In the world of video games, theidea of a forestis associated with beginners which is a bit strange. After all, forests can be very scary and dangerous places for those who aren’t familiar with them. Luckily, the game characters who do have to brave them tend to be prepared to some degree, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need help.
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Throughout gaming, forests have had tons of resident spirits and ethereal beings willing to step in and aid a hero in need or just add to the lore. That being said, there are some forest spirits that have lingered in our minds more clearly than others.
8Koroks
Since Link began adventuring in the 1980s,The Legend of Zeldahas introduced a number of different characters. For the longest time, the biggest forest entity in this universe was the Great Deku Tree but this all changed with theintroduction of the Koroks. It was revealed that the Kokiri children eventually transformed into these little tree buddies, who we all got to finally meet in The Wind Waker.
They quickly became popular to the point where they returned inBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomas adorable playmates who can be found all over Hyrule. It’s always a nice moment to find them, and they’ll grant you valuable Korok Seeds as a result.
7Ori
Leading up to its launch,Ori and the Blind Forestcaptured attention with its beautiful and mystical visuals. It lived up to its hype by thrusting you into a mysterious place known as the Blind Forest being threatened by a dark force. The main tree uses the last of its energy to create a being of light and energy called Ori.
As a young spirit, Ori has to learn a number of new abilities andobtain magical powersin order to explore all the parts of the forest. Plus, Ori gains bonus points for combining cats, foxes, rabbits, and monkeys into one animal.
6Celebi
In Gen 1 ofPokemon, most people didn’t even believe Mew was real until they saw the very roundabout way to get the legendary Pokemon. In Gen 2, the new mythical Pokemon was Celebi, a small fairy-like creature.
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Playing through the game reveals legends about the Voice of the Forest, which is said to be hiding in Ilex Forest. In fact, Celebi is a forest guardian dedicated to healing and maintaining peace, which it does through time travel. The shrine hints at its location, and you had thechance to captureit during a special event. If you did, you would get the Grass/Psychic forest legend on your team.
5Concord
There’s a fluctuating trend that involves giving anthropomorphic life to plants and other vegetation to turn them into citizens and protagonists. You have the quirky Holy Potatoes series, the humorous Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion, and the wholesomeGarden Story.
In the third, you play the role of a purple fruit warrior (likely a grape) named Concord. He has recently become a new guardian of the surrounding nature, and it’s your job to guide him. You can take up arms against the surrounding threats or contribute to the prosperity of thequaint little garden town.
4Junimos
Stardew Valleyremains one of the biggest and most impressive releases of the last decade. It feeds a fantasy that many of us have had of casting off the shackles of big city living for a simpler more rustic life. After you arrive at your inherited farm, you’ll eventually come upon the Community Center where you’ll see little box-like creatures running around.
The Wizard will tell you that they are Junimos, and it’s very special that you can see them. They’re spirits that cover all parts of the land, and by contributing to the Community Center, the Junimos will lend their power to aid you and the town.
3Betilla The Fairy
Raymanis an odd protagonist who had some decent popularity in the late 90s and sporadically in the 2000s before coming back with a vengeance in Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends. These fast-paced comical and challenging multiplayer adventures have you playing through a number of environmentally-themed worlds.
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The forest one has you encountering one of the Bodacious Nymphs of the Glade,Betilla the Fairy. Interestingly enough, Betilla has been with Rayman since the beginning with her powerful protective magic, wise and cheerful nature, and ability to grant Rayman new powers.
2Alvina
Dark Soulsis a game where nothing feels safe with even the ‘friendly’ NPCs speaking in threatening, depressing, or ominous ways. The most notable members of the cast are those who are able to induct you toone of the Covenantsthroughout the game. While going through the forest area of the game, you’ll come across Rangers and their leader, Alvina the Cat.
She could well be related to the Cheshire Cat with such a wide grin but speaks very calmly and directly when approached. Following her will allow you to become one of her Rangers whose duty it is to protect the forested realm — a worthy endeavor.
1The Ghost In The Tree
A big strength ofThe Witcher 3is how it tackles morality, presenting choices in shades of gray rather than just black and white. This is perfectly embodied by the story mission involving the Witches of the Bog who task Geralt with destroying a specific tree.
When you reach the tree, it speaks to you in cryptic yet pleading ways, asking for freedom. Though its role is small, it sticks with you and no matter what choice you make, you won’t feel good about it.This spirit is haunting, mysterious, and disturbing to say the least.
