Is The Forest Cross-Platform in 2025? Everything You Need to Know

Introduction: Gamers Still Asking—Can You Play The Forest Across Platforms?

In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, cross-platform compatibility remains one of the most sought-after features among players. The Forest, the critically acclaimed open-world survival horror game developed by Endnight Games, continues to captivate players with its immersive gameplay and eerie narrative. But as the game retains its popularity even years after its release, one question persists: Is The Forest cross-platform in 2025? This article offers a comprehensive look into platform compatibility, current developments, and what players can expect when trying to connect across different systems.

Understanding Cross-Platform Play: What Does It Really Mean?

Before diving into the specifics of The Forest, it’s essential to understand what cross-platform play actually involves:

• Cross-platform play allows players on different hardware (PC, Xbox, PlayStation) to play together in real time.

• Cross-save functionality lets you carry over progress between platforms.

• Cross-progression enables your character development to continue no matter where you log in.

Each of these features enhances the multiplayer experience, especially in cooperative survival games like The Forest.

The Forest: Available Platforms

As of 2025, The Forest is officially available on:

• PlayStation 4

• PC (Windows)

• PlayStation 5 (via backward compatibility)

While fans have long requested versions for Xbox and Nintendo Switch, no official releases for these platforms exist yet.

Is The Forest Cross-Platform Between PC and PlayStation?

The short answer: No, The Forest is not cross-platform between PC and PlayStation.

Despite both versions supporting multiplayer, there is no functionality that allows players on PC to connect and play with those on PlayStation consoles. This limitation has been a consistent issue since the game’s release and has yet to be addressed by Endnight Games with an update or patch.

Why Isn’t It Cross-Platform?

There are several likely reasons why The Forest does not support cross-play:

• Technical differences between the PC and console versions can complicate implementation.

• Sony’s historically restrictive policies on cross-play (though relaxed in recent years) may still have lingering impacts.

• Developer priorities have shifted to the sequel, Sons of the Forest, which has drawn resources away from the original game.

Multiplayer on the Same Platform: What You Can Do

While cross-platform support is unavailable, The Forest still offers robust multiplayer options within the same platform:

On PC:

• Host or join up to 8-player cooperative sessions.

• Private and public servers supported via Steam.

On PlayStation:

• Up to 4-player co-op using PlayStation Network.

• Voice chat integration and party system for smooth gameplay.

These modes work flawlessly, ensuring a seamless experience—as long as everyone is on the same device type.

The Forest: Cross-Generation Compatibility

Though cross-platform is off the table, The Forest does support cross-generation play on PlayStation:

• PS4 and PS5 players can play together.

• Backward compatibility ensures PS5 users can download and play the PS4 version without issues.

This provides a partial solution for friends who have upgraded their console but still want to play with others who haven’t.

Future Possibilities: Will The Forest Ever Be Cross-Platform?

As of now, there are no official announcements from Endnight Games about cross-platform support for The Forest.

However, hope is not entirely lost:

• The gaming industry trend is leaning heavily toward cross-platform experiences.

• Newer engines and middleware make it more feasible than ever before.

• If community demand remains high, a future patch or definitive edition might finally integrate cross-play.

Still, the focus has largely shifted to Sons of the Forest, meaning updates to the original are increasingly unlikely.

Sons of the Forest: A Better Bet for Cross-Platform?

If you’re looking for a cross-platform future, Sons of the Forest, the spiritual successor to The Forest, might be your best hope. Although it launched on PC first, console ports are expected, and cross-platform support could be a feature based on modern standards and consumer demand.

Until then, players interested in cross-platform survival gameplay might consider alternatives like:

• Rust

• Minecraft

• ARK: Survival Evolved

These titles currently support cross-play or have cross-progression systems in place.

Conclusion: Stick to the Same Platform for The Best Experience

To summarize, The Forest is not cross-platform in 2025, which means players must be on the same hardware to play together. Although disappointing for many fans, the game still provides an excellent cooperative experience when played within the same platform.

Looking for a seamless multiplayer experience? Make sure you and your friends are using the same system. Whether on PC or PlayStation, The Forest remains one of the most atmospheric and immersive survival horror games available today.

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