Review · Action · PC · PlayStation 4
The Forest
Reviewed: 30 Apr 2026
PC · PlayStation 4
Endnight Games · 2018
Ludograph rating
A
Recommended
73 /100
The Forest is a survival game that builds problem solving and strategic thinking in a hostile environment, with high levels of violence and horror.
Growth (BDS)
62
Risk (RIS)
12
Daily limit
–
Age guidance
17+
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.76 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.43 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.55 | |
The Forest offers significant cognitive benefits through its demanding survival mechanics, requiring players to constantly problem-solve, strategize, and adapt to a dynamic and hostile environment. It also fosters emotional regulation as players navigate fear and stress.
Design risks
| R1 | Compulsion-loop pressure | 0.27 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.00 | |
The game features high levels of violence and horror content, including cannibalism and grotesque mutations, which may be disturbing for some players. While not designed with manipulative monetization or social mechanics, the open-ended survival can lead to extended play sessions.
Content (not in risk score)
| R4.1 | Violence Level | 1.00 | |
| R4.2 | Sexual Content | 0.33 | |
| R4.3 | Language | 0.33 | |
| R4.4 | Substance References | 0.33 | |
| R4.5 | Fear / Horror | 1.00 | |
Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.
Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria
- DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
- GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
- ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.
These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.