The Mad Forest
Where the trees whisper death and the first blood is spilled.
The Mad Forest serves as the primordial starting point for all who dare to survive in this cursed world. It is a dense, ancient woodland where the boundary between nature and nightmare has long since dissolved, teeming with the undead and monstrous aberrations that seek to devour the living. As the first stage encountered by every survivor, it acts as both a tutorial ground and a relentless proving ground where new heroes must learn the brutal rhythm of endless combat.
- Role
- Starting Stage / Tutorial Zone
- Environment
- Dense Forest with Ruins
- First Appears
- Beginning of the Game
- Primary Threats
- Ghouls, Bats, and Imps
- Key Feature
- High Enemy Density at Start
Lore & Background
The ruins scattered throughout the woods hint at a civilization that once tried to contain this corruption but ultimately failed. These stone remnants stand as silent witnesses to countless battles, their surfaces stained with the ichor of monsters and the blood of the brave. It is here that the legend begins; where ordinary people are forced to evolve into weapons against the apocalypse, learning that survival is not a right, but a desperate struggle against overwhelming odds.
In Their Own Story
The air tasted of wet rot and old iron as Elena stepped past the ancient oak marking the forest's edge. Behind her lay safety; ahead, only the shifting shadows of the Mad Forest. A low growl vibrated through the soles of her boots, followed by the skittering of claws on dry leaves. She tightened her grip on her weapon, knowing that in this place, hesitation meant death. The first bat swooped down, a blur of wings and teeth, and Elena's journey into the nightmare truly began.
Reader's Guide
The Mad Forest features a sprawling, open layout filled with dense clusters of trees that limit line-of-sight but provide cover from ranged enemies. The terrain is dotted with ancient ruins and stone pillars that act as obstacles, forcing survivors to navigate carefully while dodging swarms. Enemy density is highest at the start of the run, creating an immediate pressure cooker environment. Ghouls rush in packs, requiring quick crowd control, while bats harass from above. As time progresses, the waves become more relentless, introducing Imps and other variants that test the player's ability to maintain a safe distance. The primary challenge is managing the initial chaos without being overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies. Players must quickly establish a rotation of movement and attacks to clear space. There are no unique environmental hazards like traps or terrain damage, but the constant flow of monsters ensures that standing still is always fatal.
Did You Know?
- The Mad Forest is the only stage where players can encounter the basic Ghoul enemy in its initial form without any elemental variants immediately present.
- Many of the stone ruins found here are shared across other early-game stages, suggesting a connected history of fallen civilizations.
- This stage serves as the primary testing ground for new character synergies due to its predictable but punishing enemy spawn rates.