Forest Ranger Services: Episode 1

Horror· Casual· Free to Play· Psychological Horror

Released Nov 2024

Horror game series about the investigation of missing hikers in the U.S. National Parks. Follow the story of a wannabe reporter who got a job as a ranger to investigate the disappearances - several episodes that tell one story! Based on true events.

82% positive · 150 reviews

Not yet

Released, but content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Not yet

Released, but content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Steam Free

Evaluation

Forest Ranger Services: Episode 1 is a free-to-play narrative adventure game that launched on November 29, 2024. It is explicitly designed as the first installment of a multi-episode series — the store description frames the story as unfolding "across multiple episodes, like a TV show," with the same characters and an ongoing mystery running through each entry. The developer made Episode 1 free-to-play on April 11, 2025, explaining this was "the best way to keep the series going" by reaching more players — a clear statement of intent to continue the series. Episode 2 was announced in April 2025 and launched on September 10, 2025, complete with real voice actors, new mini-games, and continuation of the story from Episode 1. The Episode 2 launch post is the most recent developer communication, dated September 10, 2025 — approximately one week before today's date of September 17, 2026. Episode 1 itself is a complete, self-contained entry, but the broader story it belongs to is explicitly ongoing by design. The developer has not announced what comes after Episode 2, but the series structure, the developer's repeated statements about the story having "so much more to tell," and the successful delivery of Episode 2 all indicate that the series is intended to continue. No statement declaring the series concluded has been made.

Evidence

Episode 2 launched on Steam with voice actors, mini-games, and story continuation. Most recent developer communication.

news post · Sep 10, 2025 source content shipped

high

Developer announced Episode 1 going free-to-play, stating 'This story has so much more to tell' and that making the game free is 'the best way to keep the series going.'

news post · Apr 11, 2025 source content planned

high

Media

Details

Developer

GuardHouse

Publisher

GuardHouse

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Not rated

Players

Single-player

Horror Free to Play Casual Psychological Horror Adventure 1990's Surreal Cinematic Walking Simulator Driving Episodic Investigation Detective Atmospheric Linear

About this game

ONE STORY THROUGH MULTIPLE EPISODES - LIKE A TV SHOW!

Story that unfolds across multiple episodes, each with new mysteries and thrilling twists and explanations of what's happening. You play as the same character in all episodes, but sometimes you may play as side characters in the story.

Start your journey in Episode 1 by exploring atmospheric locations and piecing together the start of the narrative of Forest Ranger Services.

EXAMINE YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Explore the levels and find details, lore and clues - Try to figure out the plot of the series.

DRIVE

Go for a ride in a forest and listen to a radio station podcast about missing hikers and UFOs all based on facts, documented reports and real life events.

YOU ARE THE MAIN CHARACTER OF THE SERIES!

Experience the events that start the Forest Ranger Services series where you are the main character. Find all the clues in the first episode.

Piece together the creepy start of the series - a non-linear story!
Talk to strange individuals - meet some of the main characters and follow their story through the episodes!
Casual driving with a twist!

The Forest Ranger Services series are based on real life events and personal accounts of hikers. The narrative has been altered for entertainment purposes.

There are thousands of missing reports filed each year in the U.S National Parks. Many cases remain unexplained.