Forbidden Forest Commodore fans have a treat with BastichB 64K’s latest video. He shines a spotlight on this early horror game for the C64, designed by Paul Norman and released by Cosmi Corporation in 1983. Right from the start, the review dives into the game’s unsettling forest setting, where players control an archer armed with a bow, facing a parade of monstrous foes.
The journey is never easy. Each level limits players to four quivers of arrows, making every shot matter. As they creep deeper into the woods, they square off against giant spiders, oversized frogs, aggressive bees, slithering snakes, wizards, and even dragons. The ultimate adversary? The Demogorgon, a creature guaranteed to make players’ palms sweat.
There’s a clear progression in challenge. Forbidden Forest offers four difficulty levels: Innocent, Trooper, Daredevil, and Crazy. Each step up means faster, more relentless enemies. This structure rewards players who crave a real test of their reflexes and strategy.
BastichB 64K highlights the game’s origins, adding an extra layer of interest. Paul Norman got his start at Synchro, a modest software company working with systems like the Apple II, VIC-20, and Commodore 64. Norman had no idea that showing off his VIC-20 project would open a door into professional game development. He was soon hired and started building Forbidden Forest as a personal 6502 coding exercise.
As luck would have it, Synchro hit hard times and faced closure. During the office clear-out, Cosmi Corporation representatives spotted Norman at his desk, plugging away at the game. Instead of just buying furniture, they bought themselves a game developer. Norman joined Cosmi, and Forbidden Forest took shape as one of the Commodore 64’s most memorable titles.
BastichB 64K’s review is packed with gameplay footage and thoughtful commentary, making it a great watch for anyone curious about classic C64 horror games or the history behind Paul Norman’s iconic creation.
