Skyrim and Stardew Valley might not seem like similar games on the surface, but they actually share a good portion of their appeal. Both offer exceptionally inviting worlds full of sandbox opportunities, and even if Skyrim's quests can be a little less chill than Stardew Valley's, it can be an extremely cozy game in its own right.
One new RPG is keyed into the crossover appeal, billing itself specifically as an experience that could appeal to fans of both games. Add in a dash of Redwall, and it's not surprising that it's already starting to win over plenty of acolytes.
This month, the new sandbox RPG Hawthorn released a "Proof-of-Concept" demo on Steam as part of the Next Fest event for upcoming games. The game, developed by NEARstudios, focuses on building up a fantasy village of diminutive animals in either single-player or co-op, with farming, crafting, exploration, and more. It's also gunning for a dynamic world, with shifting weather that provides challenges and a valley that changes over time.
Hawthorn's official website cites a Eurogamer quote describing it as an "adorable baby" of Stardew Valley and Skyrim, and it highlights the involvement of Skyrim lead designer...
