Best Games Like Rust: Explore Survival, Crafting, and PvP in These Top Picks
Rust has become a phenomenon in the gaming world, captivating players with its unique blend of survival mechanics, base-building, and intense PvP combat. If you’re one of the many players who’ve fallen in love with Rust’s unforgiving yet rewarding gameplay, you’re probably on the hunt for more games that offer a similar experience. Look no further! This article dives into the best games like Rust, where you’ll find thrilling survival mechanics, crafting systems, and the freedom to shape your own destiny in a harsh, dynamic world.
1. Subnautica – Explore an Alien Ocean
If you enjoy the survival and crafting aspects of Rust but want a fresh setting, Subnautica is an excellent choice. Set on an alien ocean planet, this game challenges you to gather resources, build underwater bases, and uncover the secrets of the mysterious world. Unlike Rust, Subnautica focuses more on exploration and less on PvP, but its immersive atmosphere and intricate crafting system make it a must-play for survival enthusiasts.
2. The Forest – Survive in a Cannibal-Infested Jungle
For those who love Rust’s survival and base-building mechanics but want a more horror-oriented experience, The Forest is a standout option. Stranded in a dense jungle after a plane crash, you must fend off cannibal mutants, build shelters, and uncover the dark secrets of the island. The game’s strong focus on crafting and its tense atmosphere make it a great alternative to Rust.
3. Minecraft – Build and Survive in a Blocky World
While Minecraft is often seen as a more casual game, its survival mode offers many similarities to Rust. You’ll gather resources, craft tools, and build structures to protect yourself from hostile mobs. The game’s sandbox nature allows for endless creativity, and its multiplayer mode lets you team up with friends or compete against others, much like Rust.
4. Conan Exiles – Survive in a Brutal Desert World
If you’re drawn to Rust’s harsh survival mechanics and PvP elements, Conan Exiles is a fantastic choice. Set in the world of Conan the Barbarian, this game drops you into a desert wasteland where you must build your kingdom, fend off enemies, and dominate the landscape. The game’s emphasis on building and warfare makes it a great fit for fans of Rust’s competitive nature.
5. Valheim – Viking-Inspired Survival
Valheim has quickly become a favorite among survival game enthusiasts, and for good reason. This Viking-inspired game challenges you to explore a procedurally generated world, build longhouses, and battle fearsome enemies. Like Rust, Valheim requires careful resource management and strategic planning, but its unique art style and Norse mythology-inspired setting set it apart.
6. DayZ – A Realistic Survival Experience
For a more realistic take on the survival genre, DayZ is a strong contender. This post-apocalyptic game drops you into a world overrun by zombies, where you must scavenge for food, water, and weapons while avoiding both the undead and hostile players. DayZ’s focus on realism and its tense PvP interactions make it a great option for players who enjoy Rust’s survival and competitive elements.
7. ARK: Survival Evolved – Tame Dinosaurs and Build Bases
If you’re looking for a game that combines survival mechanics with a unique twist, ARK: Survival Evolved is worth checking out. Set on an island filled with dinosaurs, ARK challenges you to survive by gathering resources, building bases, and taming creatures to aid you in your journey. The game’s rich crafting system and massive open world make it a compelling choice for fans of Rust’s building and exploration aspects.
8. The Long Dark – A Solo Survival Experience
For a more solitary experience, The Long Dark offers a gripping survival challenge. After a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness, you must manage your resources, fend off wildlife, and survive the harsh winter. Unlike Rust, The Long Dark focuses solely on single-player survival, but its deep mechanics and realistic approach make it a great choice for players who enjoy the survival aspects of Rust.
9. Don’t Starve – A Challenging Survival Adventure
Don’t Starve is a unique survival game that challenges you to survive in a harsh, gothic-inspired world. With its distinctive art style and punishing difficulty, Don’t Starve requires careful resource management and strategic planning. While it lacks Rust’s PvP elements, its focus on survival and crafting makes it a great option for players who enjoy the core mechanics of Rust.
10. Frost