The Forest similar games & best alternatives

The Forest

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), SteamVR • 2018

Should you play it?

As the lone survivor of a passenger jet crash, you find yourself in a mysterious forest battling to stay alive against a society of cannibalistic mutants. Build, explore, survive in this terrifying first person survival horror simulator.

What works
  • Immersive survival and horror atmosphere
  • Flexible and creative building system
  • Challenging and intelligent ai enemies
  • Engaging exploration and story elements
  • Cooperative multiplayer mode
Things to keep in mind
  • Early access bugs and glitches
  • Some performance and optimization issues
  • Combat can be frustrating at times
  • Lack of strong leadership mechanics
  • Story can be confusing or incomplete

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Demonologist

  • Sons Of The Forest

  • Labyrinthine

  • Escape the Backrooms

  • Barotrauma

  • MISERY

  • Forsaken Frontiers

  • KLETKA

  • Murky Divers
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Forsaken Frontiers

  • Plains of Pain

  • MetaPhysical
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Tunguska: The Visitation - Final Cut
  • Exploration

    Crow Country
  • Thrill

    Dreadhalls

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

The Forest: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose playstyle, builds, and approach to combat and exploration."

    Capsule for RAIDBORN RAIDBORN

    "Players have freedom to explore, build, craft, and choose their own playstyle with minimal forced guidance."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game requires skillful resource management, strategic planning, and adapting to AI challenges, though AI is sometimes predictable."

    Capsule for STAR WARS™ Galactic Battlegrounds Saga STAR WARS™ Galactic Battlegrounds Saga

    "Game requires skill in survival tactics, combat, crafting, and exploration with challenging AI and resource management."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and survival rather than competing against others; multiplayer is cooperative."

    Capsule for Outward Definitive Edition Outward Definitive Edition

    "Focus is on personal survival and exploration rather than competing against others; multiplayer is cooperative."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report long playtimes, high replayability, and habitual base building and exploration."

    Capsule for Sons Of The Forest Sons Of The Forest

    "Players report long play sessions, habitual base building, and repeated exploration despite difficulty and setbacks."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Multiplayer co-op mode exists and is enjoyed by players, encouraging teamwork and shared strategy."

    Capsule for Terrorhedron Tower Defense Terrorhedron Tower Defense

    "Multiplayer co-op mode encourages teamwork in survival, base building, and combat against enemies."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Extensive base building and crafting system allowing creative construction and customization"

    Capsule for Subsistence Subsistence

    "Extensive building system with blueprint placement and crafting allows creative base design and customization."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize survival and cooperation rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for Project Zomboid Project Zomboid

    "Interactions with others emphasize survival and cooperation rather than exerting control or superiority."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strong immersion in a bleak, atmospheric world providing escape from real life stress and engagement."

    Capsule for Tunguska: The Visitation - Final Cut Tunguska: The Visitation - Final Cut

    "Strong immersion in a hostile, atmospheric world provides escape from reality and intense emotional engagement."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and curiosity rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for FEZ FEZ

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and curiosity rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players explore various mechanics, test building layouts, and experiment with tool upgrades and crafting."

    Capsule for Snacko Snacko

    "Players explore varied mechanics, test strategies, and experiment with crafting and base layouts."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay involves discovering new areas, secrets, and piecing together story elements through exploration."

    Capsule for Crow Country Crow Country

    "Core gameplay involves discovering new areas, caves, secrets, and piecing together story elements through exploration."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Players can customize bases with decorations and modular buildings, expressing personal style."

    Capsule for FOUNDRY FOUNDRY

    "Customization of bases, traps, and decorations allows players to express individuality in their environment."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Game features fictional horror elements, mutated creatures, and supernatural themes within a survival horror setting."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

    "Game blends realistic survival with horror and supernatural elements, including mutants and mysterious lore."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community and multiplayer co-op foster social connection and shared experiences."

    Capsule for Outward Definitive Edition Outward Definitive Edition

    "Community and multiplayer co-op foster social connection and shared survival experiences."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players learn combat mechanics, map navigation, and improve survival skills over time."

    Capsule for Bendy: Lone Wolf Bendy: Lone Wolf

    "Players learn survival skills, combat tactics, crafting recipes, and map navigation over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some mention excessive play but no rehab or exercise elements."

    Capsule for Long Live Santa! Long Live Santa!

    "Gameplay involves sedentary play with some physical strain from long sessions; no physical activity or rehab."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires constant attention and active management of resources and threats; not suitable for idle play."

    Capsule for Don't Starve Don't Starve

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to threats and resource management; not suited for idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Some social interaction in co-op, but limited emotional closeness or relationship building."

    Capsule for Saints Row: The Third Saints Row: The Third

    "Some social interaction in co-op but limited emotional closeness or deep relationships described."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Players can lead teams in multiplayer matches; no strong emphasis on leadership roles."

    Capsule for Rusted Warfare - RTS Rusted Warfare - RTS

    "Players may lead cooperative groups in multiplayer but no strong emphasis on leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Progression through unlocking crafting options, story chapters, and skill improvements."

    Capsule for Bladesong Bladesong

    "Progression through collecting resources, crafting better gear, building bases, and unlocking story elements."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "Sustained tension and stress due to resource scarcity, difficult enemies, and horror atmosphere."

    Capsule for The Evil Within The Evil Within

    "Sustained tension and stress from hostile environment and survival challenges dominate the experience."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Immersive audio and visual effects create strong sensory stimulation and emotional impact."

    Capsule for Folklore Hunter Folklore Hunter

    "Immersive audio-visual effects and atmospheric design provide strong sensory stimulation and emotional impact."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on individual gameplay without social evaluation."

    Capsule for Songs of Syx Songs of Syx

    "Minimal focus on social recognition or status; gameplay centers on survival rather than social evaluation."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Engaging narrative and lore conveyed through exploration and environmental storytelling."

    Capsule for Myst Myst

    "Engaging narrative revealed through environmental clues and exploration, with multiple endings."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires planning resource use, exploration routes, combat tactics, and base management."

    Capsule for Subterrain Subterrain

    "Requires planning base defenses, resource management, combat tactics, and exploration routes."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    5

    "High suspense and fear with unpredictable enemy encounters create intense thrills."

    Capsule for Dreadhalls Dreadhalls

    "High suspense and thrill from unpredictable enemy encounters, darkness, and survival stakes."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players perceive strong value for price with extensive content, replayability, and ongoing developer support."

    Capsule for Elemental: Reforged Elemental: Reforged

    "Players perceive strong value for price due to depth, replayability, and ongoing developer support."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Violence and combat are central gameplay elements, including graphic and brutal depictions."

    Capsule for Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game

    "Combat and killing of enemies and animals is a core gameplay element with graphic violence."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Central motivation is to avoid death, manage resources, and survive threats in a hostile environment."

    Capsule for KLETKA KLETKA

    "Central motivation is to avoid death and manage resources to stay alive in a hostile environment."

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Last update: 01/06/2026