After an early preview of Hela, the incredibly charming upcoming open-world multiplayer mouse adventure developed by Windup and published by Knights Peak, I am more in love with the concept than I ever believed possible.
Hela tells the story of a witch and her familiars, a group of determined little mice that set out on a quest to help the grandmotherly figure as she has fallen ill and can no longer provide her magical services to aid the people and fauna of the village. The responsibility falls on the mice (the players) to not only find a cure for their bewitching benefactor, but also to keep the witch’s benevolent business afloat.
From start to finish, the game appears to be a heartwarming and uplifting adventure of kindness, cooperation, friendship, and near-endless exploration for tiny creatures in a grand world where curiosity and imagination are rewarded. Akin to the childlike sense of wonder and the spirit of adventure, players can play solo and create their own doppelgangers to provide support when completing any of the world’s many puzzles and free-roam events, much like playing with imaginary friends in our youth.
If playing with friends is more your speed, Hela offers drop-in/drop-out co-op that allows for split-screen couch co-op, online multiplayer, or a mix of the two, where multiple friends playing split-screen can play online with other friends in whatever configuration suits their needs. This cooperative compatibility allows players to experience the beauty of the Scandinavian wilderness and create a tremendous number of beloved memories by sharing the experience with friends or even providing a space for self-reflection and a place for peace for solo players seeking solace.
Offering the adventure of a life time across open landscapes from the perspective of one of nature’s most diminutive denizens, Hela brings with it a sandbox playground for players to experiment, engage, and enjoy dozens of different delightful distractions like racing on the backs of larger animals, soaring through the skies, grappling up to gorgeous vantage points and so much more, in whatever way they so choose. The typically horrifying cautionary tales found in Scandinavian and Nordic folklore are being flipped on their heads, as this story is about being one with the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Freedom and fun are the key components in Hela.
Not only is the game heartfelt in its presentation, but it is clear that the developers cared far less about over-the-top blockbuster action and drama, and far more about what’s truly important in this style of game, and that’s the player experience. The gameplay is smooth and seamless, the tool bag (in the form of a magical froggy backpack) allows for some truly inspired interactions that range from creating bounce pads and using the frog’s tongue to swing through trees to storing magical shinies attained from successfully completing runic ritual puzzles and similar activities, that can be used to brew potions and the like back at the Witch’s hut.
The hut functions as somewhat of a hub or home base that grounds the players in the narrative, reminding them of their mission, while ensuring their realization that there is no real urgency in terms of the witch’s health. The point of the plot is not to make players sad, stressed, or worried, but rather to set the framework for an adventure that allows players to take their time exploring the Nordic natural world to their hearts’ content. The sweet old witch will be alright if you want to play around and search every nook and cranny, of that we are certain.
If you’re excited to shrink down and take on this quest of friendship and folklore but wondering if there will be any customization to accompany the vast player agency, then have I got some great news for you! There will be a bevy of wearable accessories to make your mouse even cuter than they already are, while showing off a bit of individuality and unique flair that will help set you apart from the rest of your adventuring party. I’m hoping for a hat made out of a bottle cap, but that’s just me. Customization is one of my favorite parts of these types of games.
I’ve always loved putting a piece of my personality into my characters, whether they be warriors, rogues, or precious little critters, the option to accessorize is always a big positive for me. Plus, Hela was created by leveraging the power and cutting-edge features of Unreal Engine 5, which has empowered the devs to create wonderfully detailed environments, incredible dynamic lighting, and photorealistic characters with amazing animations to boot!
The gameplay loop features a cleverly crafted combination of exploration, traversal, foraging, puzzle solving, action, and brewing, and with so much on offer it seems as though the finished product is going to be something to really sink some hours of relaxing yet engaging time into. It seems like a healing experience… not only for the witch, but for the player’s own mind, body and spirit; spending hours in the wilderness surrounded by friends (real or imaginary), exploring, experimenting, and engaging with that gripping sense of wonder and whimsy that I mentioned before.
Hela seems to be a nostalgic, magical, curious, and altogether fresh and lovely adventure across serene landscapes, featuring a plethora of organic interactions, and showcasing kindness to nature in its purest and most beautiful form. I think the team has got a real winner on their hands, and I can’t wait to get it into mine!
Hela is expected to launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Switch 2, and I think it’s one that every fan of open-world titles should check out!
