Island of Winds appears on horizon for 2022
For many people, Norse mythology surely conjures up images of Thor and his hammer, or possibly one-eyed Odin, but most have probably never heard of the mighty kraken-like Hafgúfa or the fox-cat Skoffin that can kill you with its stare. Or any of the numerous other mythical creatures and less-familiar sagas of Nordic folklore. Island of Winds, by Icelandic studio Parity Creative House, will aim to change that, as well as introduce players to the culture and history of 17th century pagan Iceland, when it's released for PC and PlayStation 5 next year.
Returning home at last after a long expedition, herbalist Brynhild is stunned to find her entire clan gone and the island itself cursed by a weird hex. Desperate to find out what has happened to her people and find a way to release the hex, she must explore to uncover the area's deepest secrets and interact with mythical beings as she seeks out her mentor, Hrymja. Brynhild's journey forces her to reflect on her past and confront feelings such as self-doubt, regret, anger, forgiveness and belonging. Instead of fighting the island's creatures that stand in her way, ranging from "majestic horned Polar Bears and the enigmatic Moss Mice, to guardians of the sea and wandering spirits," she can choose to engage with them peacefully via the "empathy-based encounter system," but she'll have to be quick as her fate may hinge on split-second decisions. She'll also have to overcome a variety of environmental obstacles and put her magical talents to use by weaving spells along the way.
Balancing an intense story with puzzles and magic, Island of Winds aims to send players on a journey that's as much emotional as physical. The first trailer and screenshots offer a powerfully atmospheric view of Iceland's remote but ruggedly beautiful landscape, with misty cliffs and waterfalls giving way to rustic wooden houses bathed by a golden sunset, all presented in highly detailed 3D. To make the island's open terrain as realistic as possible, the developers are scanning ancient Icelandic artifacts, rocks, and even flowers and moss. The nine emotionally themed biomes are also inspired by real places, from scorching lava fields to perilous lagoons, featuring white ravens that give players the chance to watch 2D animated retellings of Icelandic history and folklore.
Island of Winds will open to visitors for Windows PC on Steam and PS5 sometime in 2022, with an Xbox version to possibly follow later. In the meantime, you can follow the game's development on the official website.
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