From the Ground Up: Starting Strong in Any Survival Game

13 November 2025

So, you just bought a survival game, huh? Ready to build makeshift shelters, scavenge for scraps, and fend off critters that seem way too aggressive for their size? Survival games are a genre unlike any other—they drop you into a harsh, unforgiving world and tell you, “Good luck!” But here’s the thing: whether you’re dodging zombies, braving frozen tundras, or camping out in jungles filled with angry boars, there are some tried-and-true tips that can help you get a strong start.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed starting a new survival game, I’m here to help you out. Let’s break it all down step by step so you’ll be conquering the wild like it’s no big deal. Ready? Grab your virtual axe and let’s get started!

1. Don't Panic – Assess Your Situation

You know that moment right after you spawn in? The sun is shining (or not), birds are chirping (or growling, depending on the game), and you’re standing there, armed with… uhhh, nothing? Yeah, that’s survival at its finest.

The first rule of any survival game: don’t panic. Take a moment to figure out where you are and what you’ve got to work with. Is there water nearby? Trees for wood? Any signs of danger? Think of this as your first scout around camp—it’s like checking the fridge before you decide what to cook.

Pro Tip:

Always be on the lookout for landmarks! They can be lifesavers when you’re trying to navigate back to your base… unless you like getting hopelessly lost (which, let’s be honest, happens to the best of us).

2. Gather, Gather, Gather!

Alright, let’s get down to business. The second you start a survival game, you need resources. Like, ALL the resources. Think of yourself as a squirrel in autumn—you’re hoarding everything that isn’t nailed down. Rocks? Grab them. Sticks? Yup, those too. Random bundles of fiber or leaves? Into your inventory they go.

You’ll quickly learn that survival games have a crafting system that uses even the most mundane items. That pile of "useless-looking" weeds? Turns into rope. That clunky scrap metal? Now it’s a weapon. So, when it comes to gathering, err on the side of “take everything.”

What to Prioritize:

- Basic Tools: Usually crafted from wood and stone. Think axes or pickaxes.
- Food and Water: Starvation and dehydration are often your first enemies.
- Shelter Materials: Gather wood, leaves, or whatever the game uses to build a simple shack.

3. Build a Shelter Before Nightfall

If survival games have taught me anything, it’s this: the dark is not your friend. When that sun starts setting, you’d better have a roof over your head, or things might get dicey. Nights in survival games are when the monsters, predators, or other environmental hazards come out to play—and trust me, you do NOT want to be their chew toy.

Building a shelter doesn’t have to be fancy! Even a basic 4x4 shack with walls and a roof is enough to protect you. You can upgrade it later, adding storage and decorations when you’re not frantically fighting off enemies.

Quick Shelter Checklist:

- Walls: To keep creepy crawlies out.
- A Roof: Because rain isn’t cute when it’s cold and pixelated.
- A Fire: To keep you warm and maybe cook something edible.

4. The Food Chain Is NOT Your Friend

You’re going to need food—you know, unless you want to faint from hunger and have your character start acting like your hangry self IRL. But here’s the thing: the food chain is absolutely rigged against you in these games. Animals are either too fast, too dangerous, or just plain impossible to catch in the early stages. So, what do you do?

Early Game Food Tips:

- Go Vegetarian at First: Berries, mushrooms (non-poisonous ones), and edible plants are usually easy to gather without risking life and limb.
- Hunt Small Game: If you have a slingshot, bow, or even a sharp stick, start with rabbits, birds, or fish.
- Cook Everything: Most survival games punish you for eating raw food. Light that campfire!

Relying on plants doesn’t mean you’ve gone full caveman vegetarian—it’s just a temporary survival tactic until you can gear up to take on bigger prey.

5. Craft Smart, Not Hard

Crafting is the heart and soul of survival games. From simple tools to elaborate traps, you’ll be crafting your little heart out. But hear me out: just because you CAN craft something doesn’t mean you SHOULD. Every crafting project has an opportunity cost, and resources in the early game are usually pretty tight.

Prioritize These Items:

1. Basic Tools: Axes, pickaxes, hammers—so you can gather more resources efficiently.
2. Weapons: Even a cruddy wooden spear is better than trying to karate-chop an apex predator.
3. Storage Containers: Nothing’s worse than running out of inventory space when you find a jackpot of loot.
4. Clothing: If the environment is harsh (looking at you, snow maps), invest in some threads ASAP.

6. Stay on the Move (But Not Too Much)

Here’s the thing about survival games: you’re rarely safe for long. Sure, you’ve built a cozy home with a roaring fire, but sooner or later, the game will throw a curveball. Maybe it’s an enemy raid, a storm, or just bad RNG, but eventually, you’ll need to pack up and move on.

However, there’s a balance here. You don’t want to wander aimlessly and waste energy/resources. Choose your moves wisely. For example:

- Stick to Resource-Rich Areas: Why settle near a barren wasteland when you can camp by a river teeming with life?
- Scout New Biomes: When you’ve gathered enough supplies, explore! New zones often mean better resources.

7. Learn From Failure (Because You Will Fail)

Here’s the truth: you’re going to mess up. Pretty badly, in fact. Maybe you’ll accidentally starve because you forgot to gather food. Maybe you’ll pick a fight with a bear armed with nothing but a stick. Or maybe you’ll just get lost in a forest and spend an hour trying to locate your base. It happens to everyone.

But you know what? Failure is half the fun of survival games. Every time you respawn or reload, you’re a little bit wiser. You’ll grow to appreciate the challenge and celebrate the small victories—like finally learning how to fish, or surviving your first night without dying.

8. Team Up for Maximum Chaos (or Success)

Solo survival is tough, but co-op survival? That’s chaos—and it’s glorious. If the game you’re playing offers multiplayer, grab a buddy (or five) and team up. You can divide tasks to make progress faster, like having one player gather resources while another focuses on the base.

Of course, working with others comes with its own challenges. Maybe someone accidentally eats all the food supply (we all have that one friend). Or maybe you argue over where to build the base. Either way, surviving with friends is a blast, and the memories you create will be worth it, even if everything goes horribly wrong.

9. Upgrade and Expand Your Base

Once you’ve established yourself in the game, it’s time to go from “barely surviving” to “flourishing.” Expand your humble shack into a fortress. Add storage rooms, crafting stations, farms, and defenses. Survival games are all about progression, so don’t be afraid to dream big. What starts as a cozy hut can eventually become a sprawling, self-sufficient compound.

10. Celebrate the Little Wins

Lastly, remember to have fun and appreciate the journey. Survival games are all about the small victories—your first fire, your first night survived, your first tamed animal friend. Take screenshots, laugh at your mistakes, and enjoy the ride. After all, isn’t that what gaming is all about?

Final Thoughts

Survival games can be brutal, but they’re also incredibly rewarding. With patience, some quick thinking, and a touch of creativity, you’ll go from fumbling with sticks to thriving in even the harshest digital environments. So, don’t be afraid to jump in, make mistakes, and learn as you go. You’ve got this!