Recent reviews by cutie patootie ❤

So, before anything, please read this as a review based on this game being 1) an early access game (basing a review compared to a fully released game is both unfair and idiotic) and 2) this game is also subject to change anytime in the future (and has) in the course of it's early access timeframe.

Now, onto the actual review!

Firstly, the atmosphere of this game is the first aspect that got me wanting to play it when it first released for early access -- but of course I waited after a few updates since last year to actually crack at it. My friends, initially, were the ones that really wanted me to get into it because they're of course 1) my friends, and The Forever Winter is a co-op game by choice, and 2) they knew I like being an absolute rodent in gritty games based on looting, extracting, repeat.

The Forever Winter is as the title expresses; a cold, dark world that only cares for war, and if the little people die in the crossfire? Well, no one's keeping statistics anymore. So, the little people - the Scavs (you) - adjust to this Hell on Earth and go out and try to come back in one piece. If its at the cost of someone else... well, it is what it is, right?

Now, this sounds bleak as hell... but that is the setting, thus it must go to the gameplay. The concept of dying and losing all your loot sounds horrible, but its part of the frustration and challenge of the game. Not all is lost, however, since it's not permanent to lose your gear. You can reclaim it the moment you go back to the map you died in and follow the tombstone icon on your UI's Compass. (If you die by falling off the map, you can still collect your loot.) Or, if you've progressed in the game long enough, you can construct a Recovery Drone to collect your items where you died easier and instantly.

When I first started out, even during the tutorial, I didn't know what I was doing, and that's ok; I knew the basics of extraction shooter games, and tactical based shooters. I know how to crouch and move around enemies I wasn't prepared for, and if I was? I know how to aim for the head. Easier said than done of course, and people who aren't very good at aiming or only have the tactical awareness of a fire alarm... well... this game will certainly be a challenge for you! And that is a good thing.

In the current age of extraction shooter type games being very accessible to casual gamers, The Forever Winter is a breath of fresh air that challenges people to overcome frustrations and obstacles in this old niche - kind of like games that are meant to frustrate you like Dark Souls, or even GTFO (may it rest in peace), but the game also encourages you to overcome these things by just learning the maps, getting a feel for the gameplay, and so on.

Now, as an early access game: it is not polished at all. But, it's slowly getting there with each update.

- From 100+ Gigs for installation, down to about 40-50 gigs.
- Movement being improved with each test.
- Maps getting more fleshed out, and even being added to improve the exploration of the game.
- The water system is actually impressive, a huge improvement compared to it's first version.
- Animations being added and improved gradually overtime.
- Gameplay in general is being improved, tested, and the feedback is actively being heard.

Even as I say all this, this game still has much to improve - and since it's early access it will always improve, learn from mistakes, and fix bugs overtime. The online co-op community is also really nice and helpful, and even I'm someone you can ask for help if we ever cross paths in the Innards.

I recommend this game to people who have patience, and even people who have a bit of difficulty with patience. It is a very good game, and I enjoy the route that Fun Dog has taken to improve upon something that was bare bones as first. I enjoy watching this game I've grown to love grow and only improve in time.

To conclude this; again, this is an early access game. Things will change - some things will stay or leave entirely. If you're not ok with jank and quirky nature of Early Access games? Please do not get this game, or at least wait for patches that fix more bugs, issues, or give more polish to the game overall.

Hopefully I see you Scavs in The Forever Winter!

This game is fantastic, and it's visually amazing.

HOWEVER, for PC gamers like myself, it has a serious issue with poor optimization for PC for the moment. I already have about 8 hours in the game, so it's still playable, but... playing too long literally tanks my system, or some maps (Tokyo 2099) take a minute to load.

There has been talk of the devs working on a fix for this issue, so we know this will be resolved eventually, but right now for some PC users this game is a little unorthodox, which can be terrible for people getting into competitive games.

'til then, this review will remain, and once this issue is resolved I can give what this game truly deserves.

Still recommend it though!

The game is like playing in Mike Mignola's Hellboy comics. The controls are pretty simple, though the input for some of them have an odd delay that I got use to after 3 hours of playtime. I just finished the first objective (I like taking my time), and I spent most of it exploring the rooms and getting all the upgrades I can get.

As a gay, I do enjoy this gay game.