The Forest v0.04 - New Features

After a 3 week wait The Forest v0.04 has been released early. Version 4 contains a small collection of improvements such as AI behavioral changes, ambient lighting fixes and a new female enemy. I was expecting a bit more from this version but that said, there are a few items worthy of an update.

In particular the construction bench now heals the player when they sit on it. So in addition to the cassette player, we have another way to restore health for free. The increased damaged against cannibals is also a worthy change, and until now players had to seek refuge in mods to make the game a little easier.

In the mix is a collection of render improvements such as fancy cave water, better lighting for trees and rock textures. The inclusion of a female mutant is neither here nor there - it adds nothing to the game at this stage. The boobs may impress some gamers but it's not really a major addition.

The most disappointing part is that no new weapons or items have made it into v4, which after a 3 week wait is kind of sad. I was also hoping for a way to cancel buildings, a fixed houseboat and new area to explore but I guess the waiting continues for those.

V0.04 Changelog

New A.I. behaviour - mutants now go home to sleep during day rather than endlessly patrolling the forest looking for you.

Distorted mutants can now be killed with regular weapons - the ugly tentacle monsters can be killed with simple weapons such as stones.

Distorted mutants more aggressive and deadly in combat.

Better ambient lighting for trees and other large objects.

Pause menu now actually pauses game - that was an annoying bug if you wanted to pop out of the room for a minute.

Enemies will use rocks more often to jump attack at player.

New female enemy type added - she has breasts but not much else is different.

Better distribution of enemies throughout the world.

Constructed bench fixed - you can sit on it to regain energy or watch the sunset.

Increased axe damage against enemies - yes, at last a little easier to kill those mutants.

More variation to female cannibal models, added procedural breasts size system.

Improved Rabbit/Lizard distribution - it's less likely that they'll be clumped together now.

Improved sky and sun look.

Improved dead cave lighting and cave 2 lighting.

Better cave textures and rock look.

Dead cave prop fixes, fixed some incorrect rock placements.

Improved load times and added loading percentage amount.

Re-balanced hunger drain.

Better cave ground with flowing water and more detailed textures.

Enemies will now push small items out of the way instead of getting stuck on them.

Dead sharks now ragdoll - you can swim or hit them to push their bodies.