Best 10 Top Down Survival Games

Top-down survival games have carved a unique niche in the gaming industry, offering an immersive and often challenging experience from a bird's eye view. This format of gaming allows for strategic gameplay, and when combined with the intensity of survival mechanics, it creates a unique genre that has seen a surge in popularity. These games often include elements of exploration, crafting, and combat, all while presenting them through an overhead perspective.

What are Top-down Survival Games?

Top-down Survival Games are video games that are presented from a top-down or bird's eye view, featuring survival gameplay mechanics. The player views the game world from above, which gives a complete view of the environment that enhances strategic gameplay, especially in survival situations. These games often involve exploring hostile environments, scavenging for resources, crafting items for survival, and combatting threats. Top-down Survival Games may also incorporate elements of adventure, RPGs, and rogue-likes.

Our Favorite Top-down Survival Games

We have compiled a list of Top-down Survival Games that promise to offer an exciting and captivating gaming experience. These indie survival games range from post-apocalyptic survival to creature-collecting RPGs, all from a top-down perspective.

1. Hades

· Release Date: September 17, 2020

· Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: Yes

· Co-op: Yes

· Genre: Roguelike Dungeon Crawler

· Developer: Supergiant Games

Starting off our list is Hades, an award-winning roguelike game that places players in the shoes of Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempts to escape the Underworld. With procedurally generated dungeons, a vast arsenal of weapons and abilities at your disposal, and a host of colorful characters to meet, Hades offers challenging but rewarding gameplay that keeps you coming back for more.

2. Inscryption

· Release Date: October 19, 2021

· Platform: PC

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: Yes

· Co-op: No

· Genre: Card game, Escape Room, Psychological Horror

· Developer: Daniel Mullins Games

Next up is Inscryption, a unique blend of card games, escape rooms, and psychological horror. Playing a card game against a mysterious stranger, players will be treated to a branching storyline with multiple endings. Its unique visual style and its ability to surprise and keep you guessing make Inscryption a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.

3. Nuclear Throne

· Release Date: December 5, 2015

· Platform: PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: Yes

· Co-op: No

· Genre: Roguelike Shooter

· Developer: Vlambeer

Nuclear Throne drops players into a post-apocalyptic wasteland where they must blast their way through a myriad of enemies. Its fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay coupled with a variety of weapons and a randomly generated world make it an addictive challenge that players will find hard to put down.

4. Slay the Spire

· Release Date: January 23, 2019

· Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: Yes

· Co-op: No

· Genre: Deck-Building Roguelike

· Developer: MegaCrit

Slay the Spire combines strategic deck-building with roguelike gameplay. Players must defeat a series of bosses to reach the top of the Spire, armed only with their strategic skills and a variety of characters and cards. Its deep and strategic gameplay will provide hours of entertainment for those who dare to ascend the Spire.

5. Stardew Valley

· Release Date: February 26, 2016

· Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4, Android, iOS

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: No

· Co-op: No

· Genre: Farming Simulator, RPG

· Developer: ConcernedApe

Stardew Valley invites players to inherit a grandfather's farm and restore it to its former glory. This charming game boasts a variety of activities including farming, mining, fishing, and socializing, all wrapped up in a relaxing and rewarding gameplay experience.

6. Temtem

· Release Date: January 21, 2020

· Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: Yes

· Co-op: Yes

· Genre: Creature-Collecting RPG

· Developer: Crema

Appealing to fans of Pokémon and creature-collecting games, Temtem is an RPG where players journey around the world, battle trainers, and collect a variety of unique Temtem. With its real-time battle system and competitive multiplayer mode, Temtem offers an innovative spin on a well-loved genre.

7. Undertale

· Release Date: September 15, 2015

· Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: Yes

· Co-op: No

· Genre: Role-Playing Game

· Developer: Toby Fox

In Undertale, your choices matter - you can either choose to fight or spare monsters you encounter. Its unique battle system, memorable characters, and heartwarming story make it an engaging experience, one that stays with you long after you finish playing.

8. Vampire Survivors

· Release Date: December 4, 2021

· Platform: PC

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: No

· Co-op: No

· Genre: Arcade Game

· Developer: Poncle

Vampire Survivors is a simple but hectic game where you are tasked with surviving waves of enemies for as long as possible. With its variety of characters and weapons and constant change in challenge, this game tests both your reflexes and strategic skills.

9. West of Loathing

· Release Date: May 18, 2017

· Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch

· Camera: Top-down

· Multiplayer: No

· Co-op: No

· Genre: Western RPG, Action

· Developer: Asymmetric Productions

Step into the shoes of a hapless cowboy in West of Loathing, a humorous RPG filled with turn-based combat, a variety of quests, and endless puns and classic Western references. This game's unique sense of humor and style make it a comedic gem in the world of gaming.

10. Worms Rumble

· Release Date: December 1, 2020

· Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One

· Camera: 3D

· Multiplayer: Yes

· Co-op: Yes

· Genre: Action, Strategy

· Developer: Team17

Wrapping up our list is Worms Rumble, an amusing take on the long-standing Worms franchise. Whether you're playing solo or with friends, this game offers fast-paced, action-packed gameplay with a variety of weapons and power-ups that are sure to entertain fans of the series.

Conclusion

The top-down survival game genre is full of riveting and diverse titles, offering unique challenges, settings, and gameplay mechanics. Whether it's battling your way out of an underworld, surviving hordes of enemies in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, or restoring a farm to its previous glory, there's something on this list for every survival game enthusiast. So, prepare your strategies and immerse yourself in thrilling adventures with these notable top-down survival games. Be sure to check out other indie survival games on Zompedia!