Starting a new survival game can feel overwhelming. The first few hours often make or break your experience as you learn basic mechanics and try to stay alive. Many players give up during this critical period, missing out on amazing gaming experiences.
The key to success in your first few hours is focusing on three essential tasks: finding water, gathering basic resources, and creating a temporary shelter. These fundamentals will keep you alive long enough to learn the game’s deeper systems and start building a sustainable presence in the world.
The good news is that most survival games follow similar patterns. Once you master these opening hours in one game, you’ll find yourself better equipped to tackle any survival game. The skills you learn translate well across titles like DayZ, Rust, ARK, and Conan Exiles.
Understanding the Basics of Survival Games
Survival games challenge you to stay alive against tough odds by managing vital resources and mastering core mechanics. These games reward smart decisions and careful planning while punishing mistakes.
The Essentials of Survival
Your character has basic needs you must monitor and maintain. Health drops when you take damage from falls, enemies, or the environment. Hunger and thirst drain over time and need regular replenishment through food and water.
Key Stats to Watch:
- Health/HP
- Hunger meter
- Thirst level
- Stamina/Energy
- Temperature (in some games)
Managing these resources means constantly gathering supplies. Start by collecting basic materials like wood, stone, and food within your first hour of play.
Common Game Mechanics
Most survival games share core systems you’ll need to learn. Crafting lets you create tools, weapons, and shelter from raw materials.
Basic Mechanics:
- Resource gathering
- Inventory management
- Building/construction
- Day/night cycles
- Weather effects
Learn the controls first. Practice moving, jumping, and using basic tools. Start with simple crafting recipes before attempting complex builds.
Choosing the Right Survival Game
Pick a game that matches your experience level. Minecraft offers a gentler learning curve with its peaceful mode option. Subnautica provides an engaging single-player experience with clear objectives.
Good Starter Games:
- Minecraft (building focus)
- Don’t Starve (2D survival)
- The Long Dark (wilderness survival)
PvE games let you learn at your own pace without other players attacking you. Start in single-player mode to practice basic mechanics before trying multiplayer servers.
First Steps in Your Survival Journey
Mental preparation and quick action are key to surviving your initial moments in any survival game. Having a clear plan and understanding basic resource gathering will determine your success.
Navigating the Environment
Look for safe spots near resources when you first spawn. High ground gives you a good view of your surroundings and potential threats.
Stay close to water sources – they’re crucial for survival and often have important resources nearby.
Watch for dangerous areas marked by specific environmental signs like dense vegetation or rocky terrain. These spots might have valuable resources but can be risky for new players.
Keep track of your starting location. Use landmarks like unique trees or rock formations as reference points.
Basic Resource Gathering
Essential First Resources:
- Stones from the ground
- Small branches from trees
- Fiber from plants
- Berries from bushes
Begin by picking up loose stones and sticks. These basic materials form the foundation of your survival toolkit.
Focus on gathering fiber from small plants – you’ll need it for basic crafting and bandages.
Food Sources:
- Berry bushes (quick energy)
- Small plants (fiber)
- Fallen fruit
- Seeds
Crafting Your First Tools
Start with a stone pick – it’s your gateway tool for better resources.
Basic Tool Progression:
- Stone Pick
- Stone Hatchet
- Simple Spear
Your stone pick helps gather flint, which upgrades your tools. A stone hatchet increases wood gathering speed significantly.
Craft a spear as soon as possible. It serves as both a hunting tool and a self-defense weapon.
Save extra resources for backup tools. Tools break often during early gameplay.
Advanced Survival Strategies
Success in survival games depends on mastering essential skills and making smart decisions in critical moments. Your ability to adapt and plan ahead will determine if you thrive or perish.
Building a Shelter
A strong shelter protects you from threats and serves as your base of operations. Start with a small 2×2 structure using local materials like wood or stone.
Create a safe room with storage boxes for your valuable items. Make sure to include a bed or sleeping bag to set your respawn point.
Build your shelter on elevated ground away from enemy spawn points and dangerous creatures. This gives you better visibility and defensive advantages.
Add a crafting station and cooking area with a campfire. Place storage boxes in organized sections for easy access to resources.
Effective Food and Water Management
Track your hunger and thirst meters closely. Never let them drop below 50% as this affects your stamina and health regeneration.
Hunt dodos and other small creatures for a reliable source of meat. Always cook raw meat at a campfire to avoid food poisoning.
Set up multiple water sources near your base. Rivers provide infinite water, but you’ll need containers to store it.
Create a small farm for sustainable food production. Berry bushes are easy to maintain and provide both food and seeds.
Combat and Self-Defense
Stay alert and scan your surroundings constantly. Most threats in survival games attack when you least expect them.
Keep your distance from aggressive creatures like dilophosaurus. Use ranged weapons when possible to avoid direct confrontation.
In multiplayer games, join or form a tribe for protection. Hostile players often target solo survivors.
Master the combat mechanics through practice. Learn to dodge, block, and time your attacks effectively.
Carry basic weapons and medical supplies at all times. A simple spear or bow can save your life in unexpected encounters. For premium and safe aimbot hacks to enhance your gameplay, make sure to check Battlelog and stay prepared.
Thriving and Progressing
Success in survival games means constantly moving forward and getting stronger. The right skills, smart exploration, and working with others will transform you from a vulnerable newcomer into a powerful survivor.
Leveling Up and Improving Skills
Every action gives you XP in survival games. Gathering resources, crafting items, and fighting creatures help you level up faster.
In Ark: Survival Evolved, focus on key stats like Health and Stamina early on. Put some points into Weight too – you’ll need to carry lots of resources.
Learn essential engrams first:
- Basic tools and weapons
- Simple shelter items
- Cooking equipment
- Storage containers
Practice your combat skills on small creatures before taking on bigger threats. A wooden club works great for knocking out small dinosaurs.
Exploration and Taming the Wilderness
Keep a torch ready when exploring new areas. Mark your respawn point on the map and build small outposts as you venture out.
Swimming is risky early on – stick to shallow water until you’re stronger. Look for:
- Resource-rich areas
- Safe spots for bases
- Good taming locations
- Fresh water sources
In games like Ark, start with easy-to-tame creatures like Dodos. They provide food and help you learn taming mechanics. Build up to larger dinosaurs as you get stronger.
Joining Forces with Other Players
Team up with friendly players to share resources and watch each other’s backs. Many survival games have tribe or clan systems.
Benefits of groups:
- Faster resource gathering
- Shared base building
- Better defense
- Trading opportunities
Start small with 2-3 trusted players. Build a shared base in a defendable location. Split up tasks based on each player’s skills and preferences.
Take turns keeping watch while others gather or build. Help new tribe members learn the basics.