At the start of The Forest, players are dropped into the Peninsula and have to immediately search for the best base locations. Like with most open-world games, there’s no set path to winning the game. Instead, players need to rely on decision-making, strategy, and planning to win.
What Makes a Good Base Location
The Peninsula is crawling with enemies like cannibals and mutants, and also with wild animals. These factors need to be considered before players decide where to set up base. Some regions of the map have abundant resources. They’re also hostile, while other regions are relatively safer but lack resources.
It is also important to note that the Peninsula also holds a dense network of underground catacombs and caves that are crawling with mutants.
As players progress through the game, it becomes easier and easier to use traps, fortifications, and other strategic defenses to keep cannibals away. However, at the beginning of the game, it is crucial to choose a base location that provides an adequate combination of resources and physical safety from enemies.
Luckily, several parts of the Peninsula provide useful spaces to establish a base. Remember, it’s not just physical protection: players need the basic necessities like food, water, and shelter from the elements. The player’s base location needs to be able to provide all of these until they are ready to get their son back.
Best Base Locations In The Forest
The Islands
At the start, it might seem simple enough to cross the shallow sea to one of the nearby islands and set up base there, away from the mainland. This can seem like a good idea because cannibals, who are some of the biggest nuisances early in the game, do not cross the water and don’t spawn on those islands.
However, even if players use water collectors to catch rain and plant gardens to grow and harvest food, it won’t work out in the long run. Inevitably, players will need to travel long distances to gather most of the resources needed to progress through the game. The islands might be safe, but they are barren and travelling can become a nightmare.
The Valley
The Valley is an unheralded base location on the map in The Forest. It is easy to find: just look for a beach on the map that has two cliffs on either side and a valley leading up the middle. Not only is this region easy to defend, but it also provides players with a panoramic view of their surroundings.
It is easy to gather materials and build a wall on one side of the valley to keep away patrolling cannibals, all while enjoying a pretty view. The Valley is also a central location on the map that puts players in the proximity of several resources. Which makes the Valley one of the best base locations in The Forest.
The Snow Biome
An area secluded by permafrost may seem like an impractical location to build a base in a survival game. But that’s what makes this frigid zone such an excellent choice. The snow-capped part of the island is completely uninhabitable for cannibals and players not wearing warm suits, or lighting several fires throughout.
The Snow Biome is an excellent choice as players reach the end of the game when cannibal attacks intensify. Pro tip: building towards the western part of the Snow Biome will help players avoid a lot of cannibals. There is the added benefit of also being in the vicinity of an abundance of mushrooms.
The South Beach
If you like to rely on natural defenses, the South Beach provides it: you can just run into the sea if you are overwhelmed by cannibals. It is also in the vicinity of an early-game cave that contains valuable resources and an abandoned yacht and camp.
This location, combined with an abundance of nearby trees, makes it easy to see attackers coming. It also makes for a strong defensive position that is easy to hold later in the game. On the downside, the only useful animals available are seagulls. But there are plenty of blueberry bushes and several other useful materials.
Geese Lake
The famous Geese Lake is one of the most popular spots for players because of its prime location. Several geese live in the lake and can be hunted as a food source. The location also offers several lookout posts on the serene lake.
Most importantly, there’s a cliff near the lake that is impenetrable to cannibals and other enemies. Building a base against this side ensures a strong defense from multiple directions. Geese Lake gives players direct access to the significant cave systems that need to be explored to complete the game.
When you settle down, here are a few more locations you can travel to:
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