The Forest Cathedral
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| The Forest Cathedral | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Brian Wilson |
| Publisher(s) | Whitethorn Games |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series, PlayStation 5 |
| Release | Windows, Xbox Series
|
| Genre(s) | Adventure, Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | |
The Forest Cathedral is a 2023 video game created by independent developer Brian Wilson and published by Whitethorn Games. The game is an adventure-puzzle game inspired by the work of environmentalist Rachel Carson. Upon release, the game received mixed reviews from critics, and was nominated for a Nuovo Award at the 2024 Independent Games Festival.
Gameplay
[edit]The Forest Cathedral is a three-dimensional adventure exploration game in which the player, as Rachel Carson, undertaking field research on Science Island by using tools that scan the ecosystem. Revealing anomalies using these tools requires the player to solve two-dimensional puzzles.[1]
Development
[edit]The Forest Cathedral was created by solo developer Brian Spring, based in Erie, Pennsylvania.[2] Spring was inspired to create the game as a reimagining of Silent Spring, a book by environmentalist Rachel Carson about her studies on the impacts of the pesticide DDT on the ecosystem.[3][1]
Reception
[edit]| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| The Guardian |   [4] |
| Softpedia | [5] |
The Forest Cathedral received mixed reviews from critics.[6] Writing for Softpedia, Andrei Dumitrescu praised the "ambitious" graphics and the importance of the game's narrative in drawing attenton to Carson's work, but felt it did not "fully work as a video game" due to anachronisms in its narrative and platforming elements that did not make sense in the context of the game.[5] Edwin Evans-Thirlwell for The Guardian considered the game to feel "forced" in its message and feature "dissatisfying" voice acting, although finding the "shock and dislocation" of its themes to have merit as a horror game.[4] Describing the game as "disjointed, unfocused and maddening", Brandon Chinn of SUPERJUMP considered the game's puzzles to be "alarmingly frustrating" and aspects of the narrative to be "starkly off-putting" and "antagonistic to the player.[7]
Accolades
[edit]The Forest Cathedral was nominated for a Nuovo Award at the Independent Games Festival in 2024.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Serin, Kaan (28 February 2023). "Environmental thriller The Forest Cathedral is based on real-life scientist Rachel Carson's pesticide study". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Whitethorn Games". Whitethorn Games. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ Lawardorn, Damien (7 December 2022). "Graveless Promises an ARPG Nightmare, Plus 4 More Indie Games to Watch This Week". Escapist. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ a b Evans-Thirlwell, Evan (24 March 2023). "The Forest Cathedral review – an unnaturally intense ecological puzzle game". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ a b Dumitrescu, Andrei (20 March 2023). "The Forest Cathedral Review (PC)". Softpedia. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Aron, Jacob (5 April 2023). "The Forest Cathedral review: Can Silent Spring work as a game?". New Scientist. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Chinn, Brandon (27 February 2024). "The Forest Cathedral Review". SUPERJUMP. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Castle, Katharine (21 March 2024). "Venba wins IGF Grand Prize for 2024". Rock Paper Shotgun.
- ^ Lee, Jess (22 March 2024). "Venba wins Grand Prize at the 2024 Independent Games Festival Awards". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 October 2024.