Veteran Developers Unveil Hawthorn: A Whimsical Animal-Themed RPG Sandbox

By Anshul╺

  • PS4
  • PS5
  • XBox One
  • Series X
  • PC

Former developers from Bethesda, BioWare, and Naughty Dog have joined forces to create Hawthorn, an enchanting RPG sandbox featuring anthropomorphic animals. This new project marks a departure from the large-scale productions these industry veterans are known for, embracing a more intimate and imaginative gaming experience.

Game Overview

Hawthorn transports players to the forgotten Windermere Valley, where forest creatures once built a thriving trading post. Now abandoned, this magical setting serves as the backdrop for players to craft their own unique stories.

Key Features

The game offers a variety of engaging activities:

  • Attract villagers and develop your community
  • Explore the world, harvest resources, fish, and farm
  • Construct various buildings
  • Adapt to weather challenges and celebrate seasonal changes
  • Experience random events that create unique storylines
  • Choose between peaceful conflict resolution or combat

Players can customize their own characters and enjoy the game solo or in cooperative mode.

Development Team

NEARstudios, founded by the veteran developers, is leading the creation of Hawthorn. Their collective experience from working on major titles promises a polished and captivating gaming experience.

Release Information

While no official release date has been announced, Hawthorn already has a page on Steam where interested players can add it to their wishlists.

Hawthorn represents a growing trend of experienced developers moving away from large-scale projects to create more personal and innovative games. With its blend of community building, exploration, and whimsical characters, Hawthorn is shaping up to be an intriguing addition to the RPG sandbox genre.