The Best PlayStation 4 Survival Games

Delving into the psychological horrors of survival, The Forest drops players into the shoes of a father searching for his missing son after a horrific plane crash leaves them stranded in a remote, cannibal-infested woodland. What sets this game apart is its seamless blend of terrifying encounters and strategic base-building, while the player remains haunted by the lingering question of whether the cannibals are truly evil or simply trying to defend their land. Iconic creatures, such as the grotesque Virginia and the fearsome Armsy, lurk in the shadows, ready to strike fear into the hearts of players. Cleverly combining exploration with crafting and combat, The Forest is a harrowing experience that adeptly keeps players on their toes.

Submerging players into a watery alien world, Subnautica challenges adventurers to dive deep into the abyss, scavenging for resources to keep themselves alive amidst the planet's treacherous depths. This stand-out entry in the survival genre offers an awe-inspiring sense of discovery, as players uncover the ocean's myriad mysteries, encounter truly otherworldly creatures, and piece together the story of a long-lost civilization. Boasting an uncompromising commitment to its underwater setting, the game allows players to build their own submersible vehicles, sea bases, and even personal submarines. In Subnautica, each player's life depends solely on their ability to navigate its stunning, yet perilous aquatic realms.

Journeying across the ravaged remains of rural America, Days Gone follows the story of Deacon St. John, a drifter and biker, as he navigates the hazards of a world laid waste by a deadly pandemic. As one of the standout titles within the post-apocalyptic survival genre, the game's gripping narrative is complemented by its environment-driven gameplay, encouraging strategic takedowns of zombie hordes using the terrain and weather to one's advantage. With a cast of deeply woven characters and cleverly integrated mechanics such as fuel management and weapon repair, Days Gone emphasizes the importance of resourcefulness in a ruined world. This thrilling adventure will have players hooked from start to finish, investing them in Deacon's tragic tale while grappling with the relentless onslaught of the undead.

Arguably the most famous sandbox survival game, Minecraft invites players into a block-rich world where they can explore, build, and create whatever their imagination desires. Crafting their own narratives within the randomly generated environment, the game offers a unique take on the survival experience that has captivated audiences of all ages. From the iconic, pixelated Creepers lurking in the shadows to the googly-eyed cows that populate the game's hillsides, Minecraft has become synonymous with its diverse and memorable cast of creatures. With an array of modes such as Survival, Creative, and Adventure, the game provides endless possibilities for players to immerse themselves in its diverse cubic landscapes.

Fusing survival mechanics with prehistoric adventure, Ark: Survival Evolved casts players onto a mysterious island teeming with dinosaurs, mythical beasts, and even advanced technologies. Offering a fresh twist on the genre, the game allows players to tame, breed, and ride these fantastic creatures into battle while forging alliances or waging war against other players in the game's sprawling open world. With a dizzying array of building options, players can create colossal bases, craft complex machinery, and even wield powerful weapons to defend themselves against the island's many dangers. From start to finish, Ark: Survival Evolved delivers an exhilarating experience that seamlessly blends the thrill of survival with the wonders of a prehistoric world.

Emphasizing the bleak isolation and quiet desperation of surviving in a frozen wilderness, The Long Dark challenges players to endure the piercing cold, vicious wildlife, and grueling solitude of a post-apocalyptic Canadian landscape. The hauntingly desolate setting effectively sets the game apart from others in its genre, as players must navigate a delicate balance between their physical and mental well-being to make it out alive. With no zombies or supernatural beings present, the game's realistically hostile environment serves as its own formidable adversary. In a world where even the slightest misstep can spell doom, The Long Dark offers a harrowing and truly immersive exploration of the human spirit's will to survive.