17 Games like DayZ on Xbox that you should try

If DayZ worked for you because of strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and multiplayer gameplay, the same is here. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. The distance is in tone and game mode — its own ground is offline play.

It meets DayZ on shooting mechanics, a sandbox world and melee combat. To that it adds post-apocalyptic world and multiplayer gameplay. They part company on progression and genre: this one brings crafting mechanics.

It shares the essentials of what DayZ does: ranged combat, multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is tone: competitive edge.

On paper it is what DayZ is — tactical combat, multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The distance is in setting and progression — its own ground is a sci-fi setting and crafting mechanics.

What carries over from DayZ is shooting mechanics, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. Both also lean on post-apocalyptic world and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in genre and progression — its own ground is base building.

It comes from the same genre as DayZ and shares dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. They part company on progression and world: this one brings crafting mechanics.

The genre is the same as DayZ’s, and with it strong narrative focus, ranged combat and multiplayer gameplay. To that it adds a first-person view. They part company on setting and tone: this one brings a casual, approachable feel and historical setting.

Where it meets DayZ is tone and place, not genre: shooting mechanics, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat. To that it adds horror setting and multiplayer gameplay. They part company on genre: this one brings single-player focus.

Held in common with DayZ: strong narrative focus, melee combat and horror setting. The common ground extends to multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is setting: historical setting.

It meets DayZ on multiplayer gameplay and a third-person camera. They part company on visuals: this one brings fighting mechanics and single-player focus.

Held in common with DayZ: multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. Where they diverge is game mode.

Shelved next to DayZ for good reason: multiplayer gameplay and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: a sci-fi setting and skill tree progression.

Held in common with DayZ: shooting mechanics, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat. To that it adds horror setting and multiplayer gameplay. They part company on setting and genre: this one brings historical setting.

The thread back to DayZ runs through shooting mechanics, tactical combat and multiplayer gameplay. The common ground extends to a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is setting and genre: third-person shooting and historical setting.

The thread back to DayZ runs through shooting mechanics, ranged combat and multiplayer gameplay. The common ground extends to a first-person view. Where the two diverge is genre: single-player focus and an early-access release.