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7 Days to Die similar games & best alternatives

7 Days to Die

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

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Quick resume

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!

Global score

87/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Shooter

Similar games

    Pros

    • High player freedom and creativity
    • Deep survival and crafting systems
    • Strong cooperative multiplayer
    • Frequent updates and active development
    • Large, explorable open world

    Cons

    • Long early access period with bugs
    • Performance and optimization issues
    • Minimal narrative or story
    • Steep learning curve for new players
    • Some repetitive gameplay elements

    Analysis

    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.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      5

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

    • Competence
      4

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

    • Competition
      -2

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

    • Continuation
      5

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

    • Cooperation
      4

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

    • Creativity
      5

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

    • Domination
      -3

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

    • Escapism
      5

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

    • Expectation
      -4

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

    • Experimenting
      4

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

    • Exploration
      4

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

    • Expression
      3

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

    • Fantasy
      2

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

    • Fellowship
      4

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

    • Growth
      4

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

    • Health
      -4

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

    • Idle
      -3

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

    • Intimacy
      2

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

    • Leadership
      2

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

    • Progression
      5

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

    • Relaxation
      -2

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

    • Sensation
      3

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

    • Status
      -2

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

    • Story
      -3

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

    • Strategy
      4

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

    • Thrill
      4

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

    • Value
      4

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

    • Violence
      4

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

    • Survival
      5

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

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026