Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like The Forest (2026)
Every game below overlaps with The Forest on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Project Zomboid, which both zombie, open world, survival and horror.
- The Forest is tagged Open World Survival Craft, Survival, Open World, Horror, Crafting, Adventure, Building, Survival Horror by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 2 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Project Zomboid
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 11 player tags including Survival, Zombies and Open World Survival Craft.
Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite..
Project Zomboid at a glance Released 2013 Studio The Indie Stone Player sentiment 94% positive of 476,732 Price $24.99 SurvivalZombiesOpen World Survival CraftSandboxCraftingBuildingIndieSimulation
- 2
Green Hell
Why it matched: both open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 10 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Survival and Crafting; released around the same time (2019).
Plunge into the open-world survival simulation set in the extreme conditions of the uncharted Amazon jungle. Use real-life survival techniques to craft, hunt, fight, and gather resources, set a makeshift shelter, or raise a fortress. Survive alone or team up with your friends and challenge the jungle together.
Green Hell at a glance Released 2019 Studio Creepy Jar Player sentiment 85% positive of 101,599 Price $2.79 Open World Survival CraftSurvivalCraftingExplorationFirst-PersonSandboxSimulationSurvival Horror
- 3
Sons Of The Forest
Why it matched: both open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 10 player tags including Survival, Survival Horror and Horror.
Sent to find a missing billionaire on a remote island, you find yourself in a cannibal-infested hellscape. Craft, build, and struggle to survive, alone or with friends, in this terrifying new open-world survival horror simulator.
Sons Of The Forest at a glance Released 2024 Studio Endnight Games Ltd Player sentiment 88% positive of 318,107 Price $29.99 SurvivalSurvival HorrorHorrorCraftingFirst-PersonBuildingExplorationSandbox
- 4
Stranded Deep
Why it matched: both open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 11 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Survival and Crafting; released around the same time (2022).
Take the role of a plane crash survivor stranded somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Come face to face with some of the most life threatening scenarios that will result in a different experience each time you play. Scavenge. Discover. Survive.
Stranded Deep at a glance Released 2022 Studio Beam Team Games Player sentiment 74% positive of 47,793 Price $19.99 Open World Survival CraftSurvivalCraftingFirst-PersonExplorationRealisticBuildingSandbox
- 5
Subnautica
Why it matched: both open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Survival and Horror; released around the same time (2014).
Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.
Subnautica at a glance Released 2014 Studio Unknown Worlds Entertainment Player sentiment 97% positive of 379,053 Price $29.99 Open World Survival CraftSurvivalHorrorExplorationCraftingFirst-PersonSandboxSurvival Horror
- 6
Subnautica: Below Zero
Why it matched: both open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Survival and Horror; released around the same time (2021).
Dive into a freezing underwater adventure on an alien planet. Below Zero is set two years after the original Subnautica. Return to Planet 4546B to uncover the truth behind a deadly cover-up. Survive by building habitats, crafting tools, & diving deeper into the world of Subnautica.
Subnautica: Below Zero at a glance Released 2021 Studio Unknown Worlds Entertainment Player sentiment 90% positive of 108,227 Price $29.99 Open World Survival CraftSurvivalHorrorExplorationIndieCraftingFirst-PersonSurvival Horror
- 7
State of Decay
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Sandbox.
The end is here. Life as you knew it has gone to hell after the mother of all zombie outbreaks. Now you and the few scattered survivors must band together to survive and rebuild in a 3rd-person action game set in a dynamic open world.
State of Decay at a glance Released 2013 Studio Undead Labs Player sentiment 85% positive of 17,480 Price Not listed ZombiesSurvivalSandboxSimulationExplorationHorrorSurvival HorrorIndie
- 8
Just Survive
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 9 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Crafting; released around the same time (2015).
Just Survive is a post-apocalyptic survival game that immerses you in a world where humanity is fighting to take back control from the zombie hordes.
Just Survive at a glance Released 2015 Studio Daybreak Game Company Player sentiment 59% positive of 76,763 Price Not listed ZombiesSurvivalCraftingSurvival HorrorSandboxExplorationHorrorEarly Access
- 9
State of Decay: YOSE
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Simulation; released around the same time (2015).
Make your stand against the collapse of society in the ultimate zombie survival-fantasy game. Explore an open world full of dangers and opportunities that respond to your every decision. Recruit a community of playable survivors, each with their own unique skills and talents.
State of Decay: YOSE at a glance Released 2015 Studio Undead Labs Player sentiment 82% positive of 13,145 Price $19.99 ZombiesSurvivalSimulationSurvival HorrorSandboxCraftingGore
- 10
DayZ
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Survival, Zombies and Horror; released around the same time (2018).
How long can you survive a post-apocalyptic world? A land overrun with an infected "zombie" population, where you compete with other survivors for limited resources. Will you team up with strangers and stay strong together? Or play as a lone wolf to avoid betrayal? This is DayZ – this is your story.
DayZ at a glance Released 2018 Studio Bohemia Interactive Player sentiment 78% positive of 468,392 Price $24.99 SurvivalZombiesHorrorSandboxSurvival HorrorFirst-PersonSimulation
- 11
Darkwood
Why it matched: both open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Horror, Survival Horror and Survival; released around the same time (2017).
Darkwood - a new perspective on survival horror. Scavenge and explore a rich, ever-changing free-roam world by day, then hunker down in your hideout and pray for the morning light.
Darkwood at a glance Released 2017 Studio Acid Wizard Studio Player sentiment 95% positive of 24,890 Price $3.99 HorrorSurvival HorrorSurvivalIndieExplorationCraftingGoreBuilding
- 12
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 8 player tags including Zombies, Gore and Horror; released around the same time (2020).
Saints & Sinners is a game unlike any other in The Walking Dead universe. Every challenge you face and decision you make is driven by YOU. Fight the undead, scavenge through the flooded ruins of New Orleans, and face gut-wrenching choices for you and the other survivors. Live The Walking Dead.
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners at a glance Released 2020 Studio Skydance Interactive Player sentiment 86% positive of 10,074 Price $9.99 ZombiesGoreHorrorSurvival HorrorSurvivalIndieSimulationFirst-Person
- 13
No More Room in Hell
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Horror.
The chances of you surviving this all out war of society and the undead are slim to none. Already, there are millions of the walking dead shambling about, searching for food to eat. There's no known cure. One bite can possibly end it all for you. However, you aren't alone in this nightmare.
No More Room in Hell at a glance Released 2013 Studio No More Room in Hell Team Player sentiment 90% positive of 76,511 Price Free ZombiesSurvivalHorrorFirst-PersonSurvival HorrorRealisticIndie
- 14
We Happy Few
Why it matched: both open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Survival, First-Person and Indie; released around the same time (2018).
From the independent studio that brought you Contrast, We Happy Few is an action/adventure game set in a drug-fuelled, retrofuturistic city in an alternative 1960s England. Hide, fight and conform your way out of this delusional, Joy-obsessed world.
We Happy Few at a glance Released 2018 Studio Compulsion Games Player sentiment 77% positive of 13,772 Price $59.99 SurvivalFirst-PersonIndieHorrorExplorationCraftingSurvival HorrorEarly Access
- 15
BLOCKADE
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 8 player tags including Indie, First-Person and Zombies; released around the same time (2019).
BLOCKADE Classic! First Person Shooter in an editable procedural cubic world. A large arsenal of weapons, 4 teams at the same time and up to 32 players on one map. A large number of game modes!
BLOCKADE at a glance Released 2019 Studio Novalink Player sentiment 75% positive of 11,533 Price Free IndieFirst-PersonZombiesBuildingEarly AccessSurvivalHorrorGore
- 16
Dead Island: Riptide Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 8 player tags including Zombies, Gore and Survival; released around the same time (2016).
Welcome to the zombie apocalypse experience of a lifetime – more beautiful than ever. Caught in an epic zombie outbreak on the tropical island of Banoi, your only thought is: Survive!
Dead Island: Riptide Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2016 Studio Techland Player sentiment 71% positive of 13,002 Price $19.99 ZombiesGoreSurvivalFirst-PersonHorrorSurvival HorrorOpen World Survival CraftCrafting
- 17
Romero's Aftermath
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 8 player tags including Zombies, Survival and Open World Survival Craft; released around the same time (2015).
Play with your friends in a Zombie Infested World as you face the remnants of zombie hordes & rebuild society in a truly massive sandbox world. Choose how you want to play with hundreds of items, skins, weapons, character customizations, base building, crafting, zombies & more!
Romero's Aftermath at a glance Released 2015 Studio Free Reign Entertainment Player sentiment 49% positive of 10,977 Price Not listed ZombiesSurvivalOpen World Survival CraftFirst-PersonCraftingSurvival HorrorSandboxHorror
- 18
Resident Evil Village
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Survival Horror, Horror and First-Person; released around the same time (2021).
Experience survival horror like never before in the 8th major installment in the Resident Evil franchise - Resident Evil Village. With detailed graphics, intense first-person action and masterful storytelling, the terror has never felt more realistic.
Resident Evil Village at a glance Released 2021 Studio CAPCOM Co., Ltd. Player sentiment 96% positive of 153,329 Price $39.99 Survival HorrorHorrorFirst-PersonZombiesGoreSurvival
- 19
Dying Light
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival and horror; shares 7 player tags including Zombies, Survival Horror and Horror; released around the same time (2015).
First-person action survival game set in a post-apocalyptic open world overrun by flesh-hungry zombies. Roam a city devastated by a mysterious virus epidemic. Scavenge for supplies, craft weapons, and face hordes of the infected.
Dying Light at a glance Released 2015 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 95% positive of 494,569 Price $24.99 ZombiesSurvival HorrorHorrorFirst-PersonSurvivalOpen World Survival CraftGore
- 20
The Evil Within 2
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Horror, Survival Horror and Gore; released around the same time (2017).
Detective Sebastian Castellanos has lost everything, including his daughter, Lily. To save her, he must descend into the nightmarish world of STEM. Horrifying threats emerge from every corner, and he must rely on his wits to survive. For his one chance at redemption, the only way out is in.
The Evil Within 2 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Tango Gameworks Player sentiment 92% positive of 30,959 Price $39.99 HorrorSurvival HorrorGoreZombiesSurvivalFirst-Person
- 21
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition
Why it matched: both zombie, open world, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Survival, Zombies and Simulation; released around the same time (2020).
The dead have risen and civilization has fallen. Now it's up to you to gather survivors, scavenge for resources and build a community in a post-apocalyptic world – a world where you define what it means to survive in this ultimate zombie survival simulation.
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition at a glance Released 2020 Studio Undead Labs Player sentiment 83% positive of 69,755 Price $29.99 SurvivalZombiesSimulationSandboxGoreHorror
- 22
Chernobylite Complete Edition
Why it matched: both survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Survival, Horror and First-Person; released around the same time (2021).
Chernobylite is a science-fiction survival horror RPG. Set in the hyper-realistic, 3D-scanned wasteland of Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone, explore a non-linear storyline in your search to uncover the truth of your tortured past.
Chernobylite Complete Edition at a glance Released 2021 Studio The Farm 51 Player sentiment 82% positive of 15,553 Price $29.99 SurvivalHorrorFirst-PersonExplorationSurvival HorrorSimulationCraftingRealistic
- 23
Breathedge
Why it matched: both open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Survival and Sandbox; released around the same time (2021).
Survive in outer space! Together with your immortal chicken, discover the truth behind your sudden spaceship crash. Craft tools, pilot vehicles, and even control space stations to survive and explore the wreckage.
Breathedge at a glance Released 2021 Studio RedRuins Softworks Player sentiment 81% positive of 17,816 Price $2.49 Open World Survival CraftSurvivalSandboxIndieFirst-PersonCraftingExplorationEarly Access
- 24
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard
Why it matched: both zombie, survival, horror and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Horror, Survival Horror and First-Person; released around the same time (2017).
Fear and isolation seep through the walls of an abandoned southern farmhouse. "7" marks a new beginning for survival horror with the “Isolated View” of the visceral new first-person perspective.
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard at a glance Released 2017 Studio CAPCOM Co., Ltd. Player sentiment 95% positive of 126,252 Price $19.99 HorrorSurvival HorrorFirst-PersonGoreZombiesSurvivalExploration
Common questions
What game is most like The Forest?
Project Zomboid, on the evidence we have. It both zombie, open world, survival and horror. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to The Forest" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with The Forest. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.