Seattle-based Runic Games has revealed its third title, a mysterious, visually distinct adventure that is wildly different from the studio’s previous Torchlight titles.
Having already mastered action RPG design, with experience dating back to work on games like Diablo, Diablo 2, and Fate, Runic is shifting gears away from hack-slash-and-loot and embracing the challenge of a new genre with Hob, a game that mixes in elements of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving.
Hob is set on a beautiful and dangerous unknown world, with buzzing life above and the whirrs of mysterious machinery below. The more players delve into the world’s design, the more they uncover a planet in peril. Players must learn to survive, understand their true purpose through acquiring skills, and ultimately transform the nature of the world itself.
Hob is presented without text or dialogue. Narrative is revealed as players explore and interact with their mysterious planet, and the strange life forms that inhabit it. Hob features smooth controller gameplay, multi-layered puzzles, and striking visuals.
Hob‘s inspirations extend back to some of gaming’s most iconic titles, with combat reminiscent of Legend of Zelda, an open-world design with new areas that open up as items and powers are gained sort of like Metroid, and a strong sense of awe, discovery, and wonder similar to that of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Those are pretty much my three all-time favorite game franchises, so I’m sold.
No timetable for release has been announced just yet, but Runic has confirmed that Hob is in development for PC and undisclosed console platforms (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One seem like safe bets). The game is set to make its public hands-on debut at PAX Prime from August 28 through August 31, so don’t miss it if you’re in the Seattle area.
Bookmark hobgame.com to keep up to date with all the latest Hob news. Also be sure to check out Polygon’s exclusive first interview with Runic Games to learn some of the interesting backstory behind the game’s origins.
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Source: Runic Games Announces “Hob” [Runic Games]
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