Forester

What’s the game? Atmospheric forest management game about rebuilding a neglected woodland estate, mastering the care of the land, and finding your place among its inhabitants. Plant, cut and cultivate trees, restore your homestead, and shape the life of the one who tends it. Who’s the game for? For those who dream of living far away from the hustle of civilization. For those who want to take pride in the trees they've grown. Who want to feel both thrilled and mournful whenever one of their great oaks must finally fall to the axe. For those who rejoice in seeing what was once old and broken brought back to life. For those who enjoy stepping into a character's shoes, making their own choices, and finding their own story through dozens of small narrative encounters. It's a casual, unhurried experience, with a gentle push forward but plenty of time to appreciate the smell of pine and the melody of the birbs. What makes it special? My previous project, Rubedo: The Occult Dawn, never made it into production. But it left me with a strong occult itch, one I now find myself scratching through the bite-sized stories and curious encounters scattered throughout Forester. Another distinguishing feature is the modest scale of each scenario. Just one forester, a single valley, and the ruins of a woodland lodge, being the only thing standing between him and the elements. The focus on the forester's identity, experiences, and decisions also sets the game apart from traditional management games. RPG elements, such as skill trees and character attributes, are there not simply to optimize production, but to deepen the experience of inhabiting this small world.