The largest addition for this version is the introduction of children as playable characters. They are different from adults as they cannot venture outside at night. They also cannot participate in many activities such as cooking, guarding or constructing items. Children are often left alone at night and require attention and comfort when the adults return and they lead to new considerations for taking decisions. Children are able to perform small tasks such as gathering meat from traps or putting wood in a heater. They can also learn new activities from adults. Children consume less food than adults and if they are not sad they will start to play, for instance by drawing on the walls or with toys that can be constructed as a new type of item. They also have often less demands than an adult would in the same situation.
The introduction of these new characters also leads to new types of campaigns and missions including children. Right from the start there is a campaign with a father and a daughter, but others can be unlocked later on. As in the original game most of the parameters are randomized for each session. As with an update to the PC version, it is possible to create new scenarios and characters. An additional "large mansion" shelter is exclusive to the PS4 version.