Games Like Permafrost: Solo Winter and Co-op Alternatives
Updated 2026-10-14 · Last checked 2026-10-14 · Early Access
“Games like Permafrost” splits into two wishes: a cold survival pressure, or a small co-op session. Those are not the same list. The Long Dark is the cold solo reference. Astroneer is the co-op building reference. Only those two were checked against Steam app details on 14 October 2026.
These are two source-checked alternatives, not a ranked best-of list or a claim that both offer co-op winter survival. No first-hand testing or price-per-hour comparison is claimed. Their differences matter more than a shared survival tag.
Checked alternatives
US prices are the 14 October 2026 snapshot, not a promise they stay on sale.
| Game | Released | Players | Why it is or is not a match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permafrost | 9 Oct 2026, EA | 1–4 online co-op | Cold, hunger, story, host sessions |
| Astroneer | 5 Feb 2019 | Solo or 2–4 online co-op | Building and automation; not a winter-survival substitute |
| The Long Dark | 1 Aug 2017 | Single-player only | Winter survival, but no co-op in the official store listing |
How to choose
Pick Permafrost if the dog, the shattered-moon story, and a four-player host session are the point, and you can live with Early Access patches. Pick The Long Dark if you specifically do not want other players. Pick Astroneer if you want to reshape terrain and automate, and the cold meter is not the fantasy. Astroneer’s snapshot price was $29.99, discounted to $7.49 that day. Permafrost was $24.99, discounted to $19.99 until 23 October 2026.
Questions
What games are like Permafrost?
Astroneer for co-op building, The Long Dark for solo winter survival. They are not substitutes for each other.
Is The Long Dark co-op?
No. Its Steam categories, checked 14 October 2026, do not include multiplayer.
Related pages
Sources
- Steam store page — Permafrost (app 2254990) — Checked 2026-10-14. Price, platforms, Early Access FAQ, and system requirements.
- Steam appdetails — Astroneer 361420 — Release dates, categories, and the Astroneer price snapshot. Checked 2026-10-14.
- Steam appdetails — The Long Dark 305620 — Single-player winter survival and release date. Checked 2026-10-14.