A game set in 1919? Sure! How about one where you’re a cat? Wonderful! What if it’s a game where you play as a cat in 1919, living the life of a wandering soul and making the best of a journey through twisted adventures among spooky friendships and controversial politics?
We understand the air of nervous excitement that Revenant Hill has stirred up.
We had a bit more clarity from the studio behind the game when they described their new project along these lines:
“Put down roots. Grow some radishes, get a job, eat mice, do dangerous things with new friends.”
But clearly, that wasn’t all.
It’s 1919 in the Lower North and Twigs the cat has a dream. Find a safe place to sleep. Put down roots. Grow some radishes, get a job, eat mice, do dangerous things with new friends, and build something together in a world falling apart. pic.twitter.com/F43SdLmcPu
— The Glory Society (@theglorysociety) May 24, 2023
We see a cat running across many autumnal scenes (shown as part of the 2023 PlayStation Showcase) from the trailer. The cat named Twigs traverses mysterious yet familiar settings – the woods, cemeteries, covens of witches, troubled towns, and possibly troubled people. The game incorporates the visually apprehending 2D aesthetic of Night in the Woods, with an aura of spookiness.
Though it looks like a 2D adventure with a lot of storytelling, the contradicting energetic music and darker themes running in the background make for a social commentary in the subtext. The game will have you tackle narrative choices that speak more about what’s going on in the game’s present world and how Twigs’ choices will affect specific stories around him. Maybe his own, more than what we can fathom?
There’s also witchcraft and blasphemy that weave the dark twists – the game’s cinematic movement captures Twigs’ childlike pursuit for knowledge. At the same time, the world’s not-so-clear belief systems throw in different shades of opinions that disrupt peace.
Capturing nostalgia with a hint of novelty
From what we have seen, Revenant Hill seems like a slice-of-life simulation game, but given the studio’s popularity and reputation, we’re certainly in for some sinister surprises. Twigs’ striking likeness makes it seem that Revenant Hill may be a prologue, taking place before anthropomorphized animals became the dominant species.
The circumstances that brought about the demise of humans will most probably be brought to light in Revenant Hill. It’s also possible that the similarities are entirely artistic and neither game shares much in common outside their emphasis on community and working-class struggle. If you have yet to play Night in the Woods, the experience shares a similar art style emphasizing exploration, plot, and character. It has many characters and activities spread around a gorgeous, colorful setting.
While there’s not much info about Revenant Hill, much of its characterization seems similar to Night in the Woods. We won’t be surprised if these two games share the same universe. However, we can safely say that a tiny group of established and up-and-coming game designers makes up The Glory Society. On Revenant Hill, Hockenberry and Benson both serve as writers and story designers, with Benson also serving as the project’s creative director.
This team of creators showcases great potential and talent for the newest cat-based adventure, and we can’t wait to see how Revenant Hill brings us a new tale of mystery and adventure. Hopefully, it will be as spooky as spooky gets.
