The Cursed Forest

Horror games can be beautiful. They most definitely can and to serve as a good example for this we have The Cursed Forest. It’s an indie game that uses the CryEngine 3 to almost its full potential and honesty, it’s one of the best looking horror games you will find. And on top of all that, it’s free.

CryEngine is a force to be reckoned with in the gaming world when it comes to quality and The Cursed Forest is testimony to exactly that. From the first few steps into the game, you can’t but sink your eyes into the superb environment.

It’s not just that the graphics of the game are off the charts when it compared to other indie titles, the placement of each rock, tree, plant, bush, piece of wood and so on, every single element looks like anything but randomized. Walking around feels as if someone actually took the time to piece together the perfect place for a horror story.

The softness of the light, the unsettling mist, snapping twigs and cracking branches, creaking trees and everything else, it all creates a place that feels very real, and that makes you feel very uneasy.

This game seems flawless until you start piecing together the story. It’s not bad, but it’s not original either, however, with a setting like the one in The Cursed Forest, any cliche can almost be forgiven.

In short, it’s about finding the bones of a child’s body that was used to perform an unholy ritual which set loose a creature from the darkest corners of pure darkness. Throughout the game you will feel it breathing down your neck, crawling into your mind and setting free a fear that numbs your senses.

Making your way through the sinister forest constantly pressured by the presence of evil you yourself start to feel like you're not a human being anymore, you’re just a weird form of...something.

The Cursed Forest is wonderful on all levels but it’s incomplete. Atmosphere-wise, it needs very little if anything at all but for everything else, there’s room for improvement. The game runs smooth, fluid even but here and there, some animations or effects slightly backfire.

However, the great news is that a remake of the game is in development and it looks fantastic. It has been greenlit by the Steam community and soon enough you will be able to enjoy this gem. Follow up on development by visiting the The Cursed Forest Greenlight page.