Forestrike hit PC and Nintendo Switch on November 17, 2025, and it’s not your typical beat em up. Developed by Skeleton Crew Studios, the team behind 2021’s Olija, this martial arts roguelite lets you practice every fight as many times as you need before committing to the real thing. Critics are calling it innovative, punishing, and unlike anything they’ve played before.
The game currently holds an OpenCritic average score of 77 based on 18 reviews, with 83 percent of critics recommending it. That puts it in “Fair” territory on Metacritic with a 76 Metascore. While not a universal slam dunk, Forestrike is earning praise for its unique Foresight mechanic that transforms combat into puzzle-solving.
What Makes Foresight So Special
Forestrike’s core hook is the Foresight ability. Before every fight, you can activate Foresight mode by pressing the left trigger. This takes you into a darker, parallel dimension where you can practice the exact encounter you’re about to face with zero consequences. Die as many times as you need. Learn enemy patterns. Test different strategies. Figure out the perfect sequence of moves.
Once you’ve practiced enough and feel confident, you exit Foresight mode and attempt the fight for real. This time it counts. Get hit and you lose health. Die and you restart from the beginning like any roguelite. The tension comes from executing what you learned during practice under pressure when there’s no room for mistakes.
IGN’s Mitchell Saltzman gave the game an 8 out of 10, praising how it “masterfully blends combat with puzzle-solving” to create something that challenges both reflexes and brains. The Verge noted that Foresight “trained me to become an incredible pixelated fighter,” highlighting how the mechanic transforms player skill over time rather than relying on stat upgrades.
Five Martial Arts Schools with Distinct Styles
At the start of each run, you choose one of five Masters who represent different martial arts schools. Each Master teaches unique techniques and abilities that dramatically change how you approach combat. Leaf focuses on quick strikes and evasion. Cold Eye emphasizes counters and precision timing. The variety means each run feels fresh depending on which school you adopt.
As you progress through a run, you unlock combined abilities and new techniques that expand your moveset. The game’s progression system is lighter than most roguelites, though. Instead of permanent stat upgrades between runs, Forestrike focuses on player skill improvement. You get better by learning enemy patterns and mastering the timing windows, not by grinding currency for damage boosts.
That design choice earned mixed reactions from critics. Loot Level Chill gave it an 8.5 out of 10 and called it “a fantastic martial arts Roguelike that rewards reflexes.” However, COGconnected scored it 75 out of 100, noting that “permanent upgrades are few and far between, which slows the overall pace” and creates “a satisfying but occasionally stagnant loop.”
Critical Consensus: Brilliant Idea with Rough Edges
The highest praise Forestrike receives is for its innovation. Multiple reviewers described the Foresight mechanic as one of the smartest ideas they’ve seen in years. Checkpoint Gaming gave it an 8 out of 10, calling it “a satisfying, if challenging, experience” that turns typical 2D fighting into “a more thoughtful experience built around memorisation, timing and strategy.”
The main criticisms focus on balance issues and technical problems. Several reviewers mentioned that the game’s difficulty feels inconsistent. Some encounters feel perfectly tuned, while others throw unfair enemy combinations that punish you regardless of skill. GamingTrend scored it 70 out of 100, stating the game “can’t get out of its own way with unfair balancing that punishes the player regardless of performance.”
Technical issues plague the Switch version specifically. Multiple reviewers reported crashes and performance problems on Nintendo’s console. One critic mentioned encountering “unbeatable fights and experiencing crashes on Switch 2,” which significantly detracted from the experience. The PC version appears more stable based on reviews.
Story and Presentation Stand Out
Forestrike follows Yu, a martial artist on a quest to free the Emperor from an evil Admiral’s influence. While the narrative doesn’t reinvent storytelling, critics praised the writing quality. Gameffine gave it an 80 out of 100 and noted the game “showcases a level of writing that surpasses many other roguelites.”
The pixel art aesthetic draws inspiration from Chinese shunsui painting styles, creating intricate landscapes that serve as backdrops for fluid character animations. NintendoBoy (Portuguese review) scored it 7.5 out of 10, praising how “the visuals beautifully reflect shunsui style of the Ming.” The sound design also received consistent praise across reviews.
Who Should Buy Forestrike
Forestrike costs just $9.99 on both Steam and Nintendo Switch, making it an easy impulse buy for curious players. The demo is still available if you want to test the Foresight mechanic before committing money.
This game is perfect for players who enjoy puzzle-combat hybrids like Into the Breach or Sifu. If you appreciate tactical thinking, don’t mind high difficulty, and want to master execution through practice rather than stat grinding, Forestrike delivers. The satisfaction of finally nailing a perfect run after dozens of Foresight practice attempts is genuine.
You should probably skip Forestrike if you prefer traditional roguelite progression systems with permanent upgrades, or if you get frustrated by difficulty spikes and balance issues. The game demands patience and precision. One reviewer noted you need to “meet it where it is” rather than expecting it to bend to your playstyle.
Devolver Digital’s Indie Hit Factory Continues
Forestrike marks another unique indie release from Devolver Digital, the publisher behind hits like Cult of the Lamb, Inscription, and Olija. Skeleton Crew Studios previously developed Olija, which received a Recommended badge from Eurogamer and earned praise for its brilliant harpoon mechanic and pixel art style.
Devolver announced Forestrike at BitSummit in Japan during summer 2024, positioning it alongside other upcoming titles like Possessor(s) from Hyper Light Drifter developer Heart Machine and Tenjutsu from the designer of Dead Cells. The publisher has built a reputation for supporting creative indie developers who take risks on unconventional mechanics.
The Foresight system certainly fits that description. Very few games let you practice permadeath encounters without consequence before attempting them for real. Whether that innovation translates to long-term replay value depends on whether you enjoy the puzzle-solving loop more than traditional roguelite progression hooks.
FAQs
What is the Foresight mechanic in Forestrike?
Foresight allows you to practice every fight unlimited times in a separate dimension with no consequences. Once you’ve learned the enemy patterns and figured out the perfect strategy, you exit Foresight mode and attempt the real fight where damage and death matter.
Is Forestrike difficult?
Yes, Forestrike is extremely challenging even with the Foresight mechanic. The game demands precise timing, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking. Several reviewers noted balance issues that create difficulty spikes, especially in later stages where one mistake ends promising runs.
How long does it take to beat Forestrike?
Most reviewers mentioned the game takes significant time investment to complete due to its high difficulty and roguelite structure. Expect multiple failed runs as you learn enemy patterns and master the combat system. The ultimate reward is beating the game without using Foresight at all.
Should I buy Forestrike on Switch or PC?
Multiple reviewers reported technical issues on Nintendo Switch, including crashes and performance problems. The PC version appears more stable. If you own both platforms, PC is the safer choice. However, the Switch version is playable despite the issues.
Does Forestrike have permanent progression like other roguelites?
No, Forestrike has minimal meta-progression compared to most roguelites. Progression comes primarily from player skill improvement rather than permanent stat upgrades. You unlock new techniques during runs, but most growth happens through mastering timing and enemy patterns.
How many martial arts schools are in Forestrike?
There are five unique Masters representing different martial arts schools. Each Master offers distinct techniques and abilities that change your playstyle. The demo includes three schools, while the full game unlocks all five with combined abilities.
Who developed Forestrike?
Skeleton Crew Studios developed Forestrike. The Japanese studio previously created Olija, a 2D pixel art adventure published by Devolver Digital in 2021 that received critical acclaim for its harpoon-based combat and traversal mechanics.
Is there a Forestrike demo available?
Yes, a demo is available on Steam that includes three out of five martial arts schools and several locations to sample the gameplay. The demo lets you test the Foresight mechanic before deciding whether to purchase the full game.
Conclusion
Forestrike won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s doing something genuinely different in the crowded roguelite space. The Foresight mechanic transforms typical beat em up combat into strategic puzzle-solving where planning matters as much as execution. At $9.99, it’s priced fairly for the experience it offers, especially if you’re tired of roguelites that rely on permanent upgrade grinding. The balance issues and technical problems on Switch hold it back from greatness, but the core concept is strong enough to carry the experience for patient players. Critics agree the game rewards dedication with a satisfying sense of mastery that few roguelites achieve. If you loved Sifu’s martial arts combat or Into the Breach’s tactical planning, Forestrike deserves a spot on your wishlist. Just be prepared to practice, fail, and practice some more until you finally nail that perfect run. That’s the whole point.