5 Survival Game Tips That Are Actually Useful

For the true survival gamer, the lure of the great outdoors (while you’re indoors) is irresistible. This genre tests a wide range of your survival skills. Whether you’re mining and crafting, protecting yourself from zombies, or travelling from island to island, survival in the virtual wilderness is no easy feat.

Here are five survival game tips that are actually useful. So strap on your backpack and sharpen your axe… or do neither of those things and just read these tips.

Manage your resources

In the high-stakes world of survival games, effective resource management can mean the difference between life and death. Learning to prioritize and efficiently utilize your materials is crucial, particularly if you’re starting from the very ‘bare bones’.

An obvious example of this is base building games, where scant resources need to be utilized effectively in order to get off the ground – literally! Every item in your inventory can (and will) serve a vital purpose, but figuring out exactly how is the tricky part.

Approach your resource gathering with a strategic mindset. Carefully consider what you’ll need to construct shelter, start a fire, and prepare food. Avoid the temptation to hoard every shiny object you come across – instead, focus on acquiring the essentials that will most help you survive.

Keep it light

Minecraft is still one of the most beloved games across the world, and its Survival Mode is its most-played game mode. In Survival Mode, you want to be careful in the dark.

Enemies and possible falls are particularly dangerous – so keep extra torches and spread them out in your surroundings. When you’re trying to survive, being able to see is important!

Navigate well

In the unforgiving wilderness, the ability to navigate your surroundings is key. Relying on your intuition or a basic map can often lead to disastrous consequences, so it’s essential to develop a comprehensive understanding of navigation techniques.

Get to know the various tools and resources at your disposal, including compasses and GPS trackers. Learn to read maps, identify key landmarks, and track your progress to avoid getting lost or stranded in remote areas.

Mastering the art of navigation will not only help you reach your intended destinations but also provide a greater sense of control and confidence.

Adapt, and keep adapting

Survival in the wild is a constant dance with the unpredictable. As any seasoned player knows, rigid plans and inflexible strategies are a recipe for disaster. The key to survival lies in your ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Be ready to think on your feet, improvise with the resources at hand, and quickly pivot your approach as the situation demands. Whether it’s finding an alternative route around a treacherous obstacle or using a makeshift tool to tackle an unexpected challenge, adaptability is a crucial skill.

Embrace the unexpected, learn from your mistakes, and constantly seek to expand your skill set. This mindset of flexibility and resilience will serve you well in the harshest of worlds.

Don’t underestimate mentality

While physical prowess and technical skills are undoubtedly essential in survival games, it’s the strength of your mental fortitude that truly sets the successful players apart. Survival is as much a test of your mental faculties as it is of your physical capabilities.

Remaining calm when everything seems to be going wrong can be as important as learning the game’s basic controls or knowing where the most important items are found. Take a moment to assess the situation before reacting.

“What are my immediate needs? What is the danger?” Can you find a quick solution, or do you need to retreat and regroup?

The ability to manage stress, and stay motivated in the face of adversity can be the difference between survival and, well, the opposite.

Patience can be another crucial skill. By taking the time to watch your environment, you can learn the behaviors of animals and the movement patterns of enemies, and even discover hidden resources. Patience allows you to plan your moves carefully, conserve your resources, and avoid unnecessary risks – and survive.