The survival game genre comes in a ton of different flavors, but one that's a bit more elusive is the fantasy RPG survival game niche. Having a solid combination of all three of those in one video game is not an easy task to pull off, and it usually means that at least one gameplay feature is a bit more diluted than the rest. For example, a higher focus on fantasy and RPG means the survival mechanics might be a bit more shallow and forgiving, but a more survival-oriented game will likely not have the deepest RPG systems.
Keeping an open mind, there are still some games that do a pretty good job of capturing those three fantasies into one cohesive package. If you're looking to dive into fantastical worlds, creating the kind of hero you'd like to be, while also thinking strategically about what you need to do to survive, these games are the perfect niche for you. I want to give a special shoutout to Valheim, which didn't quite make it to this list due to its slightly less deep RPG mechanics, but if that's okay with you, then I totally recommend checking Valheim out, as it does tick a lot of boxes.
Dune: Awakening
Chapter 3 Added Some Much-Needed Changes
Dune: Awakening didn't have the smoothest landing ever. It's hard to nail a game that relies on multiplayer servers, and many players had things to say about the forced PVP aspect of the game. Now, with the latest update out, a lot of those wrinkles have been smoothed out, and it's a much more viable experience for those who would rather jump into the iconic world of Arrakis without having to worry about encountering enemy players. The game is an alternate universe take on the Dune books, where the story was never realized, though still featuring characters you will recognize from the universe of Frank Herbert.
As an agent of the Bene Gesserit, your task is to survive Arrakis' hostile environment, build a base, and craft gear and tech, all the while exploring the desert and its secrets. Arrakis isn't an easy world to traverse, and you have a couple of vehicles to help you with that. That said, the survival aspect comes from managing the scorching heat, from having the required tech to survive the desert, and avoiding angering the massive sandworms. Oh, and did I mention you have powers from the Bene Gesserit, too? It's a unique opportunity to finally imagine your own character as the protagonist of Dune's epic story, flaws and all.
V Rising
Live The Life Of A Bloodsucking Vampire
V Rising has a pretty unique setup compared to a lot of survival games. It's a combat-packed, hack-and-slash style gothic fantasy RPG where you embody a vampire lord. And as with vampires in general, you need to drink blood in order to survive. The world is your oyster, but only at night, which brings an interesting, strategic challenge. In the shroud of night, you can venture out to attack villages to conquer the wilderness for more resources in order to turn your gothic abode into something to be feared and admired.
Of course, you're not the only predator out there. You'll be hunted down by crusading soldiers who want you dead, and you'll also have to face off against a multitude of bosses to test your might. Speaking of might, you have a nice mix of swordplay and magic at your fingertips, all fairly customizable from various shapeshifting abilities to elemental magic. Like all other games here, V Rising is also one that you can enjoy with your friends, or even participate in its PVP side and challenge other aspiring vampires. If action-RPGs are your cup of tea, definitely give this one a try.
Conan Exiles
A Harsh World Full Of Bloody Potential
With magic and deities in the game, Conan Exiles has more than deserved its spot among other fantasy survival RPGs. It's a bit more demanding in terms of survival gameplay than perhaps some other titles here, but that makes it perfect for discerning survivalists. You start essentially from nothing, building your character up through bloody combat, building up your base, crafting up all your weaponry and other gear, and even enslaving NPCs to do your bidding. All the while, you have to take care of your hunger, thirst, and body temperature while exploring the lands beyond.
The fun (depending on the kind of player you are) in this game comes from the multiplayer aspect. There are servers that pit players against each other, but you can luckily also just jump into your own world with friends you know and experience everything in co-op. It has some of the deepest crafting and building gameplay on here, so if you value those features above all else and prefer your combat and exploration on the challenging and bloody side, this is the game to go for.
Enshrouded
Brave The Shroud And Build Your Home
Although Enshrouded is still in Early Access, it's a game that shows great promise and is one of the best co-op experiences in the fantasy survival RPG genre. In the world of Embervale, your task is to survive while uncovering the hidden lore of a world that has fallen to the corruption of the Shroud. It's truly a great marriage of all the best features from all three genres it represents. You have a big skill tree to experiment with that comes with a ton of variety and nuance in defining exactly the type of class you'd like to jump into. Embervale, as a world, is all you could hope for in a fantasy game, with different biomes, monsters, ruins, and more.
Finally, there's the survival craft aspect of Enshrouded. You can build your own permanent base, and the game has so much variety and freedom when it comes to this. With the resources you gather, you can also craft gear. You won't easily be bored by the diversity of weapons and armor, as there's a perfect option tailored for each archetype and class in the game. If you've ever dreamed of entering a massive fantasy world with your friends and making a home in it, don't sleep on this game.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
