A Complete Survival Guide to 14 Games Like The Forest

In the realm of video games, few genres offer the same heart-pounding intensity and immersive challenges as survival horror. Among the titles that have carved a niche in this gripping category, The Forest stands out as a haunting masterpiece, thrusting players into a mysterious and perilous world where survival is not merely a goal but a relentless struggle against mutated adversaries. As fans of this adrenaline-fueled gaming experience seek new realms to conquer, a landscape of gripping alternatives awaits exploration.

Join us on a journey through the hauntingly beautiful and treacherous landscapes of games like The Forest, where survival isn’t just a choice but a testament to human resilience in the face of the unknown. From cannibal-infested islands to post-apocalyptic wastelands, these titles offer players the chance to test their mettle in the most unforgiving corners of the digital wilderness. Prepare to delve into the heart of darkness and discover the next generation of survival horror sanctuaries.

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About The Forest

The Forest is a survival horror game developed and published by Endnight Games. It was initially released in 2014 for Microsoft Windows and later for PlayStation 4 in 2018. The game is set on a mysterious, heavily forested peninsula where the player, the lone survivor of a plane crash, must survive against mutated cannibalistic creatures.

Gameplay:
  • Survival Elements: The Forest focuses heavily on survival mechanics, requiring players to gather resources, build shelters, and craft tools and weapons to defend themselves.
  • Building and Crafting: Players can construct elaborate structures, including treehouses and traps, using resources collected in the forest. Crafting is an essential aspect, allowing players to create weapons, tools, and other items.
  • Exploration: The game world is open for exploration, featuring caves and other mysterious locations. As players venture deeper into the island, they uncover the secrets of the story and encounter more dangerous creatures.
  • Day-Night Cycle: The game has a dynamic day-night cycle, with nights being particularly challenging as the cannibalistic inhabitants become more aggressive.
Story:
  • Plane Crash: The game begins with the player surviving a plane crash on a seemingly deserted island. However, it becomes clear that the island is inhabited by mutated, cannibalistic locals.
  • Search for the Son: One of the primary motivations is the player character’s search for their son, who was kidnapped by the cannibals. The story unfolds through environmental clues, drawings, and encounters with other survivors.
Reception:
  • Critical Acclaim: The Forest received generally positive reviews for its atmospheric tension, survival mechanics, and open-world exploration. The game’s horror elements, especially the AI behavior of the cannibals, were praised for creating a tense and immersive experience.
  • Graphics and Sound: The game was also well-received for its visually stunning environments and realistic sound design, contributing to the overall atmospheric experience.
  • Ongoing Development: The developers continued to support the game post-launch with updates, adding new features, improving graphics, and refining gameplay based on player feedback.

Overall, The Forest gained popularity within the survival horror genre for its unique blend of open-world exploration, crafting mechanics, and a compelling, mysterious narrative.

Games Like The Forest

Step into the unknown as we unveil a collection of games that echo the chilling ambiance, heart-pounding survival, and immersive exploration found in The Forest. From mutated adversaries to the relentless struggle for survival, these titles beckon adventurers to traverse captivating landscapes filled with mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Brace yourself for an odyssey through the realms of horror, crafting, and open-world discovery, where each game promises a unique twist on the elements that make The Forest an unforgettable experience. Get ready to immerse yourself in these virtual sanctuaries, each offering its own blend of challenges and thrills reminiscent of The Forest’s dark allure.

games like the forest
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Sons of the Forest

  • Plot: Players take control of a contractor and, with the help of Kelvin, a deaf and speechless companion, must navigate the dangers and survive in this hostile environment after a helicopter crash.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Hostile island inhabited by cannibals
    2. Craft weapons and structures to enhance their survival chances
    3. Players can choose to collaborate with others to face the challenges together, or they have the option to embark on the journey solo.

games like subnautica: green hell
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Green Hell

  • Plot: The player is stranded in the Amazon rainforest, battling both psychological and environmental dangers while seeking a way out.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Intense survival mechanics.
    2. Resource gathering and crafting.
    3. Mysterious and dangerous tribes.

games like subnautica: stranded deep
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Stranded Deep

  • Plot: A plane crash survivor must navigate the dangers of isolated Pacific islands while seeking rescue.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Survival in a hostile environment.
    2. Crafting and shelter-building.
    3. Exploration of mysterious islands.

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Miasmata

  • Plot: A scientist infected with a deadly plague must explore an island to find a cure while avoiding hostile creatures.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Navigating and surviving on an isolated island.
    2. Crafting tools for exploration and evasion.
    3. Confronting hostile creatures in the quest for a cure.

games like the forest
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The Long Dark

  • Plot: Survive in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster in the Canadian wilderness.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Enduring the challenges of an environment.
    2. Crafting essential items and constructing shelters for survival.
    3. Embracing solitude while exploring the mysteries.

games like the forest
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Miscreated

  • Plot: In a post-apocalyptic world, players must survive against mutated creatures and other players.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Surviving in a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape.
    2. Crafting and fortifying bases for protection.
    3. Navigating threats from both mutated creatures and other survivors.

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Rust

  • Plot: A multiplayer survival game where players must gather resources, build shelters, and interact with other players.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Surviving in a harsh, player-driven environment.
    2. Crafting tools and constructing bases for defense.
    3. Engaging in dynamic interactions with other players.

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ARK: Survival Evolved

  • Plot: Players find themselves on an island teeming with dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, where they must survive, tame beasts, and uncover the island’s secrets.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Navigating and thriving in an environment filled with prehistoric creatures.
    2. Crafting and building structures for protection.
    3. Encountering the dangers of the island’s wildlife.

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Subsistence

  • Plot: A solo or multiplayer game where players survive in an open-world environment, hunting, gathering, and building.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Adapting to the challenges of an open-world survival scenario.
    2. Crafting tools and building bases for sustainability.
    3. Exploring and gathering resources in the expansive open-world.

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Conan Exiles

  • Plot: Exiled in a vast desert, players must survive, confront human enemies, and appease or battle gods in a savage world inspired by Conan the Barbarian.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Enduring harsh conditions.
    2. Crafting and constructing structures for survival.
    3. Confronting enemies in a hostile and unforgiving world.

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The Wild Eight

  • Plot: Survivors must work together to stay alive in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Collaborative survival in harsh wilderness.
    2. Crafting tools and constructing shelters for communal survival.
    3. Cooperative multiplayer gameplay enhancing the survival experience.

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Raft

  • Plot: Players are stranded on a small raft in the open sea, expanding their floatation device, battling sharks, and seeking land.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Survival in a hostile environment.
    2. Crafting and base-building.
    3. Exploring mysterious locations.

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Don’t Starve Together

  • Plot: The player must explore a dark and mysterious world, gathering resources and surviving supernatural creatures.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Survival in a hostile environment.
    2. Crafting and base-building.
    3. Uncovering the mysteries of the world.

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DayZ

  • Plot: A harrowing tale unfolds in DayZ as survivors navigate the desolation of a post-Soviet world overrun by a relentless zombie apocalypse.
  • Similarities to The Forest:
    1. Meticulously manage resources to survive
    2. Transform raw materials into vital tools, weapons, and structures
    3. Survive in expansive and treacherous open worlds

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sons of the Forest like DayZ?

Yes, Sons of the Forest and DayZ share similarities as both are survival games. However, they differ in focus, with Sons of the Forest emphasizing narrative and mutant enemies, while DayZ is a multiplayer online survival game with a persistent open world, highlighting player interactions.

Is Sons of the Forest better than the forest?

Sons of the Forest builds upon The Forest, offering improved graphics, mechanics, and a new storyline. Whether it’s “better” depends on individual preferences for gameplay features.

What game is like the forest?

Games like The Forest include Sons of the Forest, Green Hell, and Stranded Deep. These titles share survival and crafting elements, emphasizing exploration and resource management.

Is The Long Dark like the Forest?

Yes, both The Long Dark and The Forest are survival games, but they differ in tone and setting. The Long Dark focuses on a harsh winter wilderness survival experience, while The Forest has a horror theme with mutants and a mysterious storyline.

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