If role-playing games are your thing, then you must have come across Stardew Valley in your journey.
It’s not your typical combat RPG but the farm-based game soon got a following and even won the Breakthrough Award during the Golden Joystick Awards and Simulation Game Award during the NAVGTR Awards, both in 2016.
Now, Chucklefish, the publisher of Stardew Valley, has announced that it’s hard at work on a new fantasy role-playing game. Originally named Spellbound, the project’s new title is Witchbrook. It’s an isometric RPG that draws inspiration from the world of Harry Potter. While Stardew Valley fans will find some mechanics quite similar, Witchbrook will have a decidedly magical feel.
The game is set in a magical school and you will play the role of a student who aims to graduate and earn your Witching Permit. Instead of farming, you will be questing, the rewards of which will be the unlocking and learning of new skills.
A summary of the gameplay goes: “Witchbrook is intended to be both relaxing and rewarding, providing the player with enjoyable, mindful activities whilst ensuring a sense of progression. Players should feel attached to the various characters they meet at school and to the progression as a student.”
Both the teachers and the students will be following daily routines and there will also be a day and night cycle. You are also encouraged to engage with the multitude of NPCs as you progress through the game. There are enough activities to keep you busy such as fishing and herb gardening as well as schoolwork-based main quests.
There are even side quests for things such as dating and other social activities. You certainly won’t be playing the part of a doddering bookworm here!
The game is still in the earliest stages of development so a lot of things could change along the way. Finn Brice, the CEO and lead designer of Chucklefish (Tiy on Twitter), has always been clear about this point. He went so far as to share a design document in a tweet just to update those who want to know how the development process is going.
Either way, if the success of Stardew Valley is anything to go by, then Witchbrook is something that will definitely be worth the wait.
Replaced!