Is The Forest Game Complete? A Deep Dive
Yes, The Forest is a complete game. While it launched in Early Access initially, it has since seen its full release and is considered a finished product. Endnight Games developed and released The Forest, which offers a compelling survival horror experience with a defined storyline and multiple endings. While the developers might consider future updates or sequels, the current version of The Forest stands as a complete and playable game with all of its core story elements in place.
Understanding The Forest’s Completion
The Forest tells the story of Eric LeBlanc, who is on a plane with his son, Timmy, when it crashes onto a mysterious, cannibal-inhabited peninsula. The game focuses on Eric’s desperate attempts to survive, explore the island, and ultimately rescue Timmy. The narrative unfolds as players delve into the island’s secrets, discovering research labs, underground caves, and the sinister purposes of the island’s inhabitants.
The game culminates in a pivotal choice that leads to two distinct endings. One ending involves activating an artifact, which inadvertently causes a plane to crash and is implied to be a sacrifice to revive Timmy. The other option allows players to shut the artifact down. Importantly, one ending allows you to continue playing while the other ends the main game. The “canon” ending, heavily suggested by Sons of the Forest, is generally accepted to be the one where Eric activates the artifact, leading to a post-game scene set one year later on a TV talk show where he discusses his experiences on the island.
Despite being a complete game, The Forest still holds a sense of mystery and allows players to speculate about the deeper lore, something that has carried over into the sequel. While the game offers a satisfying conclusion, the open-ended nature of some elements ensures that players will continue to discuss and debate the events of The Forest for years to come.
The Key Aspects That Indicate The Forest’s Completion:
- Defined Storyline: The main narrative has a beginning, middle, and a choice-based conclusion.
- Multiple Endings: The existence of two endings offers closure and replayability, making the game feel more complete.
- Gameplay Loop Completion: The survival mechanics, crafting, exploration, and enemy encounters are all fully functional and polished.
- Final Boss Encounter: The presence of a definitive final boss fight provides a climax to the gameplay experience.
- No Ongoing Plot Holes: While open for interpretation, the game does not leave the player with glaring narrative questions that remain unanswered.
The Forest: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How Long Does it Take to Finish The Forest?
The time it takes to finish The Forest depends on your play style. Focusing solely on the main objectives will take you approximately 15½ hours. However, if you’re aiming for 100% completion, which involves exploring all aspects of the game, you can expect to spend around 55 hours.
2. Can You Play The Forest After Beating It?
Yes, you can. The game offers two endings. The “alternate” ending allows you to continue playing after the main story is completed. The main ending will end the game upon completion.
3. Is The Forest a Horror Game?
Yes, The Forest is an open-world survival horror game. It combines elements of survival, crafting, and exploration with terrifying encounters with cannibalistic mutants.
4. How Many Endings Are in The Forest?
There are two endings in The Forest. One involves activating the artifact, causing a plane to crash and implied to be a sacrifice to revive Timmy, while the other involves shutting it down.
5. What is the “Bad” Ending in The Forest?
There is no inherently “bad” ending as both endings offer closure. However, players may find one ending more morally unsettling than the other. The ending where Eric activates the artifact, causing another plane to crash, is often seen as a darker choice.
6. What is the “Canon” Ending of The Forest?
Fans and the Sons of the Forest strongly suggest that the ending where Eric activates the artifact is the canon ending. This is supported by the subsequent events portrayed in Sons of the Forest.
7. Is The Forest Connected to Sons of The Forest?
Yes, they are connected. Sons of the Forest serves as a sequel to The Forest. While Sons of the Forest has a new protagonist, it is heavily implied the events and lore of The Forest influence the story of the sequel.
8. Is The Forest a Complete Game?
Yes, The Forest is considered a complete game despite its initial release in Early Access. It features a fully formed narrative, multiple endings, and all of its survival gameplay loop fully implemented.
9. Do I Need to Play The Forest Before Sons of The Forest?
While not strictly necessary, playing The Forest provides valuable context for Sons of the Forest. Although the new game has a new protagonist and plot, understanding the lore and underlying story elements from The Forest will greatly enrich your experience.
10. Does The Forest Have a Final Boss?
Yes, The Forest has a final boss. This boss is found deep within the research lab and is an amalgamation of limbs and flesh created from a child named Megan Cross.
11. Is The Forest Finished?
Yes, The Forest is finished. It has a full story and two main conclusions. The game was released out of Early Access with all features fully implemented.
12. What is Peaceful Mode in The Forest?
Peaceful mode essentially eliminates all the hostile creatures from the game, allowing you to explore and build without conflict. It removes enemy threats but the story is still completable. You will need to defeat the end boss for creative mode.
13. What Does the SOS Do in The Forest?
Building an SOS signal will cause a plane to spawn and fly over the player. This does not mean you will be rescued. These planes can randomly spawn in the game and are used as part of the story.
14. Do You Need Timmy’s Toy to Beat The Forest?
No, you do not need Timmy’s toy to beat The Forest. This item is just for collecting but does not influence the main plot line.
15. What Happens If You Don’t Leave at The End of Sons of The Forest?
In Sons of the Forest, if you choose not to board the helicopter at the end, you will remain on the island. This triggers the “Fight Demons” achievement and allows you to continue playing the game. This is considered the “bad” ending as it leaves you stranded.
Final Thoughts
The Forest, despite its challenging gameplay and unsettling atmosphere, is a complete and compelling survival horror experience. The game provides a defined storyline, multiple endings, and plenty of exploration. Its blend of survival, horror, and mystery makes it a noteworthy entry in the genre. With a satisfying conclusion to its narrative, The Forest stands as a finished game, leaving players with lasting impressions and plenty to discuss. While Sons of the Forest expands upon the lore, the original remains a crucial and complete chapter in the overall story.