Alright, so I finally jumped into Sons of the Forest. Been hearing the chatter, you know, about how it cranks things up. I’ve played my fair share of these survival gigs, so I thought, “Let’s see what this is all about.” Didn’t go in expecting a walk in the park, but still, you’re never quite ready.
My First Few Days on “Normal”
I started on Normal difficulty. Seemed like the standard place to begin, get a feel for things. First day or two? Pretty calm. Chopped some trees, got a basic shelter up. Saw a few cannibals, mostly just watching me from a distance. Creepy, but manageable. I figured, okay, this isn’t so bad. I was setting up my little camp, feeling pretty good about my progress.
Then, things escalated. And fast. Suddenly, it wasn’t just one or two curious onlookers. It was groups. And they weren’t just curious anymore. They were aggressive. My little wooden fence didn’t feel so secure all of a sudden. I remember this one night, I was just trying to cook some fish, and bam, three of them charged out of the trees. Nearly had a heart attack. That was my first real taste of “Oh, this is how it’s gonna be.”
Thinking About “Hard” Mode (And Why I Hesitated)
After a few more intense encounters, and losing a good chunk of my base defenses, I actually considered bumping it down. Yeah, I admit it. But then, part of me thought about trying Hard. I’d read some folks saying it’s the “true” experience. I even loaded it up once, just to see. Lasted about ten minutes. Got absolutely swarmed. Those cannibals on Hard? They hit like trucks and they just keep coming. It felt less like survival and more like a constant, desperate fight I wasn’t equipped for, at least not yet.
So, I stuck with Normal for a while longer. Decided I needed to learn the ropes better before I even thought about making it tougher on myself. It wasn’t just about combat, either. Managing hunger, thirst, finding resources while also watching your back – it all adds up. You’re constantly juggling tasks.
What Makes It “Difficult” For Me
It’s not just one thing. It’s a combination.
- The AI: They’re smarter than in a lot of games. They probe, they flank, they run if they’re losing. Sometimes they just watch you, which is almost worse. You never know what they’re planning.
- The Mutants: Oh boy. When those things show up. The big, fleshy ones? Or those creepy crawly guys? Your first encounter with a new type of mutant is always a “nope” moment. They properly mess you up if you’re not prepared.
- Resource Management under Pressure: It’s one thing to gather wood when it’s quiet. It’s another when you know a patrol could come through any minute. Every trip out feels risky.
I found myself having to really change how I played. In other games, I might build a big, obvious base. Here? I started thinking smaller, more hidden. Using traps more effectively. Realizing that sometimes, running away is the best option. There’s no shame in it when you’re outnumbered and outgunned, or, well, out-clubbed.
My Current Take on It
I’m still on Normal, and honestly, it provides plenty of challenge for me, especially playing solo. It feels like a good balance where I can build and explore, but I always have to be on my toes. The tension is pretty constant. I’ve learned to respect the forest and its inhabitants a lot more. You make a mistake, the game punishes you for it. Simple as that.
I did try Peaceful mode for a bit, just to see how the building system worked without constant harassment. And yeah, it’s great for that. You can really go wild with creativity. But for the actual survival experience, the threat needs to be there. It’s what makes those quiet moments, when you’re safe by your fire, actually feel earned.
It reminds me of this one time, years ago, I was working on a really tight deadline for a project. Completely different field, nothing to do with games. But the pressure was immense. Everything had to be perfect, and any little slip-up could derail the whole thing. Playing Sons of the Forest on Normal brings back a tiny bit of that feeling – not the stress, thankfully, but that sense of needing to be constantly aware, making careful decisions. It’s engaging, in its own weird way. You just have to find the level that works for you, where the challenge is fun and not just frustrating. For me, right now, that’s Normal. Maybe one day I’ll brave Hard again, but not today.
