survival games Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

The sequel to one of my favorite survival games doesn’t just respawn you back at home when you die: that’d be way too easy

The initial task in Outward 2 involves locating a medicinal flower in the wilderness west of the city and delivering it to a doctor. The game features significant challenges and dangers, with death resulting in impactful consequences rather than a simple respawn. Players are advised to understand their environment, prepare for unexpected encounters, plan their routes strategically, and consider teaming up with others for support.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Terraria devs reveal the game’s average playtime on PC is over 100 hours as it passes 70 million copies sold

The average PC player has logged 101 hours and 18 minutes in Terraria, according to a blog post by developer Re-Logic. The game has been captivating audiences for 15 years and has received praise from critics, including an 83% rating from Luke Winkie in 2018. Terraria currently has over 35,000 concurrent players, as reported by SteamDB. Its success is attributed to engaging gameplay, regular updates, and a dedicated player base, allowing it to remain relevant in a competitive market.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Steam’s Most-Wishlisted Games Forced Into Early Release As Subnautica 2 Pulls A Hollow Knight: Silksong

Developers are adjusting their release schedules due to the impending launch of major titles like GTA 6 and Hollow Knight: Silksong. The release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong in September 2025 has caused over eight games to delay their launches, with some moving to November and others, like Aeterna Lucis, postponing until 2026. The early access release of Subnautica 2, confirmed for May 14, has led other games, including Outbound, to change their release dates. Outbound, originally set for May 14, will now launch on May 11 for Steam and Xbox, while keeping May 14 for Epic Games Store and PlayStation.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Subnautica 2 dev confirms there’s no gen AI “at all” in its survival sequel

The development of Subnautica 2 faced challenges between Unknown Worlds and its publisher, Krafton, but these issues have been resolved. The game is set to release in two weeks, and Scott MacDonald, Creative Media Producer at Unknown Worlds, confirmed that no generative AI was used in its development. He stated that the studio opted for traditional development methods, with all work being done by human programmers. Design Lead Anthony Gallegos noted that Krafton recognizes that mandating AI tools could disrupt the development process. Following a legal ruling reinstating Unknown Worlds president Ted Gill, Krafton is committed to supporting the game's Early Access launch.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Windrose devs don’t have any progress wipes planned for early access, but ‘of course s**t happens’

Kraken Express, the developer of the early access survival game Windrose, announced on their Discord channel that there are currently no plans for world wipes as they develop the game towards its 1.0 release. They assured players that future updates will preserve player progress, despite acknowledging the unpredictable nature of early access. The developers aim to implement major updates without disrupting players' worlds and progress, addressing common issues faced in similar games.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

‘The exhaustion on screen is 100% real’: the solo dev of this ‘live-action’ survival game spent 40 grueling days alone in the wilderness to create it

Wordless Forest is a Full Motion Video (FMV) survival game developed by Dogus Cagrici, who spent weeks hiking alone in nature to capture the game's footage. The game aims to provide a more authentic experience compared to traditional survival games, which often feature fantastical elements. Cagrici recorded all the video content himself and stars in the game. Wordless Forest is set to be released on Steam in August after nearly three years of development.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

I’m sick of breaking the bank buying AAA games, so I’ve hunted down overlooked alternatives to 2026’s biggest games

Rockstar Games has invested over a billion dollars into the development of Grand Theft Auto 6. Alternatives to this game include Sleeping Dogs, which offers an open-world crime experience. Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem celebrates three decades of survival horror, while Cozy Pal Games provides a budget-friendly horror adventure. Pokémon Pokopia has gained recent success, with alternatives like Before the Green Moon offering a nostalgic farming sim experience. Forza Horizon 6 promises stunning visuals, and Wreckreation serves as a budget-friendly racing alternative. Death Stranding 2 is noted for its innovative gameplay, with Clone Escape providing a unique survival experience.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Windrose sails past 1 million copies sold in six days as it hits 200,000 concurrent players

Windrose has sold over 1 million copies in less than a week since its launch on Steam. The game reached a peak of 200,000 simultaneous players. The developers, Kraken Express, expressed gratitude to the gaming community for their support and patience while working on fixes. The game features engaging naval battles, which have been positively received by players and critics alike.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

More than half of PC gaming revenue comes from games outside the top 20, according to analysts

Every year, a significant portion of players' engagement on consoles remains concentrated within the top 20 games, primarily in genres like sports, shooters, and sandbox experiences. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2026, over half of the total revenue from PC gaming now comes from titles outside the top 20, with playtime for these games increasing by 44%, while engagement with the top 20 has plateaued. The PC ecosystem supports long-term interest in diverse titles, exemplified by games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Skyrim, which thrive years after release due to ongoing sales and community modifications. Survival games and action RPGs benefit from substantial content updates that attract new players. In contrast, PlayStation users tend to revisit classic first-party exclusives, while Xbox games not in the Game Pass library struggle for attention, with new free-to-play offerings accounting for less than 1% of overall playtime. The PC platform allows games to generate sales long after leaving bestseller lists, leading to frequent discounts on platforms like Steam to maintain sales momentum.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Analysts say PC gaming is now the one platform where more than 50% of revenue comes from games outside the top 20

Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report for 2026 indicates that revenue from PC gaming is shifting, with games ranked 21 and below increasing their share from 48% to 56% in Western markets by 2025. This growth includes a 44% rise in playtime for these lower-ranked games, while overall PC playtime increased by 14%. In contrast, playtime for the Top 20 titles has stagnated or declined. Popular titles like Elden Ring and Skyrim remain significant, but there is growing interest in survival games and action RPGs, such as Rust and DayZ, which benefit from ongoing support and updates. The report also notes a resurgence in retro gaming, with classic simulators appealing to nostalgic players. Newzoo highlights that games like REPO and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continue to perform well even after leaving bestseller lists, indicating a broader audience interested in previously popular titles rather than just new releases.