Forager

Developer: HopFrog
Release: Apr 18th 2019
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Indie
Simulation
Addictive
Relaxing
Polished
Abandoned
Grindy
Forager Poster

" Addictive action-adventure indie sim with charming pixel art but abandoned and grind-heavy "

Forager Review

Forager is a pixel-art, top-down survival and crafting game that has captivated many players with its addictive and relaxing gameplay loop. Players start on a small island, gathering resources, unlocking new areas, and upgrading gear through a skill tree, which many find satisfying. The game is praised for its charming art style, smooth mechanics, and the ability to pass hours grinding and progressing.

However, a significant concern among the community is the game's abandonment by its developer, resulting in no recent updates, bug fixes, or quality-of-life improvements. This has led to frustrations with bugs, slow progression, and grinding that can feel tedious, especially in the late game. Despite these issues, Forager remains a beloved title for fans of crafting and resource management games, offering a cozy experience with a strong completionist appeal.

Highlights

Players particularly enjoy Forager's addictive and satisfying gameplay mechanics, including resource gathering, island expansion, and skill tree progression.

The pixel art style and charming visuals are frequently praised for their appeal and polish.

Many appreciate the game's relaxing and cozy atmosphere, making it a great title for unwinding and casual play sessions.

The game offers a rewarding sense of achievement for completionists and fans of grind-based progression.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game's abandoned status with no ongoing developer support, leading to persistent bugs and glitches.

Many players find the grind excessive and tedious, especially in the late game where waiting times for resources and crafting become frustrating.

Progression pacing is often described as slow, particularly early on due to resource scarcity.

Some players note a lack of meaningful automation, complexity, or storyline, which reduces long-term engagement.

Technical issues such as frame rate problems and compatibility concerns (e.g., on Steam Deck) were also mentioned.

Pros

  • Addictive and satisfying grind mechanics keep players engaged for hours.
  • Charming pixel art style with polished and appealing visuals.
  • Relaxing and cozy atmosphere suitable for casual play.
  • Skill tree progression adds meaningful player growth.
  • Wide range of content including island expansion and crafting.
  • Completionist-friendly with many achievements to pursue.
  • Smooth gameplay mechanics with simple controls.

Cons

  • Game is abandoned; no recent updates or bug fixes.
  • Excessive grind and waiting times reduce enjoyment.
  • Early game progression feels slow and tedious.
  • Bugs and glitches occasionally disrupt gameplay.
  • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative features.
  • Limited automation and complexity in gameplay systems.
  • Some technical issues on specific platforms like Steam Deck.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

The highly popular and quirky "idle game that you want to actively keep playing". Explore, craft, gather & manage resources, find secrets and build your base out of nothing! Buy land to explore and expand!

Release Date Apr 18th 2019
Publisher Humble Games
Developer HopFrog
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (12,945)
89% Positive 11% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
78