FOX n FORESTS

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 88 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
FOX n FORESTS Game Cover
I feel sorry for kids these days; they just don’t appreciate how much games have advanced in the last 20 years or so.
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"FOX n FORESTS is a 2D action platformer with puzzle elements, featuring pixel-perfect graphics and a magic crossbow that lets you switch between two seasons in each level. Inspired by 16-bit classics, the game offers challenging platforming, screen-filling bosses, rich bonus levels, and upgrades for your shots and crossbow. Explore the mystical forest, uncover secrets, and test your skills in this love letter to retro gaming."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 88 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • Gorgeous pixel art and nostalgic 16-bit graphics that capture the essence of classic platformers.
  • Engaging gameplay with a unique season-changing mechanic that adds depth to puzzles and exploration.
  • Challenging levels that encourage skillful play and offer a rewarding sense of exploration.
  • Frustrating controls that can feel stiff and unresponsive, leading to cheap deaths and a lack of fluidity in gameplay.
  • Mandatory backtracking and lengthy levels can make progress tedious, especially with the need to collect specific items to advance.
  • Game-breaking bugs and design choices, such as the lack of a quit button and the requirement to pay for checkpoints, detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay52 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its challenging mechanics that require skill and precision, with a strong emphasis on platforming and a unique season-changing feature that alters level dynamics. However, many players find the controls to be clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustrating experiences with backtracking and poorly designed enemy encounters. While the pixel art and overall aesthetic are praised, the gameplay suffers from issues that detract from its potential, making it a mixed experience for players.

    • “The time shift mechanic adds depth and keeps platforming interesting.”
    • “Challenging platforming gameplay with nuanced controls and imaginative character design.”
    • “Fox n Forests has plenty of creative platforming and interesting mechanics.”
    • “Basically, this game has terrible game design where it artificially makes the gameplay harder.”
    • “Not only that, but the gameplay itself is relatively slow, and if you combine that with enemies that respawn infinitely on the same spot over and over again, some maze-like stage layouts, and important items hidden behind scenario elements, you have a recipe for a game that tries its best to slow you down at every step and punish you for its own failure at giving you important information.”
    • “The game presentation is amazing and the idea is very good, but sadly it all fails to deliver because of some really bad decisions in the gameplay department, and that's the most important part.”
  • music36 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy, nostalgic 16-bit sound that evokes memories of classic SNES titles, enhancing the overall retro platforming experience. While many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the game's standout features, some note that certain tracks can feel repetitive as the game progresses. Overall, the music complements the charming pixel art and gameplay, contributing to a delightful atmosphere, though opinions on its quality vary.

    • “The music is some of the best I've heard for an indie-produced game like this; it has a great 16-bit sound to it and sets the tone perfectly for the stage, ranging from epic intensity to calm and relaxing, and even delightfully creepy and spooky. When the seasons change, it actually changes to different songs before switching back.”
    • “Right from the start, this game is a delight with the 16-bit visuals and the soundtrack that takes you back a few decades.”
    • “Really great 2D platformer with a good pixel art style and a very lovely soundtrack that just oozes SNES era.”
    • “The music... well, at least the stage musics are nice, but as you keep playing new stages, you end up noticing that they feel like variants.”
    • “As for the main menu music... who the hell composed that?”
    • “If the music was better, maybe I would have liked this game more.”
  • graphics26 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning 16-bit pixel art style, reminiscent of classic SNES titles, which effectively captures the retro aesthetic and nostalgia of the era. Players appreciate the beautiful visual design and animations, which enhance the overall experience, although some critique the lack of in-game graphics options. Overall, the combination of gorgeous visuals and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a delightful retro platforming experience.

    • “The graphics are really good, perfectly looking like a 16-bit Super Nintendo game.”
    • “The pixel artwork is gorgeous.”
    • “The 16-bit style graphics are amazing and make the game look very beautiful, while also having some really good animations for the sprites and a well-fitting soundtrack.”
    • “No 'ingame graphics options' (because why implement that and instead ride on the excuse that it's supposed to emulate a SNES game... ridiculous!)”
    • “The artwork of the main character in the game menu seems to really be targeted to a specific player audience.”
    • “I really wanted to love it because of the foxes and retro aesthetic, but the graphics left me wanting more.”
  • story14 mentions

    The story is generally well-received, featuring a charming and simplistic narrative about a fox named Rick and a partridge named Patty on a quest to save the ancient season tree from a mysterious force. The setting, which revolves around the concept of seasons and the introduction of a "fifth season," adds depth to the plot, while the fairy tale presentation and humor contribute to an enjoyable experience. Overall, players appreciate the engaging storyline and its nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic games.

    • “Good story and setting, the idea of seasons and the 'fifth season'.”
    • “The plot of the story involves a fox named Rick who is about to eat a partridge named Patty, when Patty has a clever idea to ask him to assist her in a quest, promising all sorts of treasures as a reward.”
    • “That quest involves helping to save the powers of the ancient season tree after a mysterious force took over four different parts of the forest, keeping those sections stuck in one of the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter, all while trying to bring forth a fifth season and rule the entire forest under its evil power.”
    • “The storyline and humor are mildly amusing in a so-bad-it's-good sort of way.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to unresponsive combat mechanics and the need to wait for mana to recharge. Additionally, the frequent health depletion from enemies contributes to a frustrating experience, making the overall grind feel excessive.

    • “One occasional problem is waiting to recharge mana is tedious sometimes.”
    • “So in most of these cases, the game will be farming cheap ways to sap your health and once you notice you're already dead.”
    • “This becomes tedious.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players express frustration with the game's mechanics, feeling that the overly punishing nature of touching walls or floors detracts from the emotional experience. The high stakes of instant death for minor mistakes create a sense of tension, but it ultimately leads to frustration rather than engagement or emotional investment in the gameplay.

  • replayability3 mentions

    Players find the game offers significant replayability through the exploration of hidden items and the ability to strengthen characters, which unlocks new areas and seasons. The engaging gameplay and the pursuit of upgrades contribute to its lasting appeal. Overall, it is considered a fun experience with great potential for repeated play.

    • “Searching for gold and other hidden items to get more potions, strengthen Rick, and gain passage to other forests and seasons helps add replay value to the game.”
    • “But nevertheless, it's a fun game and I can already see it has great replay value.”
    • “Searching for gold and other hidden items to get more potions, strengthen Rick, and seeds to gain passage to other forests/seasons helps add replay value to the game.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game experiences notable stability issues, including frustrating hit box detection, control responsiveness problems, and various bugs such as character animations freezing during death sequences. Additionally, the seasonal mechanic introduces a vulnerability period that disrupts platforming, further complicating gameplay.

    • “There are some slight issues with frustrating hit box detection and control responsiveness, but the big kicker was a buggy jump in the third world boss.”
    • “Changing seasons is a neat mechanic, but it freezes your character in place for an extended period of vulnerability and doesn't mesh well with platforming.”
    • “There are also a few cases of bugs in the game, like if your character dies while sliding down a rope, the character dies floating in the air, and some instances where the jump animation freezes when the character dies while jumping, but the death music plays, and shortly after you respawn.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of amusing sound effects and a storyline that is entertaining in a "so-bad-it's-good" manner, providing a lighthearted experience for players.

    • “The storyline and humor is mildly amusing in a so-bad-it’s-good sort of way.”
    • “A funny sound effect will tell you that you have entered the cheat correctly.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The character development in the game is highlighted by its imaginative design, which complements the challenging platforming gameplay and nuanced controls, suggesting a deep connection between character abilities and player experience.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character's unique backstory and growth throughout the game.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve based on player choices, making each decision feel impactful and personal.”
    • “The diverse range of characters, each with their own distinct personalities and arcs, adds so much depth to the overall narrative.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

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