8 survival games to play if you like Stalker 2

After years of anticipation and unfortunate delays, Stalker 2 is finally here. Many dedicated gamers out there will have already finished GSC Game World’s latest title, and are on the lookout for the next great survival game.

We’ve compiled a list of the 8 best games we think you’ll like if you’re a fan of Stalker 2, especially if you’re looking for that survival fix.

DayZ

DayZ evokes many of the same feelings as Stalker 2, even if the gameplay is considerably different. There’s a loneliness to the exploration in DayZ, the world inhabited by mindless zombies and the occasional player. Truthfully, there’s nothing quite like it, and could be a great game to play straight after Stalker 2.

Even over a decade after its initial Early Access release, DayZ remains incredibly janky, but there’s something about it that is undeniably charming. Thanks to frequent updates, its community is as large as ever, meaning you’ll never be truly alone in the vast world of DayZ.

Chernobylite

If Stalker 2 didn’t exist, then Chernobylite would almost certainly be deemed the de facto Stalker sequel. The gameplay loop is remarkably similar, centered around surviving the Chornobyl Exclusive Zone while fighting off military and enemies called “Stalkers” (yes, really).

Chernobylite even features some RPG mechanics, with branching choices to influence the narrative. If you just finished Stalker 2 and want more of exactly the same, I can’t think of anything better than Chernobylite.

Project Zomboid

If the survival elements of Stalker 2 are what you enjoyed most about the game, then Project Zomboid should be well worth your time. Played from an isometric perspective, Project Zomboid focuses on realistic survival mechanics, where you must fight every step of the way to stay alive.

Each run of the game inevitably ends in death – there’s no end goal here. It’s about all the fun you’ll have along the way. Project Zomboid is technically still in Early Access, but it doesn’t feel unfinished. I mean, it has been 11 years.

Into the Radius

I’m pretty sure that if GSC Game World were to make a VR Stalker game, the end result would essentially just be Into the Radius. Yeah, this title is VR-exclusive, but if you already own the tech, then Into the Radius is a must-have app.

Into the Radius is all about surviving and scavenging in a dystopian Eastern European hellscape filled with hostiles and dangerous anomalies. Sounds very Stalker 2-ish, doesn’t it? The game is dripping with atmosphere, and experiencing it in VR makes it ten times spookier.

Metro Exodus

The world of Metro Exodus is one you can fully lose yourself in. Set in post-apocalyptic Russia, Metro Exodus offers vast levels to explore, unlike the linearity of previous games in the series. There’s all your standard survival fare here, given a shine of AAA polish by 4A Games. It’s arguably the best Metro game and has everything a Stalker 2 fan could want.

Although it’s a sequel to Metro 2033 and Last Light, you don’t have to play the previous two games to enjoy Exodus. It’ll help you appreciate the story, of course, but you’ll still be able to take in the vibe of the post-apocalyptic world around you regardless.

Escape From Tarkov

If you want a game that feels like Stalker 2 but is a bit more all-action, then Escape From Tarkov has you covered. This is a multiplayer title based on completing raids, where you must find loot and escape in a rundown world filled with enemy players.

Moments of quiet allow you to take in the atmosphere before it’s interrupted by intense bursts of combat. The real appeal of Escape From Tarkov is how hardcore it is. It features a minimal HUD, which immerses you further into the world.

ZERO Sievert

ZERO Sievert is going to feel like a change of pace for players coming directly from Stalker 2, but a welcome one, at that. This top-down extraction shooter has everything you’d expect to find in a standard survival game, from scavenging to crafting and inventory management.

Combat feels smooth, the procedurally generated maps keep the gameplay feeling fresh, and there are even quests to give you a sense of purpose beyond survival. For an indie game, ZERO Sievert is incredibly polished.

Stalker: Call of Pripyat

Well, yeah. It stands to reason that if you like Stalker 2, then you’ll probably enjoy Stalker: Call of Pripyat. Its DNA remains all over Stalker 2, with the two games following a near-identical gameplay loop.

Graphically, Stalker: Call of Pripyat is admittedly dated. But gameplay-wise? It still holds up. It’s janky, yes, but that was always part of the charm of the Stalker series. If you like the newest entry, I’m pretty confident you’ll find much to love about Stalker: Call of Pripyat.