The Forest

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. PlayStation Universe
    Nov 25, 2018
    95
    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.
  2. COGconnected
    Nov 20, 2018
    85
    In a genre that is filled to the brim with many different titles all competing to be the best, The Forest certainly sets itself apart. It’s hard and terrifying but also rewarding in its own right. Each death taught me a new lesson. There’s a ton of customization and crafting to be done, and the areas that can be explored are very well made. The best part of this is that there is no single right way to play as you can tackle the game’s happenings in any way you want. Anyone who likes crafting, survival and possibly being eaten by cannibals (or eating the cannibals) should definitely give this game a whirl.
  3. Impulsegamer
    Dec 11, 2018
    82
    The Forest is a true test for anyone playing. Thank goodness Eric is supplied with a guide book showing home how to effect craft, and show him just what is needed in the wilderness. Pay heed to this book as it is going to save your skin over and over again. I would contend that there are so many challenges in this title that gamers who do complete through to platinum (on PS4) can and should brag about it. It will be no small feat.
  5. Push Square
    Nov 15, 2018
    80
    An eerie open world filled with deadly AI enemies elevates The Forest above a good number of survival horror experiences out there. Don't let the lack of story and minor repetition turn you off this atmospheric title.
  6. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Nov 15, 2018
    75
    The survival genre is so crowded that there’s little ground left to break, but The Forest has done it.
  7. Vandal
    Nov 23, 2018
    73
    The Forest is a very good surviving game, although now some of its mechanics feel a little bit updated. However, this PS4 version is a great way to enjoy one of our favorite survival games.
  8. Metro GameCentral
    Nov 14, 2018
    70
    A brutal, albeit familiar, survival game that’s thoughtfully designed and elegantly refined, and as a result easily the best game of its type on PlayStation 4.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Best PS4 Game of 2018
86
#86 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 109
  3. Negative: 18 out of 109
  1. Windlight
    Nov 11, 2018
    9
    This game is hard but well worth the effort, there isn’t a better survival game on PS4. The amount of things to build, craft, defend against,This game is hard but well worth the effort, there isn’t a better survival game on PS4. The amount of things to build, craft, defend against, are enough to keep anyone busy.… Full Review »
  2. MarkStevens
    Nov 14, 2018
    10
    Fun game. Excellent developer that doesn't bleed the customer dry. Good performance on the base PlayStation 4. Nice price.
  3. maes1890
    Nov 16, 2018
    8
    It was a long wait, and a game that was oft described as being stuck in "development purgatory," for years. However, now that it's finallyIt was a long wait, and a game that was oft described as being stuck in "development purgatory," for years. However, now that it's finally been released I can say that it was worth the wait. This is a shining example of a game where the developers took the time to actually see their full vision come to fruition, rather than just prematurely release it to sate impatient fans.

    The Forest is a white-knuckled survival horror that features gameplay depth, stunning aesthetic, and a strong story, all while sending chills down your spine. You play as a plane crash survivor on a remote peninsula filled with cannibals and strange mutants. Your two goals are to survive and to find your missing son, Timmy.

    The actual gameplay involves four basic gameplay mechanics: 1) hunting and gathering to maintain your hunger and thirst stats; 2) building a shelter and defenses to keep safe from enemies and have a place to save and sleep through the night; 3) combat, to fight off the hordes of enemies; and 4) exploration, to find better equipment and clues that help you to find Timmy, and learn the lore of the peninsula.

    Each mechanic adds a new, unique layer of depth to the gameplay, and all of them are well-conceived, exciting, and rewarding to partake in. This game does have a few issues. The difficulty is not well balanced, particularly for beginners; there are structured enemy patrol routes, which lead to some problems with enemies bombarding certain areas way too often; and there are some technical issues related to enemy/animal spawning, and a few related things. However, these do little to overshadow the strong, and memorable gaming experience that comes from the Forest.

    Final Score: 8.4/10    … Full Review »
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