Is There an Easy Mode in Sons of the Forest? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: Yes, sort of. Sons of the Forest doesn’t explicitly label a difficulty setting as “Easy Mode,” but it does offer a Peaceful Mode, which effectively functions as an easier way to experience the game. This mode drastically reduces the challenges typically associated with survival horror games, allowing players to focus on exploration, building, and unraveling the game’s narrative without the constant threat of aggressive enemies. Let’s delve into what this means, and explore other related aspects of the game’s difficulty.
Understanding Peaceful Mode
What Does Peaceful Mode Actually Do?
Peaceful Mode in Sons of the Forest is a game setting selectable when starting a new game. When activated, it removes all cannibals and mutant enemies from the game. This means you will not be harassed by the usual hordes of creatures that typically roam the island, and you are free to explore, build, and gather resources without constantly looking over your shoulder. While this mode removes significant threats, it does not make the game completely devoid of challenges. You will still need to manage your survival by finding food and water, crafting tools, and exploring potentially dangerous caves.
Caveats of Peaceful Mode
While Peaceful Mode eliminates hostile humanoid enemies, it is crucial to note that some threats remain. Environmental dangers, such as falling and wildlife hazards will still exist. It’s also worth mentioning that certain elements of the game world will still present challenges. The caves, though devoid of cannibals, can still be dangerous and maze-like.
Choosing Peaceful Mode
To play in Peaceful Mode, you must select it when you start a new game. Unlike some other games, you cannot change the difficulty mid-game, so be certain you understand the implications of this choice before you begin your adventure in the forests. When starting a new game, simply select the difficulty option to Peaceful Mode, and your gameplay will be adjusted appropriately.
Other Difficulty Considerations
While Peaceful Mode offers a significant shift from the default experience, there are other factors that influence the difficulty of Sons of the Forest. Let’s explore these.
Hard Survival Mode
For players seeking a more intense survival experience, Sons of the Forest also provides a Hard Survival Mode. This mode enhances the challenges of the game in several ways. It reduces food spawns in crates, lowers fish and animal spawns, and decreases the health and stamina regeneration speeds when the player is cold. Eating raw or rotten meat comes with a more significant penalty. These changes make survival considerably more difficult, forcing players to carefully manage their resources and be mindful of their health and environment.
Multiplayer and Difficulty Scaling
Sons of the Forest supports multiplayer, allowing you to team up with friends to tackle the game’s challenges. However, the game’s difficulty does not scale automatically based on the number of players. Instead, having more players can indirectly increase the number of enemies that appear faster. This is because multiple players may be perceived as a more significant threat.
Why Sons of the Forest Feels Hard
The game is known for being challenging, especially for solo players. A common complaint is being relentlessly attacked by numerous cannibals, especially when trying to explore or build bases. This overwhelming sense of being outnumbered contributes to the game’s reputation as a tough experience.
How to Adjust Difficulty Through Server Settings
For those playing on a dedicated server, it is possible to change the difficulty settings. Here’s how to do it:
Changing Server Difficulty
- Access your server control panel through your provider.
- Stop your server before making changes.
- Navigate to the configuration files, often labeled as “Config Files.”
- Open the server settings file, typically called “The Forest Server Settings.”
- You’ll find a difficulty field with a dropdown menu. Select your desired difficulty from this menu.
- It’s crucial to select a new save slot when changing the difficulty. Changing difficulties requires the creation of a new world in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of difficulty and gameplay in Sons of the Forest:
1. Can I change the difficulty once I’ve started playing?
No, you cannot change the difficulty mid-game. If you wish to switch between Peaceful, Normal, and Hard modes, you will need to start a new game.
2. Is Sons of the Forest easier than The Forest?
Sons of the Forest offers a different experience than The Forest, but it’s not necessarily easier. It often features more complex systems and more intense enemy encounters, which makes it feel more challenging to many players.
3. Does Sons of the Forest have friendly NPCs?
Yes, Sons of the Forest includes companions who are friendly NPCs that you can recruit to help you complete tasks, fight enemies, or gather resources. One of the well-known companion is Virginia, a three-armed mutant that can aid you in battles.
4. Is Sons of the Forest optimized for different graphics settings?
Sons of the Forest is a graphically demanding game, and it’s most demanding when played at 4K. Some players may experience performance issues, so adjusting graphics settings might be necessary for smoother gameplay.
5. Can I get different endings in Sons of the Forest?
Yes, there are three possible endings: the bad, the good, and the secret ending. Achieving different endings requires you to complete specific game objectives and make certain choices.
6. Do items respawn in Sons of the Forest?
Yes, items in Sons of the Forest do respawn, including special weapons. Respawns typically occur when you close and reopen the game, which results in the world resetting.
7. What is the easiest gun to find in Sons of the Forest?
The pistol is generally the easiest firearm to find. It’s a basic option but can be useful at longer ranges.
8. Is Sons of the Forest better than The Forest?
Sons of the Forest is an evolution of The Forest, offering brand new features and a different survival horror experience. Whether it’s “better” is subjective, depending on player preferences, but it’s generally a more complex and technically advanced game.
9. What does the “realistic” option mean in Sons of the Forest?
The “realistic” option in Sons of the Forest means you take less damage and also do less damage when fighting. This can create a very difficult experience for new players.
10. Can I use a controller instead of a mouse and keyboard?
Yes, you can use a controller to play Sons of the Forest. While some may prefer the accuracy of a mouse, using a controller doesn’t put you at a significant disadvantage.
11. What arm do I need to open the gold door?
To open the gold door, you need the golden armor. This requires you to complete certain steps in the story and explore specific areas.
12. Is Sons of the Forest playable solo?
Yes, Sons of the Forest is playable solo, but it can be more challenging due to the large numbers of enemies, especially in caves.
13. Is Sons of the Forest more scary than The Forest?
Many players find Sons of the Forest significantly scarier than its predecessor, due to its more horrifying enemy designs and intense atmosphere.
14. Can you befriend mutants in Sons of the Forest?
Yes, some mutants like Virginia can become companions, helping you in fights and gathering resources.
15. Can cannibals be peaceful with you?
Outside of using the Peaceful Mode, cannibals are not friendly and will attack you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Sons of the Forest doesn’t have an explicit “Easy Mode,” its Peaceful Mode offers a way to significantly reduce the game’s difficulty. It’s important to remember that you cannot change the difficulty once you begin your playthrough. Understanding this setting and others, such as Hard Survival Mode, allows you to tailor your experience to your preferences. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed exploration game or a more intense survival challenge, Sons of the Forest provides options. Hopefully this helps you determine how you want to approach the game and enhance your overall enjoyment.