Foray in the Forest

Modded episode	Source code
Protagonist	Commander Keen
Author(s)	Nisaba
Status	Complete
Release date	2023-12-25
Discussion(s)	release thread
Number of levels	47
Secret levels	5
New gameplay?	Yes
New graphics?	Yes
New levels?	Yes
New sounds?	Yes
New music?	Yes
Download	newest (v1.0); source code v1.0
Vote	5.00 (5 votes)

Foray in the Forest is a source mod by Nisaba and programmed by K1n9_Duk3.

About

The Foray in the Foray project was started by Mr.M in 2009 and was in development for 3 years until a hardware crash paralyzed production. In 2016, Nisaba attempted to rebuild the mod from scratch with the support of Fleexy and Mr.M, using a only handful screenshots and one short video recording as a reference.

In 2019, K1n9_Duk3 joined the team as the main programmer and the project was transformed from a classic patch mod into a source code mod. The composers kvee, eggs_box, and Kohntarkosz_ became involved during the same period and created unique soundtracks for each level. In addition to the main team, more than 30 community members were involved in the realization of the game.

Due to the global pandemic, there were delays in further game development. The final game got released in 2023 after 14 years of on-and-off development. In terms of scope, it is probably the largest community project realized to date.

Story

After his adventures on Vorticon VI, Commander Keen has returned home, ready to resume his life as simple schoolboy Billy Blaze. Saving the galaxy is hard work, after all! But our intrepid hero's adventures are not over yet, as he is soon to discover. Something extremely important is missing from his personal sanctuary: Some evil mastermind kidnapped his (plush toy) intergalactic hero friends. In its place, he finds a single cryptic note, which leads him on an adventurous rescue mission to a vibrant planet with strange but delicious looking rings...

TL:DR

You're a kid with a pogo stick.

Items

	Neural Stunner More ammo
	Gems Unlock doors
	Raindrop Collect 100 to get an extra life
	Lifewater Flask Extra life
	Super Secret Slug Slime Soda Collect all 17 hidden cans
	Plushies 6 missing intergalactic hero friends

Special Points

	Veggies 1,000 points
	Bananas 5,000 points
	Flying Doughnut 10,000 points
	M_

Regular Points

	Three-Tooth Gum_ 100 points
	Shikadi Soda_ 100 points
	Shikadi Soda-XL 200 points
	Three-Tooth Cannamellas 200 points
	Three Tooth Cannamella-XL 500 points
	Shikkers Candy Bars 500 points
	Muffins 500 points
	Stickypops 500 points
	Stickypop Vortex 1,000 points
	Frozen Fudgsicles 1,000 points
	Ice Cream Cones 2,000 points
	Doughnuts 5,000 points

Special and/or new features

Saving in-game on normal or hard mode costs a life to give new meaning to collecting drops and extra lives.
Ammunition is limited to 25 rounds at max.
The level of difficulty determines the degree of complexity of the level map layout and structure, such as hazard and riddle passages or even enemy behavior.
Collecting points will unlock extras, bonus levels and has an impact on the outcome of the game.
Multiple endings can be unlocked depending on the decisions made during the game. There are in total six different ending sequences. Reaching the perfect score (1,000,000 points) triggers the true ending of the game.

	Checkpoint Mushroom To activate a checkpoint in a level, Keen has to touch these mushrooms.
	Interactive Tiles Keen can interact with several objects to learn more about the environment.
	Dispenser Ammo dispensers allow to refill Keens Neural Stunner.
	Shortcuts New function buttons: F2/F3 = Save/Load Menu F5/F9 = Quick-Save/Load Backspace = Score Box toggle right Shift = Item Detector toggle
	Special Status Window The Special Status Window helps to detect items nearby, like ammo for e.g.

Creatures and other modifications

Avrala
Blu Bird
Blue Bird's Club
Brain Fucl
Chemolain
Corona Plant
Cracked Eggs
Crocodent
Dickie Dig Diggens
Dung Beetle
Efree
Fat Red Cat aka. Atomic Kitten
Flying Smirky
Froggo
Fungus Amongus
Gelatin Spoop
Gretenta
Lapis Crab
Leavea Trip
Legbery
Lemon Shark
Levar
Moorhsum Cigam
Mummy
Nessi
Nipnap
Nisasi
Optiquat
Pat-o-Pat
Poison Slug

Yellow slugs that leave deadly green puddles everywhere.
Princess Lindsey

A helpful guide.
Puffpuff
Purple Tentacle
Robo Rust
Salamander
Skypest

A pesky flying insect.
Sleepwalking Council Page
Sneaky Tree
Spider Popeider
The Janitor
Thornbush
Waddle
Wormouth

A small creature with a large bite.
Xky Keen

Commander Keen replacement.
Zibblinx

Levels

0: Ancient Forest (Normal)

Keen wanders the Ancient Forest

Required?
No
Points
0
Ammo
0 + 0
1: BwB Megarocket (Normal)

Keen launches into the BwB Megarocket

Required?
No
Points
0
Ammo
25 + 1
2: The Deciduous Forest (Normal)

Keen sways through the Sukkahs and deciduous trees

Required?
No
Points
8,000
Ammo
10 + 1
3: The Outpost (Hard)

Keen warily investigates the Outpost

Required?
No
Points
28,000
Ammo
10 + 3
3: The Outpost (Normal)

Keen warily investigates the Outpost

Required?
No
Points
28,000
Ammo
10 + 3
3: The Outpost (Easy)

Keen warily investigates the Outpost

Required?
No
Points
28,000
Ammo
10 + 3
4: Secret Reservoir (Easy)

Keen inquisitively descends to the Secret Reservoir

Required?
Yes
Points
29,100
Ammo
7 + 2
4: Secret Reservoir (Normal)

Keen inquisitively descends to the Secret Reservoir

Required?
Yes
Points
29,100
Ammo
7 + 2
4: Secret Reservoir (Hard)

Keen inquisitively descends to the Secret Reservoir

Required?
Yes
Points
29,100
Ammo
5 + 2
5: Spiky Village (Hard)

Keen boldly searches the Spiky Village

Required?
No
Points
33,900
Ammo
10 + 3
5: Spiky Village (Easy)

Keen boldly searches the Spiky Village

Required?
No
Points
33,900
Ammo
10 + 3
5: Spiky Village (Normal)

Keen boldly searches the Spiky Village

Required?
No
Points
33,900
Ammo
10 + 3
6: Troubled Water (Easy)

Keen crosses over Troubled Water

Required?
Yes
Points
43,200
Ammo
10 + 3
6: Troubled Water (Normal)

Keen crosses over Troubled Water

Required?
Yes
Points
43,200
Ammo
10 + 3
6: Troubled Water (Hard)

Keen crosses over Troubled Water

Required?
Yes
Points
43,200
Ammo
10 + 3
7: Lost Mine (Normal)

Keen braces himself for the Lost Mine

Required?
No
Points
46,200
Ammo
7 + 5
7: Lost Mine (Easy)

Keen braces himself for the Lost Mine

Required?
No
Points
46,200
Ammo
10 + 5
8: Donut Dome (Easy)

Keen enters the Donut Dome in awe

Required?
No
Points
32,600
Ammo
5 + 3
8: Donut Dome (Normal)

Keen enters the Donut Dome in awe

Required?
No
Points
32,600
Ammo
5 + 3
8: Donut Dome (Hard)

Keen enters the Donut Dome in awe

Required?
No
Points
32,600
Ammo
8 + 3
9: Fawlty Towers (Hard)

Keen takes delight in a series of Fawlty Towers

Required?
Yes
Points
43,300
Ammo
7 + 6
9: Fawlty Towers (Easy)

Keen takes delight in a series of Fawlty Towers

Required?
Yes
Points
43,300
Ammo
8 + 6
9: Fawlty Towers (Normal)

Keen takes delight in a series of Fawlty Towers

Required?
Yes
Points
43,300
Ammo
7 + 6
10: Asparagus Roots (Easy)

Keen swings by the Asparagus Roots

Required?
No
Points
40,400
Ammo
11 + 5
10: Asparagus Roots (Normal)

Keen swings by the Asparagus Roots

Required?
No
Points
40,400
Ammo
10 + 4
11: Habitatio Piscum Swimeatum (Normal)

Keen plummets into the Habitatio Piscum Swimeatum

Required?
No
Points
40,000
Ammo
8 + 2
12: Manara Samarra (Normal)

Keen bravely ascends Manara Samarra

Required?
No
Points
41,000
Ammo
7 + 3
13: Shilin Forest (Easy)

Keen vaults through the Shilin Forest

Required?
Yes
Points
35,500
Ammo
10
13: Shilin Forest (Normal)

Keen vaults through the Shilin Forest

Required?
Yes
Points
35,500
Ammo
10
13: Shilin Forest (Hard)

Keen vaults through the Shilin Forest

Required?
Yes
Points
35,500
Ammo
10
14: The Concealed Ruin (Normal)

Keen unearths a Concealed Ruin

Required?
Yes
Points
35,800
Ammo
10 + 3
15: Pyramid of Doors (Easy)

Keen discovers the forgotten Pyramid of Doors

Required?
No
Points
46,200
Ammo
10 + 6
15: Pyramid of Doors (Normal)

Keen discovers the forgotten Pyramid of Doors

Required?
No
Points
46,200
Ammo
7 + 6
16: The Magic Forest (Normal)

Keen finds himself in the twilight of the Magic Forest

Required?
Yes
Points
0
Ammo
0 + 0
16: The Magic Forest (Easy)

Keen finds himself in the twilight of the Magic Forest

Required?
Yes
Points
0
Ammo
0 + 0
17: Søvngængeres Skov (Normal)

Keen sights relicts in the Skov af Søvngængere

Required?
No
Points
38,900
Ammo
10 + 1
17: Søvngængeres Skov (Easy)

Keen sights relicts in the Skov af Søvngængere

Required?
No
Points
38,900
Ammo
10 + 1
18: Temple of Doom (Normal)

Keen stealthy warps through the Temple of Doom

Required?
Yes
Points
36,400
Ammo
5 + 1
18: Temple of Doom (Easy)

Keen stealthy warps through the Temple of Doom

Required?
Yes
Points
36,400
Ammo
11 + 2
19: Slugidarium (Normal)

Keen follows a secret slime trail to the Slugidarium

Required?
No
Points
22,200
Ammo
10
20: Donut Heaven (Normal)

Princess Lindsey takes Keen to Donut Heaven

Required?
No
Points
335,000
Ammo
0 + 0
21: The High Scores (Normal)

Keen unexplainedly detects the High-Scores

Required?
No
Points
0
Ammo
0 + 0
22: The Magic Wonderland (Easy)

Keen strays even deeper into the Magic Wonderland

Required?
Yes
Points
35,000
Ammo
10 + 4
22: The Magic Wonderland (Normal)

Keen strays even deeper into the Magic Wonderland

Required?
Yes
Points
35,000
Ammo
8 + 4
23: Le TARDIS (Normal)

Keen rematerialises through time and space

Required?
No
Points
29,300
Ammo
20 + 1
24: Top Secret ACME Inc. Laboratory (Normal)

Keen discovers the top secret ACME Inc. Laboratory

Required?
Yes
Points
0
Ammo
0 + 0
25: Cloudy Cliff (Normal)

Keen bravely hops along a Cloud-Covered Cliff

Required?
No
Points
0
Ammo
0 + 0

Music

Level	Title	Composer
0	Keenish Tune (kvee remix) Yoshi's Hillville	TSK TheBigV
1	Nashville Commercials Yoshi's Hillville	Kohntarkosz_ TheBigV
2	The Lady is Frightful	MOM4Ever
3	Nitelite	Mr.M
4	Oasis Slowasis	kvee
5	Jazzin' Them Nazis	Bobby Prince
6	Guess	Bobby Prince
7	Algeria	MOM4Evr
8	JazzK (kvee remix)	unknown composer
9	Fonk	eggs_box
10	2Hot Too Hot	kvee
11	SpoopS	eggs_box
12	Education	Mr.M
13	Tropic Pants	Kohntrakosz_
14	A Very Special Pyramid	eggs_box
15	Funk 'Til Ya Red Mustard the Strength Blue Your Cover Mondo Green (Nisaba remix)	eggs_box
16	Icy F 10rppq (Nisaba remix)	kvee
17	As Above... ... So Below	eggs_box
18	Colder	Gridlock
19	Strut	Kohntrakosz_
20	Kick Keen	TMST
21	Summers Beach	unknown composer
22	Icy F 10rppq	kvee
24	Mort's Lab	Mr.M
25	Summers Beach	unknown composer

Game Segment	Title	Composer
Starwars Text	Midnight	kvee
Help Screen	Cruise	IncredibleMachine
Good End	Fusion	IncredibleMachine
Bad End	Dope Jaws	Lee Jackson
Cheater End	Slipping Slug	JosephCollins
Minimum End	Bugs Will Bite	eggs_box
Perfect End	Jo Jackson	Kohntrakosz_

Trivia

Motivation: The author of Foray in the Forest stated that the main motivation behind the project was to reactivate and revive abandoned, unfinished or unreleased modding attempts. Essentially, it was about celebrating forgotten but high-quality material and creative ideas from the community.

Booklet: A 24-page manual is supplied with the game. This booklet is based on the style of the supplement booklets from the 90s. It contains valuable insight into the new features of the game, as well as entertaining elements such as comic strips and the like. It is recommended to consult this before starting the game.

Prize Game: The game includes a hidden prize game. The first to unlock this secret ending sequence can win a physical edition of the game on floppy disk, plus booklet and lovingly designed box.

Technical Information

Utilities used: Abiathar, Borland C++ Compiler, Geany IDE, GHex, IMF Crusher, IMF Player, imfplay, IMFVOC, ModId, Obsidian, PHStar scripts, TheDraw, TliExtend, TliTool, mtPaint, uGrab, Wolf3D Data Compiler

Credits

Creator: Nisaba

Programming: K1n9_Duk3
Tool Smith: Fleexy
Music Composition: kvee, eggs_box, Kohntarkosz_, Mr.M

Additional Contributions (in alphabetical order): 55Aavenue, A.R., Awesome-Keener, Bob "Mort" Thewes, Bubbatom, Ceilick, ChargingMoose, ckguy, DarkAle, Dautz, DoomJedi, Dr. Colossus, FaceLaces, Flaose, Genius314, Gridlock, Hagel, Jarno LV, , keenmaster486, KeenRush, Lee Jackson, Lemm, Levellass, Lotte, Mark the Candyjunk, Mobiethian, MoffD, Mr.M, nanomekia, Nowhere Girl, NY00123, obsidian29, Pandakeen, Petka, Plasma Captian, proYorp, Quillax, Roobar, Snortimer, Spleen, Syllypryde, Tesseract, The Shifted One, TheBigV, TSK, T-Squared, tulip, X-Rack Projekt, Xky Rauh, Zero X. Diamond, Zilem