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The Forest and Ravenswatch match two popular Steam searches: a plane-crash survival horror game and a roguelike built around heroes from folklore. However, the official Steam records available for these games show standard purchase listings, not a permanent free-to-play offer. Any claim that both are free should therefore refer to a specific, time-limited promotion whose dates and regional availability must be checked on Steam.
What each game is
The Forest: survive the crash
The Forest is a first-person survival horror game developed and published by Endnight Games Ltd., released on April 30, 2018. You play the lone survivor of a passenger-jet crash in a mysterious forest populated by cannibalistic mutants.
Its core loop combines exploration and long-term survival. You chop trees, gather food, craft tools and weapons, explore caves, build shelters or fortified bases, and defend your position against hostile mutants. The game supports single-player play and online co-op, making it a fit for players who want a persistent survival world rather than short, reset-based missions.
Ravenswatch: fight through repeatable runs
Ravenswatch is a top-down roguelike action game from Passtech Games and Nacon, released on September 26, 2024. Its heroes come from tales and legends and battle hordes of nightmarish creatures in fast, combat-focused encounters.
#1 Best Overall
- Strategic 2-Player Trick-Taking: Master the art of winning just enough tricks without overcommitting, using clever card play and tactical decision-making to outmaneuver your opponent
- New Module Variations: Three game modules (special cards, goal cards, poison cards) offer endless strategic combinations, keeping gameplay fresh and exciting for repeated plays
- Premium Deluxe Components: Foil-stamped cards, all-new fairy-tale illustrations, and acrylic scoring tokens deliver a visually stunning and tactile experience that enhances every game
- Quick 30-Minute Gameplay: Perfect for busy couples seeking quality time together, delivering strategic depth and meaningful competition in a compact, elegant format
- Complete Game Package: Includes 33 base cards, nine special cards, 16 goal cards, three poison cards, two reference cards, 17 scoring tokens, and comprehensive rulebook
Runs take place on randomly generated maps. You select talents, combine items and dreams into a build, fight through enemies, and unlock heroes and other content across repeated attempts. Steam lists nine heroes, including Little Red Riding Hood, Sun Wukong and the Snow Queen; three open maps; more than 50 enemy types; more than 200 talents; 50 magical items; and four difficulty levels. These counts are feature claims in the developer’s Steam listing, not independent test measurements. The game supports solo play or online co-op for up to four players and receives regular free content updates.
How the games differ
| Category | The Forest | Ravenswatch |
|---|---|---|
| Viewpoint and genre | First-person survival horror | Top-down action roguelike |
| Structure | Persistent world with shelter building, resource management and exploration | Discrete runs on randomly generated maps, with progression between runs |
| Setting and tone | Crash-survivor horror involving cannibalistic mutants | Dark fantasy inspired by folk tales and legends |
| Co-op | Online co-op; the listing does not state a player limit in the supplied information | Solo or online co-op with up to four players |
| Best match for | Players who want crafting, base building, scavenging and tense exploration | Players who want rapid combat, build experimentation and replayable runs |
Are they actually free on Steam?
The available official listings identify both games as standard Steam products and do not establish a permanent free-to-play model. They also do not specify a free weekend, giveaway, region or end date. That means the statement “free on Steam” cannot be treated as a standing fact.
Rank #2
- Strategic Trick-Taking Gameplay: Master unique character abilities and special powers that let you change the trump suit, lead after losing tricks, and outwit your opponent with clever card play
- Compact Travel-Friendly Design: Perfectly portable for date nights, vacations, and weekend getaways with its small box that fits easily in bags and luggage without sacrificing quality components
- Beautiful Illustrated Cards: Stunning fairy tale character artwork with intricate botanical details and elegant brushwork makes analyzing your options quick and enjoyable during each game
- Quick 30-Minute Sessions: Ideal for busy adults seeking meaningful screen-free connection without long rulebook learning curves or extended play commitments on weeknights
- Balanced 2-Player Experience: Expertly designed trick-taking mechanics ensure neither player gains unfair advantage, rewarding strategic thinking and creating intense memorable moments every game
If Steam is currently showing a free promotion, verify the offer on each game’s store page before installing. Check the promotion’s start and end dates, eligible countries, whether online multiplayer requires any additional service, and what happens when the event ends. A free weekend may provide temporary access rather than ownership; a giveaway may grant a license that remains in your library. Those are different outcomes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Beautiful Hidden Object scenes
- Lushly detailed and unique landscapes to discover
- Meet characters that explore the world along with you
- Use your unique magical ability to solve puzzles and uncover clues
Rank #4
- Cooperative Trick-Taking Mechanics: Win together by collecting gems through strategic card play and special character abilities that let teammates exchange cards and support each other throughout the game
- Perfect Two-Player Game: Designed specifically for 2 players aged 10 and up with 30-minute gameplay, making it ideal for couples, parents with kids, or anyone seeking meaningful one-on-one connection
- Portable Travel Card Game: Compact design fits easily in bags, backpacks, or carry-on luggage, bringing engaging entertainment to vacations, road trips, or gatherings without bulky components
- Beautiful Hand-Illustrated Cards: Featuring stunning artwork inspired by forest themes with quality card stock that holds up to repeated play while looking attractive displayed or stored
- Easy to Learn, Challenging to Master: Familiar trick-taking foundation makes it instantly approachable for newcomers while unique powers and strategic decision-making keep every game fresh and engaging
Rank #3
- EPIC FOREST ADVENTURE: Journey through the Ancient Forest as courageous animal heroes competing to become the next Guardian of the Green Valley in a story-driven strategy board game.
- RICH STRATEGY & COMPONENTS: Explore a modular game board with 12 location tiles, gather resources, complete legendary deeds, encounter mysterious creatures, and use dozens of cards, tokens, and unique player boards to shape every adventure.
- YOUR CHOICES SHAPE THE STORY: Every moral decision influences your reputation as a noble hero or cunning villain while affecting your path through the forest and your race for fame and victory.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY: Variable locations, encounters, expeditions, and strategic choices create a unique adventure every game, making it perfect for family game nights and tabletop gatherings.
- FOR FANTASY & STRATEGY FANS: Designed for families, teens, and adults who enjoy adventure games, storytelling, exploration, resource management, and immersive fantasy board game experiences.
Which one should you choose?
Choose The Forest if you want survival systems
- A first-person perspective and atmospheric horror
- Gathering, food management, crafting and construction
- A world that persists while you expand and defend a base
- Exploration of forests and caves after a plane crash
Choose Ravenswatch if you want action and build variety
- Top-down combat that emphasizes movement and timing
- Shorter, repeatable runs instead of one continuous survival world
- Heroes with distinct play styles drawn from stories and legends
- Talents, items and unlocks that encourage experimenting with different builds
- Online co-op for as many as four players
What to check before claiming a promotion
- Open the current Steam store page for the specific game.
- Confirm that the price is explicitly shown as free or that a free-event banner is present.
- Read the event dates and any regional or account restrictions.
- Check whether the offer grants permanent ownership or only temporary access.
- Review the multiplayer and system requirements shown on the live listing before downloading.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
