Review · Action · PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360 · Wii U
How to Survive
Reviewed: 15 May 2026
PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360 · Wii U · PC · Xbox One · PlayStation 4
505 Games · 2013
Ludograph rating
Growth (BDS)
56
Risk (RIS)
10
Daily limit
–
Age guidance
17+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.60 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.43 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.65 | |
How to Survive offers engaging challenges in problem-solving, strategic thinking, and resource management within a survival horror setting. The cooperative multiplayer mode fosters teamwork and communication, allowing players to overcome obstacles together. The game encourages adaptive thinking through its various character playstyles and the optional Ironman mode.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.20 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.06 | |
The game features significant violence and horror themes due to its survival horror genre and zombie adversaries, reflected in its ESRB M rating. While it avoids manipulative monetization and compulsion-loop mechanics, the action-oriented gameplay and progression systems could lead to extended play sessions for some individuals.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 1.00 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.00 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.33 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.00 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 1.00 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.