Forests provide some of the most atmospheric gaming locations that can be easily turned into spooky or magical places that are filled with wonder and imaginative creatures. Creators and gaming fans love the woods because they instantly create a special mood as well as memorable andimmersive settings in games.

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From horrorgamesto charming fantasy worlds players can explore new stories while playing and getting lost in some of thebiggest video game worlds. Thanks to these games fans can explore forests all around the world and even on alien planets while solving mysteries, fighting off scary monsters, and making new friendships with adorable spirits and cool alien species.

9The Forest

The Forestis one of the most grotesque and scariest survival horror video games set in a forest. This terrifying simulator can be played solo or in multiplayer mode, and it takes its players deep into a dangerous and mysterious part of a heavily forested peninsula. The game’s story follows Eric Leblanc who gets lost in this dark jungle after an airplane crash. While he’s searching for his son he realizes that he’s not alone and has to fight against cannibalistic mutants who inhabit the area.

The game has a dark story and since the violent fights are pretty graphic and gore it’s definitely a game for adult players. However,The Forestalso has a chilling and atmospheric environment in which players can freely move around to find ways to survive while exploring, hunting, building, and defending themselves from horrifying enemies.

cannibals in The Forest

8Shelter

Shelteris an impressive indie adventure that will help its players understand motherhood and the hardships of nature on a deeper level. The players will control a mom badger who has to feed and protect her cubs during their dangerous journey from their old burrow to a new home. The mom badger has to find ways to escape from predators, forest fires, and other dangers of the wild day and night while trying to feed herself and her cubs too.

Shelterhas beautiful music and an inventive art style that makes its setting feel both wonderfully strange and familiar. It’s an emotional journey, but its gameplay is quite easy which makes it a good choice for beginners and casual gamers too.

mother badger in Shelter

7Blair Witch

Blair Witchis one of the spookiest and most terrifyingunderrated horror gamesset in the woods. This psychological horror game was inspired by the Blair Witch lore, but players can experience a whole new story. It’s a story-driven adventure that players can experience from a first-person perspective which makes the gameplay more immersive and scarier.

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The story is set in Maryland’s Black Hills forest where the player steps into the shoes of a former police officer, Ellis, who joins the search party after a young boy goes missing. As Ellis journeys deeper into the woods his sanity starts to crumble and have to find a way to survive the witch’s curse and get out of the forest alive.

6Outer Wilds

Outer Wildsis one of the most impressive indie adventure games in which players can explore a fascinating open world set on an alien planet’s forest. It’s one of the most critically-acclaimedgames that let players take over planetswhile trying to solve the mysteries of the solar system.

The players will find themselves trapped in an endless time loop in outer space with hidden locations that change as time passes by. By uncovering secrets players can not only explore one of the most exciting gaming forests but also what’s hidden under the surface. With stunning graphics, a thrilling story, and incredible charactersOuter Wildsprovide unforgettable and feel-good gameplay.

Ellis and Bullet walking in the forest in Blair Witch

5A Short Hike

A Short Hikeis a relaxing and vibrant indie adventure video game in which players get to explore an open world filled with fun adventures. There are plenty ofawesome things to do inA Short Hikethanks to its simple but fun gameplay.

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The players' goal is to reach the summit of the mountain the get cellphone reception. During this joyful journey, players can choose to walk on marked trails or explore the unknown while discovering treasures and meeting other hikers. It’s an easy and peaceful game that lets players explore its rich world at their own pace.

4Firewatch

Firewatchis a melancholic indie first-person adventure game with one of the mosticonic firefighters in games. This gorgeous mystery game has a beautiful and emotional story and is set in the Wyoming wilderness. Thanks to its breathtaking scenery, clever writing, and soulful music it provides a gripping experience.

The players will get to control a fire lookout named Henry who’s dealing with isolation and is only able to communicate with one other person through a handheld radio. The real adventure and mystery start when Henry leaves the lookout tower and ventures into the forest.Firewatch’s world expands as players explore more, and its story changes as they make each new decision.

alien in Outer Wilds

3She And The Light Bearer

She and the Light Beareris one of the most whimsical and vibrant indie adventure visual novel games that’s set in a fairytale-like forest. It’s a joyful game with poems, calming acoustic folk music, and a magical world that’s filled with adorable creatures and secrets.

The players get to follow the journey of the Little Firefly as she goes on an adventure to find The Mother. During the adventure, players have to overcome challenges while solving creative riddles and puzzles while interacting with the charming characters of the forest.She and the Light Beareris one of the most relaxing video games set in the forest with joyful and relaxing gameplay.

forest in A Short Hike

2Walden, A Game

Walden, A Gameis a multi-award-winning masterpiece with one of the mostdetailed gaming environments. This indie adventure is not only an open-world game set in the woods but also an educational adventure in which players get to experience a life-changing story in first-person. The main character is based on American philosopher Henry David Thoreau’s life and is brilliantly voiced by Emile Hirsch.

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The story is about Henry’s experiences after he moved to Walden Pond and started to build his cabin there. Thanks to the game’s exploratory narrative, gorgeous graphics, rhapsodic music, and intuitive gameplay players can experience what it’s like to become fully self-reliant while dealing with a variety of personal and social crises.

1The Pathless

The Pathlessis one of the most visually stunning video games that takes its players on an epic adventure inspired by mythology. Players will control the character called The Hunter, a master archer, who has to travel through a mystical island and save the world from a dark curse.

Fans get to explore a detailed and beautiful environment and have to overcome various challenges and help The Hunter bond with her eagle companion before it’s too late. While the gameplay is challenging it’s always entertaining and enjoyable thanks to the game’s engaging story, stunning graphics, imaginative characters, and music that makes the gaming experience truly immersive and fun for casual gamers too.

sunset in the forest in Firewatch

Little Firefly in She and the Light Bearer

animal in the forest in Walden, A Game

archer and eagle in The Pathless