The Forever Winter

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 12,402 reviews
  • gameplay
  • optimization
  • story
The Forever Winter Game Cover
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In "The Forever Winter", survive in a post-apocalyptic world covered in eternal winter, where massive war machines dominate the landscape. Engage in dynamic encounters with intelligent enemies, using strategy, stealth, and firepower to endure. Loot, adapt, and navigate the power struggle between two superpowers in this grim, ecologically-devastated future.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 12,402 reviews
gameplay1,012 positive mentions
optimization609 negative mentions
  • gameplay4,813 mentions

    The gameplay of "Forever Winter" has received mixed reviews, primarily due to its controversial water mechanic, which depletes in real-time and can lead to significant loss of progress if players do not log in regularly. While many players find the core gameplay loop engaging and the atmosphere immersive, they express frustration over clunky movement mechanics, inconsistent AI behavior, and the punishing nature of the water system, which some feel detracts from the overall experience. Despite these issues, there is a consensus that the game has strong potential, with hopes for improvements as it continues to develop in early access.

    • “The gameplay is deeper than it appears at first - I think the difficulty is fair currently.”
    • “Very solid game for those who are willing to play smart and learn the mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay loop is engaging and does a great job of getting you back into play after a raid, downtime between raids for me is less than 5 minutes, especially if I died the previous run where most of that time is spent selling loot.”
    • “The water mechanic is a terrible mechanic that does little for the actual game but artificially inflate play time and keep players feeling like they have no choice but to keep going or lose everything they've stored.”
    • “The water mechanic is a predatory mechanic that punishes players for not playing regularly, and it feels like a mobile game mechanic in a PC game.”
    • “The water mechanic is a harsh punishment for casual players, making it difficult for those with real-life commitments to enjoy the game without the constant pressure of logging in.”
  • optimization2,254 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from users, with many describing it as "horribly optimized" and "unplayable" even on high-end hardware. Players report significant performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and frequent crashes, which detract from the overall experience. While some acknowledge that the game is in early access and improvements are expected, the current state of optimization is a major barrier for many potential players.

    • “Despite some bugs and performance issues (something to be expected with early access), I thoroughly enjoyed the core gameplay loop.”
    • “The game is very fun when you get past the terrible performance and sometimes janky AI.”
    • “The developers released the game early for the sole purpose of getting feedback from the community, and optimization was a given from the beginning.”
    • “First of all, this game's optimization is basically non-existent.”
    • “The game is unoptimized and unplayable due to numerous bugs.”
    • “Optimization is poor (expected), animations are rough, occasional bugs that cause you to fail a run or something else of the sort.”
  • story1,909 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the atmospheric world-building and the grimdark setting, they note that the narrative is currently minimal, with quests often feeling repetitive and lacking depth. Players express a desire for more lore and character development, as well as clearer quest objectives to enhance immersion and engagement in the storyline. Overall, the foundation for a compelling narrative exists, but it requires further development and refinement to fully realize its potential.

    • “The atmosphere, the story, the characters and immersion are all top-notch, but the gameplay is seriously a huge let-down.”
    • “The quests are varied and usually fun/flexible in the way you could approach completing them.”
    • “The environmental storytelling is phenomenal.”
    • “The story is bare bones at the moment, however what is there tells a story like no other.”
    • “The quests are mostly fetch, kill, or collect x amount of items quests without much depth to them.”
    • “The quests literally give you water, you can find it in raids.”
  • graphics1,592 mentions

    The graphics of "Forever Winter" have received widespread praise for their stunning art style and immersive atmosphere, often described as a blend of grimdark aesthetics reminiscent of works by artists like Zdzisław Beksiński. However, many players have noted significant performance issues, with frequent stuttering and low frame rates even on high-end systems, leading to frustration. While the visuals are captivating, the game's optimization remains a critical concern, impacting overall gameplay experience.

    • “The visuals and the atmosphere are amazing.”
    • “The artwork in this game, as you will see everyone says and can see from footage, is phenomenal.”
    • “The visuals are stunning and dark.”
    • “The graphics are not very good, even on ultra settings if you look up at the sky it is always pixelated.”
    • “The game runs like absolute crap despite my pretty good rig, even in the hub area where there's only you, a few rooms and like 5 NPCs it lags so bad it's hilarious, on low graphics, let alone during a raid.”
    • “The graphics need adjusting.”
  • atmosphere1,477 mentions

    The atmosphere of "The Forever Winter" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing a grimdark, post-apocalyptic world filled with tension and danger. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, intricate level design, and atmospheric soundscapes that enhance the feeling of being a vulnerable scavenger amidst chaotic battles. Despite some gameplay and optimization issues, the game's atmosphere stands out as its strongest feature, drawing players into a unique and engaging experience.

    • “The atmosphere of every map pulls you in, the unique characters feel unique, and the devs themselves are showing genuine passion for their game.”
    • “The world is built well, the atmosphere is perfect, the visuals are good, the enemies are cool and well thought-out (and often quite terrifying).”
    • “The atmosphere is fantastic, the enemies are disconcerting.”
    • “The atmosphere is heavy and oppressive, the air full of despair and darkness, and you're a looter whose main objective is to... survive.”
    • “The atmosphere truly makes you feel like you are in one of the worst dystopian nightmares possible.”
    • “The atmosphere, level design, and set pieces are nothing short of spectacular, creating a unique world that feels both immersive and deeply engaging.”
  • stability809 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting a wide range of bugs, glitches, and performance issues typical of early access titles. Many users have experienced game-breaking crashes, erratic AI behavior, and frustrating mechanics such as enemy spawns occurring too close to the player. While some appreciate the potential and ongoing developer support, the consensus is that the game is currently too unstable for a full recommendation, especially for those seeking a polished experience.

    • “So far the game runs great, looks great, feels good to play, and its gameplay loop could keep you going alone.”
    • “The game runs great, and the multiplayer has been working excellently.”
    • “This game ticks a ton of boxes, even in early access it's pretty bug free and offers a lot of gameplay time.”
    • “The game is really unplayable. I constantly get black screens and freezes in and out of missions. I'm trying to like this game, but I'm more fighting the crashes than anything. Please fix these issues.”
    • “It's still very buggy but has an amazing atmosphere.”
    • “The game is buggy as hell, the AI is lifeless and extremely basic. The most exciting thing I noticed about the AI is how tanks will somersault across the map as they spawn in, visually it is somewhat impressive but horribly optimized.”
  • music573 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many players describing it as haunting, immersive, and perfectly fitting for the game's dark and gritty setting. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's dynamic nature, noting how it shifts to match the intensity of gameplay, creating a sense of urgency and tension. Overall, the music is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to the overall experience and immersion.

    • “The music and art style are great; I can’t wait to see what they have behind the scenes.”
    • “The soundtrack is both haunting and beautiful, perfectly capturing the game’s bleak yet hopeful tone.”
    • “The music subtly shifts with your progress, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments without ever feeling overpowering.”
    • “The music is irritating to me, it's not for me, I turned it completely off.”
    • “The music during missions overpowers everything else.”
    • “Music: 6/10 (lacking a library that fits the game's theme. Much of the music feels out of place for the emotional message that's being portrayed.)”
  • grinding168 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and punishing, particularly due to the water mechanic that requires constant farming to avoid losing progress. While some players appreciate the sense of achievement that comes from grinding, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially for those with limited playtime. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is a core element of the game, it can often feel more like a chore than a choice, leading to frustration among casual gamers.

    • “A one-of-a-kind, challenging (but not tedious), disturbing, and fun experience.”
    • “It's not too grindy because XP can be earned relatively easily, but having to reset always makes me a little sad lol.”
    • “As for the water mechanic, it's relatively easy to get water in the game. Playing for maybe 30-60 minutes and getting just 2 tanks of water will already set you up for 2 days. It's really not that grindy, though I agree there should be an option for players that have a life to turn it into in-game days or something of the sort, though it takes away the majority of the reason to be playing the game.”
    • “It feels extremely grindy and mind numbing at the same time.”
    • “Game all fun till you can't play for a couple of weeks and all your hard work and grinding is just gone like a waste of time trying to grind this game.”
    • “Imagine losing all of your progress and stuff because you stopped playing for a few weeks because you didn't feel like grinding water.”
  • monetization167 mentions

    The game's monetization strategy has been positively received, with developers promising no pay-to-win mechanics or aggressive microtransactions, which contrasts sharply with many contemporary titles. Players appreciate the commitment to ethical monetization practices and the assurance that future content will be free, fostering a sense of community support for the developers. However, concerns about the game's early access state and potential cash grab tendencies linger, as players hope for continued transparency and improvement in gameplay mechanics.

    • “Lastly, if the devs remain true to their word, this game will never contain pay-to-win microtransactions or paywall game mechanics.”
    • “Worth noting that the devs have said there will be no aggressive monetization and players will still be able to play the game even if all the servers close down and the studio goes under.”
    • “The devs are very proactive in their communication with players, have a strong vision for the game, and have drawn a line in the sand against in-game monetization that detracts from the core experience.”
    • “I feel like this mechanic is not hinted at well enough, leaving a lot of players frustrated as aiming down sights (ADS) without an optic is very difficult, especially in close-range engagements. If you find yourself in a lot of close-range situations, then you are playing the game against its design.”
    • “The devs have made their stance on greedy monetization practices clear; it's for the birds. However, one of the core 'metagame' mechanics they have implemented is 'daily login' bullshit, with you losing all progress if you don't log in in x days.”
    • “It feels like a cash grab, and I get deja vu from all the early access games that never get finished before the devs abandon them.”
  • humor158 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous bugs and glitches, such as tanks hilariously flying across the map or getting stuck in absurd positions, which often leads to amusing gameplay moments. Players find the combination of a grim setting with goofy enemy behavior and unexpected physics to be both entertaining and frustrating, creating a unique experience that is best enjoyed with friends. Overall, while the game has its share of performance issues, the comedic elements of its jankiness contribute to a fun and lighthearted atmosphere.

    • “Enemies look hilariously goofy and will often just slide past you humorously without reacting.”
    • “Watching tanks being flung across the map is utterly hilarious and makes my day every time.”
    • “It's kind of hilarious how overblown the water thing is.”
  • replayability69 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players find it enjoyable and engaging due to varied quests, character upgrades, and randomized enemy placements, others note that repetitive elements and bugs can diminish long-term interest. The potential for increased replay value exists, especially if developers address current issues and enhance gameplay mechanics. Many players express optimism for future updates, believing that the game could evolve into a more replayable experience.

    • “Replayability in this game has been pretty solid, with the different time cycles providing alternate states of the maps and enemies. It certainly adds enough variability to make multiple runs a varied and challenging prospect.”
    • “The quests are varied, fun, and replayable, allowing you to farm resources or test different strategies.”
    • “Tons of variety in the earliest stages of development increases replayability.”
    • “The issue is the loop becomes rinse and repeat after 4 to 8 hours; I don't see much long-term replay value.”
    • “Seeing the same items over and over defeats replay value.”
    • “Identical loot often seems to appear in exactly the same places run after run, while identical enemy compositions often appear in the same location, reducing replay value in maps that are surprisingly small and linear already.”
  • character development57 mentions

    Character development in the game is primarily focused on character design, which is widely praised for its vibrant, unique, and memorable aesthetics, drawing inspiration from post-apocalyptic manga and anime. However, many reviewers express disappointment in the lack of deeper narrative and character backstory, noting that character development feels minimal and is often conveyed through text dialogue rather than immersive storytelling. Overall, while the visual aspects of character design are celebrated, the narrative depth and character progression leave much to be desired.

    • “The character designs are phenomenal, the world creation is top notch, you really feel the chaos around you.”
    • “The art direction, map visuals, character design, overarching theme and dev team philosophy is absolutely astounding.”
    • “Visually this game is stunning, its atmosphere and character designs are incredible!”
    • “- lack of story, there's no character development or backstory, what little things you learn is through text dialogue or subtle hints in the level design.”
    • “- the character design of the starting character especially (old man) is utterly horrendous.”
    • “The character design is grotesque to say the least, and not in a fun horror grotesque way.”
  • emotional49 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its immersive storytelling and the protagonist's journey through a harsh, post-apocalyptic landscape, evoking feelings of hope, despair, and connection with other survivors. Players report a mix of intense emotions, from fear and powerlessness during combat to moments of warmth and humor, although some express frustration with gameplay mechanics that detract from the emotional experience. Overall, the game is praised for its potential to create deep emotional engagement, despite some technical issues that need addressing.

    • “I went into this expecting just another post-apocalyptic experience, but what I got was so much more – a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant journey through an endless, frozen landscape that feels as unforgiving as it is breathtaking.”
    • “The main protagonist’s journey is emotional, filled with moments of hope, despair, and unexpected bonds with other survivors.”
    • “Great game, happy to have supported and continue to, this is a game that actually made me feel some deep thoughts while locked into a desperate attempt at enough to survive!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
5-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 185 analyzed playthroughs

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