Survival games are built around the idea of sustaining a character over time while facing limited resources and unpredictable challenges. Gameplay commonly involves collecting materials, finding safe areas, and making decisions that affect how long a player can continue.
Resource management is a key element in most survival games. Players may need to monitor factors such as health, stamina, temperature, hunger, or equipment durability, depending on the game’s design.
Crafting and building mechanics are also frequent in this genre. Many titles allow players to create tools, weapons, and shelter upgrades using collected materials.
Survival games can include different types of threats, from hostile environments to combat-focused encounters. Some are single-player experiences, while others add online elements such as cooperative play or shared worlds.