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

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 315,228 reviews

story11,767 positive mentions

stability7,015 negative mentions

story
27,843 mentions
42 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story in "The Forest" is a compelling mix of survival horror and environmental storytelling, where players uncover the narrative through exploration and discovery of clues scattered throughout the game world. While some players find the story engaging and emotionally impactful, others feel it can be vague or overshadowed by the survival mechanics, leading to a varied reception regarding its depth and coherence. Overall, the game offers a unique experience that allows players to choose between focusing on the story or enjoying the sandbox survival elements, making it a versatile title for different playstyles.
- “I absolutely adore this game; everything about it is so nice from the twisting storyline to the funny glitches.”
- “The story is told through environmental storytelling, scattered notes, and cryptic messages, allowing players to piece together the narrative at their own pace.”
- “The story is very interesting, finding clues to the lost making exploration a very important aspect of the game as well.”
- “Never gave a flying feces about the story; they kept adding stuff to it until a cringe finale after 6 years.”
- “The story is very well thought out and executed, but the pacing is slow and the game doesn't hold your hand.”
- “The story is a bit barebones, and the aiming is a bit clunky, but it's part of the survival aspect.”
gameplay
14,377 mentions
45 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Forest" is characterized by a blend of survival mechanics, crafting, and exploration, set against a backdrop of horror elements. Players engage in resource gathering, base building, and combat against cannibalistic enemies, with many praising the game's immersive atmosphere and dynamic AI. However, some players have noted issues with clunky mechanics, bugs, and a repetitive gameplay loop, particularly in solo play, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game remains popular for its engaging multiplayer experience and the depth of its survival systems.
- “The gameplay is fun and engaging, the probably holds the most polished of the survival genre.”
- “The building mechanics are great, and the gameplay is challenging, especially on hard survival mode.”
- “The gameplay revolves around survival mechanics such as gathering resources, building shelters, hunting for food, and defending against hostile mutant creatures.”
- “After three nights of solid gameplay, our progress was wiped on the fourth day due to awful server save management.”
- “The farming mechanics are also painfully boring, making resource gathering feel tedious rather than rewarding.”
- “The gameplay is bad, crafting and building are awful, and playing solo is literally impossible.”
graphics
13,693 mentions
62 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Forest" have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere, particularly considering the game's indie origins and relatively small file size. Many players highlight the game's ability to run smoothly on a variety of systems, even at lower settings, while still delivering a visually appealing experience. However, some users note that the graphics can appear dated or inconsistent at times, with occasional bugs and glitches detracting from the overall aesthetic.
- “9/10: stunning visuals and beautiful art.”
- “The graphics are fabulous in keeping your immersion as well.”
- “The graphics are amazing, and as long as you have a decent internet connection, it runs smoothly.”
- “Immersion ruined by clunky, janky combat and mechanics filled with glitches, pretty mediocre graphics and lighting, shallow and monotonous survival and base building aspects.”
- “Instead I got a game where the graphics look ehh, the player models are terrible, the gravity/ragdoll is really flawed and unrealistic, you can glitch and go flying up in the air 80 blocks.”
- “Unfortunately, the poor visuals (especially when compared to 'sons of the forest') and the absence of many quality of life features made it difficult for me to get into the game.”
stability
7,243 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of "The Forest" has been a significant point of discussion among players, with many noting that the game is still quite buggy, particularly in its multiplayer mode. While some glitches are humorous and add to the fun, others can be frustrating and game-breaking, such as issues with saving, AI behavior, and building mechanics. Overall, players acknowledge that while the game has improved over time, it remains in a somewhat unstable state, especially for those who are sensitive to bugs and glitches.
- “The graphics are amazing and the game runs great on older PCs.”
- “For being an early access game, the forest runs great, looks great, and plays perfectly.”
- “Surprisingly bug free for an open world survival game.”
- “Immersion ruined by clunky, janky combat and mechanics filled with glitches, pretty mediocre graphics and lighting, shallow and monotonous survival and base building aspects.”
- “Definitely worth getting if you don't care about the glitches such as the log sled flying into the air, or rafts flying into the air, or mutants walking into water and flying into the air.”
- “I can't recommend this game because of its buggy, clearly unfinished state.”
atmosphere
3,887 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "The Forest" is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively blending elements of horror and survival. Players are captivated by the game's detailed environments, dynamic weather, and haunting sound design, which together create a constant sense of dread and tension, especially during nighttime and in caves. Despite some technical issues, the overall atmospheric experience is considered one of the game's strongest features, drawing players into its eerie world and enhancing the survival gameplay.
- “The detailed environment and spooky atmosphere draw you into the game world, and the crafting system allows for a great deal of creativity.”
- “The atmosphere is heavy and immersive, and you can often feel oppressed in the early stages of the game (in a good way).”
- “The game's atmosphere is genuinely terrifying, with its dense forests and creepy underground tunnels creating a constant sense of dread.”
- “The atmosphere is thick with dread, and the constant threat of the mutants will keep your heart pounding.”
- “The atmosphere, sound design and world are all fantastic and the base building gives you plenty of options to do what you would like with custom builds, however it is very hard to work with and makes doing anything accurately incredibly difficult, lining things up is a pain in the arse as you will find they are out of place only after you have built them and have to constantly reload, as for building stairs, well they are fucking shite.”
humor
3,762 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in "The Forest" is a standout feature, with players frequently noting the game's ability to blend terrifying moments with laugh-out-loud scenarios, especially when played with friends. Many reviews highlight the amusing glitches and bugs, which often lead to unexpected and hilarious situations, such as characters flying through the air or cannibals getting stuck in odd animations. Overall, the game is described as both scary and funny, making it a memorable experience that thrives on cooperative play and shared laughter.
- “I absolutely adore this game everything about it is so nice from the twisting storyline to the funny glitches.”
- “Funny and disturbing at the same time.”
- “The forest also features a pool of funny bugs and exploits that, while sometimes frustrating, often lead to amusing and memorable moments.”
- “Unfunny when you play solo.”
- “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
- “Wow this is one scary game :) there are so many caves to explore and survive the mutant cannibals. It's not funny, that's if you can survive long enough to get to the caves in the first place (it's all possible). If you're interested in getting the crap scared out of you, then this game is for you.”
grinding
2,426 mentions
2 % positive mentions
22 % neutral mentions
76 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that resource gathering and building can become excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time for minimal rewards. While some players find the grind satisfying and integral to the survival experience, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially in single-player mode where the lack of cooperative support amplifies the grind. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game can be fun, it often demands a "second life" to manage the extensive grinding involved.
- “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.”
- “The farming mechanics are also painfully boring, making resource gathering feel tedious rather than rewarding.”
- “Collecting resources and crafting items also seemed tedious and monotonous.”
- “It is too much grinding for the same stuff over and over again.”
optimization
1,818 mentions
34 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users report smooth gameplay on higher-end rigs, others find the game poorly optimized overall, especially in multiplayer modes. Despite ongoing updates aimed at improving performance, many players still experience bugs and technical hiccups that detract from the overall experience.
- “The game is well optimized for an open world game, and the gameplay is quite enjoyable if you are looking for survival or building or just the story.”
- “It is definitely well optimized, runs well, has crafting mechanics that work, and an interesting inventory management.”
- “The forest is an amazing survival game without many bugs or issues performance is good and again as a survival game it is probably the best out there.”
- “Terribly optimized.”
- “The performance is absolutely abysmal.”
- “It's also crazy that it came out so long ago and they still never fixed all the bugs and optimization issues.”
music
1,378 mentions
25 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the sparse use of a soundtrack that enhances the immersive and eerie atmosphere, particularly during tense moments. While some enjoy the haunting melodies and the occasional cassette tapes that provide nostalgic 80s tunes, others feel the lack of a consistent musical score detracts from the overall experience, leaving moments of silence that can feel tedious. Overall, the sound design is praised for its effectiveness in creating tension and enhancing the horror elements of the game.
- “As soon as you start the game and hear that masterpiece of music in the main menu, it's indescribable.”
- “The feeling of isolation is heightened by the haunting soundtrack and ambient sounds, making every moment in the forest a nerve-wracking experience.”
- “Not only is this game's atmosphere terrifying with a constant feeling of paranoia and claustrophobia, the most overwhelming feeling in terms of atmosphere is isolation and loneliness, which is beautifully aided by the soundtrack by the underrated Gabe Castro and his beautiful work with synth.”
- “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 means every footstep in the caves and ambient sounds of lightning in the distance keep you on edge in the dark.”
replayability
1,292 mentions
38 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its potential for varied playstyles, multiplayer options, and multiple endings, leading to high replay value. However, some critics note that once the main story is completed, the lack of randomization and repetitive gameplay can diminish the overall replayability, making it less engaging for subsequent playthroughs. Overall, while it offers enjoyable experiences, especially in co-op mode, the replay value may not sustain long-term interest for all players.
- “The replay value is high, with a vast world that supports multiple playstyles and multiplayer options, inviting players to explore, build, and survive with friends.”
- “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.”
- “This cooperative play allows for creative base-building and collaborative strategies to overcome the island's threats, significantly elevating the game's replay value and overall experience.”
- “After you completed 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
528 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players expressing deep emotional responses, particularly during pivotal moments like the story's climax and the protagonist's quest to rescue his son. While some found the narrative compelling and heart-wrenching, others criticized it for lacking depth and meaningful character development. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from nostalgia and vulnerability to fear and heartbreak, making it a memorable experience for many players.
- “Made me cry on the second night, worth buying.”
- “The game's story is engaging and emotional, with multiple endings depending on your choices and actions.”
- “The story is incredible - and emotional.”
- “Kinda boring story line that attempts to be deep.”
- “Nice graphics, boring storyline crafting which will make you want to kill yourself.”
- “Poor performance and boring story....”
monetization
112 mentions
3 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
70 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users expressing concerns about microtransactions and labeling the game as a potential cash grab. While some players appreciate the absence of predatory monetization practices and commend the developers for delivering a complete product, others remain skeptical, citing past experiences with early access titles that often fail to meet expectations. Overall, the sentiment reflects a cautious optimism, with a call for transparency and genuine engagement from developers.
- “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 at all.”
- “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'.”
- “It gets boring real quick. I think that this is going to be another cash grab as you can't even do the basic of saving your game—the hours of work lost because the dev couldn't even be bothered to do the simple task of adding that feature without screwing it up.”
character development
28 mentions
21 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its depth and integration into the open-world survival mechanics, while others criticize it as shallow and lacking emotional resonance. Many reviews highlight the unique character designs and environmental storytelling, but also note that significant character progression is often tied to repetitive gameplay elements, such as resource gathering through combat. Overall, while there are moments of strong character development, many players feel it could be improved with more narrative depth and lore.
- “The story is amazing; it has a lot of character development, and I like how it is like 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.”