Hela preview

Coming from Windup, a team of developers who previously worked on the beloved Unravel games, Hela takes a similar cozy and heartfelt approach to its design, but brings the experience into a fully 3D world. With its charming Scandinavian-inspired setting and the role of a tiny mouse at the heart of a grand adventure, this upcoming game is poised to deliver an enchanting and soothing journey. We had a chance to preview Hela at Gamescom 2024, and it’s shaping up to be a delightful mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and player-driven narrative.

What we know

Hela invites players into a beautifully crafted world where they take on the role of a small mouse, the familiar of a witch who is in need of help. The game emphasizes cozy adventure, with the goal of aiding your ailing witch by exploring a Scandinavian landscape filled with puzzles to solve, resources to gather, and potions to brew. Featuring a combination of light-hearted play, puzzles and relaxing exploration, Hela is designed to be approachable and warm, with an open structure that allows players to explore at their own pace.

Key gameplay elements include gathering resources with a magical backpack, engaging in physics-based interactions, and upgrading abilities through potion brewing. As players progress, they’ll face changing weather conditions and uncover story fragments while solving puzzles. Whether players choose to experience the game alone or with friends, Hela promises a wholesome journey filled with magic and acts of kindness. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including consoles and PC, offering an accessible adventure for a wide audience.

What we saw

At Gamescom, we met with the Windup team for a hands-off demo of Hela. The team showed us different sections of the game, highlighting the game’s core mechanics, from exploration and resource gathering to potion crafting and puzzle-solving. While we didn’t get to try the game ourselves, the demo provided a good look at how Hela blends its different systems to create a relaxing yet engaging experience.

What we thought

One of the most striking elements of Hela is its visual design. Fans of Unravel will immediately recognize the signature art style, but Hela takes things a step further by transitioning into a 3D world. The detailed environments, lush with Scandinavian influences, make for a beautiful backdrop as players explore. There’s a certain serenity to the landscapes, which balances well with the lighthearted nature of the protagonist – a tiny mouse navigating a large world. It feels like a blend of Unravel’s emotional storytelling and Moss’s charming VR experience, although Hela itself obviously isn’t tied to VR.

Gameplay-wise, the open structure of Hela is both one of its strengths and potential challenges. The freedom to explore at your own pace is appealing, but there’s a concern that some players might find the lack of clear direction disorienting. With the game offering story fragments in a non-linear fashion, it will be interesting to see how Windup maintains player momentum and keeps them engaged throughout the journey. Striking that balance between open exploration and narrative drive will be key in keeping the experience fresh and engaging.

The use of physics-based mechanics, such as interacting with objects and brewing potions, adds a fun layer to the game. These interactions give players a hands-on approach to the world, which can enhance immersion and make even simple tasks feel rewarding. However, how these mechanics evolve and grow over time will likely be crucial in determining the game’s long-term appeal. If done well, these systems could complement the narrative and create a more dynamic world that feels alive and reactive to the player’s actions, so we’re curious to see more.

Overall, Hela is shaping up to be a visually stunning and emotionally rich adventure, with plenty of promise for those who enjoy relaxed, exploration-driven experiences. While its open-world structure might pose some challenges in terms of pacing, the game’s charm, atmosphere, and thoughtful mechanics have already left a positive impression. As the game approaches its release, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how these elements come together to create what could be a magical journey.