I’ve already spotted two examples of a new golden age of 2d animation during E3, which is precisely the sort of thing I didn’t expect to write before E3 actually began. Silly not to expect all kinds of sights really, particularly considering the number of imaginative indies setting out their stalls on the consoles in the digital download age. Night in the Woods, which was Kickstarted toward the end of last year, is the third. It’s coming to PS4 but it’ll be gracing the PC with its presence as well. It’s an adventure with light platforming about monsters hiding between tree trunks and about returning to a much-changed childhood home.
It looks and reads like the magnificent Achewood might if it were more innocent and less inebriated, and I am smitten.
The old town seems different. Her old friends have grown in their own directions. Mae herself is undergoing some sudden and unexplained changes, giving her mysterious abilities that grant her access to a side of town she never knew existed.
The world is changing, things are ending, and the future is uncertain. Up behind the park at the edge of town, back in the trees by the old mine- there’s something
in the woods. And it could mean no future at all.
But how does it play?
Night In The Woods is an adventure game heavily focused on story, characters and exploration, with some platforming to get around town. Mae’s a cat so the roofs and ledges and powerlines are all her playground, and she’s not the only one up there by a long shot. You’ll also be doing various activities and interacting with the world in different ways, getting to know the townspeople, hanging out with friends, exploring Possum Springs inside and out, and venturing into the surrounding areas.
Press ‘X’ to hang out with friends!
11/06/2014 at 20:06 GameCat says:
I generally stopped caring about 2D platformers long time ago (gimme 3D ones! now! ALL of them!), but this is certainly something unique.
11/06/2014 at 21:10 InternetBatman says:
This was one of the finest Kickstarter pitches I’ve seen, but all the information here is about as old as the pitch itself.
11/06/2014 at 21:17 ThTa says:
Yeah, even the trailer is basically their very first trailer with some PlayStation logos slapped onto it.
That said, it does all look really good, doesn’t it?
11/06/2014 at 21:32 kwyjibo says:
If you want to read a bit more about it, there’s an article on Kill Screen – link to killscreendaily.com
11/06/2014 at 21:40 Xerophyte says:
I backed this on the basis that Aquaria was lovely and I’d like more of that but the style and art of Night in the Woods is actually even better. Of course, the actual gameplay of Aquaria was pretty divisive and there’s not much to go on here yet in that department. Friendly Metroid sounds like it might work out well.
11/06/2014 at 23:01 JFS says:
PS4? Get out. I loved the KS, their trailer was awesome, but Playstation? Come on.
12/06/2014 at 00:47 regged13 says:
link to steam-cards.com
Please click this link :)
12/06/2014 at 02:22 The Random One says:
Didn’t this game’s devs release a free episode (a… prepisode?) in the way of Kentucky Route Zero?
12/06/2014 at 12:13 Shadrach says:
Yes they did, called The Longest Night. You can get it at their site:
link to nightinthewoods.com
It was a lovely little preview :)
12/06/2014 at 02:52 Shooop says:
an adventure game heavily focused on story, characters and exploration…
A large number of RPSers could immediately think of at least five games that would meet that exact criteria.
12/06/2014 at 17:10 Phasma Felis says:
What’s weird is that you seem to think that’s a problem, instead of thinking “Yes! More awesome stuff!”
12/06/2014 at 14:24 ShadowNate says:
They said they will have a demo in E3, but I haven’t caught any other mention or footage of it these days.
Edit: Oh, they actually have just shown some gameplay in the Horizon 2014 event. Really interesting (and cute) stuff.
13/06/2014 at 00:01 noom says:
Philippe is standing on it
16/06/2014 at 12:31 SecondDimension says:
Oh wow there are other people who love Achewood? That is amazing news! I’ve always wanted a Great Outdoor Fight game.
Anyway NITW looks beautiful, I really hope the gameplay is interesting and the game as a whole can sustain the atmosphere of that trailer.