Fans Are Loving This New Cozy RPG Demo, Hawthorn
Fans of both Skyrim and Stardew Valley may have found an unexpected new game to add to their wishlists. While the two titles appear very different at first glance, they share a common appeal through their immersive worlds, freedom of exploration, and relaxing sandbox gameplay. A new RPG called Hawthorn aims to combine those strengths into a single experience.
Developed by NEARstudios, Hawthorn recently released a public proof-of-concept demo on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest. Although the demo represents an early prototype rather than the current state of development, it has already attracted significant attention from players looking for a cozy fantasy adventure.
Hawthorn Blends Farming, Exploration, And Village Building
At its core, Hawthorn is a sandbox RPG that allows players to build and manage a village populated by small anthropomorphic animals. Players can gather resources, farm crops, craft equipment, and explore a growing fantasy world either alone or with friends through co-op gameplay.
The game also focuses heavily on creating a living world. Dynamic weather systems, changing seasons, and an evolving valley are designed to make the environment feel more responsive and immersive over time. As a result, players can expect their village and surrounding landscape to develop alongside their adventures.
NEARstudios has also highlighted the involvement of Bruce Nesmith, the lead designer behind The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Consequently, many players have become interested in how the game combines cozy life-simulation mechanics with deeper RPG systems.
Players Are Responding Positively To The Demo
Even though the current Steam demo represents an older prototype, player feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. At the time of writing, the demo holds a positive review rating of over 90%, suggesting that players already see strong potential in the project.
The developers have explained that the available demo was created at the beginning of development and does not include many of the features planned for the final release. Therefore, the full version is expected to offer a much richer experience than what players can currently access. For anyone interested in trying it out, time is limited. The demo will only remain available until the conclusion of Steam Next Fest on June 22.
Hawthorn Draws Inspiration Beyond Video Games
While comparisons to Skyrim and Stardew Valley have helped attract attention, Hawthorn also takes inspiration from classic fantasy stories and fairytales. The developers cite Victorian-era European folklore and the anthropomorphic adventure stories popular throughout the 1980s and 1990s as major influences. Because of this, the game aims to deliver a distinct atmosphere that sets it apart from many modern cozy games.
Although a release date has not yet been announced, the early response suggests that Hawthorn could become one of the more interesting sandbox RPGs currently in development. For now, players can explore the proof-of-concept demo and get an early glimpse at this unique blend of farming, exploration, and fantasy adventure.
