The Forest, a survival horror game released in 2018, has captivated gamers with its intense gameplay set on a mysterious and hostile island. One of the game’s standout features is its multiplayer mode, allowing friends to team up and face challenges together. However, a common question is whether The Forest supports cross-platform play, enabling gamers on different platforms to join forces. Let’s dive into the details and answer the query “is forest cross platform?“
The Forest: A Survival Horror Hit
Before tackling the cross-platform question, let’s appreciate The Forest’s immense popularity and critical acclaim. With its survival mechanics, terrifying enemies, and an enigmatic storyline, the game has carved out a special place in the survival horror genre. The freedom it offers players, from scavenging and base-building to crafting tools and vehicles, has contributed to its success and encouraged collaboration with friends in multiplayer.
The Cross-Platform Dilemma
Unfortunately, The Forest does not support crossplay, meaning players on different platforms cannot join the same game session. If your friend is on PC and you’re on PlayStation 4, you cannot team up and explore the treacherous island together.
Cross-platform play, or crossplay, allows gamers to play together across different gaming platforms, such as PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. In a cross-platform game, players from different ecosystems can seamlessly join the same multiplayer sessions.
While the lack of crossplay in The Forest may be disappointing, implementing such a feature involves technical and developmental challenges, including coordination between platform holders and ensuring compatibility across various hardware and software configurations.
The Future of Cross-Platform Gaming
As the gaming industry evolves, the demand for cross-platform play is expected to grow. Gamers increasingly seek seamless experiences that transcend platform barriers, allowing them to connect and play with friends regardless of their chosen gaming ecosystem.
While The Forest may not currently support crossplay, the upcoming sequel, Sons of the Forest, scheduled for release in October 2022, presents an opportunity for the developers to revisit this feature. However, as of now, Sons of the Forest is only launching on PC, potentially limiting cross-platform possibilities at launch.
Cross-Platform Alternatives
If you’re seeking cross-platform gaming experiences similar to The Forest, explore alternatives like Minecraft (with its Bedrock Edition enabling crossplay) and Ark: Survival Evolved (offering cross-platform mechanics for navigating a world teeming with dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures).
The Forest Cross-Platform Play: A Tabular Summary
| Game | Platforms | Cross-Platform Support |
|---|---|---|
| The Forest | PC, PlayStation 4 | No |
| Sons of the Forest | PC (at launch) | TBD |
As the table shows, The Forest does not currently support cross-platform play, while the cross-platform status of Sons of the Forest remains to be determined, as it is only confirmed for PC at launch.
While The Forest may not offer cross-platform capabilities, its engaging gameplay and thrilling multiplayer experience have solidified its status as a beloved survival horror title. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the call for cross-platform play will likely grow louder, inspiring developers to embrace this feature and bring gamers together across platforms.
