Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest launched October 23, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Developed by Peruvian studio Bamtang Games and published by Trailmark Games with rights holder Coolabi Group, it is the first major standalone video game adaptation of Erin Hunter's Warriors book series, which has sold more than 90 million copies since 2003. The game dropped the same day as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Trailmark leaned into it. Here is what you actually need to know before picking a Clan.
Cat creator customization screen
What is Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest?
Here is the short answer: it is a turn-based action-adventure RPG set in the Lake Territories from the books. You build a custom cat, choose one of four Clans, and work through story campaigns shaped by each Clan's culture. Four original storylines were written exclusively for the game by Erin Hunter, which is the biggest selling point for longtime fans of the series.
The game carries an ESRB rating of Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence, so it is squarely aimed at the franchise's existing audience without locking out younger players.
Which Clan should you choose?
Your Clan choice determines which story campaign you play through, so it is the most consequential decision at the start. Each Clan occupies a distinct territory in the Lake Territories and has its own culture that shapes the narrative.
| Clan | Territory | Defining trait |
|---|---|---|
| ThunderClan | Dense forests | Courage |
| RiverClan | Marshlands | Grace |
| ShadowClan | Dark pine swamps | Cunning |
| WindClan | Open moors | Speed |
Because characters, quests, and stories are procedurally generated, no two playthroughs are identical even within the same Clan. That is worth knowing if you plan to replay.
How does the cat creator work?
Every run begins in the cat creator. You can adjust fur patterns, colours, tails, whiskers, ears, eyes, and markings. Trailmark says the system supports millions of possible combinations. Once your cat is built, you pick your Clan and begin as an apprentice.
The Feral Edition ($39.99) adds the Prophecy Pack, which expands the creator with eight new elements, 12 wearable accessories, a cel-shaded skin, four cat poses for photo mode, and four photo mode effects. The Prophecy Pack is also sold separately on Steam for $14.99. The Standard Edition costs $29.99.
Anyone who pre-ordered either edition digitally received the Purrfect Look Pack, a set of additional cat creator options.
Feral Edition Prophecy Pack extras
How does combat work?
Fights are turn-based, up to three versus three. There are 75 combat moves to discover and unlock across your playthrough. The system includes combat stances and lets you target enemy weaknesses, so positioning and move selection matter beyond just picking the highest damage option.
Clan-specific abilities are available, and StarClan ancestor attacks can be called upon during battle. The enemy roster goes well beyond rival Clan cats: you will face badgers, foxes, Dobermanns, mice, squirrels, and more.
What are the three game modes?
- Prophecy Mode contains the four original story campaigns. This is the main game.
- Defender Mode is a survival challenge: last as long as possible against the game's toughest enemies in a single run.
- Skirmish Mode lets you battle other players online, asynchronously.
All three modes are available at launch.
What can you do outside of combat?
Exploration is a real part of the game. Your cat can climb trees, pounce through undergrowth, track scents, solve environmental puzzles, and hunt prey including birds, rabbits, and squirrels. Sacred locations like the Moonpool and the Island are accessible as part of the story.
Your cat also has a den. You forage materials in the world and craft items for it, including bedding and scratching posts. Friends can visit each other's camps online, and you can help them by crafting items or sending resources.
What are the PC system requirements?
The PC version is light. Minimum specs are a GTX 1060 or RX 580, 8 GB of RAM, and 4 GB of storage. Most mid-range machines from the last several years will run it without issue.
What is the critical reception?
As of launch, the reception is mixed. Here is how the early scores broke down:
| Outlet | Score | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| COGconnected | 77/100 | Praised art design and customization; flagged underdeveloped story structure |
| ScreenRant | 7/10 | Strong turn-based gameplay (8/10); weak visuals (5/10) |
| Gaming Trend | 45/100 | Praised stance-based combat; criticized graphics and overworld |
| Nintendo Everything | 2/5 | Called it unfocused with no clear identity |
Steam user reviews sat at a 'Mixed' rating after 846 reviews at launch. The consistent praise points to character customization and the turn-based combat system. The consistent criticism points to visuals, overworld design, and story execution.
Here is why that matters: if you are a fan of the books, the Erin Hunter-written storylines and the faithful recreation of the Lake Territories are probably enough to carry the experience. If you are coming in cold as a turn-based RPG player, the mixed visual and structural reception is worth weighing before you spend $29.99 or $39.99.
What is the Warrior Cats franchise context?
HarperCollins published the first Warriors novel, Into the Wild, in 2003. The series has since expanded into nine arcs, standalone novels, and manga across 38 languages. The most recent book, Guiding Light, the fourth entry in the Changing Skies arc, released October 6, 2026. An official animated series is also in production with Tencent Video, set to premiere in 2028.
Clans of the Forest is the second licensed game from Trailmark, which launched as a publisher earlier in 2026.
ThunderClan forest territory
Editions comparison
| Edition | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $29.99 | Base game |
| Feral Edition | $39.99 | Base game + Prophecy Pack (8 creator elements, 12 accessories, cel-shaded skin, 4 poses, 4 photo effects) |
| Prophecy Pack (standalone) | $14.99 | DLC only, available on Steam |
| Purrfect Look Pack | Free with digital pre-order | Extra cat creator options |
Worth it? If you know you will spend time in the cat creator and photo mode, the Feral Edition's $10 premium over Standard is reasonable given what the Prophecy Pack adds. If you primarily care about the story campaigns, Standard is fine.
Common mistakes
- Picking a Clan based on name alone rather than checking which book characters appear in that storyline
- Skipping the den system entirely, which cuts off crafting options that matter in longer runs
- Ignoring Defender Mode if you want more combat practice outside the story
- Overlooking Skirmish Mode's asynchronous structure, which means you do not need to coordinate schedules with friends
FAQ
Is Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest multiplayer? Skirmish Mode supports online asynchronous player-versus-player battles. The den visiting system also lets friends drop into your camp online. There is no real-time co-op.
How many stories are in the game? Four original storylines, one per Clan, all written by Erin Hunter specifically for this game.
Can you play all four Clan stories? Yes. Each Clan has its own campaign, so you can start a new run with a different Clan to access a different story.
Does the game have replay value? Procedurally generated characters, quests, and stories mean each run through a Clan's campaign plays out differently. Defender Mode adds a separate replayable challenge layer.
What platforms is it on? PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store).
For more coverage of the game, check out the full Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest strategy guides collection, or browse more adventure games if you are looking for something similar to play alongside it.
