Life is not a game. You can’t just click the save button and try again if something fails. You need to be responsible for your actions, and you can’t abuse any game mechanic to make yourself feel better. Well, as it turns out, you kind of can’t do it in some games as well. The concept of permanent death is not new among many different titles and, indeed, is not unique to those presented below.

In this article, we will go over the worst-case scenarios for multiple games where you really can’t move your feet even an inch, as you will have to go through all of it again and again. Other games may try to help you out with some saving mechanism – not with these ones.

Nevertheless, we are here to show you the best of the worst, the hardest of them all – top PermaDeath Titles! Let’s dive in!

• Release Date: December 2018

• Developer: Lo-Fi Games

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows

• Meta Score: 75/100

Starting with – Kenshi! A survival game full of mysteries and one of the most complex titles ever created. What is it all about? Well, it’s about only one character with only one life. Well, not really, but there is a way of making this game permadeath. You just have to turn the autosave off, and you’re free to play the most challenging game ever! Well, maybe not the hardest, but one of the most realistic when it comes to the well-being of your characters.

For example, if you are going around and someone stabs you in the leg, it’s not like you can patch yourself up in a second, and everything goes away. You are not ok. You are seriously injured, and someone should look at your wounds to keep you alive. And even then – you will not be able to take your player character and walk around normally. You just got stabbed in the leg. People don’t come out of it just like that with no issues whatsoever.

Additionally, this game gives you absolute freedom. You don’t have to complete any quests if you don’t feel like it; you can just live and die as you wish. It’s one of the survival games where survival is actually the main focus. For example, you can even become a slave and play the whole game as someone’s possession.

When it comes to combat, unlike some turn-based tactics games, this one is more on the combination of RTS and RPG elements. There is no level-scaling in this game, not just being better than others, just plain and simple – person against person. You can get lucky and win or die stupidly. And you have a lot of places to break in; There are 870 square kilometers to roam around, so you will have plenty to explore.

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• Release Date: April, 2016

• Developer: Klei Entertainment

• Platforms: Android, iOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

• Meta Score: 87

Next, we have Don’t Starve Together , the multiplayer version of the Don’t Starve game that surprised audiences worldwide with advanced gameplay and a lot of heart. Why did we choose the multiplayer version instead of the classic one? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First of all – it’s one of the most fun games to play with friends. Fighting against all the insanity, monsters, and wilderness of it all is just incredible!

You need to look after yourself, as although your friends can revive you if you die, you guys die; you just die, and there is no save game to come back to. It’s a critically acclaimed title and a world entirely of monsters and craziness. So, you need to gather resources and create some pretty advanced tools to survive this wild, wild world.

Even more – it’s not only that you can starve together; you can also starve against each other. Create a game where you compete against each other and see who will be able to last the longest time. It’s a unique title, maybe not as graphically advanced as the latest Star Wars, but if you want to experience a lot of fun playing, this title is for you.

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• Developer: Nicalis

• Release date: November 2014

• Meta Score: 88

• Platforms: PC, Mac, Vita, PS4, New 3DS, Wii U

Another game on our list where you only die once is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. Surprisingly, it’s extremely popular, even if you don’t receive occasional deal communications from the indie games community. This procedurally generated world is full of devilish creations, monsters, and many traps. Mostly – created by your evil mother.

If this is the one game with permadeath you will play off this list, you will be safe and sound, as it makes all the other ones blush from how well-developed it is. Even though it’s an indie game, the depth of it, the scope of problems it covers – it’s just an astonishing title all around. It has something for everyone, and we are positive that you will find something for yourself as well.

The main antagonist in this game is actually your own mother. The fear of a parent, the trouble of being a child in a world where everything is scary, trying to navigate your childhood – it all comes down to becoming an adult, a person that you become, not you’re born. It brings a lot of interesting concepts to the light.

And while doing so – you have to kill many monsters with crazy items. Even more, develop yourself as a character. It’s not an alien planet like in the Enemy Unknown games, but a familiar basement with monsters created by the child’s imagination. Each item you get is unique and can modify your abilities differently. Whether it’s a Spirit Sword, card, or runes – there is a playstyle for everyone in here.

Additionally, because of the permadeath aspect – no saving – and the fact that you have to play it in one shot, you will definitely have many problems going through some problems as a developing child.

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• Release Date: November 2011

• Developer : Mojang Studios

• Platform(s) : PC, PS4, PS3, Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Wii U, Android, iOS

• Meta Score: 93

Another game on our list is Minecraft: Java Edition. It’s one of the most popular games ever released, so you can safely assume that it will probably be interesting.

Minecraft’s Hardcore Mode allows you to enjoy a little thrill in your gaming, meaning – if you die, you die. Or rather, if a player dies, there is no respawn button, so if you get badly wounded – you better run, as there are no second chances.

When it comes to games with permadeath – this is the true king of them all. Just imagine creating your own server to play Minecraft, only to get killed instantly by some crazy roaming zombie or a poorly dug tunnel. It would be devastating!

If you haven’t heard about Minecraft – welcome to the computing world; there is much to learn. But, jokes aside, it’s the ultimate block builder. If you played with LEGOs as a kid, you will instantly understand how it works. Everything is created out of blocks. You can dig them out, collect resources, and build something different out of them. But there is a looming threat over your head – the zombies! They come out at night, so during the day, they create a shelter from all that.

Apart from the Hardcore mode, plenty of other ones may be interesting for you. There is a Survival Mode, where you can choose hardcore, and it’s pretty much the most popular playstyle. There is Creative Mode, where you can get creative, get all the resources you need, and just build a Statue of Liberty. And finally, we have the Multiplayer mode to have fun with some friends.

When you create a new character, make sure you realizehow addictive this title is. It may seem like a simple enough game, but when you’re hooked, you’re hooked! So, enjoy responsibly!

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• Developer : Squad

• Release Date : June 2011

• Platforms : Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

• Meta Score: 88

And finally, we have the one, the only – No Man’s Sky. The game is an all-encompassing masterpiece, where you can do pretty much anything you’d set your mind to. It is a space exploration game, where you roam around the galactic, gather resources, and get busy essentially as an explorer. You have a gigantic world to explore, enjoy, and interact with.

The permadeath aspect of this game is pretty simple; you just select the permadeath difficulty, and you’re good to go! And what a world you will see after that. Amazing planets, full of life and resources, wonderful space battles, and a lot of crafting and building. And hacking. Maybe not on the Watch Dogs level, but it's definitely satisfying to play around with.

This game is everything you ever wanted regarding space exploration titles. Of course, there is a plot to enjoy, but we are sure that the more exciting thing would be the exploration of the wonders of the universe.

In this game, you can do pretty much anything you’d like. Jump on the ship, travel the world, and see what’s going on in the other universe. Spend some time exploring the life on a particular planet. Also – avoid death at all costs.

It’s a game that keeps on giving. And, if you want, you can even enjoy it with friends. There are not many other titles that give you that much freedom. We are positive that you will enjoy this title for sure. Check it out!

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In closing, permadeath games offer an intense and adrenaline-fueled gaming ride that truly separates the rookies from the pros. From the gut-wrenching fear of losing it all with one wrong move to the epic highs of conquering the impossible, these games serve up experiences that stick with us long after we've logged off.

As we wrap up our list of top picks, we're dying to know – what are your go-to permadeath thrills? Share your favorites!