It started already with The Forest, my first survival game ever. I convinced both my daughters to tag along and play the game when it was released back in 2018. The youngest dropped out after the first day, said it was to creepy and scary when our base got attacked and destroyed. But we learned to never ever again; build in the middle of a forest surrounded by trees, which the mobs can climb up in.
I was surprised to see that I only have 54 hours of play time on The Forest, even though I finished and played through it, when I looked back at my game stats.
I had so much fun screaming, farming, running, dying, and laughing at the same time, which made me really look forward to the release of the upcoming Sons of The Forest by Endnight Games Ltd.
When the early access was announced, I was biting my nails and feeling a horror thrill.
The game
You start the game in a helicopter, crashing on an island where you must find your teammates who were with you in the aircraft. Accompanying you is a companion called Kelvin, who is helping you out with gathering resources, chopping trees etc. He can be an asset if it all goes as planned. However, be vary that he has his own way of thinking and can test your patience at times when he walks off or takes breaks when it fits.
Building a defensive base is crucial for your survival due to attacks from the islands not so friendly habitants. Along the way you will find clues and discover secrets about the island and what has happened there. You need to discover different caves to get specific items/weapons which can take you further and to advance within the game.
One of the things I have been missing in the game, if I must compare with The Forest, is a journal book where you can see “objectives” you need to finish and caves which you have visited and fully explored.
Along the gameplay you get to meet the island’s habitants, who are different types of mutants and cannibals with their own abilities and attacks, purely making your survival life a bit harder.
The main objective is to survive and find a way to get off the island, or is it? Not to spoil that much I will leave it here.
Crafting and building
I have played various games where I have not enjoyed the crafting system. But in Sons of the Forest, it has suited me perfectly.
As you can see on the pictures, the crafting book shows what you can craft, what materials are needed, and how to craft it!
I found the process of chopping trees, gathering logs, stones, sticks, and rocks enjoyable. Though at times I wished that I could have carried more logs or rocks at once, especially in the beginning of the game. You can craft a sledge later into the game that can be dragged around and is able to carry resources.
Not to mention that to this day, I still feel guilt for killing the poor turtles just to get their shells as a crafting component.
A big plus in the game is that the trees grow back over time if you don’t remove their stump. This makes you not have to run around the entire forest for materials, which makes your survival life easier.
When it comes to the building within the game, one of the things I have struggled with was building roof over bigger houses. It can be a bit dodgy, annoying, and challenging when you want to avoid having to many pillars inside the house. Many times, I had to tear down the walls, pillars, build them up again with support etc. It’s a learning curve but a fun one.
Inventory
I love the spacious overview you have of your inventory. It takes time though to know where things are being put, especially if they are on the sides and not visible when view is centered.
Starting with an empty bag, just containing an axe, a knife and GPS, and as you slowly advance through the game, filling your bag with items and offloading the rest on shelfs which you have crafted in your base. Picking herbs and making your own medicine, such as health and energy mixes, is not necessary but recommended if you run out of health pills.
Cannibals and mutants
Remembering Armsy and Virginia, who were mutants from The Forest, I was very excited and at the same time dreading for what will come in Sons of the Forest and to be honest, the game did not disappoint. Two of my favorite mutant mobs were Fingers and Slinky. There are many more mutants within the game but won’t mention them all, not to spoil the game to much if you haven’t played it yet. Surprises can be fun!
Conclusion
Today, more than a year after the game’s initial release and with over 360 hours gametime – I have to say that I just simply love the game. We have played different game modes, alone and with others, farming the achievements to get The Perfect Game score on Steam, and somehow, I still can’t get enough of it. I want more! I want the next game in the story!
If there would be one thing that I could add or change in the game, it would be the ability to choose the character I’m going to play instead of having a random one for every login. I really would have loved to customize my own char and pick its unique look.
I loved the journey through the early access which made me see and be part of the upgrades, improvements, and changes within the game.
Also, for releasing the final full version of the game Endnight Games Ltd, added additional alternative ending to the game, which added more achievements to get, and that what made me to come back and play it through once again.
If it was for the last time, remains to be seen.
If you like survival games, gather resources, building bases, fighting monsters, I can really recommend Sons of the Forest. So to get most of it, grab a friend to share the fun, because playing it solo was a bit boring to be honest. If you want to read more about our various gaming experiences, be sure to read the Palworld blog.
Say hi to Kelvin from me!