You’re dropped on a remote island, surrounded by mutants with too many limbs and cannibals who seem personally offended by your existence. It’s a mess. Most players spend their first ten hours just trying not to starve, but if you actually want to know how to beat Sons of the Forest, you have to stop playing like a tourist and start playing like a speedrunner with a grudge.
Endnight Games didn’t make this easy. Unlike the first game, the sequel’s progression is tied to a specific "gear gate" system. You can’t just stumble into the finale. You need specific tools, in a specific order, or you're just going to hit a literal wall of rock or a locked door that requires a VIP card you don’t have.
The island is huge. Way bigger than the original. Honestly, it's easy to get distracted building a massive log cabin, but if your goal is the credits, you need to focus on the bunkers.
Getting Your Feet Under You (The First 48 Hours)
Look, your first instinct is to build a base. Don't. Not a permanent one, anyway. In the early game, you’re a nomad. You need the Rebreather, the Rope Gun, and the Shovel. These are the "Big Three." Without them, the rest of the map is basically a beautiful wallpaper you can’t interact with.
The Rebreather is tucked away in a cave on the north coast. It’s dark, it’s wet, and there are sharks in the water inside the cave. Yes, sharks in a cave. It’s classic Sons of the Forest nonsense. Grab the air tanks, keep your flashlight off as much as possible to save batteries, and just run if you see the finger-monsters.
Once you have that, you head for the Rope Gun cave. This is the part where most people quit because the cave is a claustrophobic nightmare. But you need that zipline tool to access the Shovel. The Shovel is the most important item in the game because it lets you dig up the hatches to the underground bunkers. No shovel, no ending. Simple as that.
The Maintenance Bunkers and the Keycard Hunt
This is where the game turns from a survival horror into a corporate espionage thriller. You’re looking for three specific keycards: Maintenance, Guest, and VIP.
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- Maintenance Keycard: You'll find this in Maintenance A. You need the shovel to dig it up. It’s tucked away on a desk next to a 3D printer.
- Guest Keycard: This one is in a nightclub-style area within a different bunker. You’ll know you’re close when you start seeing expensive-looking couches and more mutants than usual.
- VIP Keycard: This is the big one. It’s inside a greenhouse-slash-office area. Once you have this, the endgame is officially unlocked.
You’ve got to be careful with the 3D printer, too. Don't waste your resin on arrows. Print the flask first. Having a reliable way to carry water that isn't just "hope I find a stream" is a literal lifesaver when you’re deep in the bunkers.
How to Beat Sons of the Forest: The Final Push
Once you have the VIP Keycard and the Golden Armor, the game's tone shifts. You’re no longer the prey. Well, you're still the prey, but now you have shiny gold pants.
The Golden Armor is located in the Residential Bunker. It’s not actually "armor" in the traditional sense—it won't protect you from a cannibal’s club as well as Tech Armor or Creepy Armor will. Instead, it’s a key. You need to wear it to open the final "Hell Door" located in the Luxury Bunker on the eastern side of the island.
The Magma Caves and the Cube
The final stretch is a descent into a volcanic cavern. It’s hot. It’s orange. And it’s filled with the toughest enemies in the game. If you haven't mastered the shotgun or the modern axe by now, you're going to have a bad time.
The trick here is movement. Don't stand still. The "demons" in these caves are fast, but they hate the cross. If you found the Cross earlier in the game, bring it out. It literally burns them. It’s one of those weird mechanics that the game doesn't explicitly tell you, but it makes the final trek ten times easier.
At the very end, you’ll reach the Cube. Without spoiling the weirdness of the ending cinematic, just know that your choice at the helicopter determines your "ending." You can leave, or you can stay. If you want the "best" ending, make sure Kelvin and Virginia are both alive and with you at the finish line.
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Common Pitfalls and Why You’re Dying
Most players fail because they treat the game like a combat simulator. It’s not. It’s a resource management game. If you're fighting every cannibal you see, you're wasting meds and stamina.
Kelvin is your best friend. Seriously. Use him. Don't make him build your whole base, but have him constantly gather sticks and logs while you’re busy looking at your GPS. It saves you hours of mindless grinding.
Virginia is your defense. Once she trusts you, give her the pistol and the shotgun. She has infinite ammo. I’ll repeat that: she has infinite ammo. A fully armed Virginia is basically a mobile turret that keeps your camp safe while you’re out spelunking.
Another thing: the seasons change. If you take too long to find the bunkers, winter will hit. The lakes freeze over, which sounds cool until you realize you can’t get fresh water easily. Food becomes scarce. If you’re trying to beat the game, try to do it before the first snow falls. It just makes everything less of a headache.
Essential Gear You Might Miss
Don't ignore the Modern Axe. The tactical axe you start with is fine for twigs, but the Modern Axe hits like a truck. You find it at an abandoned campsite—no cave diving required. Also, get the Shotgun. It’s buried in a grave. You need the shovel (see, I told you it was important) to get it. It’s the only weapon that reliably stops a late-game mutant in its tracks.
Actionable Strategy for Your Playthrough
If you want to wrap this game up efficiently, follow this exact sequence.
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First, ignore the GPS pings for a second and just run to the north beach for the Rebreather. From there, swing south to get the Rope Gun. Once you have those, hit the Shovel cave. With the shovel in hand, you can now hit Maintenance A for the first keycard.
Next, head to the western side of the map to find the Guest and VIP cards. Don't bother building a massive base until you have these. Use small "hunter shelters" to save your game and move on. Once you have the VIP card, head to the Residential Bunker for the Golden Armor.
Finally, stock up on dried meat and meds. Head to the Luxury Bunker on the far east side. Put on the armor, open the door, and run through the fire.
Pro-tip for the final boss: Use the shotgun with slug rounds if you have them. Aim for the head. It’s a bullet sponge, but it’s predictable. Keep your back to the wall so nothing can sneak up on you, and keep moving laterally.
The island is a puzzle, not just a sandbox. Once you understand that the gear dictates the pace, the "impossible" survival task becomes a very manageable checklist. Get the shovel, find the cards, wear the gold, and get off the rock.
Immediate Next Steps:
- Locate the Rebreather cave on your GPS (it's the icon closest to the sea on the north side).
- Gather at least two canisters of 3D printer resin for the flask and grappling hooks.
- Befriend Virginia by putting your weapons away when she approaches so she can eventually carry your spare firearms.