Forbidden Forest

The Good
The original Forbidden Forest, as I remember it, was a smarter version of the standard “run to the right” game. You couldn’t just run through the forest blasting everything in sight, you had to creep through and you had to draw back your bow and aim. And every so often, you’d dance.

Forbidden Forest (or Forbidden Forest III: The Adventure Continues) isn’t a sequel so much as a reimagining of the original Paul Norman classic. After picking either a summer or winter version, you are back in the Forest, but instead of a linear trek through the woods, you are now in the center of a 3D landscape—complete with day and night and weather effects. Hills rise above you, there seems to be a graveyard off in the distance, ruined homes litter the surroundings. The Forest is huge with all 100 levels (better described as missions) taking place in this one area.

While the ultimate goal is to collect 100 gold coins found floating around the Forest, you advance through levels by killing enemies. You explore the Forest in a third person view, but as you draw back your bow it zooms into the first person so you can target your foes. Some enemies, like the spiders and zombies just need one shot to kill. Others, like the giant snakes or specters require multiple shots aimed at the right area.

Other hunters are scattered around the landscape, but they just offer an opportunity to increase your score. You are better off looking for life potions and boots of speed.

The Bad
I can’t say Forbidden Forest is a great game, but it’s way better than it should be. Tweak the graphics, play with the AI, and add some twists and this would be a stellar game. As it stands now the game is diverting but repetitious and there isn’t anything driving me to complete it.

The Bottom Line
It’s an inspired remake of a Commodore classic.

And every so often you dance.