POLYARIS

POLYARIS drops you in the far north, right on the Norway-Russia border, as an engineer and polar explorer caught up in a nuclear explosion. You survive the blast itself but not the aftermath, no contact with anyone, no other people in sight, just you and a whole lot of empty ice.

We love how this one leans into proper survival mechanics: managing the cold, keeping your clothing sorted, hunger, thirst, a day-night cycle and weather that actually messes with your plans. You’ll be skiing across glaciers, taking a boat out when the water opens up, fishing to keep yourself fed, and crafting whatever you can to stay alive. Watch out for polar bears, wolves, and scavengers who aren’t exactly pleased to see you either.

If you’re into The Long Dark, The Forest, Sons of the Forest, Sunkenland or DayZ, POLYARIS should be right up your street. Underneath the survival grind there’s a real mystery too, clues scattered across the ice that slowly explain what actually happened and why you’re the only one left standing.