The Survivalists - Tame bumbling helpers, craft a camp, and raid ancient temples as you carve a home from strange, ever‑changing islands. (Game Review)
I found myself stranded on a beach, sand stuck between my teeth, just as a cheeky monkey swiped my hat. The Survivalists is lighthearted and fun, blending survival gameplay with playful monkey antics and island adventures. I couldn’t help but smile, even when crabs tried to wreck my base.
Lost, intrigued, and just a bit silly.
You’re a castaway dropped onto strange islands, trying to make a life from scratch. You gather resources, craft gear, and build a camp. You hunt, farm, and explore ancient temples, hoping the island will sustain you rather than swallow you whole. The heart of the game is simple: create a place that feels like your own, then venture deeper into the wild.
This survival sandbox has a playful edge. You’ll explore, build bases, and face new islands every time you play. But the real charm comes from the monkeys… you tame them, teach them tasks, and watch them fumble through chores or join in on raids! Most of your time is spent crafting tools, training your simian crew, and raiding temples for treasure.
Watch the trailer here:
Explore, build, train monkeys, and do it all over again… friends are welcomed!
Every game kicks off small: punching trees, starting a fire, and putting together a makeshift spear. From there, you grow your camp with farms, workshops, and traps. Hidden temples and dungeons hold better gear and tougher challenges. The rhythm picks up as your base expands and your monkey crew picks up new skills.
At its core, the game revolves around three main parts: gathering resources, crafting and building, and managing your monkeys. Gathering supplies fuels your crafting options. Crafting unlocks tools and buildings that help you automate tasks or survive tougher environments. Your monkeys learn by watching… chopping wood, hauling loot, or fighting… making training a key part of your strategy! Playing co-op with up to four players and a bunch of monkeys turns a quiet island into a lively, bustling village.
The difficulty is pretty forgiving. The game focuses on being accessible and fun, not punishing. Getting good means having a neat base, a well-trained monkey team, and enough temple loot to make later runs feel like a breeze.
Vibrant, chunky, and bursting with character.
The art bursts with color and charm. Each island feels carefully crafted with palm trees, huts, and temples stand out clearly. The characters are chunky and full of expression, bringing the world to life!
The sound of waves gently rolling in, tools clanking, and monkeys chattering fills the air. The upbeat soundtrack keeps things lighthearted, even when you’re on the run.
The visuals and sounds are designed to be clear and charming. When things get busy on screen, you can easily spot friends, foes, tools, and treasures by their shapes and sounds.
Take it easy solo or dive into chaotic co-op… the choice is yours!
The Survivalists lets up to four players team up in co-op. Playing with friends turns everyday chores into laughs and raids into wild, coordinated chaos. Going solo works just fine too, the monkey AI steps in to keep things lively and fill the gaps.
There’s plenty to keep you coming back. Procedural islands, diverse biomes, and ever-changing temple layouts keep exploration feeling fresh. The monkey training and crafting systems invite you to experiment and try new things. Seasonal events, DLC, and community mods (when available) add even more life. If you enjoy tweaking your base or showing off a monkey army, this game has plenty to offer.
The Survivalists is a friendly, fun survival game that celebrates curiosity and teamwork.
It’s not the most complex survival game out there, and seasoned players might find it a bit simple. But the monkeys and co-op bring a lot of joy. Build a silly base, teach a monkey to fish, and chuckle when it swipes your sword, this game shines when you’re just having fun!
Available on the following platforms:
• PC - Released on October 9, 2020 at $24.99
• Xbox - Released on October 8, 2020 at $24.99
• Nintendo Switch - Released on October 9, 2020 at $24.99
• PS4 - Released on October 8, 2020 at $25.49
Follow the devs for patches, events, and community chaos.
Why wishlist:
Wishlist if you want a light survival game with strong co‑op and a goofy monkey economy. It’s a good pick for casual sessions and group play.
How to stay informed:
Follow Team17 and the game’s storefront pages for patch notes, DLC drops, and community highlights.
Key Takeaways
The Survivalists is a playful survival sandbox where you build a base and train monkeys to help you thrive.
The core gameplay loop revolves around gathering resources, crafting tools, training your monkey crew, and raiding temples.
Monkeys are the heart of the game, offering both practical help and plenty of humor.
Co-op play supports up to four players, turning solo chores into lively group chaos.
Procedurally generated islands and varied biomes keep each playthrough fresh and inviting.
The game leans toward accessibility and fun, with lighter survival mechanics than hardcore sims.
Ideal for players who enjoy casual, social survival experiences with a quirky twist.
Game Information
Developer: Team17
Publisher: Team17
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and iOS
Released: Oct 9, 2020
Price: $24.99 (varies by store/sale)
Reviewed by: Alissa Worley
Reviewed on: 03/29/2026
Score: 4.5 / 10
The Survivalists offers a charming and lighthearted survival experience that’s perfect for casual play and co-op fun. While it doesn’t dive deep into survival mechanics, its playful monkey management and cooperative chaos make it a worthwhile pick for those looking for a relaxed, entertaining game.
"Sometimes the best adventures come from not taking things too seriously."