The Survivalists is a survival sandbox game developed by Team17 and set in the same universe as The Escapists. Players begin on a remote island after washing ashore and must gather resources while managing hunger and threats from the environment and hostile groups. The experience centers on crafting tools and structures, training local wildlife for assistance, and gradually expanding a personal base across varied terrain.
Gameplay
Core systems revolve around resource management and construction. Players collect materials from trees, rocks, and wildlife to create weapons, shelters, and storage solutions. Hunting provides food, while basic farming mechanics introduced through updates allow for sustainable crop growth to reduce reliance on foraging. Monkeys found on the island can be tamed and assigned roles such as gathering wood, mining stone, or engaging in combat during expeditions.
Exploration drives progression as players venture deeper into the island to locate ruins and hidden areas containing valuable items. Combat involves melee and ranged options against wildlife and organized enemy camps. Item repair and modification features support long-term use of equipment. The loop encourages repeated trips between base and wilderness to stockpile supplies and upgrade capabilities.
Monkeys add a distinctive layer by handling repetitive tasks, freeing players to focus on planning raids or expanding territory. Training involves feeding and directing them, with different specializations emerging based on assignments. This integration keeps the survival loop engaging without requiring constant micromanagement.
Game Modes
The game offers solo survival where a single player handles all aspects of base building, exploration, and defense independently. Progression remains fully accessible in this format, with monkeys providing essential support for tasks that would otherwise demand multiple hands.
Online cooperative play supports up to four participants who share the same world. Friends can divide labor during construction projects, coordinate attacks on enemy outposts, or trade resources collected from separate expeditions. Drop-in and drop-out functionality allows sessions to adapt to varying group sizes without resetting progress.
Exploration and Building
Island environments feature beaches, forests, and inland regions that players map through direct travel. Temples and camps yield loot that improves crafting options and defensive capabilities. Building expands from simple lean-tos to multi-room compounds with specialized areas for storage, cooking, and monkey housing.
Updates have expanded options for agriculture and equipment maintenance, allowing more efficient long-term survival strategies. Players balance immediate needs like food and shelter against longer-term goals such as clearing hostile zones for safer travel routes.
Is It Worth Playing?
The Survivalists suits players who enjoy methodical crafting and base development in a co-op or solo survival setting. The monkey training system provides consistent utility that differentiates the experience from standard resource gathering loops. Recent updates have maintained active development, including additions to farming and equipment systems that enhance replayability for returning players.
Reception highlights the accessible co-op and visual style as strengths, with many noting the game works well for short sessions or extended collaborative play. It appeals to those comfortable with open-ended progression rather than strict objectives or competitive elements. Availability on PC supports straightforward access for interested players seeking a lighter survival title with cooperative focus.
