These subgenres (in name and application) aren’t “official.” You won’t find them on platforms like Steam or other gaming-focused websites. They result from many hours of debate and discussion among Hashtag staff and community members about how to describe & categorize the different titles under the umbrella term “survival.”
Narrative Survival
These titles often tie progression with story. New crafting recipes & tools may be rewarded by following the narrative, and other times the narrative is central to the gameplay.
Lifestyle Survival
Typically focus on life simulation in a specific period or place or as a particular person. They may have mechanics that feature in traditional survival games but are typically more about the general management of day-to-day life. While similar to Society Survival games, a key difference is that the player remains a firsthand and critical component of the gameplay instead of an external outside force.
Society Survival
Typically involve managing a group – varied in size- rebuilding their society in the wake of a catastrophe or building up a new life while exploring new territories. Frequently involves societal aspects (religion, trade, morale) along with foundational survival elements like food, water, supplies, etc.
Survival Horror
Primarily involve the player’s struggle to survive against a dangerous external threat. They may include tasks for the player to complete while trying to avoid death but do not require your typical survival game upkeep.
Nominal Survival
We jokingly label it as ‘survival in the eye of the beholder.’ They are often referred to as mini MMOs or pseudo RPGs by many in our community. We’re never quite sure why they’re labeled Survival beyond the token appearance of food, crafting, or building- traits shared by other games.
Bushcraft Survival
Emphasize the ability to survive & thrive in a natural environment – or an environment upended by a disaster or emergency. There’s a reliance on specific skills like food & water sourcing, shelter building, fire-craft, camp craft, navigation, and weapon & tool making. There is friction & consequence to every action, and a player’s comfortable situation can be reversed instantly.
Survival Shooter
Combat, as gunplay, is a large part of the game and frequently includes conflict with other players. Survival genre elements can be present- base building, food acquisition, injury system- but may be tuned down so that their relevance only matters when impacting combat. (Raiding bases, being too weak or injured to fight, etc.)
Survival Craft
These games meet the survival criteria on paper, with various survival mechanics set typically in a lush and open-world environment. However, dangerous situations fall flat, while consequences & restrictions never feel impactful.