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The Forest Gameplay Video
The Forest Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | Unity |
| Developer | Endnight Games Ltd |
| Publisher | Endnight Games Ltd |
| Release Date | April 30, 2018 (1.0 Release) |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, PC VR |
The Forest System Requirements
1080p
tune Minimum – Low/Medium Preset, 1080p (30-60 FPS Target)
tune Recommended – High/Max Preset, 1080p (60+ FPS Target)
1440p
tune Enthusiast – Max Preset, 1440p (60+ FPS Target)
2160p
tune Ultra – Max Preset, 4K (60 FPS Target) / VR Mode
Hardware Below These Requirements?
Play The Forest on Boosteroid Cloud Gaming in 1080p or 4K 60FPS on any PC, Mac, or phone with zero hardware upgrades.
The Forest Laptop Recommendations
cloud 1080p / 4K 60FPS
flash_on Zero Install / Storage
devices Any Laptop or Phone
Instant Access
memory Intel Core i5-11400H
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 55W
storage 8GB DDR4-3200MHz
US $749
Model: ASUS TUF Gaming F15 with RTX 2050 and Intel i5
memory CPU: Intel Core i5-11400H (Score: 499)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 (Score: 5130) @ 55W TGP
storage RAM: 8GB DDR4-3200MHz
save Storage: 512GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory Intel Core i7-12700H
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 140W
storage 32GB DDR4-3200MHz
US $1349
Model: MSI Pulse GL66 with RTX 3070 and i7 12th Gen
memory CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H (Score: 900)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (Score: 6600) @ 140W TGP
storage RAM: 32GB DDR4-3200MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory Intel Core i9-13900H
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 140W
storage 16GB DDR5-5200MHz
US $999
Model: Acer Nitro V with RTX 4060 and i9 13th Gen
memory CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H (Score: 1058)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Score: 6700) @ 140W TGP
storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-5200MHz
save Storage: 512GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory Intel Core i9-14900HX
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 140W
storage 32GB DDR5-5600MHz
US $1749
Model: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (i9-14900HX, RTX 4060)
memory CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX (Score: 1200)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (Score: 6700) @ 140W TGP
storage RAM: 32GB DDR5-5600MHz
save Storage: 2000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory Intel Core i9-12900H
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 150W
storage 16GB DDR5-4800MHz
US $1397
Model: Asus Rog Strix Scar 15 with RTX 3070 Ti and i9 12th Gen
memory CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H (Score: 1030)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (Score: 7100) @ 150W TGP
storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-4800MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory Intel Core i5-12450H
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 75W
storage 16GB DDR4-3200MHz
US $645
Model: HP Victus 15 with RTX 3050 and i5 12th Gen
memory CPU: Intel Core i5-12450H (Score: 628)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (Score: 7220) @ 75W TGP
storage RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory Intel Core i5-12500H
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 80W
storage 16GB DDR4-3200MHz
US $710
Model: Acer Nitro 5 with RTX 3050 Ti and i5 12th Gen
memory CPU: Intel Core i5-12500H (Score: 633)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (Score: 7220) @ 80W TGP
storage RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200MHz
save Storage: 512GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 75W
storage 32GB DDR5-4800MHz
US $799
Model: ASUS TUF A15 with RTX 3050 and Ryzen 7
memory CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS (Score: 1655)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 (Score: 7220) @ 75W TGP
storage RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory AMD Ryzen 7 6800H
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 140W
storage 16GB DDR5-4800MHz
US $1299
Model: ASUS ROG Strix G15 with RTX 3060 and Ryzen 7
memory CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 6800H (Score: 880)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (Score: 7448) @ 140W TGP
storage RAM: 16GB DDR5-4800MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
memory AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS
developer_board NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 100W
storage 16GB DDR4-3200MHz
US $1489
Model: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 Ultra with RTX 3080 and Ryzen 9
memory CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (Score: 820)
developer_board GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (Score: 7904) @ 100W TGP
storage RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200MHz
save Storage: 1000GB NVMe
desktop_windows Display: 2560 x 1440 (QHD)
Meets criteria for tier: 1080p - Minimum (Low/Medium Preset, 1080p).
-
Core Requirements
- desktop_windowsOperating System: Windows 7
Official minimum OS requirement. A 64-bit OS is highly recommended to manage the memory limits of large save files.
- memoryDirectX: Version 9.0
DirectX 9.0 is the official minimum, offering extremely broad hardware compatibility for older machines.
- save_altStorage Note: 5 GB available space
The official space requirement. An SSD is recommended to speed up the initial load time, which can be notoriously long when loading into a Day 100+ save file.
settings_applications Optimization Notes:
Upscaling: Does not natively support modern upscaling like DLSS or FSR, but given the extremely low baseline requirements, raw rasterization power on modern GPUs is more than sufficient.
Key Settings: Shadow Quality and Draw Distance heavily impact performance in dense forest areas. Lowering volumetric lighting inside the deep cave networks can provide a steady FPS boost.
The Forest: Map Size and Regions
The Forest: Post-Launch Content / DLC
The Forest: Skills & Upgrades Overview
The Forest: Game Editions
The Forest: Cross-Platform / Crossplay
The Forest: Top 5 Weapons (Subjective/Iconic)
Rank #1
'Modern Axe', hidden deep in a cannibal cave; it is the best all-around tool for felling massive trees quickly and dealing heavy melee damage.
'Katana', a fast
swinging blade found impaled in a dead Yakuza passenger, excellent for stunlocking multiple standard cannibals.
Rank #3
'Crafted Bow', the essential ranged survival tool, capable of delivering silent headshots to deer and enemies using crafted or flaming arrows.
Rank #4
'Flare Gun', a repurposed emergency tool that is devastatingly effective for igniting large mutant bosses.
Rank #5
'Rusty Axe', required for its ability to block 100% of incoming physical damage when used defensively.
The Forest: Specific Game Elements
Explore in-depth equipment, cast, combat mechanics, and world collectibles documented for The Forest:
The Forest Weapons
A basic survival tool made from a stick, cloth, and rope. Crucial for silently hunting game and landing instant-kill headshots on distant cannibals.
Located in Cave 1 on the body of a Yakuza passenger. It strikes incredibly fast and uses minimal stamina, perfect for stunlocking unarmored enemies.
Found deep in the cave systems, it has the highest tree-chopping efficiency and deals massive blocking and physical damage against cannibals.
The Forest Vehicles
A massive, drivable raft that requires significant lumber. Players can build beds, fires, and storage racks on top of it, essentially turning it into an unsinkable, mobile fortress.
An essential player-crafted vehicle made of sticks. It allows the transport of up to 12 heavy logs at once, making base building significantly faster.
The Forest Animals / Creatures
Role: A skittish source of food and deer skin, which is required to craft the essential waterskin and warm suits for surviving the snowy mountains.
Role: Commonly found near rivers and forests, they provide meat and, crucially, lizard skin, which acts as the player's basic stealth armor.
Role: Found spawning on the beaches. Slaying them drops a Turtle Shell, which is absolutely vital for constructing rain catchers for clean drinking water or used as a sled.
The Forest Characters
Antagonist
A former Sahara Therapeutics researcher driven mad by grief, desperately using the island's ancient artifacts and sacrificing children to revive his daughter.
Protagonist
A TV survivalist and father who must utilize all of his written knowledge to survive the brutal ecosystem and rescue his son.
Final Boss
The tragic daughter of Dr. Cross, whose resurrection via the Obelisk went horribly wrong, mutating her into a terrifying, multi-limbed monstrosity.
workspace_premium Top 3 Characters
Rank #1
'Eric LeBlanc', the playable protagonist; an author and survivalist whose written knowledge is represented by the in-game Survival Guide.
Rank #2
'Timmy', Eric's kidnapped son whose fate drives the entire narrative thrust of descending into the caves.
'Dr. Matthew Cross (The Red Man)', the mysterious, paint
covered scientist responsible for kidnapping Timmy and operating the Resurrection Obelisk artifact.
The Forest Missions / Objectives
Objective: A self-imposed early game mission: chop trees to build a Hunting Shelter, establish a drying rack for food, and construct defensive walls before the cannibals escalate their attacks.
Objective: Venture into the pitch-black subterranean networks to find the Rebreather and Climbing Axe, fighting through dense packs of blind mutants in the dark.
Objective: Use the keycard to enter the pristine, high-tech laboratory hidden beneath the sinkhole, uncover the lore of the Obelisk, and defeat the mutated Megan Cross.
workspace_premium Top 3 Missions/Objectives
Rank #1
'Establish a Defensible Base', requiring players to secure a water source, build walls, and set up Deadfall Traps before the cannibals become aggressive.
'Explore the Cave Network', an extended mid
game goal of delving underground to secure essential tools like the Rebreather, Climbing Axe, and Keycard.
Rank #3
'Enter the Sinkhole and Find Timmy', the final narrative push into the Sahara Therapeutics lab hidden deep below the island to confront the ultimate mutant boss.
The Forest Companions / Summons
Ability: The game allows for up to 8 players in a session. Teammates can share resources, split building labor, and coordinate attacks using the walkie-talkie item.
The Forest Collectibles
Location/Use: Hidden tracks (like 'Rick Astley' inspired synth-pop) that can be played on a portable cassette player to restore sanity and energy while working.
Location/Use: Found on the bodies of dead researchers, these are strictly required to open the high-tech bunker doors at the bottom of the Sinkhole.
Location/Use: A multi-part collectible hidden deep within various terrifying caves. Combining all the pieces builds a toy robot that Eric keeps as a reminder of his objective.
workspace_premium Top 3 Collectibles
Rank #1
are 'Timmy's Toy Parts', hidden throughout various subterranean caves. Collecting all the pieces allows the player to construct a complete toy robot that connects to the narrative.
Rank #2
are 'Cassette Tapes', which can be found alongside a walkman, allowing players to listen to 80s-style synth tracks while chopping trees.
are 'Camcorder Tapes', tragic found
footage recordings scattered near dead bodies that provide visual lore regarding the Sahara Therapeutics scientists and the initial mutant outbreak.
The Forest Armor
Focus/Stats: Crafted by burning cannibal bodies and combining the resulting bones with cloth. It provides high physical defense and is the standard mid-game protection.
Focus/Stats: The highest tier of armor in the game. It is harvested by literally skinning the horrifying, multi-limbed boss mutants (like the Armsy or Virginia) and provides massive damage reduction.
Focus/Stats: The most basic armor tier. Simply slapping dead lizard skin on your arms provides minimal physical defense but significantly increases your stealth camouflage.
The Forest Clothing / Appearance
Options: Players can open scattered luggage across the island to find and instantly equip random civilian clothing, such as bathrobes, polo shirts, and stewardess uniforms.
Options: Not clothing, but paint found in buckets that players can smear on themselves. It causes the cannibals to fear the player and drop to their knees in worship.
Options: A crafted item requiring raccoon, boar, rabbit, and deer skins. Essential for completely negating the freezing damage when exploring the northern snow biomes.
The Forest: Other Features & Info
- labelMultiplayer ModesThe Forest features a wildly popular, seamless P2P online co-op mode. Up to 8 players on PC (and 4 on PS4) can join the same island to share the workload of surviving.Co-op drastically changes the game dynamic; while solo play is a terrifying psychological horror experience, multiplayer often devolves into hilarious, chaotic base-building sessions.Players can share resources via a metal tin tray, revive fallen teammates, and construct massive, sprawling log fortresses much faster than a solo player.
- labelUser InterfaceThe UI heavily favors immersion. The HUD displays minimal, circular meters in the bottom right corner indicating Health, Stamina, Hunger, Thirst, and Armor.The most iconic UI element is Eric's 'Survival Guide', a physical book he opens in-game.This book functions as the crafting and building menu, allowing players to place wireframe blueprints into the world (like cabins, traps, and fires) which must then be manually filled with physical logs, sticks, and rocks.
- labelSound and MusicSound design is the primary vehicle for fear in The Forest. The game operates largely without a continuous musical score, relying instead on the hyper-realistic sounds of nature.The quiet rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs constantly keeps players on edge.When danger approaches, the terrifying, guttural screeches and maniacal laughter of the cannibals echo through the trees, signaling an impending ambush.Inside the caves, the squelching footsteps of the massive mutants and dripping water create a profoundly oppressive auditory experience.
- labelGraphics and VisualsBuilt in Unity, the game features an incredibly lush, dense environment. The daytime forest is beautiful, with dynamic god rays breaking through the canopy and physics-based foliage that reacts to the player.As the dynamic day/night cycle shifts, pitch-black darkness envelops the island, forcing reliance on a dim plastic lighter or a constructed torch.The gore system is visceral, allowing players to dismember defeated cannibals and construct horrific effigies from their body parts to deter future attacks.
- labelAccessibility FeaturesThe game includes a 'Peaceful Mode' difficulty setting, which removes all cannibal and mutant enemies from the island, turning the game into a pure, relaxing wilderness survival and building simulator.Additionally, the game provides options to disable motion blur, adjust FOV, and toggle color grading filters (such as 'Texas' or 'Blockbuster') to change the game's visual tone and assist with visibility.
- labelStory and SettingThe game opens with the player, survivalist and author Eric LeBlanc, on a passenger flight with his son, Timmy. Suddenly, the plane is torn apart mid-air and crashes onto a mysterious, heavily forested peninsula.Barely conscious, Eric watches helplessly as a man covered in red paint kidnaps Timmy. From there, the narrative is entirely non-linear and player-driven.As you survive the elements and defend against tribes of cannibalistic mutants, you must explore an expansive, terrifying underground cave network.The caves reveal the dark truth of the island: an abandoned research facility operated by Sahara Therapeutics, the horrific origins of the multi-limbed 'Creepy Mutants' (like the Virginia and the Armsy), and the existence of an ancient, reality-bending artifact at the bottom of a massive sinkhole.
- labelTop 3 Mounts/CompanionsThere are no ridable animal mounts or NPC companions in this game, but functional equivalents include:looks_one Rank #1
Rank #1
'Log Sled', an essential, pushable cart constructed from sticks that allows the player to transport multiple heavy logs, rocks, and bodies across the map with ease.
looks_two Rank #2Rank #2
'Houseboat', a massive drivable raft that acts as a mobile, perfectly safe base on the water out of reach of the mutants.
looks_3 Rank #3Rank #3
are 'Multiplayer Teammates', your only true companions whose flashlights and axes are vital for surviving the deep caves.