Let it never be said that gamers don't have a more sensitive side, as many who are currently playing Endnight Games' survival title Sons of the Forest seem to absolutely adore Kelvin, the companion NPC that helps the player out. There's a lot to be excited for when it comes to horror games, whether it's the upcoming remakes of Resident Evil 4 and Silent Hill 2, or new entries in the Outlast and Layers of Fear franchises. Both the AAA and indie scene are thriving at the moment.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Sons of the Forest topping the Steam charts, selling two million copies in the space of 24 hours, and possibly being the reason why Steam's servers went down recently. It's an impressive feat for an indie developer, showing just how dedicated and loyal fans can be when it comes to supporting smaller studios. While SotF's current success is likely down to the horror genre experiencing something of a golden age, not to mention offering something a little different from all the AAA releases, there is one aspect of the game that's pulling people in.
When looking at the Sons of the Forest subreddit, it becomes quite clear that fans are loving Kelvin, the brain-damaged AI that accompanies the player. One post by user Crystalsight makes a reference to the NPC via a screenshot from Star Wars, in which Lord Vader asks about the safety of Kelvin. There's also user KilroyWH1939 whose meme-like post suggests that the companion will always be there for them, saying, "I know Kelvin got me." Then there's the post from CoolJoshido, which shows the NPC with hearts around him and the words "I love you" written on the game's notepad. The Reddit thread can be viewed here.
For anyone who isn't aware, Sons of the Forest announced Kelvin earlier this year. His purpose is to assist the player, following commands and just generally being there to make the solo campaign feel less lonely. The fact that he's suffered a serious head injury means that he doesn't speak, but he seems more than willing to be a companion for those who might find the ominous forest a little too intense when going it alone.
Survival games are still very much in vogue at the moment, and the likes of Sons of the Forest are helping to keep the genre alive, especially when it comes to horror. People's love of Kelvin shows that there's more to this sequel than just battling cannibalistic tribes, with fans more than happy to demonstrate their devotion to the helpful character.
Sons of the Forest is available in Early Access on PC.
Source: SonsOfTheForest/Reddit
