Survival and open-world games have been gaining popularity in recent years, offering players an immersive and captivating experience. As technology continues to advance, game developers are constantly pushing the boundaries and creating innovative new titles.

In 2024, we can expect a lineup of exciting games that offer thrilling gameplay, realistic survival mechanics, and intricate simulations. In this article, we will explore the 10 most anticipated open-world survival games that are set to release in 2024.

Palworld

Developer: Pocketpair
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: Early Access in January 2024

Palworld is, in short, Pokémon with guns. The game has all the staple hallmarks of quintessential Pokémon games but with the enforced use of assault rifles. In this open-world game, players have the opportunity to capture over 100 unique Pals, each possessing a diverse range of skills and types (such as flying, electric, fire, etc.). These Pals can be utilized for various purposes, including traversing the environment, providing protection, aiding in crafting and construction, and enabling players to engage in combat against wild Pals during the adventure. Furthermore, Palworld incorporates a robust genetics system, enabling players to breed different Pals and create unique and powerful variations.

What’s even more interesting is the open-world multiplayer feature, allowing players to invite friends and engage in battles and skirmishes. These battles not only involve stealing Pals and items but also involve confrontations between players’ own Pals, pitting their trained Pals against other contenders in a battle of skill and strategy. If you think this new Pokémon clone is up your alley, visit Palworld’s official website.

DokeV

Developer: Pearl Abyss
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: 2024

DokeV is a third-person creature battler developed by Pearl Abyss, which was first revealed in 2019. However, it was only showcased properly a couple of years later. Since then, information regarding the game has been scarce.

In this game, players embark on a thrilling adventure alongside fascinating creatures known as the Dokebi. These creatures derive their extraordinary powers from the dreams harboured by people. To embark on the grandest of adventures, you will have to carefully assemble the best team possible. Although a specific release date for this game has not yet been announced, fans are eagerly anticipating its arrival.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Developer: GSC Game World
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: Q1 2024

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the upcoming and highly awaited instalment in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise. The game will be released over 13 years after the previous title. In terms of the story, the official website invites players to embark on a perilous journey within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, where they will face numerous dangerous foes, deadly anomalies, and intriguing artifacts.

Players will have the opportunity to create their own captivating narrative as they navigate through the Zone and make their way to the enigmatic Heart of Chornobyl. The choices they make along the way will have a significant influence on how the story unfolds and the ultimate fate of the Zone. Currently, details regarding the actual narrative are scarce, but it is said to be non-linear and revolves around bounty hunters seeking treasure amidst the post-apocalyptic landscape.

Under A Rock

Developer: Nordic Trolls
Platforms: PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: 2024

If you ever have fantasized about experiencing the thrill of being stranded on a deserted island and constructing a cozy shelter while immersing yourself in the wildness of the local wildlife, then Nordic Trolls’ upcoming co-op survival game, Under a Rock, offers the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Set in the early 19th century, you find yourself embarking on an intrepid expedition at the behest of the Society of Explorers. Your mission is to unravel the mystery surrounding the previous expedition’s sudden disappearance. However, fate intervenes, and your hot air balloon is propelled on a perilous course towards disaster. Miraculously, you survive, but find yourself stranded in a forgotten land.

This hidden realm is shrouded in mystery and accessible only to a select few. As you navigate this uncharted territory, you find yourself surrounded by untamed wildlife and the unpredictable forces of nature. Your survival in this hostile habitat requires vigilant alertness, resourcefulness, and adaptability. As you strive to orient yourself, establish your camp, and secure your survival, every step you take is a battle against the unknown.

In addition to gathering supplies and creating a base, survivors will have the opportunity to embark on this thrilling adventure alongside up to 10 players per server, which translates into a total of nine of your closest companions being stranded with you. As the saying goes, “the more the merrier”!

Voyagers of Nera

Developer: Treehouse Games
Platforms: PC
Release Date: Early Access in 2024

Voyagers of Nera offers captivating co-op play for up to 16 players. In this open-world survival crafting, players are transported to a realm teeming with enigmatic islands, magic, and camaraderie. Embark on seafaring escapades, explore new lands, construct thriving settlements, and forge an extraordinary bond with the spirit of the island. By working together, players can unlock the secrets of this mysterious world and embark on a thrilling adventure like no other.

Enshrouded

Developer: Keen Games GmbH
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: 24 January 2024

If you enjoy games like Valheim and V Rising, this one might be a game for you. Enshrouded is a cooperative survival crafting action RPG set in the huge open realm of Embervale where you will have to survive the Shroud which corrupts everything it touches. Here you will get to play around with unique combat builds with an in-depth skill tree system, from using sword and shield to wielding magic or training to be the next Robin Hood.

Unleash your creativity and become a master architect building bases and buildings like no other. Enshrouded promises a vast assortment of materials and furniture. The best part? You won’t just be building for yourself but also for NPCs to come live with you! Another great feature is that you can play the game with up to 16 friends (If you have that many).

Nightingale

Developer: Inflexion Games
Platforms: PC
Release Date: TBA

Nightingale isn’t your standard open-world survival game. When I first saw it, the aesthetic itself just looked like no other survival games I’ve played. You become an intrepid Realmwalker in which you travel the dangerous Fae Realms of Nightingale. Here you will navigate through Faewild forests, swamps, deserts and other biomes.

The game requires you to assemble magickal Realm Cards and by wielding their power, it will determine the details of your next destination. Travel through transdimensional portals and survive different horrors sent your way! Like every other survival game, you will craft, gather and make your own tools. Build an estate if you wish and recruit NPCs to help you automate production or gather resources for you. The game can be played solo or co-op with friends.

Light No Fire

Developer: Hello Games
Platforms: TBC
Release Date: TBA

Brought to you by the same developers working on No Mans Sky. Light No Fire is set on a Procedural Fantasy Earth. Interestingly enough, you do not play as the hero in this one. You will survive your way throughout the ancient world, and explore different immersive biomes, craft tools and weapons to help your journey.

In the announcement trailer, it showed that you can ride dragons and honestly, with a world as beautiful as shown, who wouldn’t want to fly around seeing all that. The game is also said to be co-op so grab some friends and get ready for this one.

Skulls And Bones

Developer: Ubisoft Singapore
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: 16 February 2024

AHOY! Skulls and Bones is one that we’ve been waiting for quite a while now. Be your own Captain Jack Sparrow! Build your crew and sail the seas to leave your mark as a legendary pirate captain. Your long-term survival is to form the most powerful pirate gang. There is also intense naval combat like no other.

The game can be played solo or co-op. Another feature is that there is multiplayer action! In multiplayer online, you get to confront rival players in competitive five-versus-five matches where you will plunder for the most gold and grow your influence.

Ark 2

Developer: Studio Wildcard, Grove Street Games
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Release Date: TBA

Vin Diesel. Need I say more? Ark 2 is the Sequel to ARK: Survival Evolved. Set on the standard primal world where dinosaurs and humans are struggling for dominance. It is said that the combat system will be similar to a souls-like melee combat.

The game will have a single-player campaign, but will of course have the co-op feature that improves on all the current aspects of the Ark games. You can traverse the world by climbing, mantling, parkouring. What most people are excited about is the cross-platform modding! With Ark 2, there will now be fully stackable, user-created Mods for all the new creatures, maps and gameplay features distributed across all platforms. This will come with support for the modded unofficial servers!

Which of these titles will you be looking forward to playing? Let us know by commenting on our social platforms on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.