FOX n FORESTS

Fox n Forests, developed by Bonus Level Entertainment and published by Astragon Entertainment, is a nostalgic side-scrolling platformer that successfully captures the look and feel of 16-bit classics while introducing an inventive seasonal mechanic that sets it apart from simple retro imitation. At its heart, it is a love letter to the golden era of platforming, complete with richly detailed pixel art, chiptune melodies, and a mischievous woodland hero named Rick the Fox. Yet beneath its charming aesthetic lies a game that attempts to balance modern accessibility with old-school challenge, weaving in ideas that both celebrate and critique the genre’s traditions.
The story is deliberately simple, channeling the archetypal hero’s journey of classic platformers. Rick the Fox is recruited by a mystical Season Tree to retrieve magical bark fragments stolen by evil creatures, which have disrupted the natural balance of the forest. It’s an intentionally straightforward setup that serves as a vehicle for exploration across five vibrant worlds, each themed around different natural biomes and seasons. What elevates the experience is the central gameplay twist: Rick has the ability to change the seasons in real time. With a quick button press, spring can shift to winter, or summer can morph into autumn, drastically altering the landscape. Rivers freeze into bridges, flowers bloom to form new platforms, and enemies change their behavior depending on the weather. This mechanic injects both creativity and puzzle-solving into the standard platforming formula, forcing players to think not just about reflexes but about environmental manipulation.
Mechanically, Fox n Forests adheres closely to the design principles of classic 2D platformers while layering in light role-playing and exploration elements. Rick’s crossbow doubles as both a melee weapon and a ranged shooter, with ammo limited by collectible arrows that replenish over time. Defeating enemies, discovering hidden secrets, and completing challenges earn money that can be spent on upgrades between levels, allowing players to enhance Rick’s abilities or buy potions for survival. Each stage introduces new ideas—moving platforms, hidden passages, elemental hazards—and while the structure is linear, there’s a fair amount of backtracking required to collect hidden seeds and unlock later areas. This Metroidvania-inspired loop adds longevity to the game, though it can occasionally feel padded, especially when revisiting earlier stages to fetch items for progression.
The seasonal shift mechanic is where the game truly shines. Changing the world’s state is more than a gimmick—it’s integral to the level design. A lake that blocks progress in one season may freeze into a walkable surface in another, while vines that appear in spring may offer access to unreachable areas. The developers use this system creatively across the campaign, making exploration feel dynamic and rewarding. It’s a concept that encourages experimentation, and when combined with the precise platforming controls, it produces moments of genuine satisfaction. Each level also culminates in a boss encounter, most of which are visually impressive and cleverly designed to exploit both Rick’s arsenal and the environment. These battles strike a balance between pattern recognition and fast reflexes, reminiscent of the trial-and-error charm that defined many 16-bit era climaxes.
Visually, Fox n Forests is stunning in its attention to detail. The pixel art is crisp and colorful, evoking memories of the Super Nintendo era while benefiting from modern animation smoothness and lighting effects. The changing seasons transform the same environment into entirely different palettes, giving the world a painterly dynamism that few retro-inspired games achieve. The soundtrack complements this aesthetic beautifully—composed of upbeat, nostalgic chiptune melodies that evoke a sense of adventure and whimsy. Each track feels perfectly suited to its environment, enhancing the sense of progression and variety without overshadowing the action. It’s clear that the developers have a deep appreciation for the games that inspired them, and every visual and auditory choice reflects that affection.
However, for all its charm, Fox n Forests occasionally struggles with pacing and repetition. The methodical movement speed and emphasis on backtracking can slow the momentum of what might otherwise be a brisk platforming experience. The requirement to revisit older stages to collect seeds or unlock paths for later missions adds structure, but at times it risks feeling like artificial padding. Some players may also find the overall difficulty curve uneven—boss fights can be surprisingly punishing, while certain platforming sections are far more forgiving. Despite these minor frustrations, the core gameplay loop remains satisfying, bolstered by the constant sense of discovery that the season-switching mechanic provides.
The game’s runtime is relatively short, clocking in at roughly six to eight hours for a first playthrough, but its collectible-driven design encourages exploration and replay. The developers’ decision to prioritize quality over quantity ensures that every stage is distinct, both visually and mechanically. While it might lack the sprawling complexity of modern platformers, it excels in delivering focused, tightly designed levels that pay homage to its inspirations without feeling outdated. Fox n Forests doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre—it refines it, infusing classic design with clever new ideas and a layer of visual polish that few retro-inspired titles manage to achieve.
In the end, Fox n Forests stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic platforming when combined with a fresh, imaginative hook. It is a game built with clear passion and reverence for the era it emulates, yet it brings enough originality to stand on its own. For players who grew up with the likes of Ghouls ’n Ghosts, Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts, or ActRaiser, this game offers a comforting return to form, complete with the challenge, charm, and pixel artistry of that golden age. Its flaws—occasional repetition, brief length, and slow pacing—are outweighed by its craftsmanship, atmosphere, and inventive mechanics. Fox n Forests is not just a nostalgic trip; it’s a genuine love letter to a time when platformers were both punishing and magical, offering players the simple joy of discovery one season at a time.
Rating: 7/10

Steam User 0

Reviewed last year

This is a very deliberate throwback to the SNES, right down to the audio design and overall aesthetic.
The game offers a fair amount of challenge, and there's even a very light Metroid element to it, in which you visit previous areas and unlock new areas with abilities you acquired elswhere.
Steam User 1

Reviewed last year

Fox n Forests, developed by Bonus Level Entertainment and published by Astragon Entertainment, is a nostalgic side-scrolling platformer that successfully captures the look and feel of 16-bit classics while introducing an inventive seasonal mechanic that sets it apart from simple retro imitation. At its heart, it is a love letter to the golden era of platforming, complete with richly detailed pixel art, chiptune melodies, and a mischievous woodland hero named Rick the Fox. Yet beneath its charming aesthetic lies a game that attempts to balance modern accessibility with old-school challenge, weaving in ideas that both celebrate and critique the genre’s traditions.
The story is deliberately simple, channeling the archetypal hero’s journey of classic platformers. Rick the Fox is recruited by a mystical Season Tree to retrieve magical bark fragments stolen by evil creatures, which have disrupted the natural balance of the forest. It’s an intentionally straightforward setup that serves as a vehicle for exploration across five vibrant worlds, each themed around different natural biomes and seasons. What elevates the experience is the central gameplay twist: Rick has the ability to change the seasons in real time. With a quick button press, spring can shift to winter, or summer can morph into autumn, drastically altering the landscape. Rivers freeze into bridges, flowers bloom to form new platforms, and enemies change their behavior depending on the weather. This mechanic injects both creativity and puzzle-solving into the standard platforming formula, forcing players to think not just about reflexes but about environmental manipulation.
Mechanically, Fox n Forests adheres closely to the design principles of classic 2D platformers while layering in light role-playing and exploration elements. Rick’s crossbow doubles as both a melee weapon and a ranged shooter, with ammo limited by collectible arrows that replenish over time. Defeating enemies, discovering hidden secrets, and completing challenges earn money that can be spent on upgrades between levels, allowing players to enhance Rick’s abilities or buy potions for survival. Each stage introduces new ideas—moving platforms, hidden passages, elemental hazards—and while the structure is linear, there’s a fair amount of backtracking required to collect hidden seeds and unlock later areas. This Metroidvania-inspired loop adds longevity to the game, though it can occasionally feel padded, especially when revisiting earlier stages to fetch items for progression.
The seasonal shift mechanic is where the game truly shines. Changing the world’s state is more than a gimmick—it’s integral to the level design. A lake that blocks progress in one season may freeze into a walkable surface in another, while vines that appear in spring may offer access to unreachable areas. The developers use this system creatively across the campaign, making exploration feel dynamic and rewarding. It’s a concept that encourages experimentation, and when combined with the precise platforming controls, it produces moments of genuine satisfaction. Each level also culminates in a boss encounter, most of which are visually impressive and cleverly designed to exploit both Rick’s arsenal and the environment. These battles strike a balance between pattern recognition and fast reflexes, reminiscent of the trial-and-error charm that defined many 16-bit era climaxes.
Visually, Fox n Forests is stunning in its attention to detail. The pixel art is crisp and colorful, evoking memories of the Super Nintendo era while benefiting from modern animation smoothness and lighting effects. The changing seasons transform the same environment into entirely different palettes, giving the world a painterly dynamism that few retro-inspired games achieve. The soundtrack complements this aesthetic beautifully—composed of upbeat, nostalgic chiptune melodies that evoke a sense of adventure and whimsy. Each track feels perfectly suited to its environment, enhancing the sense of progression and variety without overshadowing the action. It’s clear that the developers have a deep appreciation for the games that inspired them, and every visual and auditory choice reflects that affection.
However, for all its charm, Fox n Forests occasionally struggles with pacing and repetition. The methodical movement speed and emphasis on backtracking can slow the momentum of what might otherwise be a brisk platforming experience. The requirement to revisit older stages to collect seeds or unlock paths for later missions adds structure, but at times it risks feeling like artificial padding. Some players may also find the overall difficulty curve uneven—boss fights can be surprisingly punishing, while certain platforming sections are far more forgiving. Despite these minor frustrations, the core gameplay loop remains satisfying, bolstered by the constant sense of discovery that the season-switching mechanic provides.
The game’s runtime is relatively short, clocking in at roughly six to eight hours for a first playthrough, but its collectible-driven design encourages exploration and replay. The developers’ decision to prioritize quality over quantity ensures that every stage is distinct, both visually and mechanically. While it might lack the sprawling complexity of modern platformers, it excels in delivering focused, tightly designed levels that pay homage to its inspirations without feeling outdated. Fox n Forests doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre—it refines it, infusing classic design with clever new ideas and a layer of visual polish that few retro-inspired titles manage to achieve.
In the end, Fox n Forests stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic platforming when combined with a fresh, imaginative hook. It is a game built with clear passion and reverence for the era it emulates, yet it brings enough originality to stand on its own. For players who grew up with the likes of Ghouls ’n Ghosts, Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts, or ActRaiser, this game offers a comforting return to form, complete with the challenge, charm, and pixel artistry of that golden age. Its flaws—occasional repetition, brief length, and slow pacing—are outweighed by its craftsmanship, atmosphere, and inventive mechanics. Fox n Forests is not just a nostalgic trip; it’s a genuine love letter to a time when platformers were both punishing and magical, offering players the simple joy of discovery one season at a time.
Rating: 7/10
Steam User 0

Reviewed 12.2024

Is fun, nostalgic and with good music and sprites.
Steam User 1

Reviewed 04.2025

FOX n FORESTS
Has a total of 10 trading cards.
Steam User 3

Reviewed 05.2025

2D is fun for real
Steam User 3

Reviewed last year

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FOX n FORESTS

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