Non-Squid Game: Which survival co-ops are worth trying
Survival simulators are good for solo play, but it's more fun and immersive to play in company. This collection of Izvestia shows good cooperatives of recent years, in which, together with friends, you can challenge the harsh nature, the zombie apocalypse and other inhumane conditions.
Grounded 2
A frame from the game "Grounded 2"
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
When it was released: 2025
What to play on: PC, Xbox X/S
This "survivor" will surely be appreciated by those who once watched the movie "Darling, I shrunk the children." In the second part, players find themselves back in the microcosm and fight for survival among giant insects. Up to four people can play in a cooperative. Grounded 2 offers a larger world, a new system of archetypes of characters with unique abilities, as well as the ability to fight and travel riding ants, beetles and spiders.
RoadCraft
A shot from the game "RoadCraft"
Developer: Saber Interactive
When it was released: 2025
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Not to survive by yourself, but to help others survive! Here, as a subcontractor for a large corporation, you will have to eliminate the consequences of disasters: rebuild bridges and roads, launch production facilities and set up logistics. In RoadCraft's cooperative mode, up to four players can work together, sharing responsibilities and using various techniques to clear rubble, rebuild destroyed facilities, and deliver supplies.
Valheim
A shot from the game "Valheim"
Developer: Iron Gate Studio
When it was released: 2024
What to play on: PC, Xbox X/S, Xbox 360
The procedurally generated world of Valheim is inspired by Scandinavian mythology. Players will have to craft weapons, build shelters, and defeat formidable enemies to earn Odin's favor. Supports up to 10 players in online co-op: the team can explore territories, build bases and fight together. The game features a wide variety of biomes, deep crafting and construction systems, as well as dynamic combat mechanics with an emphasis on strategy.
Sons of the Forest
A shot from the game Sons of the Forest
Developer: Endnight Games
When it was released: 2024
What to play on: PC
The sequel to The Forest takes players to a mysterious island inhabited by cannibals. Up to eight people can team up online, share resources and skills to survive among the island horrors. Compared to the previous part in Sons of the Forest, the AI of the enemies has been improved, the map has been enlarged, and NPC companions have appeared to help in survival. The game also has several endings, depending on the decisions of the players.
Green Hell
A shot from the game Green Hell
Developer: Creepy Jar
When it was released: 2019
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
A hardcore first-person survival simulator set in the wild Amazon. The player finds himself face-to-face with nature, without a map or hints. It is necessary to get food, water, build shelters, fight diseases, wild animals and psychological exhaustion. The game has the most realistic survival mechanics: the game requires you to control the carbohydrates, fats, proteins and hydration consumed. In addition, you will have to treat wounds and bites of parasites using improvised means. And if you don't take good care of yourself, you may experience hallucinations that affect gameplay! Up to four players can join the cooperative mode.
Barotrauma
A shot from the game Barotrauma
Developer: Undertow Games
When it was released: 2023
What to play on: PC
In this 2D survival simulator, players control a submarine crew in the icy depths of Europa, a satellite of the planet Jupiter. The game is designed for 16 players online — you can assemble a large team of captain, engineer, medic and other roles. Everyone will have to perform their function carefully, otherwise the expedition will fail due to the complex damage system of the submarine. In addition to the cold waters and pressure, Europa harbors alien chthonic horrors that also threaten the submarine. Missions are generated procedurally, which makes the cooperative gameplay more exciting.
Valhall
A shot from the Valhall game
Developer: Blackrose Arts
When it was released: 2020
What to play on: PC
A tactical RPG with elements of survival in a medieval atmosphere. Players build and develop a settlement, manage resources, and fend off threats. Among the features: a dynamic economy that depends on the decisions of the players, and a detailed system of medieval construction. In one of the updates, a four-player co-op mode was added.
Killsquad
A shot from the game Killsquad
Developer: Novarama
When it was released: 2020
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
A dynamic mix of action and "survival" about bounty hunter mercenaries. The four of you can explore planets, complete dangerous orders, search for resources and upgrade your equipment. Players have access to a class system with different playing styles, unique abilities, and an advanced equipment upgrade system.
Ark: Survival Evolved
A frame from the game Ark: Survival Evolved
Developer: Studio Wildcard
When it was released: 2017
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS
Ark gives you the opportunity to gather a group of four players and find yourself on an island inhabited by dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. The main goal is to survive, collect resources, and build bases. Defend yourself from wild creatures and other players. The key to success is cooperation and division of responsibilities: it is more profitable for someone to stay in the settlement and engage in crafting, and for someone to tame dinosaurs. There are more than 80 types of them, and almost every one can be made a sled.
Project Zomboid
A frame from the game Project Zomboid
Developer: The Indie Stone
When it was released: 2013
What to play on: PC
An isometric sandbox game about survival in a world full of zombies. Up to four people can play together — build bases, search for resources, and fight hordes of the dead. You can develop different skills: carpentry, cooking, and combat skills. The gameplay will not let you get bored: zombies adapt to the behavior of players, and realistic hunger, thirst, sleep, and infection will repeatedly force you to get out of dangerous situations. Project Zomboid has almost endless replayability due to world generation and difficulty levels.
The Long Dark
A shot from the game The Long Dark
Developer: Hinterland Studio
When it was released: 2017
What to play on: P PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
A gloomy, silent post-apocalypse in the middle of an icy wasteland. The players here need to fight against nature: hunger, cold, diseases. The cooperative mode can be started by installing the mod — 32 players can connect at the same time. Playing together makes the hardships of single-player survival after the end of the world much easier, because partners can share supplies and resources with each other.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
