Officially Alive—But Running Silent
When Microsoft shut down multiple projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild, fans grew anxious that State of Decay 3 might meet a similar fate. However, Microsoft leadership confirmed that the game remains in active development, listing it among more than 40 in-progress Xbox Game Studios projects.
The View Inside Undead Labs
Despite no major public updates since the original in-engine trailer, State of Decay 3 continues to evolve behind the scenes. The game is now built in Unreal Engine 5, with technical support from other first-party Xbox studios. Internal expansion at Undead Labs—including a growing team across Seattle, Vancouver, and remote positions—suggests Microsoft’s investment in the title hasn’t waned.
Release Window: Reading the (Bloody) Tea Leaves
While there’s still no official release date, most industry observers now expect a 2026 launch window. Originally targeted for 2025, the extra time is reportedly being used to polish gameplay systems and fully prepare for a marketing rollout. The game’s absence from Summer Game Fest and the Xbox Showcase in 2025 supports the theory that Microsoft is holding back until the game is ready for a full reveal.
Feature Set: What’s Actually New
Here’s what fans can expect from State of Decay 3 based on teasers, tech advancements, and developer hints:
- Dynamic seasons and wildlife – With infected animals teased in earlier trailers, expect environmental hazards and seasonal gameplay to play a big role.
- True shared-world co-op – Four-player multiplayer where teammates can explore independently, build bases, or scavenge separately.
- Massive open regions – Thanks to UE5, the world will be larger and more seamless than any previous State of Decay game.
- Survivor-driven storytelling – Character deaths will trigger chain reactions—like revenge missions or faction responses—instead of just morale penalties.
- Advanced base-building – Players will be able to build modular fortifications, manage power and resource grids, and defend or lose territory dynamically.
Community Pulse
On community forums and Reddit threads, reactions are mixed. Some are frustrated by the prolonged silence and lack of updates, while others remain hopeful—pointing out that State of Decay 2 continues to receive regular updates and bug fixes. That ongoing support is often cited as a sign that Undead Labs remains fully operational and committed to the franchise.
Next Time We’ll See It
Most signs point to a full reveal coming either at XO 2025 or during a dedicated Xbox Developer Direct in early 2026. Microsoft’s recent trend has shifted toward shorter marketing cycles, focusing on games that are close to launch, so it makes sense that State of Decay 3 hasn’t had a major presence in 2025 showcases.
Quick-Look Cheat Sheet
| Question | Current Answer (July 2025) |
|---|---|
| Cancelled? | No—confirmed to still be in development. |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 with support from other Xbox studios. |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X│S, PC, Game Pass, and Cloud Gaming. |
| Likely release window | Q1–Q3 2026. |
| Next expected reveal | XO 2025 or Xbox Developer Direct 2026. |
State of Decay 3 is still in the fight. While it’s been quiet, the scale of development and scope of features suggest Undead Labs is preparing a much more ambitious take on its beloved zombie survival sandbox. The undead will rise again—just not quite yet.
The Best Survival Games On Xbox
Xbox gamers looking for thrilling survival experiences have plenty of options to choose from in 2025. The survival genre combines resource management, crafting, and often base building elements that test your ability to stay alive against various threats including harsh environments, zombies, or other players. Finding the right survival game for your Xbox can provide hundreds of hours of engaging gameplay where you’ll face challenging obstacles while creating your own unique stories.
These games range from underwater adventures to post-apocalyptic wastelands, offering different difficulty levels and gameplay styles to match your preferences. Some focus on solo experiences where you can take your time exploring, while others emphasize multiplayer interactions that can be both cooperative and competitive. With Microsoft’s Game Pass service, you can try many top survival titles without purchasing them individually.
1: Subnautica: Below Zero
Subnautica: Below Zero takes the thrilling underwater survival experience to new frozen depths. This sequel to the acclaimed original game brings you to an arctic region of planet 4546B where dangers lurk beneath the icy surface.
The game has been praised as a sublimely addictive timesink that goes beyond typical survival game conventions. You’ll find yourself constantly exploring just one more cave or gathering resources for one more upgrade.
Unlike many survival games, Below Zero balances tension with wonder. The alien ocean feels both terrifying and beautiful as you navigate through bioluminescent caves and vast underwater landscapes.
The Xbox Series X version runs smoothly with impressive underwater effects. The gameplay lets you build bases, craft equipment, and explore the depths while managing oxygen and avoiding predators.
Below Zero improves on the original with a more defined story. You’ll follow the journey of Robin Ayou as she investigates what happened to her sister on this remote research station.
The crafting system is intuitive yet deep, allowing you to create increasingly advanced tools for deeper exploration. Your survival depends on balancing resource collection with careful planning.
Critics have called it a brilliant follow-up that captures the essence of the first game while refining the formula. The game has earned strong reviews from players and critics alike.
If you’re looking for an immersive survival experience on Xbox that combines exploration, crafting, and storytelling, Below Zero delivers on all fronts.
2: Grounded
Grounded stands out as one of the best survival games available on Xbox. Set in a backyard where you’ve been shrunk to the size of an ant, you’ll face everyday objects and insects that now pose massive threats.
The game won Xbox Game of the Year, and for good reason. You’ll explore a vibrant world where garden hoses become water sources and blades of grass form towering forests.
The progression system keeps you engaged as you craft better gear from materials you gather. Despite some grindiness, the gameplay loop remains satisfying.
What sets Grounded apart is its creative premise. Fighting spiders with handmade weapons while dodging lawn ornaments creates a unique survival experience you won’t find elsewhere.
The game includes a full narrative, unlike many survival titles. You’ll uncover the mystery behind your miniaturization while building bases and defending against bug attacks.
Grounded shines in co-op play. You and your friends can work together to survive the backyard wilderness, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Even after many hours of gameplay, the world continues to surprise you with new areas to discover and challenges to overcome.
The developers have consistently added content since release, expanding the already impressive game world. You’ll appreciate the attention to detail in this miniaturized adventure.
Available on Xbox Game Pass, Grounded provides excellent value alongside other survival titles in the service.
3: Ark: Survival Ascended
Ark: Survival Ascended offers an incredible survival experience that has been completely redesigned using Unreal Engine 5. This remake features impressive graphics with realistic lighting effects and reflections that bring its prehistoric world to life.
When you play Ark, you’ll start with nothing on a mysterious island filled with dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Your goal is to survive by gathering resources, crafting tools, and building shelters to protect yourself from the elements and dangerous predators.
The game’s most unique feature is the ability to tame and ride dinosaurs. You can befriend over 100 different creatures, each with special abilities that help you survive. These dinosaurs become your companions and transportation across the vast landscapes.
Ark: Survival Ascended is available on Xbox Game Pass, making it easy to try without purchasing outright. The game offers multiple maps to explore, including The Island, Scorched Earth, The Center, and Aberration.
You can enjoy Ark solo or with friends through multiplayer options. The solo experience is challenging but rewarding as you slowly build your dinosaur army and base.
The Xbox Series X version runs smoothly and showcases the graphical improvements over the original game. Critics and players alike consider it one of the best survival games available today with its “Survive, Tame, Dominate” gameplay loop keeping you engaged for hours.
4: State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 stands as one of the greatest open-world survival games available today. This zombie survival experience offers you an immersive world where resource management and community building become essential for staying alive.
When you start playing, you’ll quickly discover its impressive replay value. Each playthrough feels fresh thanks to the game’s procedurally generated survivors with unique traits and skills.
The base-building mechanics let you establish and upgrade outposts for your community. You’ll need to make tough decisions about resource allocation while managing your survivors’ needs and relationships.
Combat is intense and strategic as you face various zombie types across different difficulty levels. Permadeath adds genuine stakes to every encounter—when characters die, they stay dead.
Years of updates have significantly improved the experience since launch. The developers have added new maps, game modes, and quality-of-life features that address earlier criticisms.
State of Decay 2 consistently ranks among the best survival games on Xbox, appearing ninth on recent lists. Many players consider it possibly the best survival game they’ve played due to its depth and replayability.
You can find State of Decay 2 on Xbox Game Pass, making it easily accessible if you’re a subscriber looking for a compelling survival experience.
5: Minecraft
Minecraft is the ultimate survival game that has captured millions of players’ hearts worldwide. Its iconic blocky graphics might seem simple, but the gameplay offers incredible depth and endless possibilities for your survival journey.
When night falls in Minecraft, the real survival challenge begins. You’ll need to quickly build shelter, craft weapons, and prepare to defend yourself against various monsters that emerge in the darkness. The first night is always the most intense!
Food management is crucial for your survival. You can hunt animals, fish in lakes and oceans, or farm your own crops to keep hunger at bay. Each food source offers different benefits that can help you in your adventures.
The game allows you to build incredible bases that serve as both protection and display of creativity. You can start with a simple wooden hut and eventually expand to an elaborate fortress with multiple rooms and defense systems.
Minecraft’s Survival Games mode adds another dimension to the experience. This battle royale-style gameplay pits you against other players in a fight for resources and ultimate survival.
What makes Minecraft stand out among other Xbox survival games is its perfect blend of survival mechanics with unlimited creative expression. You can play it as a hardcore survival challenge or a relaxing base-building experience.
The game continues to receive updates, keeping the survival experience fresh and exciting even years after your first playthrough. New biomes, monsters, and crafting recipes are regularly added to enhance your survival adventures.
6: Valheim
Valheim stands out as one of the most impressive survival games available on Xbox. This brutal exploration and survival game draws heavy inspiration from Norse mythology, creating a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from other titles in the genre.
You can enjoy Valheim solo or team up with friends, as the game supports 1-10 players in its procedurally-generated world. This means each playthrough offers a fresh experience with new territories to discover and challenges to overcome.
The game has quickly earned its place among the top 5 survival games according to many gaming publications. Players particularly appreciate its balance of challenging gameplay and rewarding progression systems.
Combat in Valheim requires strategy and skill as you face off against various mythological creatures. You’ll need to craft weapons, build shelters, and prepare food to survive the harsh environment.
The building system deserves special mention, allowing you to construct elaborate Viking settlements with impressive detail. Your creations can range from simple survival shelters to grand mead halls worthy of legend.
Many gamers rank Valheim among their top three survival experiences, alongside established titles like ARK and The Long Dark. The game continues to receive updates, expanding the already substantial content available to players.
You can find Valheim in the Xbox Game Store, where it’s currently available as a Game Preview title.
7: The Long Dark
The Long Dark stands out as one of the most thoughtful exploration-survival experiences available on Xbox. Set in the freezing Canadian wilderness, this game challenges you to rely on your wits and survival skills.
What makes The Long Dark special is its pure survival focus. You won’t find zombies or supernatural elements here – just you against the harsh reality of nature. The game received a significant enhancement with a recent update adding 60FPS support for Xbox Series X.
The cold is your constant enemy in this game. You’ll need to manage your body temperature, hunger, thirst, and fatigue while exploring the vast frozen landscape. Every decision matters in this unforgiving environment.
The Long Dark offers both story and sandbox modes. The story mode guides you through a compelling narrative, while sandbox mode provides a true test of your survival skills with no objective other than staying alive.
Resource management becomes crucial as you scavenge abandoned buildings for supplies. You’ll learn to treasure every can of food, box of matches, and warm clothing item you find.
Many survival game fans consider The Long Dark an absolute gem in the genre. Its realism and attention to detail create a genuinely tense experience that will keep you coming back despite repeated failures.
If you’re looking for an Xbox survival game that emphasizes strategy over combat, The Long Dark deserves your attention.
8: No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky offers a unique survival experience that combines space exploration with resource management. You can customize difficulty settings to match your preferred challenge level, making it perfect for solo players.
The game features a vast procedurally generated universe with billions of planets to discover. Each planet has its own ecosystem, weather patterns, and resources that you’ll need to navigate and utilize to survive.
Your journey begins with a damaged spaceship that you must repair using materials gathered from your surrounding environment. The core survival gameplay revolves around managing your life support systems, gathering resources, and crafting equipment.
What sets No Man’s Sky apart is its continuous evolution through free updates. Since its launch, the game has transformed dramatically, adding features like base building, underwater exploration, and multiplayer capabilities.
The survival elements include managing oxygen levels, protection against extreme temperatures, and finding food and shelter. You’ll need to monitor these constantly as you explore harsh alien worlds.
Ship management adds another layer to the survival experience. You must maintain fuel levels and repair systems damaged during space travel or planetary exploration.
Available on Xbox Game Pass, No Man’s Sky provides both a challenging survival experience and a relaxing exploration game. The flexible difficulty options let you tailor the game exactly to your survival preferences.
9: Rust
Rust takes survival gaming to the next level with its intense multiplayer experience. In this game, you’ll join a server where other players can be just as dangerous as the environment itself.
You start completely naked on a beach with nothing but a rock and a torch. Your first goal is to gather enough resources to craft basic tools and shelter before the sun sets. This initial phase can be brutal but rewarding.
The crafting system allows you to build elaborate bases to protect your loot. You can construct walls, doors, locks, and even electrical systems to keep other players out of your territory.
Rust: Console Edition delivers the same unforgiving survival experience that made the PC version so popular. The game doesn’t hold your hand or give you objectives – survival is the only goal.
Managing your hunger, thirst, and body temperature adds another layer of challenge. You’ll need to hunt animals, gather food, and find water sources to stay alive.
PvP combat is a major part of Rust. You can craft various weapons from primitive bows to advanced firearms to defend yourself or raid other players’ bases.
The day-night cycle and weather system create a dynamic environment that affects gameplay. Nighttime is particularly dangerous, as visibility is limited and predators (both animal and human) become more active.
If you enjoy games where forming alliances, building bases, and surviving against hostile players is the core experience, Rust will provide hours of challenging gameplay.
10: Sons of the Forest
Sons of the Forest is a thrilling survival game that builds on the success of its predecessor, The Forest. Set several years after the original game, this sequel challenges you to survive on a lush, temperate island while uncovering new mysteries.
The game offers everything you could want in a survival game. You’ll need to craft, build, and struggle to survive in this terrifying open-world survival horror simulator. The environment is beautifully rendered and immersive, pulling you deeper into its world.
You can play alone or team up with friends to increase your chances of survival. The multiplayer option adds a new dimension to the gameplay, allowing for more complex base building and exploration strategies.
Be prepared for a challenge. Sons of the Forest doesn’t hold your hand through the experience. Like many survival games with steep learning curves, you’ll need to figure out many mechanics through trial and error.
The game expertly balances survival elements with horror, creating tense moments as you explore the island. You’ll encounter various threats that keep you on edge throughout your playthrough.
If you enjoyed The Forest or are looking for a good survival game on Xbox, Sons of the Forest is an excellent choice. Its combination of survival mechanics, building features, and mysterious storyline provides many hours of engaging gameplay.
Core Elements of Survival Games
Survival games challenge you to stay alive against harsh conditions while managing limited resources. These games test your ability to think strategically and adapt quickly to changing environments.
Resource Management
In survival games, you’ll need to carefully manage your resources to stay alive. Food, water, and health are typically the most critical elements to monitor. Many Xbox survival games like DayZ display these vital stats through status bars or indicators.
Gathering materials becomes your primary activity in early gameplay. You’ll collect wood, stone, metal, and other resources from the environment.
Time management is equally important. You must balance exploration with defensive preparations, especially in games with day/night cycles like 7 Days to Die, where threats increase after dark.
Weather effects may impact your survival as well. In titles like Green Hell, you’ll need appropriate shelter or clothing to survive temperature changes.
Crafting and Building
Crafting systems allow you to convert raw materials into useful items. You’ll typically start with basic tools like axes or pickaxes before progressing to more complex equipment.
Base building provides protection from environmental dangers and hostile creatures. In games like Valheim and Medieval Dynasty, your structures can evolve from simple shelters to elaborate fortresses.
Many Xbox survival games feature:
- Tech trees that unlock new crafting recipes
- Workbenches for creating specialized items
- Storage solutions to organize collected resources
Defensive structures become increasingly important as you progress. You’ll need to build walls, traps, and other defenses to protect yourself from threats that grow more dangerous over time.
Multiplayer vs. Single-Player Experiences
Survival games on Xbox offer different experiences based on whether you play alone or with others. The game mechanics, challenges, and enjoyment vary significantly between these two approaches.
Benefits of Multiplayer Modes
Multiplayer survival games create unique social dynamics that enhance gameplay. When you team up with friends in games like Valheim, you can divide tasks efficiently—some players gather resources while others build or defend your base.
Games like Conan Exiles allow for massive clan structures and territorial control that simply isn’t possible alone. The shared experiences create memorable moments when you overcome difficult situations together.
Multiplayer also adds unpredictability. Other players can be allies or enemies, creating tension that AI cannot replicate. This human element keeps the game fresh even after many hours of play.
Communication becomes key in multiplayer survival. Using voice chat to coordinate during a zombie attack or resource expedition adds depth to gameplay that solo experiences can’t match.
Single-Player Challenges
Playing survival games alone offers a completely different but equally rewarding experience. In single-player mode, you can dive deeper into games and truly immerse yourself without distractions from other players.
Games like Dead Space and Amnesia: Collection create atmospheric experiences that are often more intense when played alone. The isolation you feel mirrors your character’s situation, making the experience more authentic.
Single-player also lets you progress at your own pace. You can pause when needed, explore thoroughly, and tackle challenges when you feel ready rather than rushing to keep up with others.
Resource management becomes more personal in solo play. Every decision matters since you have no teammates to help if you make mistakes. This creates a satisfying sense of accomplishment when you overcome obstacles through your own planning and skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Survival games on Xbox offer diverse gameplay experiences with unique challenges and worlds to explore. Players looking for recommendations often ask about specific platforms, multiplayer options, and which titles provide the best value.
What are the top-rated survival games available on Xbox Series X?
The highest-rated survival games for Xbox Series X include Subnautica: Below Zero, which offers an underwater alien world to explore with gorgeous visuals optimized for the console. Grounded, with its backyard survival premise, also ranks highly with its unique perspective and dangerous insect encounters.
Ark: Survival Ascended, the remastered version with enhanced graphics, continues to be a fan favorite for dinosaur lovers. Minecraft remains timeless with its endless building possibilities and survival challenges.
State of Decay 2 rounds out the top choices with its zombie apocalypse setting and community management systems that many players enjoy.
Which survival games on Xbox Game Pass are considered the best?
Xbox Game Pass offers several excellent survival games that provide great value. Subnautica and its sequel Below Zero are both available, giving you underwater exploration adventures without additional purchase.
State of Decay 2 is included with Game Pass and offers zombie survival with base-building elements. Grounded, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, lets you experience survival at a microscopic scale in a backyard setting.
The service also includes other notable titles like Starbound, Dead Space 3’s Pure Survival Mode, and Hunt: Showdown, giving you plenty of options without buying games individually.
Can you list the best survival games for Xbox One with multiplayer options?
Ark: Survival Ascended offers one of the most robust multiplayer experiences, allowing you to team up with friends to build bases and tame dinosaurs. Grounded supports up to four-player co-op, making backyard survival more fun with friends.
Minecraft remains the classic multiplayer survival experience, supporting both split-screen and online play. State of Decay 2 provides cooperative zombie survival where you can join friends’ communities or invite them to yours.
Other strong multiplayer options include DayZ, 7 Days to Die, and Don’t Starve Together, each offering unique cooperative or competitive survival experiences.
What are the most popular open-world survival games available on Xbox platforms?
Subnautica: Below Zero features a vast alien ocean to explore with various biomes and creatures. Ark: Survival Ascended offers enormous maps filled with prehistoric creatures and resources to discover.
Minecraft provides literally endless procedurally generated worlds with diverse biomes and underground cave systems. State of Decay 2 features multiple large maps where you establish outposts and scavenge for supplies.
DayZ presents a massive post-apocalyptic landscape where you must find resources while avoiding or confronting other players. These games all offer different open-world experiences that appeal to different player preferences.
What are the top multiplayer survival games available on Xbox Series X and Xbox One?
Ark: Survival Ascended tops the list for multiplayer survival with its tribe system and massive servers. Grounded provides a more intimate co-op experience for up to four friends with cross-play between Xbox and PC.
Minecraft continues to dominate with its flexible multiplayer options and cross-platform capabilities. State of Decay 2 offers drop-in/drop-out co-op that lets friends join your survival community anytime.
DayZ delivers a more hardcore multiplayer experience where player encounters can be tense standoffs or deadly conflicts. The Forest and Green Hell also provide compelling cooperative survival challenges against environmental and supernatural threats.
Are there any highly recommended free-to-play open-world survival games for Xbox One?
Unfortunately, truly free-to-play survival games are limited on Xbox. Fortnite’s Save the World mode was once the best option but now requires purchase. However, you can find some affordable alternatives.
Game Pass provides the best value, giving you access to multiple premium survival games like Grounded, State of Decay 2, and Minecraft for a monthly subscription. This isn’t free but offers excellent value compared to purchasing games individually.
Occasionally, games like ARK or Subnautica appear in Games with Gold or have free weekends, so keep an eye on Xbox announcements for temporary free access to quality survival experiences.
