure.
You mainly want elaborate construction or multiplayer.
Conan Exiles leans into building and persistent-world progression more than guided storytelling.
Players who want construction and long-term sandbox play.
You want a short linear experience.
Its horde loop gives gathering and construction a constant practical reason.
Players who want crafting, scavenging and base defense.
You expect polished cinematic presentation.
Green Hell puts body management and jungle survival ahead of power fantasy.
Players who enjoy more realistic survival pressure.
You want low-stress exploration or easy onboarding.
The answer depends on what you want: Grounded for co-op, Subnautica for solo exploration, The Long Dark for hardcore survival, and ARK for a large sandbox.
Yes. Grounded, ARK: Survival Ascended and several other console survival games support cooperative or multiplayer play.
Subnautica is the easiest all-round solo recommendation if you want exploration and discovery; The Long Dark is better if survival pressure itself is the point.