Introduction:

The Forest is a survival horror game developed and published by Endnight Games. The game was released in 2018 and has since gained a cult following among fans of the genre. Set on a remote island, the game follows the story of a survivor who must explore the island, gather resources, and build shelters to survive against the cannibalistic mutants that inhabit the island. While the game has its strengths, it also falls short in many areas, as we will discuss in this review.

Graphics:

The graphics of The Forest are a mixed bag. On the one hand, the game’s environment design is impressive, with lush forests, beautiful beaches, and eerie caves. The lighting effects are also excellent, with dynamic day and night cycles and a range of weather conditions that add to the game’s immersion. However, the character models and animations are underwhelming. The mutants lack detail and can look comical at times, breaking the immersion. The player character’s animations are also stiff and lack the fluidity that we have come to expect from modern games.

Gameplay:

The gameplay of The Forest is where the game’s flaws become apparent. While the game offers a vast open-world to explore, there is little to do beyond the primary survival mechanics. The game’s crafting and building systems are underdeveloped and can become tedious quickly. The game lacks variety in its survival mechanics, which can make the gameplay feel repetitive and dull. The game’s AI is also problematic, with mutants often behaving erratically and not providing a significant challenge to the player.

The game’s combat system is clunky and unsatisfying. The game’s weapons lack impact, and the mutants can take a lot of hits before going down. The game’s stealth mechanics are also underwhelming, with little incentive to use them beyond the early game. Overall, the gameplay of The Forest feels like a missed opportunity, with a lack of depth and variety.

Story and Characters:

The story of The Forest is underdeveloped and lacks coherence. The game’s narrative is delivered through scattered notes and documents, which can be difficult to follow. While the game’s premise of surviving against cannibalistic mutants on a remote island is interesting, the story fails to deliver a compelling narrative. The game’s characters are also one-dimensional, with little development or backstory.

Furthermore, the game’s handling of sensitive topics, such as mental illness and suicide, is problematic. The game’s use of mental illness as a plot device is insensitive and can be triggering for some players. The game’s depiction of suicide is also problematic, with a lack of sensitivity and understanding of the issue.

Sound and Music:

The sound and music of The Forest are one of the game’s strengths. The game’s sound design is excellent, with a range of ambient sounds that add to the game’s immersion. The game’s music is also impressive, with a haunting soundtrack that sets the tone for the game’s eerie atmosphere.

Conclusion:

Overall, while The Forest has its strengths, it falls short in many areas. The game’s underdeveloped gameplay, clunky combat, and lackluster story make it hard to recommend to anyone but the most dedicated fans of the genre. The game’s handling of sensitive topics is also problematic and can be triggering for some players. While the game’s sound and music are impressive, they are not enough to salvage the game’s other shortcomings. As such, I can only give The Forest a score of 3 out of 10.