The Survivalists is a survival sandbox game that places players on procedurally generated islands filled with resources, dangers, and opportunities for crafting and building. Developed by Team17 and set in the same universe as The Escapists, it combines exploration, resource management, and light combat in a singleplayer or cooperative experience for up to four players.
Gameplay
Players begin shipwrecked with basic tools and must gather materials to craft weapons, shelters, and supplies. The island shifts between day and night cycles while featuring multiple biomes that influence available resources and threats. Hunting animals provides food, though some creatures fight back, and mythical enemies require preparation or evasion during treks across the wilderness.
Crafting expands through dedicated trees for food items like fruit smoothies, tools such as primitive axes, and structures for bases. Recipes unlock progressively as players experiment with gathered ingredients. Temples scattered across the map hold valuable loot including weapons, but accessing these requires navigating challenges and combat readiness.
A standout system involves taming local monkeys and training them via the Mimic System. These companions handle tasks like chopping wood, building, or assisting in raids against fanatic camps. Managing a team of monkeys becomes essential for efficient survival as the game progresses.
Game Modes
The core experience supports solo play where individuals manage all aspects of survival independently. Cooperative multiplayer allows up to three additional players to join for shared exploration, joint quests, resource trading, and collective defense of shelters.
Both approaches emphasize the same open-ended loop of gathering, crafting, and expanding bases, with co-op adding opportunities for分工 of roles such as one player focusing on combat support while others handle construction or foraging.
Exploration and Quests
Procedurally generated islands ensure varied layouts and secrets on each playthrough. Quests come from a Mysterious Stranger or appear washed ashore, directing players toward specific objectives like resource collection or enemy encounters. Raids on camps and ventures into labyrinths or caves add structured challenges amid the freeform survival.
Day and night cycles affect visibility and enemy behavior, encouraging players to plan outings and secure bases before dark. Biomes range from lush areas rich in plants to harsher zones with different wildlife and materials.
Is It Worth Playing?
Recent player feedback on Steam shows Mostly Positive ratings, with 76 percent approval from thousands of reviews overall and 78 percent from the most recent batch. The game maintains an active presence through updates, including the Frostbite Fortress expansion released in March 2026 that adds new snowy environments and content.
It suits those who enjoy relaxed pacing in crafting-focused survival titles, especially players interested in monkey companions and cooperative building. Solo adventurers find deep systems to master, while groups benefit from shared progress and loot distribution. The combination of exploration, combat preparation, and base management delivers consistent engagement without overwhelming complexity.
