If the video game Way to the Woods wasn’t on your radar, it’s probably because its creator, Anthony Tan, is still a full-time high school student. Tan first showed off his project nearly three years ago, when it quickly earned a following online. He’s previously cited Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke as two of his primary influences, and the new trailer for the game definitely feels informed by those films.
Via Polygon, Way to the Woods has one of the most fascinating premises we’ve ever seen for a video game. The title puts players in control of a male deer (stag) and his young buck as they go on an otherworldly adventure through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The game’s tagline is “all of the lights will guide you to the woods.” Judging from the way the stag’s antlers light up, there may be something supernatural in play as well.
The new trailer shows the deer exploring an abandoned mall and even sharing a conversation with a cat about the cat god who rules over a town. While it may sound like a joke, we actually see the cat god later in the trailer.
However, it’s not all beauty and wonder in this world. The trailer hints the stag and his child have enemies who will prey upon them. The haunting tone of the music and visuals make a strong first impression. Tan has signed with publisher Team17 to release Way to the Woods in 2019 for consoles and PC. If this footage is any indication of what we can expect from the finished game, then this could be something truly special.
What do you think about the first trailer for Way to the Woods? Let us know in the comment section below!
Images:Â SweetDawg
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