Survival games on Android differ in gameplay but are united by their rewarding gameplay. Whether you enjoy the tense horror of Alien: Isolation or the casual gameplay of Terraria, each moment is another step toward success. While survival games go hand-in-hand with the top Android adventure games, the stakes are usually much higher.

We've collected our favorite survival games from the Play Store, which you can enjoy on any Android phone or tablet. However, keep your device topped up with a long-lasting power bank to ensure you don't get interrupted in the middle of a critical moment.

1 The Wanderer

The Wanderer might look like just another post-apocalyptic survival game, but plenty of unique features here help it stand out. It's almost an RPG; you can customize your character and upgrade your stats. But at the core, it's a survival game that forces you to make tough decisions each day.

Another feature of The Wanderer that makes it unique is its replayability. Every location is randomized for each playthrough, and the difficulty settings introduce new challenges. It's a game that you won't put down after a single run.

2 Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

Screenshot from the cataclysm dark days ahead game
Source: Play Store

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is over ten years old, but it's got enough features to hold its own against any modern survival game. However, you must jump through a few hoops before enjoying this sprawling survival game. Firstly, we recommend you play this with an external keyboard or a Chromebook, not a virtual keyboard. Secondly, the game uses ASCII tiles by default, so you must install some mods to add graphics. Fortunately, this is quickly done through the in-game menu.

Once you've settled into Cataclysm, you might never need another survival game again. But even if the unintuitive UI concerns you, we highly recommend you give this turn-based survival game a go.

3 Endling - Extinction is Forever

Most survival games take place over long periods, gradually ramping up the difficulty as you become more experienced with the game. Endling - Extinction is Forever is a short survival game (4-5 hours), but its length belies the stunning experience within.

In Endling - Extinction is Forever, you'll play as a fox shepherding her family through environmental disasters. It's a powerful emotional journey, so if you want to play a meaningful survival game, you should try this one.

4 Settlement Survival

Settlement Survival is a city-builder/survival game where you'll lead a group of colonists to prosperity in the wild. It's relatively easy-going as survival games go, but the threat of disaster looms ever over your head during gameplay.

In our hands-on with Settlement Survival, we praised the immersive survival city-builder, despite requiring a TapTap account and sluggish controls. There's a lot to love here, so give this survival game a go (just be warned, it will suck you in for hours at a time!)

5 Don't Starve: Pocket Edition

Don't Starve's scratchy storybook visuals have an ominous tone to their quirky appearances. Awkwardly proportioned characters may look funny, but the dark side of the game is always just around the corner. While death is inevitable, you'll gather food, scavenge resources, and keep your fire burning in a desperate attempt to stay alive.

Don't Starve encourages exploration and experimentation. The grim storybook graphics create an atmosphere equal to the best horror games; the first time your fire goes out will send a shiver down your spine. But you'll soon get to grips with the mechanics, and before you know it, you'll be absorbed in the game's excellent story.

6 Minecraft

Minecraft appears on many of our best Android game roundups for a good reason. It's a game that lets players play how they want, whether they like to build peacefully or prefer to test the limits of their survival skills. But while there are plenty of ways to play the game, Survival mode is the best way to experience the popular sandbox game.

Minecraft's Survival mode forces you to manage your hunger and fend off monsters to survive. You'll die reasonably often, so make sure to store your valuable items safely at home. It's a fantastic cooperative survival experience, so grab a friend to join you in your adventure.

7 The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands

The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands is perfect for those who prefer a more casual survival game. While there are plenty of dangers ahead, and starvation is just a day away, the game's slow pace lets you tackle problems at your own pace.

Good planning is essential for survival here, but you will quickly pick up the game's mechanics. Note that while the game is free to download, it requires an in-app purchase of $3.99 to continue past Day 6.

8 This War of Mine

This War of Mine is a hauntingly realistic game that forces us to face the realities of war. You manage a group of civilians hiding in a war-torn city, avoiding snipers and hostile scavengers to collect resources. It's challenging, but knowing that you're dealing with real-life situations is a grim acknowledgment of people's struggles.

This War of Mine follows a day/night cycle. You'll manage your shelter during the day and use the cover of the night to venture out for resources. Every decision has consequences, so carefully plan your next move to avoid disaster.

9 Crashlands

Crashlands is a cheerful survival RPG that conceals challenging game mechanics behind cartoons and humor. Your goal is to help galactic trucker Flux Dabes recover his packages after crash-landing on an alien planet. On your quest, you'll fight monsters, level up, craft tools, and, most importantly, make new friends.

Crashlands incorporates helpful mechanics that help keep the focus on exploring and building. A self-sorting infinite inventory ensures quick access to the necessary tools, and base building is quick and easy. Try it out if you want a break from the endless lists of gritty, realistic survival games.

10 Terraria

Terraria is a sandbox game that emphasizes exploration above all. Death is a minor inconvenience, as Terraria wants you to take your time and explore the world. Full of challenging bosses and more weapons than you can imagine, it's ideal for those who like to discover new things in every playthrough. While you can ramp up the difficulty, it's worth starting at an easier difficulty to see everything the game offers.

Terraria is an excellent choice for anyone who thinks Minecraft lacks content. There are no urgent missions, so take your time to craft weapons, build fantastic structures, and trade with NPCs for valuable items.

11 Survive

survive-2
Source: Google Play

Survive is a modern take on the text-based adventure games of old. Rather than moving a character around the world, you will play the game by navigating menus and tapping buttons. It's pretty refreshing; the survival experience is boiled down to its core essentials.

It's perfect for people who enjoy a tough mental challenge, as dying in Survive is just one wrong decision away. The game can sometimes feel short on content, but the high difficulty bar and multiple endings will keep you coming back for more.

12 Out There: Ω Edition

Out There pits you and your spaceship against the environment. There are no bad guys or monsters to contend with, just the capricious whims of alien worlds. It's a roguelike, so once you die, it's game over. Fortunately, a massive amount of content means no two playthroughs are the same.

Out There is a thoroughly immersive experience that brings the galaxy to life with extensive lore and various environments. It's a fantastic choice if you want a survival game that isn't just about killing things and love the feeling of escaping death by the skin of your teeth.

13 Mini DAYZ

DAYZ is one of the most famous PC survival games, and Mini DAYZ is the top-down pixel equivalent for mobile. In Mini DAYZ, you are dropped into a wasteland populated by zombies and AI survivors. You'll have to manage hunger and thirst, scavenge supplies, and build a sturdy base to survive.

Despite being offline, Mini DAYZ evokes all the original game's themes. There are no objectives other than survival, but you'll unlock more perks, upgrades, and achievements the longer you last. There is a sequel, but we don't recommend it due to many bugs and gameplay issues.

14 Tinker Island

Tinker Island's gameplay mechanics are relatively simple, and once you start playing, you'll realize it's similar to Survive and text-based games. However, Tinker Island offers an easily digestible UI that clarifies what will happen next.

Tinker Island has a heavy emphasis on the story part of your game. It incorporates many RPG elements, so you'll upgrade and manage the same set of survivors throughout the game. There's plenty to discover, including monsters, puzzles, treasure, and more.

15 Alien: Isolation

One of the scariest games around, Alien: Isolation, puts you at the mercy of the titular Alien as you explore a space station that's fallen into chaos. While the game is scary enough to begin, the AI is what makes this game stand out.

Most survival games' mechanics can be learned and exploited over time. In Alien: Isolation, you'll have to adapt consistently to survive. The Alien learns from your actions, so you won't be able to use the same trick repeatedly as it will start predicting it. For example, if you enjoy hiding in cupboards, the Alien will beeline straight for them each time. Play this if you find the other games on this list too easy.

16 Dysmantle

Dysmantle is a relatively normal post-apocalyptic survival game with a twist. You can destroy (or dismantle) everything you see for the resources you'll need to survive. Thankfully, there are no in-game purchases or daily rewards, just a one-time purchase that unlocks the entire game.

Dysmantle might not be the most innovative survival game, but it offers all the features you expect in a sleek, professional package. There are few glitches or bugs, and the game is challenging enough to be rewarding, not frustrating.

17 Plague Inc.

Now I know what you're thinking, isn't Plague Inc. the opposite of a survival game? Well, for those who haven't played it, survival depends on you wiping out the world. It's a race against time as humans develop a cure that can wipe you out.

Of course, there's also The Cure mode. This lets you race for survival as humans, attempting to develop the cure that can wipe out the growing disease. It's a nice change from playing as the virus, with similar challenges to overcome.

18 Vampire Survivors

Vampire Survivors is part bullet-hell shooter and part survival game. While it may not feature classic survival game elements like crafting and building, you'll need all your wits about you to survive for as long as possible.

Vampire Survivors features multiple characters, levels, weapons, and items to turn each game into a unique experience. It's the perfect game if you don't like the slow pace of most survival games but still want to experience the challenge of using every tool at your disposal to win.

19 Forager

Forager is an Animal Crossing-like Android game that mixes survival gameplay with casual building elements. In this open-world survival game, you'll gather resources, protect your land, buy new areas, and craft useful items.

There's a lot to love about Forager, from its base-building to combat, but the constant threats to your success will keep you on your toes. That being said, it is a casual survival experience, so you don't need to worry about losing all your progress to one mistake.

There are plenty more games to try on Android

There's a survival game for everyone, but don't be afraid to try something new. There's always room for something new, from surprise hits like Vampire Survivors to classics like Plague Inc. But if you enjoy the challenge of surviving, why not try one of the top strategy games for Android?