7 Days to Die similar games & best alternatives

7 Days to Die

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2024

Should you play it?

7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits!

What works
  • High player freedom and creativity
  • Deep survival and crafting systems
  • Strong cooperative multiplayer
  • Frequent updates and active development
  • Large, explorable open world
Things to keep in mind
  • Long early access period with bugs
  • Performance and optimization issues
  • Minimal narrative or story
  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Some repetitive gameplay elements

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • State of Decay: YOSE

  • Don't Starve Together

  • Necesse

  • Night of the Dead

  • MISERY

  • Sons Of The Forest

  • Terraria

  • CastleMiner Z

  • Barotrauma

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Rem Survival

  • Plains of Pain

  • Last Group Out

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Sid Meier's Pirates!

  • Continuation

    ScootX

  • Creativity

    Urge

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

7 Days to Die: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Story, Relaxation.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    5

    "Players have full freedom to choose their own path, actions, and goals in an open-world sandbox."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Pirates! Sid Meier's Pirates!

    "Players have full freedom to explore, build, craft, and choose their own survival strategies in an open sandbox world."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game involves skillful shooting, strategic use of skills and equipment, and overcoming challenging zombie hordes and bosses with feedback on performance."

    Capsule for SAS: Zombie Assault 4 SAS: Zombie Assault 4

    "The game features skill trees, crafting complexity, base building with physics, and challenging zombie hordes that require player skill and planning."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -2

    "Multiplayer PvP exists but is mostly dead; players mainly focus on single-player progression and personal goals rather than competing against others."

    Capsule for Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet

    "While PvP exists, many players focus on personal survival and cooperative play without heavy emphasis on competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "Many reviews mention long play sessions, addiction, and habitual return to the game."

    Capsule for ScootX ScootX

    "Many reviews mention long playtimes, addiction, and habitual return to the game over years."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Co-op multiplayer is highly praised; teamwork in resource gathering, building, and survival is a core experience."

    Capsule for Raft Raft

    "Co-op multiplayer is highly recommended and praised for enhancing the experience; teamwork is important for survival."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    5

    "Highly flexible base building system, ability to build on vehicles, and open-ended crafting encourage creative expression."

    Capsule for Urge Urge

    "Extensive building system with physics, crafting, and base design allows for high player creativity."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "Interactions emphasize shared play and cooperation; PvP is limited and balanced without harsh penalties."

    Capsule for Saleblazers Saleblazers

    "Players often cooperate or play solo; domination or power over others is less emphasized though PvP exists."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Players use the game as immersive horror experience and mental escape, engaging imagination and atmosphere."

    Capsule for Welcome To The Dark Place Welcome To The Dark Place

    "Players use the game as an immersive escape, with intense survival and horror elements providing distraction and flow."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Borderlands 2 Borderlands 2

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players experiment with crafting combinations and survival strategies in an open-ended environment."

    Capsule for Stranded Deep Stranded Deep

    "Players experiment with building designs, crafting recipes, and survival tactics to improve their chances."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Large maps with multiple areas and secrets encourage discovery and curiosity-driven exploration."

    Capsule for Evil Nun: The Broken Mask Evil Nun: The Broken Mask

    "Large maps with random generation and many points of interest encourage exploration and discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Character customization is limited, but base building and crafting allow personal expression."

    Capsule for ICARUS ICARUS

    "Character customization is limited but present; more expression is through base building and crafting."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "Post-apocalyptic zombie survival setting with some fictional elements; grounded in survival realism but imaginative."

    Capsule for SurrounDead SurrounDead

    "Post-apocalyptic zombie setting with some fictional elements, but grounded in survival realism."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    4

    "Strong community and multiplayer focus with cooperative play and shared achievements."

    Capsule for TDS - Tower Defense Strategy TDS - Tower Defense Strategy

    "Strong community and multiplayer focus, with social interaction and cooperative achievements."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Skill trees, leveling, crafting, and character progression provide learning and personal development opportunities."

    Capsule for Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree

    "Skill trees, leveling, and learning crafting recipes provide ongoing personal development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some players mention health issues from long play"

    Capsule for Burg Burg

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some players mention health issues from long sessions."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and active participation, especially in raids and combat."

    Capsule for Lost Ark Lost Ark

    "Requires active attention and focus, especially during horde nights and base defense."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Some social interaction in multiplayer but limited evidence of deep emotional connections."

    Capsule for Forgotten Seas Forgotten Seas

    "Some social interaction in multiplayer but limited close emotional connections."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Some players take leadership roles in multiplayer groups, but overall gameplay emphasizes cooperation over hierarchy."

    Capsule for Grounded 2 Grounded 2

    "Some players take leadership roles in multiplayer groups, but many play cooperatively without strict hierarchy."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong progression through leveling, acquiring items, crafting, and unlocking abilities."

    Capsule for UnderRail UnderRail

    "Strong progression through leveling, crafting higher quality items, and base upgrades."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay involves tension and challenge, especially managing supply and enemy ambushes, limiting relaxation."

    Capsule for Vietnam ‘65 Vietnam ‘65

    "Game involves tension and threat, especially during night and horde events, limiting relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Sound design, lighting, and visual effects create immersive and sometimes frightening sensory experience."

    Capsule for Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition

    "Sound design and visual effects contribute to immersive and sometimes thrilling sensory experience."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -2

    "Recognition is mostly personal or within small groups; no major social status or leaderboard focus."

    Capsule for BlazBlue Entropy Effect BlazBlue Entropy Effect

    "Recognition is mostly within private groups or communities; not a major motivator."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -3

    "Minimal narrative or lore; gameplay is context-free and focused on sandbox activities."

    Capsule for RPG MO RPG MO

    "Minimal narrative; players create their own stories in a largely context-free sandbox."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Base defense, combat tactics, resource management, and skill builds require strategic thinking."

    Capsule for IfSunSets IfSunSets

    "Planning base defenses, resource management, and combat tactics require strategic thinking."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Nightly zombie hordes and boss fights create suspense, tension, and excitement."

    Capsule for Night of the Dead Night of the Dead

    "Horde nights and unpredictable zombie attacks create suspense and adrenaline."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players feel the game offers excellent value for time and money, especially given frequent updates."

    Capsule for ΔV: Rings of Saturn ΔV: Rings of Saturn

    "Many players feel the game offers good value for time spent, especially given frequent updates."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat against zombies and hostile enemies is a core enjoyable element."

    Capsule for 10 Miles To Safety 10 Miles To Safety

    "Combat with zombies and destruction are core enjoyable elements."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Survival mechanics including health, hunger, resource gathering, and avoiding death are central."

    Capsule for Magicite Magicite

    "Survival mechanics are central, including managing health, hunger, thirst, and defending against threats."

Last update: 01/06/2026