10 Games Like Rust For Fans Of Survival Genre

by  John Uke Last update: May 22, 2024

Rust is one of the most impressive survival multiplayer games. Although I’m not a fan of this genre, I was still imbued with the atmosphere and scale of Rust. In fact, here you start with nothing and reach high levels of industry development, having survived really hard times. This is a brutal and difficult game where each player has their own interests and can attack your possessions at any time, both solo or in collaboration with others. This is what attracts many Rust players, including me. Still, if you have already had enough of this game or just want to try something similar but different, I will tell you below about games like Rust that are no less exciting. Keep reading!

The Popularity Of Rust-Like Games

Games similar to Rust have skyrocketed in popularity thanks to their intense survival mechanics and open-world exploration. These games pull you into harsh, immersive worlds where you gather resources, craft tools, and build shelters to stay alive. The multiplayer aspect adds an exciting layer, allowing for both cooperation and fierce competition as players raid bases and make alliances. The thrill of emergent gameplay keeps things always fresh and unpredictable. 

Plus, most games similar to Rust have strong communities. Active discussions, acquaintances, and alliances are made on GameTree and other platforms for gamers, and this is definitely among the things that keep players coming back for more. If you crave challenge, reward, and the freedom to craft your own survival story, these games have it all.

Best Games Like Rust For Unforgettable Survival Adventure

The popularity of the game by Facepunch Studios led to the emergence of other multiplayer and single-player games like Rust in the survival adventure genre. Of course, every game brings something to the table, so there’s plenty of choice for all players, whether they want something even more hardcore or more exploratory. New Rust-like games are constantly discussed on Reddit. I’ve played many of them and made a list of 10 games that I consider the best alternatives to the sensational Rust title.

The Forest

The Forest is a survival horror game that plunges you into a mysterious, eerie world after a plane crash leaves you stranded on a deserted island. You must gather resources, build shelters, and fend off hostile mutants to survive. Like Rust, this game features open-world exploration and crafting. Still, this first-person game sets itself apart with strong narrative and horror elements, offering a more story-driven and atmospheric experience, in my opinion.

TIP:

Prioritize building a secure base early on in The Forest. Choose a location with access to resources like water and trees, but also ensure it’s defensible against mutant attacks, especially at night when the island becomes more dangerous. 

Sons Of The Forest

If you’ve liked The Forest, this title is also worth playing. Sons of the Forest is the sequel to The Forest, thrusting players into a new, unsettling island environment filled with dangers and mysteries. This game is like Rust as it includes resource gathering, crafting, and building. Still, it stands out with its emphasis on horror, a gripping storyline, and AI-driven enemies that adapt to your actions. Yet, Sons of the Forest offers a more narrative-rich, single-player experience with cooperative multiplayer options.

TIP:

Use the environment to your advantage by moving quietly, avoiding unnecessary confrontations, and setting traps. 

SCUM

SCUM is an open-world survival game set in a vast, dystopian island where players are prisoners competing for survival in a deadly reality show. Similar to Rust, the SCUM game involves crafting, looking for resources, and building. Still, this survival-building game has deeper character customization and complex survival mechanics, such as detailed metabolism, health monitoring, and skill progression. These small details make a difference and impress many players, including me. SCUM offers an even more immersive, simulation-like experience with an accent on individual character management and realism. I think that this one is among the best games similar to Rust.

TIP:

Check your metabolism panel regularly to ensure your character remains fit and ready to face the island’s numerous challenges. 

7 Days To Die

7 Days to Die is another survival game like Rust. It’s a post-apocalyptic survival title that blends first-person shooter, survival horror, and tower defense elements. Set in a world overrun by zombies, you must gather resources, craft items, and fortify your base to survive waves of undead attacks. It features the same survival mechanics as Rust but distinguishes itself with a strong emphasis on zombie combat and a day-night cycle where the danger intensifies at night. Comparing 7 Days to Die with Rust, I must admit that the latter focuses on PvP interactions, while 7 Days to Die emphasizes surviving against relentless AI zombie hordes. Also, it incorporates RPG elements such as skill progression.

TIP:

Zombie hordes pose a significant threat every seven days, so prioritize building strong defenses like reinforced walls, traps, and secure entry points before the seventh night. 

DayZ

DayZ thrusts you into a desolate post-apocalyptic world, a grim landscape where survival is a constant battle against scarcity, hostile players, and the relentless infected hordes. Like Rust, this game offers open-world survival gameplay, but it takes realism to a whole new level, exploring the psychological toll of the apocalypse and the capriciousness of human encounters. In DayZ, your choices and interactions shape the narrative, leading to gripping tales of trust, betrayal, and survival.

TIP:

Trust no one, but be ready to cooperate. In DayZ, every encounter with another player is a potential threat or opportunity. 

State Of Decay

State of Decay is a survival horror game that challenges players to build and manage their own community of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. It focuses on base building, resource management, and character development rather than PvP interactions. This game is like Rust, available on Xbox and PC, and allows players to scavenge for supplies, recruit new survivors, and fortify their base against zombie attacks. Also, players are constantly dealing with other human factions and moral dilemmas.  So, if you’re less into PvP, State of Decay may be a nice alternative for you. The game offers a unique blend of survival simulation and action-adventure gameplay. Teamwork and strategic decision-making are extremely important in this dangerous and unpredictable world.

TIP:

Your success hinges on the well-being of your community and your ability to gather essential resources like food, medicine, and materials for base construction. 

Minecraft

Are you looking for a game like Rust on PS5 with a more peaceful atmosphere? Here’s a title for you! Minecraft is a famous sandbox game that allows players to explore, build anything they can imagine, and survive in a blocky, procedurally generated world. While Rust focuses on realistic gameplay and player interaction, Minecraft offers a more creative and relaxed experience. Here, players can build elaborate structures, mine resources, and explore diverse biomes at their own pace. Though both games feature crafting and building elements, Minecraft emphasizes creativity and exploration over competition and conflict, probably this why it’s one of the best games to make friends online. Another benefit of this game is mobile accessibility, so if you’re looking for games like Rust on mobile, this is it. 

TIP:

Whether you’re exploring caves, building structures, or venturing into the wilderness, having a well-stocked inventory is crucial for survival in Minecraft.

Valheim

Valheim is an open-world survival game set in a procedurally generated Viking-inspired world. Though it offers almost the same gameplay as Rust and other similar games, it distinguishes itself by emphasizing exploration, adventure, and Norse mythology. Players must hunt, gather, and craft their way to survival while facing off against mythical creatures and challenging environmental conditions. When I compare it to Rust, I should say that Valheim offers a more cooperative experience, encouraging players to team up with friends to explore and conquer the world together. So, it’s more about collaboration than fighting.

TIP:

As you venture into dungeons, be prepared for challenging battles. Ensure you have sufficient supplies, weapons, and armor before entering, and consider teaming up with other players for added support.  

By the way, this is also one of the best multiplayer games you play on Xbox according to the team of GameTree.

Conan Exiles

Conan Exiles is an open-world survival game like Rust, set in the brutal universe of Conan the Barbarian. Like Rust, it includes typical survival mechanics, but it sets itself apart with its richly detailed world inspired by Robert E. Howard’s stories. To survive, players must navigate treacherous landscapes, battle fierce creatures, and build formidable fortresses. Conan Exiles offers a more primal experience, immersing players in a world of ancient civilizations, mythical beasts, and epic battles.

TIP:

Choose a strategic location for your base, preferably near valuable resources but also defensible against hostile creatures and rival players. 

Ark Survival Evolved

Ark: Survival Evolved is a multiplayer survival game set in a prehistoric world filled with dinosaurs and other ancient creatures. This game is similar to Rust in the way it features resource gathering, crafting, and base building. But Ark is far more than that. Its distinguishing feature is its dinosaur taming and breeding mechanics. Players must hunt, tame, and ride dinosaurs to survive and thrive in this hostile environment. This game offers a unique blend of primitive survival and dinosaur-themed adventure, where players must contend with both natural threats and other players. So, if you’re looking for mobile games like Rust and like dinosaurs, you may try this title.

TIP:

Invest time in researching different dinosaurs and their preferred taming methods, such as using tranquilizers, feed, or passive taming techniques. 

Explore Even More Rust Like Games With GameTree

The survival genre has been very popular in recent years because it usually combines logic, construction, combat, and interaction with other players. Such games like Rust allow you to immerse yourself in fictional worlds and test your strength: will you be able to survive and become dominant in a harsh world? Each game above is somewhat similar to Rust and has its own differences in story and gameplay. If you want to explore even more similar games, check out the GameTree app! 

Our AI algorithm selects games based on your preferences. The more you play games and update information on GameTree, the more accurate recommendations you will receive. This way, you won’t miss the most interesting games that you might like! GameTree also has chats and communities for fans of the survival game genre and a powerful matchmaking system. Join now and explore the best paid and free games like Rust with GameTree, find teammates, and make friends online!

Final Thoughts

Previously, I thought about Rust as a phenomenon, but it is no longer such. There are many games similar to Rust in some aspects and even superior to it in others. Today, there are many titles for every taste, including for those who prefer an even more brutal environment than in Rust or, on the contrary, like exploration without skirmishes. In this article, I have collected the 10 games like Rust to my taste, and you will definitely find even more in the GameTree recommendations. Explore, play, survive, and share your thoughts!