13 Games Like Valheim That Make Survival Feel Rewarding

Valheim proved that survival games don’t have to be punishing — they can be about discovery, progress, and the quiet satisfaction of building something lasting. Its Nordic world rewards patience, teamwork, and resilience, making every crafted home and cooked meal feel meaningful.

If you’re craving that same blend of freedom, beauty, and accomplishment, these games offer survival that feels truly worth the effort.

Core Keeper

Delve deep underground to mine, garden, and build in glowing biomes full of secrets. Like Valheim, it blends exploration and creation, but with a softer, pixel-art charm that makes every session feel cozy and productive.

V Rising

Survive as a newly awakened vampire gathering resources, building a gothic castle, and reclaiming your power. It’s survival with style — strategic, atmospheric, and deeply rewarding once your domain begins to thrive.

Enshrouded

Mixing survival and RPG mechanics, Enshrouded lets you explore misty ruins, craft elaborate bases, and glide over a hauntingly beautiful landscape. Its sense of mystery and freedom rivals Valheim’s most breathtaking moments.

The Forest

Survival takes a darker turn as you scavenge, craft, and build to endure on a remote island filled with secrets. Every fire lit and shelter built feels like an act of triumph against the unknown.

Smalland: Survive the Wilds

Shrink down to insect size and explore a massive world of towering grass, raindrops, and curious creatures. It’s a refreshing twist on the survival genre that makes small victories feel huge.

Grounded

Obsidian’s charming yet challenging take on survival lets you craft bases out of bottle caps and blades of grass. It captures the teamwork and discovery of Valheim, but from a delightfully tiny perspective.

Green Hell

Set in the Amazon rainforest, this one focuses on realistic survival — balancing health, sanity, and environment. It’s tougher than Valheim, but every milestone feels hard-earned and immensely satisfying.

Sons of the Forest

A sequel that builds upon The Forest’s mechanics, adding advanced crafting, AI companions, and a sprawling, eerie island to explore. The reward comes not from surviving the horrors, but mastering them.

Terraria

While 2D, Terraria captures the same spirit of exploration, crafting, and slow mastery that makes Valheim so compelling. Each new structure, boss, or biome feels like a tangible step forward.

Raft

Build and expand your floating home while drifting through endless ocean waters. Gathering debris, purifying water, and crafting new modules turns survival into a peaceful rhythm of progress.

No One Survived

Set in a dynamic open world filled with zombies and shifting weather, this one emphasizes planning and adaptability. It rewards steady growth — from simple campfires to full settlements — just like Valheim.

Wildmender

Bring life back to a dying desert by growing plants, building sanctuaries, and reviving the ecosystem. It’s survival with a hopeful twist — every choice directly nurtures the world around you.

Outward: Definitive Edition

Rather than power fantasy, Outward embraces the quiet perseverance of survival. You’re not a hero — just a traveler carving a humble life in a dangerous, beautiful world where every success feels earned.