In his latest deep dive into retro gaming, BastichB 64K ventures into the world of horror with Forbidden Forest for the Commodore 64, a classic game designed by Paul Norman and released by Cosmi Corporation in 1983. This atmospheric title transports players into a dark and eerie forest, where they must take on the role of an archer battling a host of monstrous enemies. Armed with a bow and a limited supply of four quivers of arrows per level, players navigate through the forest, confronting giant spiders, mutated frogs, bees, dragons, wizards, and snakes. The ultimate challenge lies in defeating the fearsome final boss—the Demogorgon.
Forbidden Forest offers four escalating levels of difficulty—Innocent, Trooper, Daredevil, and Crazy—each increasing the number and speed of the enemies, ensuring that players face progressively tougher battles. The game’s blend of horror-themed visuals and pulse-pounding gameplay made it a standout title in the early days of Commodore 64 gaming.
The story behind the game’s creation is as fascinating as the gameplay itself. Paul Norman began his career at a small software company called Synchro, which specialized in developing software for platforms like the Apple II, VIC-20, and Commodore 64. Norman, hoping to break into game development, applied for a position at Synchro by presenting a game he had created for the VIC-20. His effort paid off, and he was hired, leading to the development of Forbidden Forest as a way to hone his 6502 programming skills.
However, fate took an unexpected turn when Synchro faced financial difficulties. As the company was shutting down, representatives from Cosmi Corporation arrived to purchase the office’s furniture. Upon noticing Norman working on Forbidden Forest, they were impressed by his progress and hired him on the spot. This chance encounter set the stage for one of the C64’s most iconic titles, blending eerie sound design, challenging gameplay, and a unique sense of tension that kept players coming back for more.
