Rewilders: The Lost Spring Preview – A Ghibli Meets Pokémon Heartfelt Powerhouse

Herobeat Studios’ upcoming Rewilders: The Lost Spring is aiming to be so many things. It’s an “open-world action roguelite with creature collection and metroidvania-style progression” that still retains the powerful storytelling of the studio’s predecessor, Endling: Extinction is Forever. You couldn’t be blamed for thinking, then, that the title may end up being a jack of all trades, master of none. I can safely say, however, that doesn’t appear to be the case. I had the opportunity to attend a hands-off preview for Rewilders: The Lost Spring at this year’s Gamescom and despite it boasting the wordiest description going, this title has seemingly avoided stretching itself too thin, resulting in a formula that doesn’t simply work but excels.

Rewilders: The Lost Spring centres around a young girl, Abi, who sets out to follow in her late grandmother’s footsteps, rewilding her world which has been blighted by a devastating corruption that has brought with it twisted creatures, seemingly driving the land’s native Hântu to extinction.

As I’ve made quite clear, there are so many facets to what Rewilders: The Lost Spring offers, so I’ll begin with its roguelite and creature collecting elements which closely weave together. Within this world, Abi lives on a skyship from which she will descend to the blighted lands below. It’s here that a player's run will begin with Abi forced to fend off the nasties that inhabit the world she once called home. Initially, Abi will need to make use of her staff, striking her enemies, while dodging their incoming attacks. Upon successfully clearing an area and restoring it to its former vibrant glory, a Hântu will appear; this is a Pokémon-esque creature that Abi can now call her own.

Rewilders: The Lost Spring, Credit / Herobeat Studios

You can only equip so many Hântu at any one time but you’ll acquire an array to choose from as you progress throughout your run - and they’ll be key to ensuring your success as you approach boss fights. The idea is that each Hântu boasts a unique power that you can take advantage of. I’ll admit, I cannot remember the names of the Hântu I saw in action but I do recall a grassy looking creature being able to temporarily bind a foe in its roots, while a mushroom-inspired Hântu was able to manipulate an enemy, briefly turning it against its own kind.

I have to say, I’m not the biggest fan of roguelites; it’s not a genre I wholly dislike, but it’s rare that I gel with a roguelite formula. I was surprised then by just how impressed I was with what Rewilders: The Lost Spring brings to the table. What perhaps most stood out to me is just how accessible the combat is thanks to the Hântu as there are so many adorable creatures to collect that players are almost certain to find a cohort of companions that suits their desired combat style.

Rewilders: The Lost Spring is also boosted by its metroidvania-inspired traversal. After defeating bosses, Abi will encounter memories of her grandmother as well as unlock new traversal methods allowing her to swing, glide, and grapple across the game’s blighted lands. It’s yet another way in which the combat feels approachable, as I personally much prefer a combat system that feels agile. It allows for a greater sense of control over the situation for the player.

Rewilders: The Lost Spring, Credit / Herobeat Studios

One thing I didn’t exactly get a grasp of during the preview was the consequence of dying. What I can tell you is that Abi will call a skyship home and here, you can feed and power up your Hântu as well as cultivate plants that’ll grant you permanent buffs. You can also customise Abi’s floating abode, adding a cosy gaming touch. When you embark on a new run after dying, I’m aware that you’ll drop down at a random location adding some welcomed variety into the mix, but I can’t say exactly what this means for your progress or the Hântu you’ve collected. Rewilders: The Lost Spring does seem to pitch itself as an approachable roguelite though, so I’m going to assume it’s not too punishing on the player.

As soon as an email landed in my inbox asking if I’d like to see a new game from Herobeat Studios, a smile beamed across my face. You see, Endling: Extinction is Forever is a must-play experience, with its silent storytelling that builds upon the complicity of your actions, formulating something that is both difficult and moving but in the most magical of ways. When Rewilders: The Lost Spring was unveiled to me, I was admittedly taken aback as its formula perhaps signalled it to be far less emotive than its predecessor, but I’m thrilled to say that’s not at all the case.

Rewilders: The Lost Spring, Credit / Herobeat Studios

While combat was far more of a focus within the preview I attended, I did get the opportunity to talk to one developer about the storytelling aspect and I was assured that Rewilders: The Lost Spring boasts the same level of emotional depth as Endling: Extinction is Forever. The game focuses on the themes of friendship, family, responsibility, and restoration. On that latter point, the team was reportedly inspired by the works of Studio Ghibli’s great auteur Hayao Miyazaki when it comes to looking into ecological destruction and empowerment.

Rewilders: The Lost Spring’s premise, on paper, is one that I thought would be a hard sell but Herobeat Studios has somehow made the unlikeliest of formulas work in what is, once again, shaping up to be a release that isn’t merely beautifully crafted and entertaining, but is backed by a powerful message. I can’t wait to see more.

Rewilders: The Lost Spring’s release date remains unannounced but it’ll eventually land on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.