The Forest

Nerve-wrackingly terrifying, highly polished and boasting one of the cleverest takes on the survival genre in years, The Forest is one of finest survival horror titles available.

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In "The Forest" , you survive as the lone plane crash survivor in a mysterious forest, battling a cannibalistic mutant society. Build, explore, and survive in this first-person horror simulator with day-night cycles, crafting, building, and defensives. Enemies have their own societies and morals, demanding strategic decisions in your encounters with them.

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Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 197,109 reviews

story7,243 positive mentions

stability4,165 negative mentions

story
17,272 mentions
42 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "The Forest" is a compelling blend of survival horror and exploration, centered around a father's quest to find his missing son, Timmy, after a plane crash on a mysterious island. Players uncover the narrative through environmental storytelling, scattered clues, and collectibles, which adds depth to the gameplay but can also lead to confusion if not thoroughly explored. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and engaging story, others find it lacking in clarity and coherence, often feeling that the survival mechanics overshadow the narrative.
- “The storyline is very interesting as you uncover the truth about what has been going on in the forest.”
- “The story is engaging and helps you be much more immersed with the gameplay and environment of the game.”
- “The story unfolds organically, with environmental clues and subtle hints, adding to the sense of mystery.”
- “The story is very unclear, and I couldn’t really get invested in it.”
- “The story feels a little bit lacking and the building part is unfortunately kinda limited.”
- “The story is a complete mind twister and very passively in dept.”
gameplay
8,793 mentions
44 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Forest" is characterized by a mix of immersive survival mechanics, crafting, and base-building elements that engage players in a dynamic and often terrifying environment. While many players appreciate the depth and creativity allowed in building and crafting, some criticize the clunky mechanics and bugs that can disrupt the experience. Overall, the game is praised for its atmospheric tension, cooperative multiplayer fun, and the balance between survival challenges and exploration, making it a standout title in the survival horror genre.
- “The gameplay is incredibly immersive, forcing players to constantly think on their feet and adapt to the ever-changing environment.”
- “The crafting and building mechanics are intuitive, offering a satisfying progression as you gather resources, construct shelters, and create tools.”
- “The game shines in its balance of survival mechanics and exploration, constantly pushing you to venture further while testing your ability to stay alive.”
- “The game plays horribly and a lot of mechanics are done either in a convoluted or unintuitive way.”
- “The building mechanics are kinda messy as well; some builds require so many materials and gathering those materials takes so much time that it takes literal hours to just build a wall around your base.”
- “The game mechanics don't really mesh too well into each other and the game is hella janky at times.”
graphics
8,151 mentions
62 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Forest" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere, particularly considering the game's modest size and indie development background. Players appreciate the detailed environments, realistic lighting, and the overall aesthetic that enhances the survival horror experience, although some have noted minor graphical glitches and performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to run smoothly on various hardware while still delivering impressive graphics that contribute significantly to the gameplay experience.
- “Amazing graphics for 2014 and it works smoothly on my crappy laptop.”
- “The graphics are stunning, capturing the beauty and danger of the wild with equal precision.”
- “The forest offers an immersive survival experience with stunning visuals and a haunting atmosphere, effectively capturing the tension of being stranded on a dangerous island.”
- “Creepy game with a very steep learning curve, graphics are meh.”
- “The game has ugly graphics, the engine is wonky.”
- “The graphics are a bit dated, but overall makes a good impression.”
stability
4,296 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of "The Forest" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many noting that the game is riddled with bugs and glitches. While some players find these issues amusing and part of the game's charm, others express frustration over game-breaking glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is described as fun and engaging, especially when played with friends, but the persistent instability remains a notable drawback.
- “Liking this game so far, works with Proton on Linux and is much more than playable on the highest graphics, and the game itself isn't that buggy or anything.”
- “I give the developer props, because it's a well-optimized, polished, and fairly bug-free experience, especially considering it is an indie title.”
- “For being an early access game, The Forest runs great, looks great, and plays perfectly.”
- “The game is a buggy mess, and it even shows in their new game too.”
- “This game is a buggy, unfinished mess that they have ditched in order to work on the sequel instead.”
- “It's a buggy mess, I really don't understand why it has so many positive reviews.”
humor
2,444 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "The Forest" is a standout feature, particularly when played in multiplayer mode, where players often find themselves in hilarious situations involving glitches, unexpected enemy behavior, and absurd interactions. Many reviews highlight the comedic value of bugs, such as characters being launched into the air or cannibals behaving in unintentionally funny ways, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere despite the game's horror elements. Overall, players recommend experiencing the game with friends for the most entertaining and laugh-filled adventures.
- “Probably my favorite survival game of all time, it's also pretty funny in multiplayer so it's just worth it no matter if it's on sale or not.”
- “Was extremely funny in multiplayer until our walkie-talkies started sounding creepy every time we used them, a dead deer spawned inside our treehouse and skinning a bunny cursed us to be stuck under our house until we somehow glitched back out.”
- “The most unintentionally funny game ever, with friends this game creates the best moments ever.”
- “Good game but not funny when you die or jump scare because it's night time and scared.”
- “Unfunny when you play solo.”
- “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
atmosphere
2,352 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "The Forest" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively combining beautiful graphics with a sense of dread and isolation. Players frequently mention the game's ability to evoke fear through environmental storytelling, eerie sound design, and dynamic weather, creating a chilling experience, especially during nighttime and cave exploration. While some players note that the atmosphere can be diminished in multiplayer settings, the overall consensus is that the game excels in crafting a tense and engaging survival horror environment.
- “The environment is immersive, whether you're wandering through dense forests, exploring creepy caves, or just watching the sun dip below the horizon, the atmosphere is constantly pulling you in.”
- “The game's atmosphere is both beautiful and haunting.”
- “The atmosphere is immersive, with dense forests, eerie caves, and dynamic weather that bring the environment to life.”
- “The atmosphere itself was a relentless weight.”
- “The atmosphere is thick with dread, and the constant threat of the mutants will keep your heart pounding.”
- “The game's atmosphere is genuinely terrifying, with its dense forests and creepy underground tunnels creating a constant sense of dread.”
grinding
1,496 mentions
2 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
74 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. Players often feel that gathering resources, particularly for building and crafting, requires an unrealistic amount of effort, leading to frustration and boredom, especially in solo play. While some enjoy the grind as part of the survival experience, the consensus is that it can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, particularly when playing alone.
- “Awesome game, not too grindy, enjoyable story, and even more fun with friends.”
- “The advanced AI of the cannibals makes every playthrough something different, and the building is enough work to feel accomplished, but not too grindy.”
- “This is one of the few survival crafting games that not only make both survival exhilarating but also the crafting entertaining, but it also makes all of this not tedious to do effectively.”
- “Farming certain items can be tedious (feathers, sticks).”
- “The caves (the major points of progress) are so incredibly tedious and empty.”
- “The game is not fun, the game is bugged, the difficulty is based on grinding and bullshit (such as death of starvation within one day and ridiculous amount of resources to build anything, you can't use any leather to make a bed, it has to be rabbit leather (???)).”
optimization
1,121 mentions
35 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews from players. While some users report smooth performance and good optimization even on lower-end systems, many others highlight significant issues such as frame drops, stuttering, and poor VR performance. Overall, it appears that while the game has made strides in optimization, particularly since its early access days, it still requires further improvements to address the ongoing performance problems experienced by a substantial number of players.
- “The game is well optimized and even potatoes like mine can run it.”
- “Overall, the game runs smoothly and is well-optimized for most PCs.”
- “The graphics are amazing, and as long as you have a decent internet connection, it runs smoothly.”
- “Poorly optimized.”
- “The performance, AI, balancing, crafting, building, world and sound design need improvements but the game is really enjoyable even now.”
- “This game is really poorly optimized and also clunky and glitchy.”
music
820 mentions
25 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the atmospheric sound design that enhances the horror experience, while others lament the lack of a consistent soundtrack during gameplay. The occasional use of cassette tapes provides nostalgic 80s tracks that players enjoy, but some feel that more background music would improve the overall experience. Overall, the sparse musical elements contribute to a tense and immersive environment, effectively heightening the sense of isolation and suspense.
- “The music also works wonders for atmosphere and suspense and ties in great with the overall survival feeling and good animations.”
- “The sound design is equally impressive, amplifying the tension with unsettling noises and atmospheric music.”
- “The feeling of isolation is heightened by the haunting soundtrack and ambient sounds, making every moment in the forest a nerve-wracking experience.”
- “This doesn't have a soundtrack; there's no music at all, except when you find a walkman.”
- “The absence of a traditional musical score adds to the sense of isolation and vulnerability, enhancing the game's horror elements.”
- “The lack of background music makes the game less exciting; the silence will tire you over time.”
replayability
801 mentions
39 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The replayability of "The Forest" is a mixed bag among players. While many praise its high replay value due to various playstyles, multiple endings, and the fun of cooperative gameplay, others note that the static map and predictable item locations diminish long-term replayability. Overall, the game is often described as more enjoyable with friends, but some players feel it loses its appeal after completing the story.
- “The game encourages replayability, as there are multiple ways to survive and many secrets to uncover.”
- “The story’s ending can change depending on the choices you make throughout the game, further enhancing the replay value.”
- “The forest offers a high degree of replayability due to its open-world nature and randomization of certain elements, such as cave layouts and enemy encounters.”
- “After you complete the story once, there's not much replayability in the game.”
- “It has basically zero replayability and gets repetitive fast.”
- “Once you explore and reach the end, there really is no replay value in my opinion.”
emotional
339 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a significant highlight, with many players expressing deep connections to the narrative, particularly the father-son relationship and the heart-wrenching moments that arise throughout the gameplay. While some reviews note a lack of emotional attachment to certain characters, the overall experience is described as an emotional rollercoaster, evoking feelings of sadness, nostalgia, and even fear, particularly during pivotal story moments. Players appreciate the blend of survival mechanics with a compelling storyline that leaves a lasting impact, making it a memorable experience.
- “The emotional weight of Doki Doki Literature Club is far more intense and profound than the empty carnage of hatred.”
- “The narrative unfolds at a perfect pace through exploration, discoveries, and journals, with a mix of mystery and emotional weight.”
- “The story is incredible - and emotional.”
- “Kinda boring storyline that attempts to be deep.”
- “Not fun at all... basic and boring story... not like in pictures and videos!”
- “Nice graphics, boring storyline crafting which will make you want to kill yourself.”
monetization
69 mentions
4 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
62 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the absence of microtransactions and cash grabs, while others criticize the presence of predatory practices in the industry. Many users appreciate the developers' commitment to delivering a complete product without resorting to in-game purchases, contrasting it with other titles that feel like cash grabs. Overall, the sentiment leans towards favoring games that prioritize player experience over monetization schemes.
- “Together, we shall weather the storm of microtransactions and loot boxes, standing tall against the tide of pay-to-win villains like noble knights in a digital crusade.”
- “Without question, the devs deserve a nod for 1) making it out of early access, 2) not resorting to predatory monetization (so far), 3) delivering a complete, competent product, and 4) accomplishing all this with a very small team.”
- “No microtransactions, fantastic adventure, good graphics, low price.”
- “I was able to excuse some of the gameplay glitches because it was a smaller dev team, but now that they are releasing a sequel, it's starting to feel more like a cash grab.”
- “Overall: boring, tedious, shallow, and was an early access cash grab which outlived its usefulness and is now a 'full game'.”
- “Most early access games are just cash grabs that get abandoned the moment they are put on Steam; this one is getting updates fairly often.”
character development
16 mentions
25 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the depth and emotional resonance it offers, while others criticize it as shallow and underdeveloped. Many reviews highlight the unique character designs and environmental storytelling, but note that meaningful progression and character growth can feel hindered by gameplay mechanics and a lack of narrative depth. Overall, while the game excels in creating an immersive atmosphere, it struggles to deliver consistent and impactful character development.
- “The story is amazing; it has a lot of character development, and I like how it is an action RPG that is open world and a horror at the same time.”
- “Extremely immersive scare factor game, tons of open worldness and freedom to do what you want with the option to pick up a linear story whenever you would like... massive character development and settlement building.”
- “I enjoy a good survival game, but most of them always fall flat when it comes to plot and character development, but The Forest has both along with a great building system.”
- “While the forest attempts to inject some narrative depth into the proceedings with environmental storytelling and scattered journal entries, the story ultimately feels shallow and underdeveloped, with little in the way of meaningful character development or emotional resonance.”
- “This makes the game super grindy - there are no safe plateaus for your character development as you progress through the game. If you get overwhelmed by a group of cannibals because the stealth mechanics are poor, then that's it; all your armor is gone, and you have to grind it out again from zero.”
- “My only complaint about the storyline is the lack of character development.”