Curious about Forest Reigns? Wondering if it’s open-world, coming to consoles, single-player only, or has multiple endings? While our team is getting ready with a new deep dive video, we’ve answered some of these frequently asked questions in comments, social media posts, and interviews and are bringing everything together here for your convenience.
Feel free to reach out on social media if you don’t find what you’re looking for. We’re always happy to chat! :)
1. What inspired Forest Reigns?
Our passion has always been crafting story-driven single-player experiences, and Forest Reigns is a return to that vision. With this game, we aim to deliver a thrilling, visually stunning and engaging adventure.
We’ve always been fascinated by interactive environments, and our past projects included elements of that. With Forest Reigns, we wanted to take it further. Here, the forest is not just a setting. It’s something you can interact with, adapt to, and have fun with in combat.
2. Why Paris?
Paris offers a rich historical and cultural backdrop, making it an exciting setting for exploration and survival. Its unique architecture combined with the contrast between urban landscapes and the overgrown nature was the main reason for choosing it.
Also, Paris is a popular tourist destination, so many players who’ve been to the City of Light will recognize and compare the real places to our artistic interpretations. It’s pretty fascinating when you’re playing a video game and suddenly think: “Hey, I’ve been there!”
3. How does the forest shape gameplay?
The Forest is the central part of the game, its key character. It’s alive and intelligent, so the entire ecosystem responds to players’ actions.
If you trigger its aggression and lure enraged creatures toward your enemies, nature might do the fighting for you. But be careful: once the forest enters its aggressive state, you might become its next target!
4. Can players manipulate the forest?
Yes! Early in the game, harm will be one of the main triggers causing the Forest to respond.
Over time, players will unlock other methods: consumables, equipment choices, and decisions made during missions, and all of these can influence how the Forest reacts to humans and the player.
5. Where do mutated animals and plants come from?
Animals are an integral part of the Forest and they are imbued by it. If humans disrupt or harm the forest, it reacts, and the transformation of creatures is part of that response.
We’ll reveal more about the flora and fauna as development continues.
6. Are there factions? Can we join them? What are their names?
Absolutely! As mentioned in our announcement, Forest Reigns features multiple factions, each with a distinct vision for the future of humanity.
Their perspectives will revolve around their relationship with nature and other survivors. Your alliances with some of them will shape the story, granting access to resources, technology, and unique benefits.
We don’t reveal the names so far, cause we want you to discover them as you play. :)
7. Will we play a predefined character?
Yes, the protagonist has a set identity and backstory, deeply tied to the main narrative. However, your choices will shape the journey, relationships, and the final of the story.
8. How long will the game be?
We're not revealing all the details yet, but you can expect a few dozen hours of survival in the green apocalypse in Paris.
Considering the freedom to explore the world, the only limit here is how much time and effort you’re willing to spend uncovering every corner of the city.
9. How large is the map? Can we explore it entirely as an open world?
We’re not focused on the size of the map, but rather on creating a world that’s interesting to explore, where quality is over quantity. Details about the map will come later.
As for accessibility, almost the entire map will be open for exploration, except for a few story-restricted areas. However, some regions will require players to have better equipment.
10. Are there missions, side quests, survival, and RPG elements?
In terms of structure, it’s more classic for an RPG than for a shooter. There’s the main storyline and a large number of side missions.
The player can choose what to do and in what order to do it.
There will be free exploration, a perk system, side quests, and a branching storyline with multiple endings. Survival is also one of the key features: crafting, resource gathering, and strategic planning always matter. Players will need to manage gear, repair weapons, and adapt to various in-game situations.
11. What unique mechanics stand out?
Expect the unexpected! The interactive forest is our core feature – an intelligent, reactive environment that responds to your every move. Nature is your ally, your enemy, and a mystery to uncover.
12. Can we stealth through the whole game?
You’ll be able to use stealth if that’s your preferred approach, but relying solely on stealth to complete all the missions will be nearly impossible.
The best strategy is to mix different play styles, and we design missions to ensure varied gameplay. We don’t want to create another straightforward and linear game where you use only one style, repeat the same actions, and eventually get bored after just a few missions.
Soon we’ll share a deep dive video that will reveal different playthrough scenarios, but these are not the only options though.
13. How realistic is the shooting?
Gunplay is grounded, with attention to accuracy, recoil, and ammo management. But in Forest Reigns, survival matters just as much. Combat isn’t just about pulling the trigger. It’s about using the environment to stay alive.
14. Can we customize and upgrade weapons?
Yes! Weapons and gear will be fully customizable. You can upgrade them with the necessary materials or improvements you find. But be careful, gear deteriorates with every fight, so you’ll also need to repair it.
15. How does crafting work?
You’ll be able to craft weapons, medical supplies, and other items (which we’ll reveal later), as well as repair or upgrade your gear.
Materials can be gathered through purchases or looting, and special crafting stations will be used to transform these into useful things.
16. How deep are survival mechanics? Hunger, thirst, base-building?
Though there won’t be anything like hunger and thirst, resources will be scarce, and survival will require constant scavenging. Crafting is a key part of survival too. You’ll be able to craft weapons, medical supplies, and other useful items, as well as repair and upgrade your gear to avoid unexpected breakdowns.
Base-building isn’t part of the plan, but players will have access to faction settlements if they manage to keep good relationships with them.
17. Will there be a co-op mode?
Right now, we focus solely on creating a high-quality single-player FPS. We want to deliver an immersive, story-driven experience first and see how we could evolve it in the future, based on the players' preferences. Co-op playthrough could be one of such options.
18. What’s the focus of the graphics?
We use a "stylized realism" approach, balancing detailed environments with a slightly fictional touch for a unique, immersive world.
This approach is a deliberate artistic choice that shapes the vibe of the world. For example, just like in Dishonored, a world that is stylized yet gains a unique charm because of it.
19. What emotions do you want players to feel?
We hope players will think something like: "Wow, this is both impressive and fun!", however, completing missions flawlessly won’t always be easy. Adapting to the forest, using well-planned tactics, and making the most of traps and natural elements will be key to survival.
Beyond entertainment, we aim to spark thought-provoking discussions about science, ecology, and humanity’s relationship with nature. By experiencing the tension between civilization and nature, players may walk away with a deeper connection to nature and their awareness of its fragility.
20. Will there be French and Ukrainian voice-overs?
We currently have a preliminary set of languages on Steam. We're working on adding French and Ukrainian voice-overs, and even more!
21. Any plans for a collector’s edition?
That could be a good idea! We'll consider what makes sense in that regard closer to the release time. For the moment, we are fully focused on the game development.
22. Which platforms will it be on?
The game will also be released on PS 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
23. Which engine are you using?
We’re developing Forest Reigns on Unreal Engine 5 for a high-quality, immersive experience.
24. When’s the release date?
We don’t have a release date yet. We’re focused on quality first, and the development of the fascinating world for you to explore is our #1 priority.
Once we decide on a certain date, we’ll announce it on Steam, our website, and social media when we’re ready. Stay tuned!
25. Where can players stay updated on Forest Reigns?
We’ll be sharing all our updates through our official media channels. Kindly find links to our social media pages and a newsletter subscription form here on the official website.
Also, we’ll share the news on our Steam page. All new videos will be published on the Forest Reigns YouTube channel, so stay tuned for our new deep dive one, it’s coming soon! ;)