Forestrike Review – Is It Worth Your Time?
By Stryftek | Reviewed on PC + Steam Deck | Release Date: November 17, 2025
Devolver Digital has a reputation for backing indie games that punch way above their weight and with Forestrike, they’ve done it again. Developed by Skeleton Crew Studio (the folks behind the stylish parry-centric Olija), Forestrike is a pixel-art martial arts roguelite with a killer hook
What if Sifu met Chess?
You've got kung-fu puzzles, real-time reactive combat, pixel kung fu, and there are even monkeys.
I’ve put about 20 hours into Forestrike ahead of release and here’s why this $10 indie might be one of the smartest games you play this year.
Story
You play as Yu, the last living apprentice of an ancient martial order and the youngest wielder of the lost technique: Foresight.
The Empire is on the brink. A mysterious figure known as The Admiral has slowly taken control of the Capital, spreading corruption across the Celestial Courts, the countryside, and beyond. Armed with your future-seeing technique and guided by five cryptic Masters, you’re tasked with reaching the Emperor and saving what’s left of the world.
Each Master you meet has their own focus and philosophy some are wise, others cryptic, one’s just kind of… monkey-obsessed but they each deepen the story with every run. There’s no huge lore dump up front. Instead, you unravel the world piece by piece as you return to the dojo between missions.
I haven’t hit the “true” ending yet, so I can’t spoil where it lands but I’m already invested. The pacing, the mystery, and the occasional weirdness are all working in its favor.
Gameplay: Puzzle Combat, Future Sight, and Reactive Brawling
The standout mechanic here is Foresight—a system that lets you simulate the next few turns before you actually commit to anything.
You preview enemy movements, test your attacks, and try to create the perfect sequence. It’s like solving a chess puzzle. Once you’re ready, you hit “play,” and everything unfolds in real time.
And here’s the kicker: if anything goes even slightly off-script, you're suddenly dropped into a real-time fight, where you have to react instinctively, no more simulation.
What starts as calm and cerebral quickly becomes a test of your adaptability, timing, and combo memorization. Some fights feel like you're shadowboxing with fate. Others feel like pure chaos, especially when your simulation breaks down mid-sequence.
Different Masters offer different upgrade paths: dodging, parrying, striking, etc. So each run feels fresh. And once you’ve mastered the systems? You unlock a hard mode with no Foresight at all. Just pure skill.
Graphics & Sound: Slick Pixels with a Kick
Forestrike leans hard into its pixel-art style, and it works. Animations are crisp, enemy design is clean, and the overall visual identity feels consistent and confident. Combat has real weight thanks to the punchy sound design and impact cues.
I do have one minor gripe, some animations have this odd “wobble” or visual tearing effect during idle motions. It’s not game-breaking, but it’s noticeable.
The soundtrack doesn’t demand attention, but that’s by design. It fades into the background, enhancing the atmosphere without distracting you from the tactical flow of combat. That ambient immersion helps you stay dialed in, especially in higher-stakes fights.
Is It Worth Your Time?
Let’s be real: if Forestrike launched at $20, I’d already be recommending it.
But it’s launching for just $10 on Steam and Nintendo Switch. At that price? It’s a must-play.
It’s a tactical roguelite with real depth, clever design, and a surprisingly engaging story. And with a free demo available at launch, there’s really no excuse not to give it a shot.
Also- this game shines on handhelds. It runs beautifully on Steam Deck, and the run-based structure makes it perfect for pick-up-and-play sessions.
Forestrike isn’t just a great indie game, it’s one of the smartest, most creative roguelites I’ve played in a long time.
TL;DR
Deep turn-based + real-time hybrid combat
Crisp pixel art and great animations
Excellent value at $10
Steam Deck + Switch support
Minor visual quirks during animation
Some fights may get overwhelming without practice
Final Verdict:
Absolutely worth your time.
Grab it. Play it. And start perfecting your foresight.
Forestrike Review – Is It Worth Your Time?
By Stryftek | Reviewed on PC + Steam Deck | Release Date: November 17, 2025
Devolver Digital has a reputation for backing indie games that punch way above their weight and with Forestrike, they’ve done it again. Developed by Skeleton Crew Studio (the folks behind the stylish parry-centric Olija), Forestrike is a pixel-art martial arts roguelite with a killer hook
What if Sifu met Chess?
You've got kung-fu puzzles, real-time reactive combat, pixel kung fu, and there are even monkeys.
I’ve put about 20 hours into Forestrike ahead of release and here’s why this $10 indie might be one of the smartest games you play this year.
Story
You play as Yu, the last living apprentice of an ancient martial order and the youngest wielder of the lost technique: Foresight.
The Empire is on the brink. A mysterious figure known as The Admiral has slowly taken control of the Capital, spreading corruption across the Celestial Courts, the countryside, and beyond. Armed with your future-seeing technique and guided by five cryptic Masters, you’re tasked with reaching the Emperor and saving what’s left of the world.
Each Master you meet has their own focus and philosophy some are wise, others cryptic, one’s just kind of… monkey-obsessed but they each deepen the story with every run. There’s no huge lore dump up front. Instead, you unravel the world piece by piece as you return to the dojo between missions.
I haven’t hit the “true” ending yet, so I can’t spoil where it lands but I’m already invested. The pacing, the mystery, and the occasional weirdness are all working in its favor.
Gameplay: Puzzle Combat, Future Sight, and Reactive Brawling
The standout mechanic here is Foresight—a system that lets you simulate the next few turns before you actually commit to anything.
You preview enemy movements, test your attacks, and try to create the perfect sequence. It’s like solving a chess puzzle. Once you’re ready, you hit “play,” and everything unfolds in real time.
And here’s the kicker: if anything goes even slightly off-script, you're suddenly dropped into a real-time fight, where you have to react instinctively, no more simulation.
What starts as calm and cerebral quickly becomes a test of your adaptability, timing, and combo memorization. Some fights feel like you're shadowboxing with fate. Others feel like pure chaos, especially when your simulation breaks down mid-sequence.
Different Masters offer different upgrade paths: dodging, parrying, striking, etc. So each run feels fresh. And once you’ve mastered the systems? You unlock a hard mode with no Foresight at all. Just pure skill.
Graphics & Sound: Slick Pixels with a Kick
Forestrike leans hard into its pixel-art style, and it works. Animations are crisp, enemy design is clean, and the overall visual identity feels consistent and confident. Combat has real weight thanks to the punchy sound design and impact cues.
I do have one minor gripe, some animations have this odd “wobble” or visual tearing effect during idle motions. It’s not game-breaking, but it’s noticeable.
The soundtrack doesn’t demand attention, but that’s by design. It fades into the background, enhancing the atmosphere without distracting you from the tactical flow of combat. That ambient immersion helps you stay dialed in, especially in higher-stakes fights.
Is It Worth Your Time?
Let’s be real: if Forestrike launched at $20, I’d already be recommending it.
But it’s launching for just $10 on Steam and Nintendo Switch. At that price? It’s a must-play.
It’s a tactical roguelite with real depth, clever design, and a surprisingly engaging story. And with a free demo available at launch, there’s really no excuse not to give it a shot.
Also- this game shines on handhelds. It runs beautifully on Steam Deck, and the run-based structure makes it perfect for pick-up-and-play sessions.
Forestrike isn’t just a great indie game, it’s one of the smartest, most creative roguelites I’ve played in a long time.
TL;DR
Deep turn-based + real-time hybrid combat
Crisp pixel art and great animations
Excellent value at $10
Steam Deck + Switch support
Minor visual quirks during animation
Some fights may get overwhelming without practice
Final Verdict:
Absolutely worth your time.
Grab it. Play it. And start perfecting your foresight.
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