Explore the best survival games on Xbox Game Pass, featuring thrilling titles like State of Decay 2 and Grounded. These must-play adventures offer intense action, strategic depth, and unforgettable cooperative experiences.

Xbox Game Pass continues to be a treasure trove for gamers, but within its vast library, survival games remain a special, heart-pounding category. These experiences offer something for everyone—whether you crave atmospheric tension, the satisfying grind of resource management, or simply the chaotic joy of exploring and building with friends. In 2025, the platform hosts an incredible lineup of titles that push the boundaries of the survival genre, from battling zombie hordes to taming mythical creatures in worlds both beautiful and brutal. Let's dive into these unforgettable adventures.

10. State of Decay 2: Unity in the Face of the Undead

Developer: Undead Labs

Genre: Survival, Zombie, Action

While its initial reception was mixed, State of Decay 2 has been meticulously polished into a standout survival experience. Set in a grim post-apocalyptic world, it distinguishes itself with a profound focus on community. You don't just survive; you lead and manage a group of survivors, each with unique personalities, skills, and needs.

Juggling base defense, supply runs, and the ever-present threat of zombie hordes creates a tense, rewarding loop. The combat is visceral, the weapon variety is impressive, and the constant threat keeps you on your toes. It’s a bloody, strategic frenzy that proves there's strength in numbers.

9. Grounded: An Epic Adventure at Ant-Scale

Core Gameplay Loop: Base-building, Exploration, Insect Combat

Imagine being shrunk to the size of an ant in your own backyard. That's the terrifying and brilliant premise of Grounded. This isn't just about survival; it's a mystery. Your goal is to survive the now-gigantic world of grass blades and dewdrops, uncover why you were shrunk, and find a way back to normal size.

• Crafting Arsenal: From simple pebblet tools to advanced insect-based gear.

• Combat: A dynamic system focused on dodging, positioning, and using the environment.

• Creatures: A mix of helpful bugs and deadly predators (beware the spiders!).

The world is both beautiful and horrifyingly detailed, making every expedition a memorable challenge.

8. Medieval Dynasty: Build Your Legacy

Genres: Survival, Simulation, Role-Playing

Medieval Dynasty is the ultimate chill survival experience. It blends survival mechanics with deep town management and life simulation. You start with nothing and slowly build your skills, your home, and eventually, a thriving village. Recruit villagers, manage resources, and navigate the political and environmental challenges of the Middle Ages.

What sets it apart is the legacy system. You can marry, raise a family, and eventually pass control to your heir, creating a true dynasty. The open world is vast and filled with resources and quests. While combat is minimal, the focus is squarely on creation, progression, and leaving your mark on history.

7. Core Keeper: A Cavernous Delight

Inspiration: Stardew Valley's Mines × Terraria

For those who loved the mining in Stardew Valley, Core Keeper is a dream come true. After being teleported to a mysterious underground cavern, your goal is to build, explore, and find a way out. The world is procedurally generated and seemingly endless, filled with slimes, bats, and far more fearsome creatures.

Feature	Description
Perspective	Top-down pixel art
Exploration	Huge, procedurally generated biomes
Combat	Dynamic boss fights with unique patterns
Progression	Gear-based, with a strong focus on mining and crafting

It's a deeply addictive loop of digging, fighting, and discovering that stands proudly on its own.

6. This War of Mine: The Weight of Survival

Experience: Emotional, Narrative-Driven, Morally Complex

This War of Mine is not a game you "win." It's an experience that explores the brutal reality of civilians trapped in a war-torn city. The gameplay loop of scavenging at night and protecting your shelter by day is fraught with impossible moral choices. Do you steal medicine from the elderly to save a sick child? Can you afford to be kind?

The atmosphere is unbearably tense, amplified by somber music and stark visuals. Characters can die despite your best efforts, and these losses hit hard. It’s a powerful, harrowing game that leaves a lasting impact, reminding players that in war, survival itself is the only victory.

5. Valheim: Forge Your Viking Saga

Setting: Procedurally Generated Viking Afterlife

Valheim immerses you in a stunning world inspired by Norse mythology. You are a fallen warrior, tasked with conquering mythical beasts to earn your place in Valhalla. The gameplay is a perfect blend of exploration, brutal combat, and satisfying construction.

• Build Epic Bases: Construct Viking longhouses and fortresses.

• Explore Diverse Biomes: From serene Meadows to deadly Plains and frozen Mountains.

• Co-op Focus: Best enjoyed with up to 10 friends for epic boss battles and sailing expeditions.

The sense of progression—from fighting deer with a club to sailing the seas in a longship to battle a massive sea serpent—is unparalleled. Its art style and atmosphere are timeless.

4. Palworld: Creature Collecting with an Edge

Tagline: "Pokémon with Guns" (But So Much More)

Palworld took the world by storm by blending creature collection with deep survival and base management. You capture Pals, use them for labor, combat, and exploration, all while managing your own hunger, thirst, and safety. The world is vast, with diverse biomes and challenging boss fights.

Despite its playful premise, the survival mechanics are robust. You'll defend your base from raids, explore dungeons, and craft increasingly powerful gear. While still technically in Early Access in 2025, the game is incredibly polished and content-rich, offering a uniquely chaotic and entertaining twist on the genre.

3. Ark: Survival Ascended: Dinosaur Dominance, Redefined

What it is: A stunning remake of Ark: Survival Evolved

Ark: Survival Ascended is the definitive way to experience the dinosaur-taming classic. With completely overhauled graphics using Unreal Engine 5, revamped mechanics, and new quality-of-life features, it brings the island to life like never before. The core thrill remains: start with nothing, tame dinosaurs, build a base, and conquer the environment.

The joy of progressing from a vulnerable survivor to a dino-riding warlord is as compelling as ever. Flying on the back of a Pteranodon or leading a pack of Raptors into battle with friends is pure, unadulterated fun. The visual upgrade makes the already-dangerous world feel truly breathtaking and immersive.

2. Terraria: A 2D Masterpiece of Progression

Often Compared To: Minecraft, but focused on combat and gear progression

Calling Terraria just a 2D Minecraft does it a great disservice. While building and exploration are key, the heart of the game is an incredible progression system tied to challenging boss fights and loot. You dig, fight, and explore to gather materials to craft better gear to fight harder bosses in a brilliantly satisfying loop.

The weapon and item variety allow for countless playstyles, from summoner to mage to ranged expert. The world is packed with secrets, and the procedural generation ensures no two playthroughs are the same. It's a game of infinite depth that has captivated players for over a decade and continues to be a benchmark for the genre. ✨

1. Minecraft: The Timeless Sandbox 👑

The King of Creative Survival

In 2025, Minecraft remains the undisputed champion of sandbox survival. Its genius lies in its total freedom. There is no "right" way to play. You can be a fearless adventurer hunting the Ender Dragon, a master engineer creating complex Redstone contraptions, or an artistic architect building wonders block by block.

The game is a platform for creativity, limited only by imagination. Regular updates introduce new biomes, mobs, and mechanics, ensuring the world never grows stale. Whether played alone as a meditative creative outlet or with friends in chaotic, laughter-filled survival servers, Minecraft offers an experience that is both endlessly comforting and perpetually new. It's more than a game; it's a phenomenon.

Final Thoughts

From the emotional gravity of This War of Mine to the creative infinity of Minecraft, Xbox Game Pass in 2025 offers a survival game for every mood and player. These ten titles prove that the genre is about more than just staying alive—it's about building legacies, forging friendships, exploring unknown worlds, and telling your own unique story against all odds. The ultimate challenge awaits. Are you ready to survive?