Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature ready to rock on Steam later this year

• Announcements by Jack Allin
• Published:

Demo coming soon for cozy third-person 3D adventure exploring an unlikely friendship between a fox and stone golem

Stone golems can seem fearsome and imposing in many mythical fantasy stories, but what if their rocky surfaces conceal a soft heart within? Certainly that's true in Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature, an upcoming cozy 3D adventure by Swiss developer Dreamhunt Studio about harmony with nature and a friendship between two unlikely creatures. 

Created from the earth and magically restored to life, a golem now finds itself directly and tangibly connected to the natural world. Not only are its own emotions "influenced by the environment in real time," but in turn its feelings and actions allow it to shape "the weather, plants, and animals nearby." The golem is seemingly the last of its kind, once part of an ancient civilization long since lost, and it's forced to start off on its own. Soon, however, it encounters a curious little fox who becomes a "helpful ally" in the golem's search to uncover the secrets from its past. Together the two form a "deep and meaningful bond" as they "embark on a journey of self-discovery, seeking purpose and a place to belong in a world reborn." 

Presented in a charming, vividly designed 3D art style, Unpetrified is a free-roaming, third-creature adventure that sends players walking or rolling through a diverse range of landscapes, from arid desert to lush forest to crumbling stone ruins. Along the way, accompanied by an orchestral musical soundtrack, you'll encounter a wide range of unique flora and wild fauna such as "squirrels, peacocks, armadillos, elephants, horses, sand cats and more." The experience is meant to be "peaceful and reflective," not rushed through to reach the end, with plenty of collectibles and "emotion-driven interactions" to seek out in your travels. There will be also obstacles in your path that require the golem's "abilities to interact with the world in creative ways" to overcome. As you solve puzzles you will learn new ways to "reclaim and rejuvenate nature," and "the progress you make is reflected in the vibrant flowers blooming on the golem’s back." You'll play only as the stone creature itself, but the fox is an integral part of the experience as well as you continue to unfold an "intimate storyline of unlikely friendship, loss, and love."

The full version of Unpetrified: Echoes of Nature isn't due to arrive on Steam until sometime later this year for Windows PC, but if the thought of a long wait leaves you feeling bummed, a demo is planned before then to cheer you up in the meantime.