Last Updated on Feb 12, 2026 @ 13:01:34 PM.
I recently had the opportunity to try out the new game from Wales Interactive, Heart of the Forest, as it put me in control of 4 different characters as they went for a hike within the Black Forest. It was my job to try to make sure as many of these characters survived the hike by any means necessary, while a monster was lurking in said forest, trying to take the lives of these characters.
For those who are not aware, Heart of the Forest is an Interactive Psychological FMV (full motion video) horror game that plays similarly to games like Until Dawn or the Dark Pictures Anthologies, but does not rely on video game graphics, instead being created through filming real-life actors, similar to the game Dead Reset, which was also published by Wales Interactive.
This is a type of game development that has recently been on the rise as more games are going back to the FMV genre, as it is a rather unique way to tell a game’s story while also still allowing the player to make choices that have consequences and showcasing in the most realistic way the repercussions of those choices. That being said, due to the FMV nature of the game, there is only so much we can talk about regarding gameplay and story within this review.
Heart of the Forest Plays With Our Minds, And Keeps us on the Edge of Our Seats
When it comes to a game like Heart of the Forest, the key element within it is the game’s story; this is due to the fact that the player doesn’t have a lot to do other than make choices. Because of this, I mainly spent my time playing through Heart of the Forest, witnessing the various choices and consequences that were laid before me, as well as experiencing the performances by the actors within.
For me, the game’s story was full of suspense and dread from beginning to end as each choice loomed over my head, making me wonder what would happen after I made each choice. Some choices I never saw any repercussions from until much later in the game, but some had an instant effect that shocked me in various ways, but it wasn’t just the choices alone that put me in a state of worry and fear; the atmosphere also helped with this.
Due to the nature of the game’s story, it was very easy to understand as a whole once information was slowly revealed, but that didn’t make it any easier to make decisions, as the story itself plays tricks on you, making you wonder if what you are seeing and thinking is real, with some moments feeling as though you are doing the right thing and ultimately ending poorly or vice versa.
What makes Heart of the Forest a fun, interactive psychological horror game is the fact that there are multiple endings to the game’s story, and there are possibilities for these endings to be both good and bad, depending on how you play.
As the name of the game suggests, a large portion of the game takes place within a forest, but there are other locations within the game’s story as well that I will not mention to avoid spoilers. This setting alone was enough to add a creepy tone to the game that helped increase the suspense and keep me on edge.
While watching the various scenes, I often found myself searching through the background for any creatures or people lurking in the background, as Heart of the Forest was the type of game that made you feel as though you were constantly being watched as well as hunted.
For me, this is exactly what an interactive psychological horror game should be, as Heart of the Forest doesn’t overly rely on jump scares to get the player engaged or scared, but instead relies on an eerie atmosphere and haunting soundtrack that plays softly in the background. That being said, there are still a few jump scares within Heart of the Forest that can easily frighten you if you are not prepared, but they are placed sparingly within the story, relying more on the atmosphere and acting than anything else.
Finally, let’s talk about the acting that takes place within Heart of the Forest, which I can only say was brilliant. Although there were 4 main characters within the story: Laura (Emily Schmeller), Anna (Kyra E. Lukas), Simon (Marcel Zuber), and Nick (Patrick Marcel Benito), there are also a few side characters that the characters interact with, but we, as the player, cannot control.
Throughout the game’s story, we can see each of these actors giving it their all as each scene is played to perfection, allowing the player to feel every scream and every heart-wrenching moment. Although some moments felt rather forced and, in a sense, goofy, especially within the situation taking place within the story, the actors themselves were able to make it work and keep the tone of the game’s story alive.
Heart of the Forest
Summary
For me, Heart of the Forest is a fun yet haunting horror experience that blends a good atmosphere with brilliant acting and very minimal jump scares to create an experience that will stay with you long after playing it.
There are plenty of choices to make within the game, each with its own consequences that pay off towards the end of the game, never leaving you questioning what a choice was for.
HOURS PLAYED: 3
PLAYED ON: PS5
- Fantastic atmosphere that blends an eerie location and hauntingly shocking moments.
- Great acting with each scene feeling as fresh as the last.
- There were some goofy moments in the story that didn't help the tone.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out our review of Dead Reset, or check out our interview with the developer behind Bandit Trap.
Liam is a Senior Editor, Writer, and Critic for Thumb Wars and has been working with the team since day one. Liam is a big fan of all things gaming, as you will catch him playing all of the new releases from every genre you can imagine. Whether you find Liam gaming just for fun or spending his free time streaming, you will always find a smile on his face when it comes to all things gaming.
