Who knew a cozy village full of well-dressed woodland creatures would be the perfect antidote to the midweek blues?
This charming, Redwall-inspired simplicity is exactly what we need in 2024. And we're in good hands with NEARstudios, a team of former Bethesda, BioWare, and Naughty Dog developers.
It's called Hawthorn, it's a sandbox RPG and life sim, and we're already in love.
A cozy adventure with woodland creatures
In Hawthorn, you take on the role of a collection of forest animals who work together to restore an abandoned trading post and turn it into a bustling village. From owls wearing jaunty hats to otters enjoying mugs of rodent-sized ale, the game combines the heartwarming appeal of Redwall with the familiar gameplay mechanics of farming, crafting, and building.Though NEARstudios has been teasing glimpses of the game for months via their X account, the game received its first proper reveal in a recent trailer, showcasing the charming world and its rodent residents.
Farming and feasting from a mouse's perspective
The gameplay trailer shows familiar life-sim activities, but with a twist - all from the tiny perspective of a mouse. Imagine tending a farm where towering pumpkins and corn surround you. And these oversized crops aren't just for eating - they also serve as decorations for your cozy village. Watching the mouse struggle to haul a giant pumpkin home is oddly charming - small hero, big goals.
But life in Hawthorn isn't all hard work. The trailer shows heartwarming moments, like when the mouse hosts a lively feast for the other villagers. Tiny creatures gather to dance and raise their miniature cups in celebration. And if that's not enough, there's even a quirky sport where the mouse rides on the back of an owl to play a flying version of basketball.
Hawthorn doesn't have a release date yet, but you can add it to your Steam wishlist right now. If the thought of a village full of tiny creatures with big personalities warms your heart, this might just be the life sim you didn't know you needed.