You're out there in the middle of the ocean, the sun is beating down, and you’re wondering why your houseboat is currently drifting toward the edge of the world. It's a vibe. Honestly, the Sons of the Forest update cycle has been a wild ride since the 1.0 launch, but the most recent 2025 patches changed the game in ways that go way beyond just fixing a few glitchy cannibals. People keep asking if the game is "done."
Not even close.
Endnight Games recently dropped Patch 16, which, if we’re being real, is basically the "Water and Walls" update. It finally addressed the glaring issue of the island being surrounded by water that you couldn't really do anything with besides drown in. We finally got buildable rafts, and they aren't just decorative planks of wood. You’ve got the small raft, the medium one, and the houseboat. The houseboat is the real MVP because it lets you slap a roof over your head and stay mobile, though you’ll still need a paddle to get anywhere.
The New Building Meta: Drawing Your Defenses
One of the coolest—and most overlooked—parts of the latest Sons of the Forest update is the procedural defensive wall system.
Remember the old way?
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You’d spend twenty minutes trying to line up logs perfectly, only for one to snap at a weird 45-degree angle that let a mutant squeeze through. Now, you can basically "draw" the blueprint for where you want your wall to go. It’s like using a pen tool in Photoshop but for survival horror. Once you lay down the path, you can just point at Kelvin and let him do the heavy lifting. He’s actually much better at it now too. He finally has a faster swimming animation, so if you're building a coastal fortress, he won't look like he's struggling through molasses every time he needs to cross a tide pool.
Why Your Glider and KnightV Aren't Trash Anymore
For a long time, the KnightV and the hang glider were "cool but annoying" items. You’d ride your electric unicycle halfway across the map, get attacked by a group of Puffies, jump off to fight, and then... where did it go? You’d lose it in the grass or leave it leaning against a rock three miles back.
The update added specific buildable holders for both the KnightV and the Glider.
It sounds small.
It’s actually huge for base organization.
Setting up a "garage" for your gear makes the late-game exploration feel less like a chore and more like you're actually settling into the island. Plus, the hang glider is now foldable. You can actually tuck it into your inventory instead of having to carry it over your head like a giant, neon "eat me" sign for the local cannibal population.
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Combat Tweaks and the "Hell Cave" Experience
If you haven't played since the 1.0 release or the early 2025 patches, the combat feels... different. Endnight tightened up the aiming for the crossbow and compound bow. They actually tweaked the arrow trajectory to match the physical path of the shot better. No more "I swear I hit that head" moments only for the arrow to vanish into the ether.
Also, the "Hell Cave" got a temperature adjustment. You won't freeze to death in there anymore, which was a weirdly frustrating mechanic for a cave that is literally supposed to be hot.
Pro Tip: If you're playing in multiplayer, they added a feature where you can revive players who die while swimming. Before, if you went down in the water, that was pretty much it. Now, your friends can actually pull you back from the brink before the sharks get interested.
Everything That Changed in the Recent Patch
I know everyone loves a good list of "what's actually new," so here is the breakdown of the most significant shifts in the recent Sons of the Forest update landscape:
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- Raft Dynamics: You have to use a mooring post now. If you don't, your expensive new houseboat will absolutely float away while you're off hunting squirrels.
- Weapon Refinements: The shotgun, slingshot, and all bows got a pass on their aiming mechanics. It feels snappier.
- Storage Upgrades: You can now put Golf Cart batteries on shelves. Finally.
- Environment: The world boundaries were actually extended slightly to give your rafts more room to maneuver around the coast.
- Kelvin & Virginia: Both companions are smarter about water. They can now pull themselves up onto ledges more reliably. Virginia also won't just stand there and watch you drown as often.
Is More Content Coming in 2026?
There is a lot of chatter in the community about a potential "Forest 3," especially after some vague mentions at recent award shows. But looking at Endnight's history, they tend to support their games with these "silent" major updates for years. The fact that we just got a massive overhaul to the wall-building system and the addition of naval travel suggests they are still filling in the gaps of their original vision.
The biggest thing most people miss is the new "Secret Player Findable Outfit." It’s tucked away in a spot most veterans skip because they think they’ve seen everything. It’s those little details—the hidden clothing, the Steam Game Recording support, the way blood and wetness now show up on all of Kelvin’s different outfits—that show the devs are still obsessed with the minutiae.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Next Save
If you’re jumping back in today, don't just run for the shovel.
First, head to the coast and try the new "drawn" wall system near a cliffside. It allows for much more organic base shapes that follow the terrain. Second, craft a medium raft early. It’s a safer way to traverse the island's perimeter than running through the dense brush where the new "Legsy" and "Holey" mutants like to hang out. Lastly, make sure you build that KnightV holder immediately; having a designated parking spot will save you hours of backtracking to find where you dropped your ride during a surprise raid.
The island is still dangerous, and it’s still weird, but it’s a lot more manageable when you aren't fighting the UI just to build a simple fence.