There’s no shortage of farming sims and fantasy RPGs on the market, from full-fledged giants like Hogwarts Legacy to indie gems like Coral Island. A mystical blend of the two genres, REKA is an upcoming title from Emberstorm Entertainment and Fireshine Games. On your playthrough, you’ll take on the role of a young witch and curate a chicken-legged residence that I can’t help but liken to the bewitching wizard’s estate in Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle.
The gameplay footage showcased on Steam features eerie visuals rife with a sort of dark magic. Accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful tone, this suits REKA‘s autumnal setting. Here, you’ll explore the forest and forage for ingredients to concoct all manner of potions and herbal remedies inspired by the creations of history’s witches.
Of course, a traveler’s journey isn’t complete without a bit of company. All the while, a moving castle of your own making will follow in your footsteps. As you venture to new places and accept quests throughout REKA’s woodlands, swamps, and villages, you’ll also meet a wide variety of forest critters, spirits, and townsfolk. There’s no word yet on romance options. However, I’m hoping that we’ll have the pleasure of meeting charming wizards and witches that rival even Howl.
In any case, a witch’s true journey is one of self-discovery. And you’ll certainly have your hands tied with unraveling the game’s many mysteries. This means mastering your magic and uncovering the secrets of Baba Jaga, a fabled witch who is now your apprentice. With practice, you’ll tap into a well of inner power by learning to harness the energy of the wilderness.
In line with these themes of becoming, you can build a fully customizable character, to boot. This ranges from the tone of your skin, hair, and eyes to the curve of your cheekbones and the freckles on your face. However, no matter your appearance, your identity remains the same: Reka.
You can channel your inner witch when REKA enters Early Access in 2024. While it’s scheduled to drop sometime in Q2, we’ve yet to receive an official release date. Wishlist it on Steam now and join the official Discord server for launch updates. Until then, fans of genre mashups might also like the cute and creepy Rental, an Animal Crossing-esque horror game.
