Unturned has carved out a unique niche in the gaming world, blending survival, sandbox, and zombie apocalypse elements with a distinctive blocky aesthetic. For players who love its blend of crafting, base building, exploration, and combat against both the undead and other players, finding games that capture that same essence can be a quest in itself. In 2026, the landscape of survival games is richer than ever, offering compelling alternatives that scratch that Unturned itch. Whether you're seeking more intense survival mechanics, deeper crafting systems, or a different take on the zombie threat, this list explores the top 5 best games similar to Unturned that you should be playing right now.
1. Project Zomboid
Often hailed as the ultimate zombie survival simulation, Project Zomboid offers an incredibly deep and challenging experience that rivals Unturned in its complexity, albeit with a different visual style. This isometric game plunges you into a persistent world where survival is paramount. Resource management, crafting, base defense, and even mental health are crucial elements. The sheer number of skills to develop, items to craft, and intricate mechanics for everything from farming to electrical work makes it a game with nearly endless replayability. If you enjoy the survival and crafting aspects of Unturned but crave a more realistic and punishing environment, Project Zomboid is an excellent choice.
Project Zomboid Steam (PC) - Steam CD Key - Europe is available in our store
2. 7 Days to Die
7 Days to Die combines survival horror with role-playing game elements and a voxel-based, fully destructible world. Much like Unturned, it features a strong emphasis on crafting, scavenging, and base building, but with a more hardcore approach to zombie hordes. Every seventh day, players face a massive onslaught of zombies that will test the strength and ingenuity of their fortifications. The game offers a vast open world to explore, a deep crafting system, and various skill trees to customize your character. Its unique blend of cooperative multiplayer and intense survival challenges makes it a standout title for fans of Unturned.
7 Days to Die Steam (PC) - Steam CD Key - Global is available in our store
3. Rust
While Rust doesn't feature zombies, it absolutely nails the player-versus-player survival aspect that many Unturned players enjoy. In Rust, you spawn naked on a harsh island with nothing but a rock and a torch and must immediately start gathering resources, crafting tools, building shelter, and defending yourself against other players and the environment. The game is notorious for its brutal PvP encounters and the satisfaction that comes from establishing a secure base and dominating your surroundings. If the thrill of outsmarting and outgunning other survivors is what you love most about Unturned, Rust offers that in spades, with a more mature and unforgiving take on the genre.
4. DayZ
DayZ is a hardcore open-world survival game that focuses on realism and unforgiving gameplay. Set in a fictional post-Soviet republic ravaged by a zombie plague, players must scavenge for supplies, manage hunger, thirst, and illness, and contend with both the infected and other desperate survivors. The sheer scale of its world and the tension of every encounter make it a captivating experience. While it lacks the extensive base building of Unturned, DayZ excels in its detailed survival mechanics and the raw, unpredictable player interactions that can lead to intense firefights or unlikely alliances. It’s a game that truly tests your will to survive.
DayZ (PC) - Steam CD Key - Global is available in our store
5. State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 offers a more focused, action-oriented take on the zombie apocalypse. Instead of solely focusing on individual survival, this game emphasizes community building and management. You lead a group of survivors, scavenging for resources, establishing a base, and making critical decisions that impact your community's survival. The combat is more fluid and action-packed than in Unturned, and the persistent threat of zombie hordes requires constant vigilance and strategic planning. If you enjoy the scavenging and base management aspects of Unturned but prefer a gameplay loop centered around building and protecting a community, State of Decay 2 is a fantastic option.
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition (PC) CD Key for STEAM - GLOBAL is available in our store
Conclusion
Unturned remains a beloved title for its unique blend of accessibility and depth in the survival genre. However, the games listed above offer compelling reasons to branch out in 2026. Whether you're looking for unparalleled survival realism in Project Zomboid, the strategic base defense of 7 Days to Die, the brutal PvP of Rust, the hardcore tension of DayZ, or the community-focused action of State of Decay 2, there's a game out there that captures the spirit of what makes Unturned so engaging. Dive into these titles and discover your next favorite survival experience.
