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There’s nothing quite like putting on your hiking gear and getting out into the middle of nowhere to escape from the stress and noise of everyday life. For Wild Sheep Studio, the anticipation of new discoveries, taking time to appreciate the little things, and reconnecting with the natural world are the essential ingredients of a good hike, and the main source of inspiration behind Adorable Adventures, which is coming to Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X on April 30.
Set in a fictional national park inspired by the Montpellier-based team’s experiences hiking in the nearby Cévennes, Adorable Adventures stars Boris, a curious baby boar who must learn how to use his nose to track down his missing brothers and sisters who were separated after a forest fire. Now, while Boris' home was inspired by a real-world location, it isn’t a 1-for-1 recreation; instead the team focused on capturing the park’s atmosphere and channeling the emotions of simply being in a peaceful wilderness.
Importantly, because you see the world from Boris’s perspective, everything feels like a big deal. From the wide-open spaces and stunning vistas to the smallest flowers and plants, the team spent a lot of time imagining what the park would look like if you were only knee-high and everything were new.
You’ll often find yourself going off-trail, after all, Boris is a wild animal, and the well-trodden paths and picnic sites scattered throughout the park weren’t meant for him! Instead, you’ll follow scents, sounds, and whatever else catches your eye (or nose), through the more rugged and wild areas.
Wishlist Adorable Adventures on Steam now
The park is broken up into different biomes, each with its own plant life and unique geography. For example, some plants only grow in the shade of the forest, while others appear near water. As you explore, you’ll naturally learn about the park, through observation, as you would on a real hike.
To help increase this sense of immersion, the team spent a lot of time photographing the flora and fauna of the Cévennes before turning these photos into 3D models and adding interactivity. The sounds of the park come from field recordings too, from the rustle of leaves under Boris’s trotters to the buzzing of insects and distant bird calls. So if you’re in the mood for a mindful, gentle meander through the leafy forests and sweeping highlands of Southern France, look no further than this.
Adorable Adventures will release on April 30 and will be available on Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. A Steam demo is also free to play now!
