Unturned is a unique zombie survival game with its low-resolution art and distinct gameplay. Multiplayer is also a major feature that unlocks more gameplay options. This includes both PvE and PvP modes that create new facets in the game as you team up with friends and take on other people in a battle for survival. Here are the best games like Unturned that share some of the traits that make it such a unique experience.
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DayZ
The closest parallel to Unturned is the zombie survival game DayZ. It is a more hardcore version of Unturned with a high-resolution art design. The game is all about scavaging in a zombie apocalypse to survive. Complete with base-building, crafting, and multiplayer gameplay just like Unturned, the only things that really stand out between these two games are the art style and the fact that DayZ is significantly harder. All the survival aspects are more realistic and challenging, loot is more scarce, and the zombies are harder to kill. If you are looking for a more realistic version of Unturned on a harder difficulty, look no further than DayZ.
Check out DayZ on Steam!
Rust
Rust is not a zombie survival game, but it definitely belongs at the top of a list of games like Unturned. It has nearly all the other gameplay similarities minus the zombies. There are even plugins for Rust that will add zombies into the game. You can get your survival, crafting, base-building, and looting fix in Rust just like you would in Unturned. You will find the two games have a large overlap in their player bases as well. Both PvE and PvP modes are available in Rust’s multiplayer experience, however, most prefer the PvP. If spawning naked on a map and struggling to survive is something you love about Unturned and you haven’t given Rust a try, what are you waiting for?
Check out Rust on Steam!
7 Days to Die
One of the most unique zombie survival games out there is 7 Days to Die. This game blends survival, base-building, and tower defense. You will need to survive in the zombie apocalypse by scavaging and mining for resources to build your base. All in preparation for a blood moon that occurs every 7th in-game night. On this night, a horde of zombies will seek you out no matter where you try to hide. So, fortify your bunker well because it will need to withstand wave after wave of zombies, and the difficulty will increase with each blood moon. You can play PvE or PvP online with friends and other players.
The parallels within 7 Days to Die to Unturned are obvious. You will need to survive in a zombie apocalypse while scavaging through the remains of civilization. However, 7 Days to Die leans much more on its PvE aspects and even has quests you can do for NPC traders. Online PvP servers are out there, but you will find most people prefer PvE and cooperative gameplay due to the zombie threat in this game being much more robust. The base-building is also much more in-depth and even involves traps and electrical wiring. If you’re a fan of the PvE aspects of Unturned, 7 Days to Die will amaze you.
Check out 7 Days to Die on Steam!
Project Zomboid
There are several zombie survival games on this list of games like Unturned but Project Zomboid is the only two-dimensional one. This game is played in a top-down perspective and has many of your classic zombie survival mechanics. Rummage through buildings to gather loot while fighting off the undead. The game has a surprising amount of realism in contrast to its lower-quality graphics. With complex crafting, sickness, and injuries, Project Zomboid has so much depth. Much like Unturned, you can team up and play with friends. There are PvP mechanics in this game, however, most people prefer to play Project Zomboid PvE.
Check out Project Zomboid on Steam!
State of Decay 2
Next on our list is State of Decay 2, the cooperative open-world zombie survival game. While Unturned is more about you and your friends trying to survive, State of Decay adds a neat twist. In this game, you have the additional goal of establishing a community in the wasteland, and you get to choose how it is run. You will be scavaging not only for yourself but also for the community. You have the option of allowing NPCs in your town or refusing them entry. You will face all sorts of unique challenges in each community you create. This game is perfect for Unturned players who enjoy a little role-playing and community-building with their friends, as it offers cooperative multiplayer gameplay. It is another excellent choice for games like Unturned if you are more interested in PvE and cooperation with friends.
Check out State of Decay 2 on Steam!
Dying Light
The final zombie survival game that makes this list is Dying Light. This game is a cooperative PvE game where you can team up with your friends and fight through hordes of zombies. The game does not have traditional survival mechanics where you will need to manage food, water, etc. It does require you to scavenge and loot for material to craft and trade with. Dying Light is more centered around zombie combat compared to Unturned, with the quests and story missions being the biggest aspects of the game. If you are looking for a fast-paced alternative to Unturned that still has a crafting system, Dying Light is a good option to look into.
Check out Dying Light on Steam!
Ark: Survival Evolved
As we begin to move away from the games with zombies in them, Ark: Survival Evolve stands out. While Ark might be all about dinosaurs, it still shares plenty of similarities to Unturned. Ark features in-depth base building and crafting mechanics. You will be getting all your resources by harvesting natural resources and dead creatures. While at first your weapons will be limited to primitive spears and bows, guns are craftable later in the game. You can even set up powerful sentries on your base when you really advance into the game. The game also features both PvE and PvP servers, so you can team up with friends to take on other players or the game’s bosses and dungeon-like caves. Among the games like Unturned, Ark is great for fans of multiplayer survival games that involve plenty of base-building.
Check out Ark: Survival Evolved on Steam!
Sons of the Forest
Another non-zombie survival game with plenty of base building is Sons of the Forest. This game is a great cooperative option and is a ton of fun with friends. The game has a strong narrative story to complete and enjoyable survival mechanics. Sons of the Forest is the sequel to The Forest (Also a great option). The first game is set on an island filled with mutant cannibals. You end up there following a plane crash and must find your son and escape the island. In Sons of the Forest, you are part of a team of private military contractors sent to recover a CEO and his family who are missing on the island. The pair of games have many similar survival mechanics to Unturned and feature a fun cooperative PvE experience. Both The Forest and Sons of the Forest are great games like Unturned.
Check out Sons of the Forest on Steam!