Forest Reigns is a STALKER-style FPS in which Paris has been conquered by sentient trees

My initial reaction to Forest Reigns is a mix of excitement and letdown, anticipation and skepticism, following the release of the announcement trailer. As a lover of mysterious forests, or rather all forests, the idea of an FPS game set in a post-apocalyptic Paris taken over by angry, sentient trees intrigues me. The fact that it comes from a team led by a former S.T.A.L.K.E.R. developer adds to the appeal, as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. alumni have a reputation for creating immersive apocalyptic worlds. However, the trailer hints at gameplay where players mainly use the frenzied flora as cover and terrain traps, which raises some concerns.

The game portrays the forest as more than just a backdrop, describing it as a conscious entity with its own desires and intentions on the Steam page. Players can interact with the forest to uncover its mysteries, utilize it against enemies, or face its wrath based on their choices. However, these choices seem limited to either shooting or not shooting the trees, which doesn’t feel very mysterious or deep in terms of gameplay dynamics.

While there are hints of Gaia theory at play, actions like shooting glowy bits or luring plants to attack enemies resemble mechanics seen in other games like Far Cry. Despite this, there may be more depth to the interaction with the trees than what is shown in the gameplay overview. Hopefully, players will have a more meaningful relationship with the forest in the actual game.

Forest Reigns is not confirmed to be an open-world game but is advertised as non-linear and mission-based, with factions that players can collaborate or compete with to unlock different story outcomes. The game also features a crafting system and a variety of guns that can be modified and customized. It’s amusing to think that some of these guns may be made from wood, potentially causing further conflict with the sentient trees.

There is no release date for Forest Reigns yet. While awaiting further updates, here are some other tree-themed games to explore. Darkwood presents a dark and terrifying take on forests, making the trees in Forest Reigns appear tame in comparison. Witch Strandings offers a unique homage to Kojima’s style, while Roots Devour allows players to experience being a blood-drinking tree.