The RPG genre has grown to encompass a wide variety of styles, from action-adventure titles to turn-based fantasy games. Genre overlap is common and essential for keeping things fresh and exciting. As the genre has grown, developers have begun to push their work into new areas of gameplay, with many RPGs including survival mechanics in their game worlds.
Survival games are some of the mostimmersive and engaging gameson the market. These titles often include harsh weather mechanics that can kill the character if they are not prepared. Players will often need to consider the character’s hunger and thirst, as well as the gathering of materials to construct and craft different items. This level of in-depth gameplay goes hand in hand with the RPG genre, creating some of the most memorable titles in recent memory.
Survival Mechanics: Base Building, Resource Gathering.
Described as a narrative-driven survival RPG,Dead State: Reanimatedplaces players in the middle of a zombie outbreak, forcing them tosurvive against the undead hordes. Players will need to take charge of their group as disputes between characters arise, as well as source all the requirements a growing settlement will need, such as food and materials.
The game is primarily a settlement builder RPG, where players customize and create their character, find survivors, and fortify and defend their burgeoning settlement with turn-based combat. The zombie horror game will appeal to fans of RPG simulation games looking for something a little different.
This ambitious first-person medieval RPG may not have been the game everyone was hoping for but has since grown a cult following. Set within a vassal state of the Holy Roman Empire, the game attempted to recreate life in medieval times. Starting as a lowly peasant, the game introducestough combat mechanicsand a harsh and unforgiving world that takes time to master.
Kingdom Come: Deliveranceattempts to depict life in an unforgiving and realistic way. This includes the character needing regular food, water, and sleep to survive. The player’s equipment also degrades over time and will need repairs to stay effective. AlthoughKingdom Comeis not a perfect game by any standard, it does offer a fun and immersive experience if given the chance.
This survival RPG offers players the chance to live out their medieval dreams in the harsh environments of the Middle Ages. With a bigger emphasis on building and construction,Medieval Dynastyoffers solo gameplay, as well as with a group of friends, who can help to build the thriving community within the game.
Without a specific quest to go on, the game falls into the simulation/management RPG genre, where the goal is to survive and build a healthy community. Players will come up against harsh weather conditions, wild animals, and raiding bandits while farming or hunting for food.Medieval Dynastyis afun survival RPGthat isn’t about adventuring, but building the foundations for the future of the player’s village.
This cult first-personaction RPGhorror game is set within an alternative reality, where a second mysterious disaster befell Chernobyl, leading to otherworldly occurrences in the area, known as The Zone. This primarily FPS game incorporates many RPG elements, such as items that boost abilities, multiple dialogue options with NPCs, and a large non-linear setting.
The game also incorporates several survival mechanics, such as hunger and radiation poisoning, which can be treated with medication. The character can also suffer bleeding effects from attacks, which, if untreated, will slowly kill the player. These elements makeSTALKERa lot more than just a standard FPS, forcing players to plan their movement carefully, using stealth over action.STALKERoffers a bleak atmosphere and immersive storytelling, creating a memorable and underrated classic of the genre.
6Dust to the End
Survival Mechanics: Building, Environmental Hazards.
This post-apocalyptic simulation RPG brings players to a desolateMad Max-style setting, where nuclear war has destroyed civilization. In the game, players lead a traveling merchant caravan of survivors, as they movefrom settlement to settlement, trading with the local population. Players can build an empire in society’s remains, creating bases and recruiting mercenaries to protect the caravan.
Dust to the Endis an expansive and character-rich game with turn-based combat that offers plenty of weapon choices and skills to upgrade. Each new mercenary hired has their own unique personality, which must be taken into consideration when heading into dangerous areas. The game will appeal to fans ofDarkest Dungeon, with its similar combat and recruitment system.
One of the most beloved game franchises in history, theZeldaseries has continued to change and evolve over its long lifespan. Building on the gameplay of the open-world classic,Breath Of The Wild,Tears of The Kingdomcontinues Link’s adventures through the expansive world of Hyrule.
In the game, players will come across various environmental hazards, such as large frozen areas, which they will have to protect themselves against with different clothing or a heat source. The weapons in the game also have limited usage and will eventually degrade and break. Players can gather the required resources and craft more weapons when needed.Tears Of The Kingdomis an action-adventure RPG that rewards creativity and continues the trend of critically acclaimed games in theZeldaseries.
Obsidian Entertainment’s post-apocalyptic RPG classicFallout: New Vegastakes players into the irradiated wasteland of the Mojave Desert, filled with mutated monsters and deadly raiders. In the game, players control The Courier, which they can customize and upgrade throughout the game.
The standard mode ofFallout: New Vegashas very forgiving mechanics, with survival taking a back seat. For those wanting a tougher experience of the game, players can turn on Hardcore Mode. In this version of the game, The Courier now has to contend with hunger, thirst, and tiredness, as well as stricter healing mechanics. Turning on Hardcore mode turnsFalloutinto an entirely new experience, making the game more about survival. Players will need to be more wary of dangerous encounters and more careful with their supplies.
Conan Exilesis an action RPG set within theConan The Barbarianuniverse. The game opens with the player character being saved by Conan and taken to the Exiled Lands to then survive and build their path through the game. Players can customize their character, upgrading and improving as they play in the harsh desert world of the game. Players will find various dangers ready to attack them, from roaming beasts to NPC enemies and even other players if on a PvP server.
Conan Exilesblends action RPG elements with deep survival mechanics, creating an immersive experience all set in a stunningly realized world. The game can be played in single-player or as a multiplayer experience, making this anideal game to play with friends.
Wartalesbrings players into a medieval open-world setting, where they can lead a group of mercenaries to wealth and adventure. The game has a diverse difficulty system, where players can customize the level of difficulty and survival in the game. With turn-based combat, a huge open world to explore, and plenty of resources to gather, the game requires some dedicated playtime.
At higher survival levels, players will need to carefully plan their actions when considering food, the environment, and the various dangers found roaming the world.Wartalesis an expansive and rich RPG that allows players a lot of freedom on their path to glory.
This fantasy RPG incorporates tough gameplay and survival mechanics to create an immersive video game for dedicated fans of the genre. Although each region is open to the player from the start, players will soon find rushing too quickly will lead to a fast death.Outwardis a game that rewards patience. Players will need to consider various aspects of survival, from the clothes they wear in each climate, to finding regular food and water.
Each time the player dies, they do not return to a save point but are given a random event. This could mean being saved or captured and waking up in a random part of the region they are exploring. With its tough combat and magic system, becoming overpowered is a slow process; players will die multiple times. With its unforgiving gameplay and survival mechanics,Outwardmay not appeal to the casual gamer, but for hardcore RPG fans, it is a hidden gem of a game.
