Survival games are among the most popular genres on mobile, and for good reason—they’re one of the few where the core mechanic is exactly what the name implies: survival. Players must establish a base, craft essential items, build defenses against external threats, secure food, and occasionally form alliances.
While many survival games share common elements, each offers its own unique take on the gameplay, creating a distinct experience for players. With that in mind, here are the 10 best open-world survival games for Android and iOS in 2025.
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Dawnlands
Dawnlands is a free-to-play, open-world survival crafting game that blends elements from titles like Valheim and Genshin Impact. it combines exploration, resource gathering, and creative building. Players are tasked with awakening a long-dormant ancient land while navigating diverse biomes filled with puzzles and relics.
With over 100 crafting materials, players can design their dream bases and gear. The game offers both solo and multiplayer modes, allowing up to four players to collaborate in shared worlds.
While it delivers a vibrant, expansive world and fun crafting elements, occasional performance issues and a reliance on grinding may hinder the experience for some players. Overall, Dawnlands is ideal for fans of survival adventures who enjoy creativity and exploration.
Tomorrow MMO Nuclear Quest
Tomorrow: MMO Nuclear Quest is a post-apocalyptic survival MMORPG set in a vast, open wasteland filled with zombies, mutants, and hostile factions. The game emphasizes crafting, base building, and PvP combat, offering a sandbox experience where players can gather resources, complete quests, and team up with others for co-op adventures.
The variety of quests and deep survival elements keep the gameplay engaging, while events and unique items add depth. Though enjoyable for survival and crafting fans, the grind-heavy nature and optional in-game purchases may not appeal to everyone. Overall, it’s a solid choice for those seeking a challenging post-apocalyptic MMO.
Shadows of Kurgansk
Shadows of Kurgansk is a first-person horror game that combines puzzle-solving with supernatural combat. Players navigate through detailed 3D environments, uncovering the story chapter by chapter. The game offers customizable experiences, including adjustable darkness levels and the option to disable enemies for a more atmospheric, escape-room-style gameplay.
While it provides an immersive setting and intriguing narrative, some Android players may find the game hard to install as it seems to be not updated for latest Android version such as Android 14. Overall, it's a promising title for fans of horror adventures seeking a blend of exploration and action.
Earth revival
Earth: Revival is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi survival RPG set in a world invaded by aliens. Featuring an open-world environment, players can explore, gather resources, engage in exosuit-based combat, and build their own "Artificial Island."
The game impresses with stunning visuals and an immersive sci-fi narrative, while its “Effortless Play and Fair monetization” aims to create a balanced experience. With a mix of survival elements, exploration, and social features, Earth: Revival offers engaging gameplay for various player styles. Ideal for fans of futuristic survival adventures.
TEGRA: Zombie Survival Island
TEGRA: Zombie Survival Island is an action-packed survival game set in a vibrant post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies and monsters. Players can engage in resource gathering, crafting, and base building while completing quests and fighting bosses.
The game features RPG-style progression, allowing players to level up, collect loot, and upgrade their gear. Exploration is key, with various locations, NPCs, and secrets to uncover. While the expansive open world and diverse mechanics offer plenty of fun, some may find the grindy elements repetitive. Overall, it's a great pick for those who enjoy survival games with lots of content and exploration.
Life After
LifeAfter is an open-world survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the Infected. Players must scavenge for resources, build shelters, and fend off zombie threats while exploring diverse environments, from snowy mountains to swamps.
The game emphasizes social interaction, allowing players to form alliances and build communities. A unique feature is the "Revenant" system, where players can choose to become half-zombies for survival. With a rich narrative, varied gameplay, and a focus on cooperation, LifeAfter offers an immersive experience, though its grind-heavy mechanics may not appeal to everyone. Ideal for fans of survival and zombie-themed adventures.
Lost Future
Lost Future: Zombie Survival is an action-packed open-world survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Players must scavenge resources, craft weapons and defenses, and build shelters to endure the harsh environment. Featuring a deep storyline set in 2035, the game offers immersive exploration, intense combat against zombie hordes, and tactical survival mechanics.
With high-quality graphics, a detailed crafting system, and varied missions, it delivers a thrilling experience for fans of survival and zombie games. Though some players may find the difficulty steep, it’s an engaging choice for those seeking an action-driven survival simulator.
Once Human
Once Human is like an open world post-apocalyptic Survival MMO game that some people are even dubbing as a horror-themed Genshin Impact. and it is completely free-to-play with no pay-to-win mechanics. This is a game where you step into a massive open world where you can explore, build, craft, and even face some of the weirdest monsters you’ve ever seen. These creatures have stories, like once being human before they were infected. Creepy, right?
The gameplay freedom is insane. You can craft items, build bases, capture little companions called Deviations, and take on some wild bosses. Whether it’s battling monsters or being in co-op adventures with friends, there’s so much to do. And the graphics? Top-tier, like PC-quality in your pocket.
I’m genuinely hyped for this game. The mobile version is set to release this year and you can Pre-register for it now to secure exclusive Gold Cosmetics and enter a lucky draw I'll have a link to that in the description. Or, if you’re like me and can’t wait, you can also jump into the PC version on Steam today.
Undawn
Undawn is a free-to-play open-world survival RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world, combining PvP and PvE elements. Players must manage survival indicators like hunger, hydration, and mood while exploring vast environments ranging from deserts to abandoned cities. The game offers robust building mechanics, allowing players to customize and expand their bases with over 1,000 different items.
With diverse gameplay options, including crafting, dynamic events, faction battles, and vehicle-based exploration, Undawn delivers a rich survival experience. Its high-quality visuals, detailed ecosystems, and extensive customization make it a standout in the survival genre, though its complexity may feel overwhelming for newcomers.
Ark Ultimate Edition
ARK: Ultimate Mobile Edition delivers the full ARK survival experience, offering massive exploration across diverse environments, from jungles to interstellar biomes. With five expansion packs included, players can enjoy thousands of hours of gameplay, taming and battling prehistoric and fantastical creatures.
The game features both solo and multiplayer modes, allowing for epic tribal battles and cooperative adventures. Its deep survival mechanics, expansive world, and iconic dinosaur gameplay make it ideal for fans of the ARK franchise, though the large-scale content and controls may take time to master on mobile. A must-play for survival enthusiasts!
And that wraps up our list of the top 10 best Open World Survival games in 2025! We hope you enjoyed discovering these thrilling titles and found some exciting additions to your gaming collection.
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