There are droves of people who would be satisfied only playing survival games. It makes perfect sense, as they’re often some of the most freeing sandboxes, but instead of providing aimless direction, there’s an urgency to them, tasking players with doing whatever they can to stay alive and in the game. As you might imagine, Steam is a hotbed for the genre.
At any given moment, the best survival game lists are constantly shuffling around, especially since new ideas are being discovered constantly, as developers try to one-up each other and reinvent the genre. Add this free survival game to your list.
Not My War Probably Wasn’t On Your Radar
As A Bonus, You Get To Play As A Ferret
Not My War is currently flying under the radar, but it is definitely a hidden gem in the survival genre. Released just recently from 24-Pack Studios, you play a “resourceful ferret” trying to make sense of a deadly island filled with malevolent robots, as the mystery of the world you find yourself in slowly unravels.
Your goal is to survive several days, using pretty much everything you can find to assist in that goal, which typically involves stealth items or distraction gear. There are elements of crafting, inventory management (complete with a Resident Evil/Diablo-style grid system), and the narrative unfolds as you survive.As of the time of publication, user reviews are squarely in the “positive” category, with no negative takes. Most players dig the balance of Not My War, describing it as a rewarding survival game without the frustration that can come part and parcel with the genre. Given the game’s length and scope, that’s perfect for what it’s trying to achieve.
It’s Short, But Worth Your Time
Give It A Go
In Not My War, enemies are constantly hunting you, creating a tension that begs to be played in one sitting. As a result, the game isn’t very long, but for a free experience, it’s a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Frankly, I wish there were more games like it, especially with the isometric aesthetic that Not My War uses.
Ideally, the developer takes the lessons learned here and is encouraged by the positive reception to build a sequel, or another game that uses a lot of the same concepts. Steam is full of gems like Not My War, but you have to know where to look. If you want a rainy day game, download Not My War for free and save it for a relaxing evening.