Among the many Stars stole my coronary heart the second its trailer aired throughout Summer season Recreation Fest 2024. With an artwork type impressed by Studio Ghibli and a narrative that displays the struggles of indigenous individuals, this 2-D action-adventure recreation has earned a spot on my “video games I wish to play” listing.

Developed by Break up Studio, Among the many Stars tells the story of Ari and Tai, two sisters separated after armed land builders lay siege to their house in Brazil’s Pantanal area. With Ari misplaced in a jungle inhabited by nature spirits and Tai stranded deep in territory occupied by the murderous invaders, the sisters embark on a dangerous journey to reunite and liberate their homeland earlier than it’s too late.

The very first thing that stands out about Among the many Stars is its beautiful artwork route. Break up Studios is an animation firm that has minimize its enamel on a number of outstanding Cartoon Community and Comedy Central exhibits, they usually’re pouring all of their expertise into this undertaking. Among the many Stars‘ colourful backgrounds and expressive character designs take plenty of inspiration from anime, significantly the legendary movie library of Studio Ghibli.

Whereas Among the many Stars‘ trailer primarily options what I assume are clips taken from in-game cinematics, the gameplay featured on the sport’s official web site proves that the in-game animation shall be simply as stunningly vibrant as these featured within the cutscenes. These quick snippets of gameplay footage additionally made it clear that the sport shall be as enjoyable to play as it’s lovely to behold.

Gameplay as intriguing as its visuals

If what I’ve seen is true, Among the many Stars will characteristic two radically totally different gameplay kinds. When the participant controls Ari, the gameplay shall be similar to 2-D RPGs like Little one of Mild, full with a turn-based battle system. In distinction, Tai’s gameplay revolves round stealth, with the participant’s purpose being to sneak round closely patrolled environments to sabotage the land builders’ equipment. A shared deal with puzzle-solving will tie collectively each gameplay kinds.

Among the many Stars’ visuals and gameplay have already wowed me, however the recreation’s story is what has me by the neck. There’s a fantastical undertone to Among the many Stars‘ narrative, rooted within the wealthy, underrepresented world of native Brazilian folklore. Sadly, the inciting incident that tears Ari and Tai’s peaceable lives aside displays a bleaker actuality that numerous Brazilians face every day.

“Land grabbing,” a follow through which farmers, miners, and loggers violently seize land owned by indigenous individuals, is a long-standing custom in Brazil, and lots of native Brazilian communities are nonetheless being persecuted for his or her land right now. Whereas Among the many Stars isn’t based mostly on an precise occasion (so far as I do know), its story attracts inspiration from one of many darkest features of Brazilian historical past and modern life.

Among the many Stars has but to be given an official launch date, however it will likely be obtainable on the Change, Ps, Xbox, and PC by way of Steam.