Hawthorn PC

Hawthorn is a sandbox RPG with a co-op mode, in which we take on the role of a small forest animal. It is the debut production of the Near Studios team, which is made up of developers previously working at studios such as Bethesda, BioWare and Naughty Dog.

The plot

In Hawthorn we move to the fantastic and forgotten to the world Windermere Valley, where years ago the animals living in the forest built a trading post.

However, it is now destroyed by haunting pests and fairy lights. The situation is not made any easier by rumors circulating about the mysterious reasons why the village was abandoned.

As one of the forest animals , we are at the forefront of rebuilding the place and its community. The locals are prejudiced. They focus on superstitions and old legends. It's only up to us whether we befriend them or become enemies.

Gameplay

The action in Hawthorn is presented from a third-person perspective. The production puts at our disposal a vast open world, in which we will find a number of activities. However, in order to access them, at the beginning of the game we create our unique character. In addition to choosing a biography and natural environment, we choose which animal species we belong to.

The reconstruction of the village is based on farming, fishing and harvesting. In addition, in our free time from farming duties, tasks from Valley residents and exploration of the surrounding wilderness await us. The locations change over time, which affects the resources we find in them.

We decorate the houses in the village thanks to crafts and profits from crops, and adapting to the preferences of the residents increases their favoritism toward us. Weather conditions and seasons are a significant challenge, so at the end of each season we can indulge in celebrations with others at a communal table.

Game modes

The gameplay in Hawthorn is geared towards networked co-op. However, nothing prevents you from going on an adventure alone. Thanks to random events, each one is unique and encourages repeated play.

Last updated on 21 October 2024