BAFTA-winning game studio launches new free taster of Pokémon inspired RPG
The premise of Wilderlings: The Lost Spring asks the question: “What if nature could fight back?”
It’s a creature-collecting roguelite in which you attempt to restore the world which has become afflicted by an unknown corruption, with lands that were once populated by green fields and flowing waters now replaced by ash and fire.
Each run you start will send you to a part of the world that is currently in need of “rewilding”, where defeating the corruption will slowly bring nature back into these regions.
Seeing Wilderlings in action at Gamescom 2026, I was interested in the game’s eco-friendly message, especially from the studio that crafted the BAFTA-winning Endling: Extinction is Forever with a similar mission.
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Evolve PR’s Victoria Alberto tells GAMINGbible that this means “exploring pollinators, biodiversity, and the idea that restoring the world can be part of the player fantasy, not just the story around it”.
You do this by befriending the Hântu, native creatures whose ecosystems have been threatened by these forces, who support you in fighting to take back their home. These creatures slowly return to the world after it starts healing, so the further your progress in your mission, the stronger you become with new companions to aid you during battle.
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Wilderlings will appeal to Pokémon and ARPG fans
Don't expect the creature collecting aspect of the game to play similarly to Pokémon though. From here, the game plays more like an action RPG where you attack, dive, and roll through various areas where nature gradually grows back following your victories.
The Hântu all have unique abilities and appearances, which makes them diverse in the ways that you can utilise them.
Some will be more equipped to deal with heavy threats head-on, while others are more useful fighting from the sidelines. Others may also act as a support, staying out of the action but keeping you in the action with buffs to your health and other attributes.
From my limited time getting hands-on with the game, I appreciated that a game with a wholesome message also didn’t shy away from featuring violence (albeit, cartoon violence with nothing too graphic on display).
I also appreciated the visual effects that trigger when nature gradually starts returning to a biome. Areas that were brown, dark, and muddy suddenly become colourful and full of life, and act as visual markers signposting your progress as you make your way through each level.
A free demo has been available on Steam for a while, but Herobeat Studios updated the build earlier this week to add new content to it.
It’s a little different to the one I played at Gamescom, which featured a volcano biome, a unique boss fight, and three Hântu exclusive to that region. But it should provide you with a good idea of what the game is like to play.
Altogether, Wilderlings: The Lost Spring is shaping up to be an interesting creature battler, if that’s your thing. The game will be hitting Steam Early Access later this year, while Herobeat is targeting the 1.0 version for 2027, so it’ll be a short wait if you’d prefer to hold out for the full launch.