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- Best overall: Endnight Games Ltd. Sons of the Forest (PC, Steam)
- Best budget: Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PC, Steam)
- Best premium: Endnight Games Ltd. Sons of the Forest (PC, Steam)
- Best for PlayStation 4: Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PlayStation 4)
- Sons of the Forest is the strongest pick for PC players seeking modern survival systems and co-op for up to 8 players.
- The Forest is the direct comparison pick, with PC and PlayStation 4 versions and a tense survival-horror focus.
- Raft, Green Hell and Grounded add distinct co-op survival options, while Subnautica is built for solo exploration.
- Check the platform and player cap before buying: the games on this list range from 1-player adventures to co-op for up to 10.
Sons of the Forest and The Forest are the 2 essential picks for players comparing Endnight Games’ survival-horror series during Black Friday 2026. I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to separate the modern PC sequel from the original game’s PC and PlayStation 4 versions. The short answer: choose Sons of the Forest for newer systems and larger co-op sessions; choose The Forest for its established survival story and console access.
The wider category includes 5 alternatives with different strengths: Green Hell for wilderness survival, Subnautica for solo underwater exploration, Raft for group crafting and Grounded for backyard-scale co-op. Each entry names its platform and player range, so the recommendations work as quick answers to product-specific searches. Here's the bottom line: pick the game that matches your platform and preferred group size before looking for a Black Friday 2026 buy.
How We Picked
- Compared core survival systems, exploration, crafting and horror intensity using published game information and owner feedback.
- Checked each product’s platform listing so PC and PlayStation 4 editions are clearly distinguished.
- Prioritized player-count clarity, including solo play and stated co-op limits.
- Included alternatives that offer different survival settings, from ocean exploration to wilderness and backyard crafting.
- Selected games with distinct reasons to buy, rather than filling the list with near-identical survival titles.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Player range | Co-op cap | Platform families |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endnight Games Ltd. Sons of the Forest (PC, Steam) | Modern PC co-op horror | 1-8 players | Up to 8 players | 1 (PC) |
| Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PC, Steam) | Original story on PC | 1-8 players | Up to 8 players | 1 (PC) |
| Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PlayStation 4) | Console survival horror | 1-4 players | Up to 4 players | 1 (PlayStation) |
| Creepy Jar Green Hell (PC, Steam) | Wilderness survival | 1-4 players | Up to 4 players | 1 (PC) |
| Unknown Worlds Entertainment Subnautica (PC, Steam) | Solo ocean exploration | 1 player | 1 player (solo) | 1 (PC) |
| Redbeet Interactive Raft (PC, Steam) | Large co-op crafting groups | 1-10 players | Up to 10 players | 1 (PC) |
| Xbox Game Studios Grounded (PC, Steam) | Playful small-group survival | 1-4 players | Up to 4 players | 1 (PC) |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
Endnight Games Ltd. Sons of the Forest (PC, Steam)
The Endnight Games Ltd. Sons of the Forest (PC, Steam) is the best modern survival-horror pick for PC groups, with online co-op for up to 8 players. Expanded crafting, exploration and enemy encounters make each expedition feel busy and dangerous.
Best for: PC co-op groups seeking modern survival horror
- Platform families
- 1 (PC)
- Player range
- 1-8 players
- Co-op cap
- Up to 8 players
- Game type
- 1 survival-horror adventure
- Supports solo play and large co-op groups
- Combines building, crafting and exploration
- Strong choice for players who want a newer series entry
- PC-only; no PlayStation edition
Is the Endnight Games Ltd. Sons of the Forest (PC, Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Endnight Games Ltd. Sons of the Forest (PC, Steam) is worth buying for PC players who want survival horror with up to 8-player co-op, extensive building and exploration. Choose it over The Forest when group size and newer systems matter most.
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#2
Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PC, Steam)
The Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PC, Steam) is the best original-series pick for PC survival-horror fans, with online co-op for up to 8 players. The game pairs base-building and resource gathering with a story-driven search for a missing child.
Best for: PC players who want the original survival-horror experience
- Platform families
- 1 (PC)
- Player range
- 1-8 players
- Co-op cap
- Up to 8 players
- Game type
- 1 survival-horror adventure
- Supports solo play and online co-op
- Mixes a survival loop with a clear story objective
- Good starting point for understanding the series
- The original entry has fewer newer systems than its sequel
Is the Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PC, Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PC, Steam) is a strong buy for players who want the original story, tense exploration and co-op for up to 8 players. Pick the PC edition for keyboard-and-mouse play and access to the Steam version.
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#3
Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PlayStation 4)
The Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PlayStation 4) is the best console pick for players who want the original survival-horror story without a gaming PC. The PlayStation version supports solo play and online co-op for up to 4 players.
Best for: PlayStation 4 owners and small console groups
- Platform families
- 1 (PlayStation)
- Player range
- 1-4 players
- Co-op cap
- Up to 4 players
- Game type
- 1 survival-horror adventure
- Brings the original game to PlayStation 4
- Supports solo play and online co-op
- Keeps the same core survival and exploration appeal
- Does not include the sequel’s newer systems
Is the Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PlayStation 4) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Endnight Games Ltd. The Forest (PlayStation 4) suits console owners who want a focused survival-horror campaign and co-op for up to 4 players. Choose this edition if PlayStation access matters more than the larger PC co-op cap.
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#4
Creepy Jar Green Hell (PC, Steam)
The Creepy Jar Green Hell (PC, Steam) is the best wilderness-survival alternative for players who want to manage realistic needs alongside exploration. The PC game supports solo play and co-op for up to 4 players.
Best for: Players who want demanding jungle survival
- Platform families
- 1 (PC)
- Player range
- 1-4 players
- Co-op cap
- Up to 4 players
- Game type
- 1 wilderness-survival game
- Focuses on wilderness skills and resource management
- Offers solo and co-op play
- A distinct change of setting from the forest-horror games
- The Creepy Jar Green Hell (PC, Steam)'s survival demands are a tougher fit for casual groups
Is the Creepy Jar Green Hell (PC, Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Creepy Jar Green Hell (PC, Steam) is a worthwhile choice for players who want jungle survival, resource management and co-op for up to 4 players. Select Green Hell for wilderness pressure rather than The Forest’s horror-focused story.
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#5
Unknown Worlds Entertainment Subnautica (PC, Steam)
The Unknown Worlds Entertainment Subnautica (PC, Steam) is the best solo exploration pick for players who want survival beneath an alien ocean. The game is built for 1 player, with exploration, crafting and resource gathering at its core.
Best for: Solo explorers who enjoy underwater survival
- Platform families
- 1 (PC)
- Player range
- 1 player
- Co-op cap
- 1 player (solo)
- Game type
- 1 underwater-survival adventure
- Distinct ocean setting and exploration loop
- Strong fit for a solo campaign
- Crafting supports steady progression
- No co-op mode for groups
Is the Unknown Worlds Entertainment Subnautica (PC, Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Unknown Worlds Entertainment Subnautica (PC, Steam) is a strong pick for 1-player survival and exploration, especially for gamers who prefer discovery over group combat. Choose it for an ocean setting rather than the forest environments in Endnight Games’ titles.
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#6
Redbeet Interactive Raft (PC, Steam)
The Redbeet Interactive Raft (PC, Steam) is the best group-crafting alternative for friends who want to build and survive together at sea. The game supports up to 10 players, making its co-op cap the largest on this list.
Best for: Large co-op groups focused on crafting
- Platform families
- 1 (PC)
- Player range
- 1-10 players
- Co-op cap
- Up to 10 players
- Game type
- 1 ocean-survival adventure
- Largest listed co-op cap at 10 players
- Centers on raft building and shared resource gathering
- Offers a bright change of pace from horror
- Ocean crafting is a different mood from forest horror
Is the Redbeet Interactive Raft (PC, Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Redbeet Interactive Raft (PC, Steam) is worth considering for groups of up to 10 players who enjoy crafting and shared progression. Pick Raft for cooperative ocean survival, not for the horror atmosphere or forest setting of The Forest.
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#7
Xbox Game Studios Grounded (PC, Steam)
The Xbox Game Studios Grounded (PC, Steam) is the best pick for compact co-op survival, turning a backyard into a dangerous world for up to 4 players. The Xbox Game Studios Grounded (PC, Steam)'s crafting and exploration make it a lighter-toned alternative to Endnight Games’ horror series.
Best for: Small groups who want playful survival crafting
- Platform families
- 1 (PC)
- Player range
- 1-4 players
- Co-op cap
- Up to 4 players
- Game type
- 1 backyard-survival adventure
- Supports solo play and up to 4-player co-op
- Offers a memorable small-scale world
- A lighter alternative to survival horror
- The playful tone does not match horror fans seeking scares
Is the Xbox Game Studios Grounded (PC, Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Xbox Game Studios Grounded (PC, Steam) is a good buy for players who want crafting and exploration with up to 4 friends. Choose Grounded for a playful backyard adventure; choose The Forest for a darker survival-horror experience.
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Which is better, Sons of the Forest or The Forest?
Sons of the Forest suits PC players seeking expanded survival systems and co-op for up to 8 players. The Forest is the choice for the original story or PlayStation 4 access.
Choose based on platform, group size and whether you want the sequel or the original.
What is the difference between Sons of the Forest and The Forest?
The Forest follows a search for a missing child after a plane crash. Sons of the Forest is a PC sequel with a new setting and expanded survival activities.
Both combine exploration, crafting, shelter building and dangerous encounters. The original suits players interested in its story; the sequel suits groups seeking newer systems.
Which game is best for co-op survival?
Raft supports up to 10 players, while Sons of the Forest and The Forest support up to 8 on PC. Green Hell and Grounded support up to 4; Subnautica is single-player.
Choose Raft for large-group crafting, or the Endnight Games titles for survival horror. Match the player cap to your group.
Can you play The Forest on PlayStation 4?
The Forest is available on PlayStation 4 and supports solo play and online co-op for up to 4 players. Sons of the Forest is a PC pick.
Check the platform listing before buying. PC players can compare the Steam editions of both games.
Which survival game should you buy on Black Friday 2026?
Choose Sons of the Forest for PC co-op, The Forest for its original story or PlayStation 4 access, and Raft for groups of up to 10.
Green Hell emphasizes wilderness survival, Subnautica offers solo ocean exploration, and Grounded pairs survival with a playful setting. Check platform compatibility and player limits before choosing.
Buying Guide
Match the game to your platform
The Forest is available on PlayStation 4; the other games in this guide are PC editions. Confirm the platform on the product listing.
Choose a player cap that fits your group
Raft supports up to 10 players; Sons of the Forest and The Forest on PC support up to 8. Green Hell and Grounded support up to 4, while Subnautica is single-player.
Pick the right entry in the series
The Forest is the original game. Sons of the Forest is its PC sequel, with expanded survival systems.
Compare tone and survival style
The Forest games focus on survival horror, Green Hell on wilderness management, and Subnautica on solo ocean exploration. Raft centers on group crafting; Grounded uses a playful backyard setting.
Check edition details before checkout
Verify the full product name, publisher, platform and player features. For a Black Friday 2026 purchase, match the listing to your PC or console.
FAQ
Is Sons of the Forest better than The Forest?
Sons of the Forest is the better choice for PC players who want newer survival systems and co-op for up to 8 players. The Forest is better for the original story and PlayStation 4 access. Pick based on platform, group size and whether you want the series starting point.
Is Sons of the Forest on PlayStation 4?
Sons of the Forest is listed here as a PC, Steam game, not a PlayStation 4 release. PlayStation 4 owners seeking Endnight Games survival horror should look at The Forest (PlayStation 4), which supports solo play and online co-op for up to 4 players.
How many players can play Sons of the Forest?
Sons of the Forest supports solo play and online co-op for up to 8 players on PC. The co-op cap makes the game a good fit for larger friend groups who want to explore, gather resources and build shelters together.
How many players can play The Forest on PlayStation 4?
The Forest on PlayStation 4 supports solo play and online co-op for up to 4 players. Players seeking a larger session should compare the PC edition, which supports co-op for up to 8 players, or choose Raft for groups of up to 10.
What is the best alternative to Sons of the Forest?
The Forest is the closest alternative because it shares the survival-horror series and offers PC and PlayStation 4 editions. Raft is a strong choice for co-op crafting, Green Hell suits wilderness survival, and Subnautica is the best fit for a solo exploration game.
Which game on this list supports the most co-op players?
Redbeet Interactive Raft supports the most players on this list, with online co-op for up to 10. Sons of the Forest and The Forest on PC support up to 8, while Green Hell and Grounded support up to 4.