Forager

Forager is a fiendishly addictive incremental game with crisp, low-fi visuals, compelling game play loop and clever pacing. Just make sure you don't have to be anywhere before you begin playing!

84%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

grinding, stability

94% User Score Based on 24,920 reviews

Critic Score 79%Based on 11 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $5.64

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About

Forager is an open-world exploration and crafting game. Gather resources, level up skills, and build your base as you unlock new islands and dungeons to explore. With a variety of quests, puzzles, and secrets to discover, Forager offers a charming and engaging experience for players who enjoy resource management and base-building.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 24,931 reviews

gameplay615 positive mentions

grinding2k negative mentions

grinding
2,013 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of "Forager" is a significant point of contention among players. Many find the game enjoyable and addictive, particularly in its early stages, but it tends to become excessively grindy and tedious as players progress, especially when aiming for 100% completion. While some appreciate the satisfaction of grinding for upgrades and achievements, others feel that the repetitive nature of resource gathering and crafting can lead to boredom and frustration, particularly in the late game where the grind can feel unbalanced and lacking in meaningful content.
- “There's no grinding - economics are reasonable, and the game moves quickly.”
- “No tedious combat mechanics, nothing frustrating to wrap your head around, you just use your weapons and they work correctly, which is great!”
- “There are puzzles, dungeons, and bosses to challenge you when you aren't farming or mining.”
- “The last few achievements can be very grindy and boring if you care about 100% the game.”
- “The endgame content involved a lot of grinding so I stopped there but overall it was a pretty amazing game for me.”
- “Starts strong but quickly becomes grindy, uneven, tedious and ultimately boring.”
gameplay
1,567 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
54%
7%
The gameplay of Forager is characterized by its addictive loop of resource gathering, crafting, and exploration, enhanced by charming pixel art and a variety of mechanics. While the early game is engaging and offers a satisfying progression system, many players find that the gameplay becomes repetitive and grindy in the late game, leading to a lack of motivation to continue. Overall, it appeals to fans of casual sandbox games, but some may feel it lacks depth and replayability compared to similar titles like Stardew Valley or Terraria.
- “From the moment you start, the game hooks you with its charming pixel art and simple yet satisfying gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay loop is addictive with the resource gathering, building, crafting, and exploring the other islands, keeping you engaged and constantly rewarded.”
- “With its captivating gameplay loop, adorable art style, and endless possibilities, it stands as a delightful indie gem that keeps players engaged for hours on end.”
- “The gameplay is tedious.”
- “Gameplay is dull and highly repetitive.”
- “The game cycle gets really boring after a few hours of gameplay, becoming a waiting and crafting simulator.”
graphics
913 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
2%
The graphics of Forager are widely praised for their charming and cute pixel art style, which many players find appealing and nostalgic. The visuals are described as colorful and vibrant, contributing to a relaxing and engaging atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. While some critiques mention a lack of originality and minor performance issues, the overall consensus is that the graphics effectively complement the game's addictive mechanics and casual gameplay.
- “The game's simple yet engaging mechanics and colorful pixel art style make it easy to pick up and hard to put down.”
- “With its charming pixel art style, captivating gameplay, and endless possibilities, Forager provides hours of engaging entertainment.”
- “The graphics are adorable, reminiscent of something like Terraria or Stardew Valley.”
- “While Forager's graphical style is undeniably charming, it may not cater to everyone's taste, particularly those who prefer more realistic or detailed visuals.”
- “The graphics are really unoriginal though, besides the overused pixel art style a lot of the sprites are extremely similar to Stardew Valley.”
- “At first, everything feels new, but the lack of content burns the player out very quickly; the art style doesn't feel new or unique and gets tiring to look at.”
story
626 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
72%
12%
The game's story is largely absent, with many players noting that it lacks a cohesive plot or significant narrative depth, relying instead on simple fetch quests and resource gathering. While some appreciate the developer's personal backstory shared through unlockable content, the overall gameplay is described as a grind without a meaningful storyline. Players seeking a rich narrative experience may find this game lacking, as it focuses more on casual gameplay and exploration than on storytelling.
- “The art style was cute, the puzzles were good, the void was perfectly challenging, the achievements were doable, and the story behind the game made me shed a few tears.”
- “The development story of this game made me cry, this game is a passion project and it shows through its addicting gameplay.”
- “I really enjoyed the story about the developer and his trek to create a game everyone would love in the extras, I think this should be available on the front page of the game, it just goes to show the heart of the developer and makes you want to get behind him and support his cause...”
- “Up front: there's no story.”
- “This game has nothing—no story, thrill, excitement, joy, and no real interesting progression.”
- “Absolutely no real story, or motivation to progress other than that you want to, but that should be expected from a quick look at the game.”
music
316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a relaxing and enjoyable experience. However, some players note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, particularly in the late game, leading to a desire for more variety. Overall, the combination of delightful tunes and cute graphics contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a pleasant backdrop for gameplay.
- “Plus, the soundtrack is a delightful companion to your adventures, enhancing the game's overall charm.”
- “The music enhances the gameplay experience, creating an enjoyable and immersive audio-visual journey.”
- “Endearing art style and music: the game's adorable pixel art and charming soundtrack create a delightful and relaxing atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The characters are glorified fetch quest givers, 2 or 3 music tracks at most play in the main area and it gets repetitive and annoying fast.”
- “It's nowhere near the musical levels of Stardew, Minecraft, or even Terraria.”
- “The music is calm and kind of dull.”
replayability
280 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
50%
20%
The replayability of Forager is a mixed bag, with many players enjoying its initial fun and addictive gameplay but expressing disappointment in its long-term replay value. While some highlight the potential for replayability through different playstyles and updates, others note that once the game is completed, it feels repetitive and lacks depth, leading to minimal incentive for multiple playthroughs. Overall, the game offers a decent amount of content but falls short of providing the extensive replayability seen in similar titles.
- “In short, Forager is a delightful, endlessly replayable experience that offers a perfect blend of relaxation and challenge.”
- “The freedom to choose your playstyle and the endless possibilities for growth make Forager a highly replayable and enjoyable experience.”
- “Beyond its engaging gameplay, Forager also offers a great deal of replay value, with its procedurally generated world ensuring that each playthrough is unique and offers new challenges and opportunities.”
- “The game is very fun for a one-time playthrough but has completely 0 replayability.”
- “I fully enjoyed playing through it, but it has little to no replay value, without a concrete ending or the ability to continue expanding.”
- “Unfortunately, the challenges in the game are mostly puzzles that, once solved, have no replay value.”
humor
208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The game's humor is widely praised for its lightheartedness and charm, featuring funny NPCs, witty dialogue, and amusing references that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the quirky and colorful aesthetic, which complements the engaging puzzles and gameplay, making it a fun and addictive title. Many reviews highlight the humor as a key element that keeps the game enjoyable and entertaining throughout.
- “The game’s humor also adds to its charm.”
- “The audio and visual feedback make every action feel meaningful and enjoyable, and the game’s humor adds just the right amount of levity to keep things fun.”
- “I enjoyed the puzzles, and the witty humor & references to various other games were a nice touch.”
- “And those 4th wall 'jokes' are... not funny.”
stability
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Many users express frustration over the game's unfinished state and the lack of updates or fixes from the developers, leading to a perception of abandonment. While some find the game enjoyable despite its flaws, the consensus is that the numerous stability issues hinder its potential and enjoyment.
- “107 hours on mobile only to find out the Steam version is pretty much bug-free.”
- “Runs great on Linux with Proton.”
- “After 100% this game, I've learned that this was a buggy mess and not worth the price.”
- “It's filled with bugs and glitches, to the point where I even lost a 40-hour save file.”
- “This game is abandoned, buggy, and not fun.”
optimization
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
53%
12%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, particularly on higher refresh rate monitors and during late-game scenarios. Despite its charming art style and engaging gameplay, users have noted that it feels unfinished and poorly optimized, often resulting in low frame rates and frustrating bugs. While some aspects of the game allow for optimization in gameplay mechanics, the overall technical performance remains a major drawback.
- “There's a lot of optimization and production built into the game, and it was very enjoyable to keep expanding on bigger and bigger setups.”
- “Doesn't take too long to get the ball rolling, production can be optimized if you are the type of player to make things work the best possible, and making more and more money feels really rewarding.”
- “If you like anything with resource management, crafting, and optimization along with actual gameplay and combat elements then this is the game for you.”
- “Unfortunately, the dev seems to have unoptimized it with a recent patch because the game I played this week and the game I played 4 years ago ran completely differently. Although there's nothing wrong with how it plays right now, it feels sluggish.”
- “The performance is terrible later on when things get crazy. If you play on a low spec PC, you will have a bad time and it will become unplayable.”
- “The game doesn't have any optimization features, so you can't decrease the graphical load on your end, nor can you get rid of resource-intensive processes like looting from the mobs you just killed, which all add up to your character moving half a centimeter a second for 30 seconds.”
emotional
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and wholesome qualities, with many players expressing a deep connection to the game's charming visuals and the touching backstory of its development. While some players felt a sense of guilt or emotional conflict during gameplay, particularly when faced with tasks like feeding the character or defeating the giant beets, the overall sentiment remains positive, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings and nostalgia. Many reviewers recommend it as a delightful experience that resonates emotionally, making it suitable for players of all ages.
- “Forager is a delightful and heartwarming game that captivates players with its unique blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and resource management.”
- “The development story of this game made me cry; this game is a passion project and it shows through its addicting gameplay.”
- “Also, the developer's story that is in the extra menu made me shed a tear for how beautiful that story was. Thank you, developers, for making such a beautiful fun game.”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
44%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its charming and light-hearted qualities, enhanced by a delightful pixel art style and a whimsical soundtrack. Players appreciate the relaxing and nostalgic environment, which encourages exploration and engagement through quirky dialogue and varied activities. Overall, the game creates a cozy and enjoyable atmosphere that allows for a leisurely pace and immersive experiences.
- “The quirky dialogue and amusing character interactions contribute to the game’s light-hearted atmosphere, making it a joy to explore and engage with the world.”
- “Endearing art style and music: the game's adorable pixel art and charming soundtrack create a delightful and relaxing atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The visuals are both nostalgic and visually pleasing, immersing you in a whimsical and nostalgic atmosphere.”
- “Totally bizarre shift in atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is charming and the puzzles are challenging.”
- “☐ atmosphere is there”
monetization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
38%
50%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the absence of microtransactions and ads, allowing for a more enjoyable experience reminiscent of mobile games without the typical annoyances. However, there are concerns about the game feeling like a cash grab, particularly with the developer's focus on creating a sequel instead of providing free updates to existing players. Overall, while the lack of intrusive monetization is appreciated, the game's approach raises questions about its long-term value and commitment to its player base.
- “Luckily, if you don't heed the warning and do buy this game, there aren't any microtransactions, so it doesn't abuse your inability to stop playing it.”
- “Also, props for no microtransactions whatsoever.”
- “Well, the best way to describe it is like a mobile game but without the annoyance of a mobile game; full feature, not microtransactions, the developer is implementing features and listening to the player base.”
- “This is a key element where so many games miss the mark now; they instead enslave themselves to monetization models that reduce playing the game to being an actual chore.”
- “To summarize, I give it a negative opinion not because it is bad, but because it feels like a cash grab.”
- “So instead of putting effort into and releasing a 'cash grab' free update, he is instead going to make Forager 2 for people to buy again, without telling the vast majority of owners that these updates have been canceled.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features an adorable art style and strong character design, making it highly recommended for fans of character development. Players experience enjoyable tier progression through various gameplay elements, including combat, exploration, crafting, farming, and mining, enhancing the overall character development experience.
- “Highly recommend it if you like character development games; it's a perfect mix between combat, exploration, crafting, farming, and mining.”
- “Exploration is done well, with fun tier progression in character development through tools and technology/magic.”
- “Adorable art style with great character design.”