Highlights

  • Sons of the Forest fans looking for similar experiences can check out games like Don't Starve and Valheim, which offer unique mechanics and challenging gameplay.
  • The Forest, the predecessor to Sons of the Forest, is a great choice for players wanting a similar survival game with building, cannibals, and terrifying cave systems.
  • While Minecraft doesn't have the same horror aspect as Sons of the Forest, its randomly generated maps, biomes, and enemies provide a tense and unique survival experience.

Sons of the Forest has now been released for many fans of the survival-horror genre to dig their hands into and explore the vast island that lies within the game. However, for players who have already sped through and enjoyed Sons of the Forest, or for those who have yet to play the game, there are plenty of other games that are reminiscent of the experience they would get in Sons of the Forest.

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Games that are like Sons of the Forest are generally survival games, with some including that horror aspect that makes the game's environment so inevitably haunting. Players looking to scratch that survival horror itch will find no shortage of titles that are pretty similar to this tense game that takes no prisoners.

Updated on December 26, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra: Sons of the Forest is shaping up to be one of the best survival games, and fans can't wait to see how this game evolves during its Early Access period to become a must-play title in the genre. While experiencing this title in its development phase can still be intriguing, most players would still prefer to check out other games, finished or otherwise, that let them enjoy a similar gameplay loop. Thankfully, there are more than enough options here to satiate most players.

14 Project Zomboid

An Open-Ended Zombie Survival Game Where Every Death Serves As A Lesson

Multiple bodies being in a parking lot
Project Zomboid

Platform(s)
PC
Released
November 8, 2013
Developer(s)
The Indie Stone
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Project Zomboid has enjoyed a unique development process, including a theft that led to the game's progress being halted significantly. Still, the game continued to attract a dedicated fanbase that loves what this title does with the survival genre.

Featuring many stats to level and numerous ways to approach the game's challenges every single time, it's easy to see why Project Zomboid is shaping up to be such a promising game. Despite being in an Early Access stage, Project Zomboid features more content than most other survival games out there and will keep players occupied for hours on end.

13 7 Days To Die

A Tense Survival Game Where Players Get Ready For An Assault At The End Of Every Week

7-Days-To-Die-The-Best-Perks,-Ranked-
7 Days to Die

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
December 13, 2013
Developer(s)
The Fun Pimps
Genre(s)
Survival , Horror

With so many zombie survival games out right now, it's only a given that these games need to feature a unique hook to keep players interested. 7 Days to Die does exactly that, featuring a gameplay loop that crescendoes at the end of every week when hordes of zombies descend upon them.

Most players will witness the end of their run on the seventh day, and it takes a while for players to be seasoned enough to deal with this assault at the end of one week, let alone several. Still, there's nothing more satisfying than conquering the obstacles this game sets after struggling across multiple runs.

12 Don't Starve

One Of The First Breakout Indie Survival Games

a screenshot from Don't Starve showcasing gameplay
Don't Starve

Platform(s)
Switch , Android , PS4 , iOS
Released
April 23, 2013
Developer(s)
Klei Entertainment
Genre(s)
Survival , Management

The unique art style and simple yet challenging gameplay of Don't Starve is what made it such a smash hit back in the day. Even now, scavenging for resources and trying to brave the horrors of the night makes for a pretty tense time indeed.

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The game has a co-op version that fans can check out if they want to struggle and survive with a friend. Don't Starve is a legendary title that came out during the early boom of indie gaming and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many fans.

11 Valheim

An Early Access Survival Game That Is Doing Some Really Interesting Things With The Genre

Valheim Hildir trader camp
Valheim

Released
February 2, 2021
Developer(s)
Iron Gate AB
Genre(s)
Sandbox , Survival

Despite being in Early Access, Valheim has taken the world by storm. The game is truly one-of-a-kind and promises to be the next big thing in the survival genre when the full release comes out.

The ambition of this title is immense and shows just how passionate the developers are about this incredible game. Exploring a world based around Norse mythology as players prove themselves to the gods makes for a fun experience that fans simply can't get enough of!

10 The Forest

A Great Survival Game That Set The Foundation For Sons Of The Forest To Build Up On

The Forest logo next to a hatched that's buried in some skulls.
The Forest

Platform(s)
PC , PS4
Released
April 30, 2018
Developer(s)
Endnight Games
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

An obvious game for players looking for a Sons of the Forest-like experience is its predecessor, The Forest. Whether fans played the sequel first or if they need a sign to replay one of the best survival games out there, The Forest is the best choice for fans of Sons of the Forest.

Endnight Games are behind both games, and there would have been no Sons of the Forest if The Forest had not come first. There's a lot of building to do, cannibals to avoid, and horrific cave systems, much like the game's sequel.

9 Minecraft

Screenshot of hills with flowers in Minecraft beneath the Minecraft logo
Minecraft

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS3 , PS Vita , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , Switch , 3DS , PC , Android , iOS , Wii U
Released
November 18, 2011
Developer(s)
Mojang
Genre(s)
Sandbox , Survival

Minecraft is just about the single best survival game for players seeking out a unique survival experience. Although it came out more than a decade ago, Minecraft still runs strong with frequent updates that change the game.

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Minecraft may not have the superior horror aspect that Sons of the Forest has, but that doesn't mean the game can't leave players on edge. With randomly generated maps, biomes, enemies, and more, Minecraft is a wonderful survival game.

8 ARK: Survival Evolved

Has Its Problems, But Is Still A Solid And Ambitious Survival Game

poster from Ark: Survival Evolved
ARK: Survival Evolved

Platform(s)
Linux , macOS , PC , PS4 , Xbox One , Stadia , Switch , iOS , Android
Released
August 29, 2017
Developer(s)
Studio Wildcard
Genre(s)
Survival

ARK: Survival Evolved was released just around the same time as The Forest, and together, the two games triumphed in a wonderful time for survival games. ARK: Survival Evolved also places players on an unknown map and pits players against deadly elements, enemies, and compelling cave systems.

The largest difference between the two games is that ARK: Survival Evolved puts players up against dinosaurs. These dinosaurs can be tamed as well, making for great companions in players' adventures.

7 DayZ

A Fun Open-World Survival Game

dayz might not work on steam deck
DayZ

Platform(s)
PC , Xbox One , PS4
Released
December 13, 2018
Developer(s)
Bohemia Interactive
Genre(s)
Survival

DayZ is one of the oldest indie titles around, but it is also one of the best survival games out there and one of the more realistic ones, too. Fans of the more realistic feel of Sons of the Forest will certainly love DayZ.

DayZ is an open-world zombie survival game that places players in Russia. Players are forced to scavenge the map for food, water, weapons, and shelter. Though DayZ is a zombie-survival game, that doesn't mean zombies are the only threat. With massive public servers, players may be each other's worst fears.

6 Dying Light 2: Stay Human

A Fast-Paced Action-Adventure Game Full Of Zombies And Parkour

dying light 2 key art
Dying Light 2

Platform(s)
PS5 , PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One
Released
February 4, 2022
Developer(s)
Techland
Genre(s)
Action , RPG

Dying Light is an open-world zombie-survival game that highlights parkour elements while players confront a compelling narrative, along with crafting exciting elemental weapons. Dying Light 2: Stay Human is a recent release that is the sequel to the fan-favorite zombie game.

Players don't necessarily need to play Dying Light to play Dying Light 2: Stay Human, so players are free to experience the wonderful experience that enhances the features of the first game. The combat, co-op, and the entire map are all amazing.

5 Subnautica

A Slow-Paced Survival Game That Will Trigger Anyone's Thalassophobia

subnautica-reaper-leviathan
Subnautica

Platform(s)
Xbox One , PS4
Released
January 23, 2018
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Subnautica is one of the most popular survival games to date, and for good reason. Subnautica is one of the few AA games that have created an outstanding ocean-themed survival game. It has its very own unique experience for players to get into if they're looking for something more sci-fi-themed and exciting.

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Subnautica places players on a planet almost completely made up of ocean, and they are forced to confront their thalassophobia (fear of deep water and what may be lurking in it) as they swim in the depths in search of game progression.

4 Green Hell

A Survival Game Set In The Amazon Rainforest

Green Hell
Green Hell

Platform(s)
PC , Switch , Xbox One
Released
September 5, 2019
Developer(s)
Creepy Jar
Genre(s)
Survival

Fans of The Forest and Sons of the Forest will certainly fall in love with the survival game that is Green Hell. Green Hell places players on a unique map of the Amazon rainforest. In this rainforest, there are more than enough dangers to stop the player from progressing further into the game.

Not only does Green Hell have an amazing survival experience for its players, but it also has one of the best survival game narratives of all time. Players pursuing the story are forced to confront the dangerous Amazon and hope to save the main character's wife.

3 Rust

A Unique Multiplayer Survival Game Where Players Can Enjoy Some Memorable Stories

An armed player with a mask with other players in Rust
Rust

Platform(s)
macOS , PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
February 8, 2018
Developer(s)
Facepunch Studios
Genre(s)
Survival

Rust takes place next to DayZ as one of the oldest survival games on this list, as Rust was initially made as a replica mod to DayZ. Now, in 2023, Rust has gone on to become its own video game after growing immensely over time.

In Rust, players are forced to confront an unknown wilderness while they attempt to survive under devastating conditions. Those devastating conditions are simply other players looking to survive and progress their way into the PvP element that Rust withholds. The game is certainly fun, especially with a lot of free time.

2 The Long Dark

A Chilling Survival Game That Is Nerve-Wracking

The Long Dark
The Long Dark

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One
Released
August 1, 2017
Developer(s)
Hinterland Studio
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Just like Sons of the Forest, The Long Dark is a thoughtful survival experience with a heavier hint of exploration thrown into the mix. The Long Dark features a large map in which players must survive through a heavy geomagnetic disaster.

In The Long Dark, there aren't any enemies that are after the player. But, the game can still be unforgiving, as the cold, endless winter haunts the player constantly. Players will need to eat, drink, and stay warm to survive the harsh game that is The Long Dark.

1 Stranded Deep

A Survival Game Set In The Aftermath Of A Plane Crash

Stranded Deep promo poster
Stranded Deep

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
April 21, 2020
Developer(s)
Beam Team Games
Genre(s)
Survival

Stranded Deep shares a lot in common with Sons of the Forest, as Stranded Deep also relies on a crash that sends players into their inevitable fight for survival against harsh elements. In Stranded Deep, players must confront the ocean after a plane crash forces players onto a small island.

Stranded Deep doesn't have many fictional aspects about it other than strict video game logic, as players will need to stay tuned to their needs while attempting to find a way back home. Also, sharks will frequently attack players.

sons of the forest-1
Sons of the Forest

Platform(s)
PC
Released
February 22, 2024
Developer(s)
Endnight Games
Genre(s)
Survival