14 DAY TRIAL // Independent developer Broken Rules has announced that Secrets of Raetikon will get a full launch on April 17.
The highly atmospheric and colorful game is currently available on Steam Early Access, and if you think it bears a striking similarity to the team's previous project, Chasing Aurora, then you're right.
In fact, Secrets of Raetikon is intended to be a spiritual successor to the serene aerial action game, and it will once again have players focusing on the exploration of an alien world.
The game is presented as an open sandbox, but will also have a narrative to go with the exploring action, as players uncover the ruins of an ancient civilization. The culture illustrated in the game is based on the Raetic people, an actual part of human history, who occupied the Alps before the rise of the Roman Empire.
Gamers take on the role of one of the bird people tasked with the exploration of said fallen culture, and will embark on an adventure during which they'll encounter giant animal kings, mysterious contraptions and untold secrets.
Players will have to draw on the abilities of the animal friends and foes encountered, and will progress through the game by solving various physics-based puzzles and by reacting to the emergent ecosystem that reacts to their actions in turn.
"We wanted to create a game with high replay value and thus the AI and physics are the pillars the gameplay rests upon. Every animal has a distinct behavior and all of them react to each other. Every bush can be uprooted and every branch torn out. The game is a story-based sandbox in an open world. And there is in fact a hidden gravity gun," Broken Rules explain.
The game has an ace up its sleeve in the visuals department, as it features a unique and very powerful artistic direction, with vibrant colors and an interesting use of shapes, light and shadow that set it apart from similar indie platformer adventures.
Secrets of Raetikon will be available for PC, Mac and Linux, and the Steam version will also include a level editor, as well as Steam Workshop support for players to share their creations with the world and to benefit from the world's creations in turn.
At launch, the game will be offered at a 10 percent limited time only discount through the Humble Store, Steam and the Mac App Store, and its normal retail price will be £7 / $10 / €9.
