In Woods is a roguelike survival game set in a forest. Fight different monsters, craft items, and defeat the final boss for victory.
The game features a top-down, action-oriented combat system. Players can choose from several distinct character classes, each with unique melee and ranged attacks. For example, the Archer class can unleash a barrage of projectiles, while the Warrior specializes in powerful melee strikes. Defeating enemies grants experience points, allowing players to level up and unlock new upgrades or abilities through a card-based progression system.
The combat is described as satisfying, with a "dance of flying projectiles" as players and enemies trade blows. Each level-up allows the player to choose a new upgrade card, providing various enhancements such as increased damage, elemental effects, or movement speed. This encourages experimentation and the pursuit of powerful synergistic builds, as players try to optimize their character's capabilities.
In addition to combat, the game features a crafting system centered around gathering wood from trees. Players can use this wood resource to craft various upgrades and items, further enhancing their character's abilities. Managing and efficiently utilizing the available wood is crucial for success, as some upgrades and abilities require significant wood investments.
The game offers several character classes, each with unique playstyles and abilities, adding to the overall variety and replayability. Additionally, the procedurally-generated levels and randomized enemy encounters ensure that each playthrough presents new challenges and opportunities for players to adapt their strategies.
Upon reaching a certain duration in the game, players will encounter a final boss encounter, providing a sense of progression and a clear goal to work towards. Defeating the final boss is required to claim victory, further driving players to refine their builds and strategies over multiple runs.