Games Like ARC Raiders and Valheim: Survival, Extraction and Co-op Games Worth Trying
Survival and extraction games similar to ARC Raiders and Valheim, with buying advice for co-op groups and PC setups.
If you like ARC Raiders, look for extraction tension, loot decisions and route knowledge. If you like Valheim, look for co-op survival, base building and boss progression. The best next game depends on whether your group wants pressure, creativity or a long shared world.
I chose the topic, scope and source list, and I am responsible for publishing corrections. Automation and AI can help with research sorting, first-draft structure and repetitive formatting. Facts, prices and claims must still trace back to the sources shown on the page. This is not labelled as a hands-on product review.
A strong pick for co-op survival players who want more RPG structure and building.
Good for mixed-skill groups where building and collecting matter as much as combat.
Less punishing than hardcore extraction, but excellent at mission prep and extraction pressure.
Great for dedicated groups, harsh for casual weekend players.
Choose by group personality
The best survival or extraction game is not always the one with the biggest streamer hype. It is the one your group will actually return to next weekend.
Some groups want danger, some want decorating a base, and some want a clear mission loop. Pick for the group's patience level, not only the trailer.
| Player mood | ||
|---|---|---|
| We want tense runs | ARC Raiders or extraction-style missions | Every route decision matters. |
| We want a shared world | Valheim or Enshrouded | Progression, bosses and bases give long-term goals. |
| We want creativity | Minecraft | The game bends around the group instead of forcing one loop. |
| We want collection and chaos | Palworld | Survival, creatures and base systems create many small goals. |
| We want harsh PvP stories | Rust | High drama, high time cost and high loss pressure. |
What to check before buying
Before buying four copies for a friend group, check server needs, crossplay, session length and whether the game respects casual players. A game can be excellent and still wrong for your group.
Before using a new survival game as an excuse to upgrade the PC, check the weakest machine in the group, the game's real requirements, and whether settings can make it comfortable enough.
- Can friends join and leave without ruining progression?
PC setup advice by genre
| Genre | ||
|---|---|---|
| Extraction shooters | Frame pacing and input feel | Prioritize stable 1% lows, monitor Hz and clean audio. |
| Survival building | CPU, RAM and storage over long sessions | 16-32 GB RAM and an SSD matter for comfort. |
| Voxel/modded games | CPU and memory pressure | Avoid overbuying GPU before checking RAM and CPU. |
| PvP survival | Visibility, latency and network stability | Wired network and consistent FPS beat decorative settings. |
| Co-op mission games | Voice chat and team clarity | Good headset, stable FPS and low background noise help more than RGB. |
Gaming guide scope
This guide is written for players everywhere. Norway-specific retailer, warranty and price comparison advice belongs in the hardware buying guides, not in game tutorials.
FAQ
What game is most like Valheim?
Enshrouded is a strong modern comparison for co-op survival and building. Minecraft and Palworld are better if your group prefers creativity or collecting.
What game is most like ARC Raiders?
Look for extraction or mission-based co-op games where route planning, loot value and leaving safely matter. Deep Rock Galactic has a friendlier co-op extraction feel, while hardcore PvP extraction games are more punishing.
Should I upgrade my PC for survival games?
Maybe, but do not assume the GPU is the only answer. Survival and building games can care a lot about CPU, RAM, storage and server performance.
Sources and methodology
I use official game documentation and patch notes first, then clearly identified community tools when they add something useful. This is source-backed guidance, not a claim that I personally tested every weapon, map or patch.