When we talk about survival, we’re talking about hundreds of hours filled with mixed emotions, chill, focused, sometimes tryhard, and that’s what makes survival games one of my favorite genres. We’ve been blessed with top-notch survival games like Minecraft, Valheim, and Project Zomboid, among many others, and we’re about to get even more survival gems in 2026. Here are the 7 best survival games to look forward to in 2026.
Guardians of the Wild Sky
If you love fantasy games, this one’s for you. Guardians of the Wild Sky mixes survival with magic and creatures. You’ll fly around in an airship exploring different areas, each with secrets to find and enemies to fight.
You can capture creatures called Guardians, and each one has different abilities. Some help with fighting, others with crafting or gathering. You can even breed them to get new combinations with special traits.
You can play solo or with friends, and building bases is a big part of the game. What’s unique is that your base can actually fly around. I wonder how that affects the gameplay. The game has hundreds of tools and weapons you can craft, plus farming, cooking, and fishing if you want a break from combat.
Think of it like ARK or Palworld but in a fantasy setting with airships. You’ll explore caves, fight giant titans, and take on cultists. If you’re tired of dinosaurs and want something more magical, you can look forward to this game.
Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2
The first The Long Dark was huge. It’s one of the most loved survival games out there. Now the sequel is coming, and it’s bigger in every way.
Blackfrost happens a year after some event called the Aurora knocked out all technology. You’re surviving in a frozen wasteland, and you can choose how to play. Go it alone as a wanderer, team up with friends, or interact with NPC communities.
The game has new cities and towns to explore, which is different from the first game’s wilderness focus. There’s also a “Will to Live” system, you need to manage your character’s doubts and fears, and find small comforts to keep going. Yeah, it’s deep.
The game has something called a permalife system where each death adds to your story. You gain new risks and fears as you play, face them, and grow stronger. But don’t worry, if you prefer classic permadeath, that’s still an option. The developers know players want choices.
Palworld
Palworld has been in early access, but the full release is coming in 2026. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out. The game got overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam for good reason.
You’ve got your standard survival stuff, crafting, building, cooking, with a beautiful setting and fun combat. Time just disappears when you’re playing.
The developers keep updating it too. The Home Sweet Home update made building easier, improved the UI, and upgraded the graphics. The devs are actively listening to players and making things better.
With the full release, they’re promising surprises. If you liked Pokemon but wished it had survival mechanics and base building, Palworld is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
Valheim
Everyone keeps talking about “the big Valheim 2026 update,” but what they mean is Valheim 1.0, the full release. This brings the final biome called Deep North and wraps up the game’s main story.
Valheim launched in early access back in 2021. Updates have been slow, but the player base is still going strong. That tells you something. The full release is adding new gear, mechanics, and the final boss to complete the Viking experience. It’s also coming to PlayStation in 2026!
If you’ve never played it, this Viking survival game is worth trying. If you played it years ago and stopped, 2026 is the perfect time to come back. It’s like Minecraft in that way, no matter how long you’re away, you’ll eventually return. The game just has that pull.
Subnautica 2
Subnautica is finally getting a proper sequel, and this time with multiplayer! If you haven’t played the first game, here’s what you need to know: it’s a horror survival game set underwater on an alien planet. The exploration and scary moments are top-notch.
You craft vehicles and tools, build underwater bases, and try not to panic when something huge swims past. The sequel brings new monsters like the Collector Leviathan, which looks terrifying. And now you can bring a friend along to share the nightmares.
The game has new tools, equipment, and submarines, so it’s not just a repeat of the first game or Below Zero. Expect brand new underwater areas to explore and a completely new story to discover. If you like horror and survival mixed together, Subnautica 2 is one to look forward to.
Icarus – Console Edition
This one is for console players out there. Icarus is a survival game where you tame an alien planet through missions. It’s got a massive open world, hundreds of craftable items, tech to unlock, enemies to fight, and bases to build.
The game’s already out on PC and doing well, so this isn’t a gamble, you know it’s good. The dynamic weather is really impressive, especially the fire effects. You can play solo, with friends, or in multiplayer groups.
If you’re a console player who loves sci-fi survival games, put this on your list. Unlike most games on this list that are still in development, Icarus has already proven itself. It’s a solid choice if you want something you know will deliver.
VEIN
VEIN might be the hardcore zombie survival game you’ve been looking for. This isn’t your casual zombie game, it’s serious.
The game works like Project Zomboid, but in first-person and higher definition. You have stats and specialties that you improve by reading books, exercising, and fighting. But here’s the thing, one zombie bite can end your run if you’re not prepared. It’s extreme survival.
VEIN hit early access in 2025, and the full release should come in 2026. If you want a zombie game that makes you really think and plan ahead, where every decision matters and mistakes can be deadly, this is it. It’s not for everyone, but if you love challenging survival games, VEIN deserves your attention.
Those are the 7 best survival game releases to look forward to in 2026. These games offer hundreds of hours of gameplay, and each one brings something different to the table. 2026 is shaping up to be a great year for survival fans!