Personally, I really don't like most of these games due to the tedium and frustration that comes with hunger/thirst mechanics. Most of the exceptions that I do actually like either make up for it through something else that elevates the experience enough - or they either don't have these mechanics or allow for players to disable them.
Subnautica is an example of the latter. There's already a lot to like here: A gorgeous, hand-crafted world that skillfully strides the balance between being alien and familiar, a cool sci-fi aesthetic for everything that isn't natural, purposeful progression, fantastic atmosphere, swimming that feels great. The fact that I can play this game having only to worry about my breath and health is the cherry on top.
The Long Dark still has hunger and thirst, but I'm willing to overlook this just so that I can soak in the atmosphere of this frozen post-apocalypse. With relatively simple tech and straightforward mechanics, this game effortlessly manages to engross the player. I will admit though that when I found a nice deserted cabin at one point, I decided to end the game there, deciding that this was a suitable end point. I'll definitely pick it up again in the future, but not during this time of the year.
NEO Scavenger: It's kind of ironic that one of the most "hardcore" examples of this genre is also one of my favorites. Like with the other two, it's the atmosphere and the world that drew me in, but it's also that all of the intricate, unforgiving survival mechanics this game has, down to getting sick due to exposure, feel realistic and purposeful, instead of merely existing to tick a standard survival game checkbox. It's hard, not unfair, it's punishing and random without feeling uncontrollable.
Valheim.
Great and fun combat, mod support, multiplayer, good building mechanics, doesn't feel frustrating to play.
I can second that. Valheim has a very neat balance between exploring, fighting and building. If you don't progress to quick, even your base is relatively safe. Although I now have turned off raids completely. So my base is always safe and if I want action, I can venture out into the world. I like that.
Raids are fun but the need of moats is kinda annoying. I'd rather have more difficult raids but without raids destroying my BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS GOD DAMMIT.
Hmm I wonder if there is a mod to make moat building easier. Or just nuke troll raids, that exists I'm sure.
Do you include walls in "moats"?
Not really. Walls get destroyed easily, you still need a moat to keep trolls away.
Earthen walls are also effective at keeping our trolls, though obviously then you have an earthen wall to stare at so it may not be what you want...
I've only ever used walls, honestly, just a palisade a decent distance off from anything I like, with places to arch from.
I should have mentioned this game. Definitely a great title and the building, while a bit clunky, is a lot of fun.
Valheim is the only survival crafting game that I play to relax. Just log in, listen to the music and the ambient sounds and just chill. Idk why, but the rain and weather effects really relax me
And don’t forget you can play the whole thing in VR with the VHVR mod! I’ve played 330+ hours over 3 runs with my friends in VR, beating the Queen while panicking into repeated freefalls into pit (thank you feather cloak) was an insane experience (Yag too TBF; out of our 3 person group everybody died at least once, and several times the lone survivor was stuck doing laps with hordes of Fulings and a few berserkers and shamans in the parade until the others sprinted back from their beds.) Blessings to corpse run lmao
Short YT Vid of Mod: https://youtube.com/shorts/LfY0vpmZSV4?si=gM2SogURHsryrVV3