Released on October 9, 2020, The Survivalists is a vibrant indie adventure and action title that blends survival mechanics with base-building and cooperative play. Available across PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and iOS, this game invites players to find themselves stranded on a mysterious, procedurally generated island. As a spin-off of the popular Escapists universe, it shifts the focus from prison breaks to wilderness survival, challenging you to explore, craft, and defend your newfound home against hostile forces. Boasting a Metacritic score of 72.00, the game offers a compelling loop for survival enthusiasts.

The Survivalists: Gameplay and Mechanics

At its core, the game offers a robust survival loop set within a randomly generated world filled with diverse biomes and dynamic day/night cycles. Players must scavenge for resources by cutting down trees, smashing rocks, and hunting local wildlife to secure food and materials. Starting with an empty inventory, you'll begin by picking up pebbles to craft a simple chopping tool. This progression allows you to clear tall grass and harvest trees, yielding resources for more advanced tools, beds, fires to cook food, and chests for storage. You can also customise your character's appearance upon arrival.

A standout feature is the recruitment of monkeys to aid in your survival. By rescuing or bribing these primates, you can assemble a team that assists with gathering, crafting, fighting, and even carrying chests, significantly streamlining tasks that would otherwise take days alone. The game also supports up to four players in online co-op, allowing friends to team up and conquer the island together.

The Survivalists: Story, Setting, and World Exploration

While rooted in the same universe as the Escapists franchise, the narrative here centers on mysterious islands teeming with secrets. The wilderness changes dynamically, and players are tasked with uncovering the island's mysteries by exploring vaults, labyrinths, and undead-occupied dungeons. Treasure maps found on the shore offer leads to hidden loot, while quests from a Mysterious Stranger guide your progress, sometimes arriving washed up on the coast.

Survival isn't just about the elements; it also involves combat. The Orclings serve as the primary antagonists, launching raids on your base to steal your hard-earned resources. Players must construct strong walls and craft weapons to fend off these attacks, testing both their construction skills and combat reflexes in a system that relies on straightforward attack and roll mechanics.

Notable Features and Who It Appeals To

  • Cooperative Survival: Play alone or recruit up to three friends for online co-op chaos.
  • Monkey Minions: Recruit and manage a diverse army of monkeys to automate and assist with survival tasks.
  • Dynamic World: Explore procedurally generated biomes with day/night cycles that affect gameplay.
  • Base Defense: Build and fortify your home against Orcling raids and dungeon enemies.

The Survivalists appeals to fans of crafting-heavy survival games, players who enjoy the Escapists franchise, and groups looking for a cooperative building experience. Its accessibility across multiple platforms, including mobile via iOS, makes it a versatile choice for those eager to escape to a deserted island and build their own legend.