Nature's Grudge: Surviving the Cannibals in Sons Of The Forest
Embrace the overgrowth and the screamers in your quest for survival and sanity.
Early Access Review
last updated Nov 21, 2023
Sons Of The Forest sets the bar for cooperative survival horror sims that's as sticky as the blood of your adversaries.
Thriving Through Throes
From the get-go, Sons Of The Forest hits you like a shovel to the face (hint, you'll need that shovel) with its merciless survival gauntlet. If your idea of a good time is babysitting your vitals while fending off toothy natives in an unforgiving woodland rave, you're in for a treat. Crafting and building feel as intuitive as using chopsticks to eat your noodles—with the added bonus of being swarmed by enthusiastic cannibals eager to taste-test your architecture. And oh, the gameplay loop caters to both the lone wolves and the party pack, handling solo or co-op with a finesse that will make you forget you're fighting for your virtual life.
Symphony of Screams
If your ears were seeking refuge from the chaos, tough luck—this auditory experience is as immersive as it gets. Every rustle, growl, and distant war-cry ramps up the tension, making you wish you’d invested in a muted, cannibal-free island getaway instead of this auditory hellscape. The music crescendos with impeccable timing, enhancing those oh-so-joyous moments of horror and exultation. It’s less of a soundtrack and more of a horror concerto, with every scream tuned to perfection.
Dissecting the Aesthetics
Ah, the graphics—you know, the ones that intermittently glitch out like a possessed modern art piece. When they're not doing the monster mash, the beautifully rendered environment and character models are an absolute feast for the eyes. Even on their bad days, the visuals make you want to stare in awe, right up until you get mugged by an angry forest dweller. Performance-wise, let's just say a beefier rig would stave off the impending sense of doom brought on by unexpected frame drops, especially when those sweet, sweet textures decide to have a dance-off.
The Devil in the Details
Every minor hiccup—from fussy inventory management to the mutant combat tango—gets lumped together in a love-it or hate-it relationship. Sons Of The Forest might have a few edges rougher than your average castaway's unshaven chin, but hey, who needs smooth sailing when you've got combat that feels like you're wrestling with the idea of love itself? Not everything makes the cut from its predecessor, and you can bet your last Molotov that the community is waiting with bated breath for every promised slice of 'The Forest' nostalgia.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer
Endnight Games Ltd
Publisher
Newnight
Early Accesss Release Date
February 23, 2023
The Verdict
Sons Of The Forest sets the bar for cooperative survival horror sims that's as sticky as the blood of your adversaries. Despite its minor woes and sometimes bewildering enemy engagements, it's clear that the developers have a machete-sharp vision that cuts through the underbrush to deliver an experience that keeps you salivating for more. Navigating its world brims with visceral excitement and terror that's honestly hard to beat. It's not just a game; it's an invitation to test your mettle against the wilderness—and all its toothy residents.
