- What to know
- Quick overview of Island 4: Crimson Sakura Isles
- A new Japanese-themed map with mystery zones
- New mobs and enemies to challenge players
- New ores and rare resources
- New pickaxes and progression tools
- A dangerous new boss encounter
- How to prepare before Island 4 launches
- Why Island 4 is taking so long
What to know
- Island 4 officially launches on February 14
- The update is titled Crimson Sakura Isles
- It introduces a full Japanese-themed map with new mobs, ores, tools, and a boss
- Players are encouraged to prepare gear, essences, and cash in advance
Island 4 is one of the most anticipated updates The Forge has seen so far. Officially named Crimson Sakura Isles, this update expands the game with a completely new island built around a Japanese-inspired aesthetic, while also pushing difficulty, progression, and loot variety forward. According to the developers, February 14 is the targeted release date. While delays are always possible, the team has stated that compensation rewards will be given if the update is pushed back, which helps maintain player trust.
The Forge has built its reputation on depth and polish, and Island 4 reflects that philosophy. Rather than being a simple reskin, Crimson Sakura Isles introduces new mechanics, enemies, and rare resources that are clearly designed for mid-to-late game players.
Quick overview of Island 4: Crimson Sakura Isles
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Release date | February 14 |
| Island name | Crimson Sakura Isles |
| Theme | Japanese-inspired fantasy |
| New content | Map, mobs, ores, pickaxes, boss |
| Difficulty | Higher than previous islands |
A new Japanese-themed map with mystery zones
Crimson Sakura Isles introduces a visually distinct map inspired by Japanese landscapes. You can expect arched bridges, glowing lanterns, bamboo groves, and sakura-style scenery throughout the island. The environment is not just cosmetic; it appears designed to guide progression and exploration.
One of the most talked-about locations is the divine tree area, a massive centerpiece that stands out from the rest of the map. This zone is heavily speculated to house either a boss encounter or extremely rare ores, making it a high-risk, high-reward location. The verticality and layout of the island suggest that positioning and awareness will matter more than on previous islands.
New mobs and enemies to challenge players
Island 4 significantly expands enemy variety. The update introduces samurai-themed orcs, visually distinct with armor, blades, and combat animations that fit the island’s theme. These enemies are expected to hit harder and require better gear awareness than standard mobs.
In addition, the island includes multiple monkey-type enemies, ranging from smaller variants to a giant panda-style mob, which appears to function as a mini-boss or elite enemy. Later zones also showcase icy, golem-like orcs, indicating that Crimson Sakura Isles blends elemental themes rather than sticking to a single biome style.
New ores and rare resources
Mining progression is a major focus of Island 4. Several entirely new ores have been teased, including arcane crystals, angelic crystals, red horned ores, purple tail-shaped ores, and a Kitsune-themed ore. These are expected to tie directly into crafting stronger tools, weapons, and possibly island-exclusive upgrades.
One particularly interesting addition is the Lucky Cat ore, which is rumored to provide a higher in-game currency multiplier. If confirmed, this ore could become one of the most valuable farming targets on the island, especially for players looking to sustain expensive upgrades.
New pickaxes and progression tools
Crimson Sakura Isles also adds new pickaxes designed around the island’s theme. These include a pink floral pickaxe, a blue-toned pickaxe, and a Kitsune-themed pickaxe that visually matches the new ores. While exact stats are not fully revealed, these tools are expected to outperform earlier island equipment and may introduce new mining efficiencies.
A dangerous new boss encounter
One of the biggest highlights of Island 4 is the teased new boss. This enemy is described as six-armed, flame-infused, and wielding a katana with light or fire elements. Visually and mechanically, it appears far more complex than previous bosses, signaling a step up in combat difficulty.
The presentation strongly emphasizes preparation, suggesting that undergeared players will struggle significantly. This boss is likely tied to high-tier loot, progression gates, or rare crafting materials.
How to prepare before Island 4 launches
Preparation is key if you want to dive into Crimson Sakura Isles immediately. Players are advised to secure strong armor and weapons, such as gargantuan armor and the chaos sword, to survive the tougher mobs and boss fights.
Another crucial step is to farm legendary essences, primarily by repeatedly defeating the Bow Baby boss. These essences are expected to be essential for upgrading or crafting new Island 4 gear. Lastly, accumulating large amounts of in-game cash is highly recommended. Efficient methods include essence farming in high-density areas like the spider cave, which can generate millions of currency when done consistently.
Why Island 4 is taking so long
The Forge’s developers have been transparent about development time. The game’s systems are highly detailed, and each island introduces interconnected mechanics rather than isolated content. This is why updates take longer but arrive more polished. The team has also confirmed that new leaks, teasers, and sneak peeks will continue to roll out leading up to release.
