The Forest set itself apart from games like it with horror themes in the form of an island infested with cannibal tribes. My co-op playthrough began as uneventful, our group merrily froliking through the woods until strange figures started appearing—scouts, at first. It was impressive how it escalated from there, with more numbers and stronger enemies showing up later on.

Collecting various equipment from cave systems, we worked toward the end goal. Once the credits rolled, none of us felt the need to continue playing, the base building in itself not enough. Having a clear-cut ending definitely has its pros and cons in a survival game, and for this one, I don’t particularly consider it having replayability.