Environmentalism is only fun as long as trees don't want to hurt you, I guess.
VG Entertainment, led by Ruslan Didenko, a former developer of Stalker: Call of Pripyat, is set to release an innovative first-person shooter that’s poised to shake up the genre. Titled Forest Reigns, the game takes players to a post-apocalyptic Paris that hasn’t been ravaged by nuclear war or alien invasions, but by the inexorable might of nature itself.
Instead of a bombed-out wasteland, the French capital has become a sprawling, verdant labyrinth. Towering trees dominate the skyline, ivy smothers the iconic architecture, and the Eiffel Tower is nearly engulfed by an immense, twisted trunk. In this lush yet perilous environment, players will find themselves caught between survival and uncovering the mysteries of nature’s vengeance.
Nature Strikes Back: "The Forest is Your Ally and Enemy"
According to the game’s official website, the forest isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a sentient force with its own intelligence. “Five years after the forest emerged, civilization is no more,” the website states. “It isn’t just part of the environment – it’s a living intelligence with almost unlimited power that is deadly to those who harm it but curious to others.”
Players will have to decide how to engage with this sentient ecosystem. Will you fight back against its overwhelming force, risking its wrath? Or will you adapt and harness the forest’s bizarre powers to your advantage? The duality is a core aspect of gameplay and narrative.
Plants as Weapons: A Unique Twist on Combat
In the gameplay trailer revealed by IGN, Forest Reigns offers a glimpse of its groundbreaking combat system. Players wield high-tech firearms, but the forest itself can become an extension of their arsenal. The trailer showcases moments of ingenuity, where nature is both a threat and a tool.
One sequence shows the protagonist shooting a massive root, causing it to swell and provide instant cover. Glowing orange orbs sprouting from trees explode on impact, turning the foliage into an improvised incendiary weapon. Some enemies, like heavily armored boar-like creatures, can only be defeated by strategically deploying spores from nearby plants. Exploding fruit doubles as grenades, while tangling vines can ensnare enemy soldiers. The result is a dynamic combat experience that forces players to think creatively and use the environment to their advantage.
Hi guys! FINALLY, this time has come, and we are now ready to reveal our game to the world! https://t.co/MESxkMTCoy Check out the announcement trailer and wishlist the game on Steam to support us! #vgentertainment #forestreigns #fps #survival #forest #Paris #storydriven
— VG Entertainment (@vg_entertainmnt) January 14, 2025
Forest Reigns promises more than action-packed firefights. Players will navigate a non-linear story shaped by alliances with one of four factions, each vying for dominance in the overgrown ruins of Paris. These factions aren’t just window dressing; they come with unique weapons, gear, and ideologies that shape the outcome of the story.
“Enemies lurk everywhere – in the dense greenery, at rival faction bases, and they won’t hesitate to attack unless you find a way to cooperate,” the developers explain. Choices made throughout the game will ripple across its dynamic narrative, leading to multiple endings. Whether you align with a faction seeking to tame the forest, coexist with it, or destroy it altogether, every decision has weight.
A Reimagined Paris: Secrets Beneath the Green Canopy
The Paris of Forest Reigns is both haunting and beautiful. Iconic landmarks like Notre Dame, the Louvre, or Sacré-Cœur are almost unrecognizable, cloaked in vines and surrounded by untamed wilderness. But beneath the foliage lies a city brimming with secrets. Players will explore subterranean catacombs, abandoned metros, and hidden laboratories as they delve into the mystery of the forest’s origin.
“World-known landmarks in the aftermath of the green apocalypse offer a fresh yet familiar setting for your adventure,” the team notes. The juxtaposition of the city’s grandeur and its current state of decay creates a compelling atmosphere that is as much a character as the forest itself.
Survival, Crafting, and Customization
Survival in Forest Reigns means more than just staying alive; it’s about adapting to an unpredictable world. Resources are scarce, and crafting plays a crucial role in outfitting players for the challenges ahead. Whether they're stealthily scavenging abandoned buildings or engaging in all-out firefights, players will need to craft tools and upgrades to survive.
The game’s weapons system offers deep customization, with attachments and enhancements that cater to a wide range of play styles. “Whether you prefer the chaos of a bullet storm or the precision of a long-range shot, Forest Reigns delivers it all,” promises VG Entertainment.
In a market filled with post-apocalyptic shooters, Forest Reigns sets itself apart by flipping the script. It trades barren wastelands for lush forests, and mindless enemies for a thinking, reactive ecosystem. With its emergent gameplay, a gripping non-linear story, and a stunning reimagining of Paris, the game challenges players to rethink survival and combat in a world where nature has taken over.
As the release looms, Forest Reigns is shaping up to be a must-play title for fans of atmospheric shooters and dynamic storytelling. Paris may never be the same, but one thing is clear: nature is not just a backdrop – it’s the ultimate antagonist.