V Rising is a survival game where you survive in a slightly different manner than you might be accustomed to. You play as a vampire and that adds on a layer of complexity that sets itself apart from other games in the survival genre. Developed by Stunlock Studios, V Rising is in early access on Steam right now.
If you’re a fan of the survival aspect of the game, enjoy playing as a vampire, or appreciate the PVP angle, there are a plethora of other games that may also catch your eye. So, take a gander and be ready to add some new games to your shopping cart.
10 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt
For those interested in the PVP or the playing-as-a-vampire aspect of V Rising, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt (that's a mouthful) is the game for you. It’s a free-to-play battle royale that pits you against other vampires, vying for total control of the European city Prague.
As one of the top-ranked Vampire: The Masquerade games, you should add it to your Steam library. This game is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you obfuscate through unseen passages, subjugate your presence, shockwave punch rival vamps, and charm your way to victory.
9 Rust
If you're looking for a game that is unforgiving and unpredictable in its survivability, then Rust is the game for you. One wrong move, and you’ll have to start over from scratch. Rust allows you to farm for materials to build up a base of operations and ally yourself with neighboring survivors.
However, not everyone is as friendly as you may be. Anarchy rules in Rust because there are those that will scorch the Earth to steal whatever loot you store in your base of operations. Log off and you may come back to nothing.
8 Valheim
If survival is what you’re looking for, but want something a little brighter than the gothic setting of V Rising, Valheim is the game for you. Valheim is an open-world sandbox video game with Norse mythology as its backdrop. You will fight enemies of Odin to prove your place amongst the in the halls of Valhalla.
You can ally yourself with friends or compete against other players while you gather resources to build shelter and craft equipment. Better yet, if you’re strictly a console player, Valheim is coming to Xbox and Xbox Series X/S in 2023.
7 Dragon Quest: Builders
It might not seem like it, but Dragon Quest: Builders is exactly the kind of game you would enjoy if you're a fan of V Rising. Sure, it might not have the gothic theme of V Rising, but it’s every bit as enjoyable. This sandbox game has you building up the original world from Dragon Quest after it’s been destroyed. One fun aspect of the game is its day/night cycle. At night, stronger monsters emerge and require you to either find shelter or fight for your survival.
6 Diablo III
Similar in style, tone, and gameplay, Diablo III is an excellent choice if you'd rather hack-and-slash than build a castle. Since V Rising is essentially a mash-up between Ark and Diablo, it’s only right that it’s on this list.
You take on the role of a mortal and choose from one of the seven classes to play. You can be anything from a Witch Doctor to a necromancer. There’s a compelling story to go along with all the dungeon crawling you’ll do that deals with angels and demons.
5 Don't Starve
If you like survival-style video games, then you're going to love Don't Starve. Its visual style is different from what you might expect from a survival game, but it’s every bit as challenging. You play as a scientist named Wilson who wakes up in a strange world surrounded by unknown threats.
Along with its multiplayer expansion, Don’t Starve Together, you have to gather resources and craft items to fight off the supernatural entities that threaten Wilson's life. It has amazing replayability because its randomly generated world promises a new experience each time.
4 Elden Ring
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It might come as a surprise that Elden Ring can be compared to V Rising since they're drastically different in genre and gameplay. However, they both operate in an open world and Elden Ring boasts the best open world for games found on Steam. Elden Ring is described as an action role-playing game and was developed by FromSoftware, creators of the Souls series, in collaboration with George R. R. Martin. Its dark tone and challenging enemies will keep you engaged, yet actively frustrated. If you’re not already playing this game, why not?
3 Conan Exiles
Set in the world of Conan the Barbarian, you get to create your own character that is rescued by the title character and then do your best to survive the harsh barren landscape. Surviving requires you to build a shelter while simultaneously managing your hunger and thirst. Build a substandard shelter, and you won’t be long for Conan’s world. Play with friends, and you might be able to build a shared city. With NPCs and rival players wandering the world, you’ll also have to utilize natural resources to construct/maintain armor and weapons.
2 The Forest
The Forest has been around for a long time. You take on the role of Eric LeBlanc who is trapped on a forested peninsula after surviving a plane crash. Now you must survive the harsh landscape while searching for your son Timmy.
Not only are there wild animals that want to use you as a chew toy, but the peninsula is also inhabited by a cannibalistic tribe who live in villages along the surface as well as underground in a network of caves and tunnels.
1 Stardew Valley
In Stardew Valley, it's your job to build up and maintain a farm. Survival isn’t as big of a focus in Stardew Valley as it is in V Rising or other games on this list, but it is there. As the player, you inherit a dilapidated farm and the land it's on from your late grandfather, and it’s your job to build it up and make it profitable. There are several manners in which you can choose to live off the land. From a normal farm with livestock to a fishing farm, it’s your choice. Each option has its benefits and its drawbacks.