On February 8th, indie publisher Whitethorn Games, who are responsible for games such as Lake, Calico, and Wytchwood, had their annual showcase, the Whitethorn Winter Showcase. This is where they make all their important announcements on their games, and 2024 is no exception. There was a lot packed into this year’s showcase. We’ll take you through every announcement that was made.
Reveal of Slime Heroes
Pancake Games have announced a partnership with Whitethorn Games to bring a brand-new 3D action-adventure game, Slime Heroes. This was revealed in a trailer, which showed one of the bosses that players can encounter in the game. The announcement for Slime Heroes was made by Pancake Games’ CEO and Founder, Tomas Gomez, in an interview with ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program Lead, James Lewis.
In Slime Heroes, players will travel through a whimsical world to save it from a mysterious corruption. The fate of the world falls into the hands of an unlikely hero: a slime. Players will traverse an expansive 3D world, either alone or with a friend, where they will encounter ferocious enemies, tackle challenging puzzles, and find forgotten treasures. Magical gems can be found throughout the world, which can then be used to create unique and powerful magical skills to take down even the worst enemies. Slime Heroes will include a story with themes of friendship, overcoming expectations, and forgiveness. Even slimes can be heroes!
Slime Heroes will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as Xbox Series X | S. A release date has yet to be announced.
Release Date of Lake on Nintendo Switch Announced
Lake, the well-received relaxing narrative-driven mail delivery simulator, now has a release date for its arrival on the Nintendo Switch. It has been officially confirmed that Lake will be coming to the Switch very soon on February 15th, announced with a new trailer.
If you’re not familiar with Lake, this game is set in 1986, where you play as 40-something-year-old Meredith Weiss, a computer programmer from the bustling city who has arrived in the quaint town of Providence Oaks to fill in for her father as mail carrier for two weeks while he is away on vacation. Lake is a charming slice-of-life game where not only do you drive around in a delivery van and deliver mail and packages, but you also interact with the townsfolk. As Meredith, you can reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and even find romance. Lake presents multiple scenarios and endings, and how you choose to drive Meredith’s story is up to you. What path will she ultimately take?
Lake is currently available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and is also on PlayStation 4 | 5, and Xbox One | Xbox Series X/S. You can read KeenGamer’s review of the original Lake, as well as its DLC, Season’s Greetings.
Botany Manor Release Date Announced
Lake on the Nintendo Switch has a release date, but there’s also an upcoming game from Whitethorn Games that now has a release date too. That is Botany Manor, a plant-puzzle game. The official release date for Botany Manor has been given as April 9th. A new trailer is available with the release date announcement.
The estate of Botany Manor is the home of retired botanist Arabella Greene. During her long career, she has obtained a collection of rare, long-forgotten plants. With some research, they can live again. Step into the shoes of Arabella in this first-person puzzle game as you explore her estate, looking for notes, books, posters, and items that’ll help her to remember how to help her plants flourish. Unlock new seeds and then plant them. Solve every gardening puzzle by picking up and examining items to get clues, as well as learning how to grow the plants and discover their mysterious qualities.
Botany Manor will be available on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One | Xbox Series X/S. The game will also be available through Xbox Game Pass on day one.
Android and iOS Launch for Wytchwood
The fairytale RPG Wytchwood is now available on Android and iOS, which was a surprise announcement at the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase via a trailer.
Wytchwood is a crafting adventure game in a world of gothic fables and fairytales. Players take the role of a mysterious old witch in the woods, where they explore a strange countryside, collect magical ingredients, brew enchantments, and pass judgement on a cast of characters and creatures.
Wytchwood is available on Android through Google Play and iOS through the App Store for $4.99. Wytchwood is also available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4 | 5, and Xbox One | Xbox Series X/S for $19.99.
Skate Fish Release Date Announced for Android and iOS
Wytchwood isn’t the only game from Whitethorn Games being released on Android and iOS. Upcoming skateboarding/fishing game Skate Fish has been announced as coming out on March 28th.
Sudden Event Studios introduces a game where in a world, the only way to catch fish is to impress them. Customize your character, board, and fishing rod, then send them out to ride through several relaxing environments, each with their own fish to catch and obstacles to skate. Using two-deck two-finger touch controls, you can flip your board, grind ledges, and perform aerials to become a legend in skating and fishing. Along the way, catch carp, bass, trout and more to support wildlife preservation efforts.
Skate Fish will be available to purchase from Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS.
Update on Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island
Also in the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase, we were given another look and some new information on upcoming adventure game Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island by developer Polygon Treehouse.
In Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island, you take on the role of Alex, a backpacker who has ended up stranded on Ambrosia Island. As she explores the island, she discovers that it is populated by the gods of Greek myth and legend. However, the gods cannot remember who they are. If Alex wants to find her way home, she must befriend the island’s inhabitants and help them restore their memories.
Mythwrecked is a non-linear adventure, where you can explore the island, unravel its story, and discover its celestial guests and build friendships with the gods via a unique relationship mechanic. As Alex gets closer to them, the gods will be more willing to help with their powers. By solving the mystery of Ambrosia Island and helping the gods, Alex will hopefully be able to find a way home.
Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island will release on PC via Steam and Xbox One | Xbox Series X/S sometime in Summer 2024.
Magical Delicacy Update With New Gameplay and Steam Demo Announcement
Developer sKaule showed new gameplay of upcoming cooking/Metroidvania Magical Delicacy during the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase. If you want to try the game out before its official release, you can do so with the first Steam Demo, which is available until February 12th.
In Magical Delicacy, you play as Flora, a young witch who travels to the beautiful harbor town of Grat to develop her magical abilities. Using magic, cook delicious dishes for the townsfolk using ingredients bought from local merchants, foraged from around town, or grown in your own garden. Each dish can be customized to every customer’s taste with a creative cooking system. The world is inspired by Metroidvanias in its charming 2D platform style, where you can gain new abilities, find new areas, and unlock shortcuts.
Magical Delicacy will be releasing sometime in 2024 on PC and Xbox One | Xbox Series X/S. The game will also be available through Xbox Game Pass from day one.
Whitethorn Games’ New Partnership With North Star Video Games
Lastly, during the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase, a new studio partnership was announced. Whitethorn Games will be partnering up with UK-based developers North Star Video Games. The studio is made up of veteran BAFTA-Award-winning developers with 40+ years of development experience combined. They have worked on titles including family-friendly games and innovative indie games, such as Lawn Mowing Simulator. Currently, they are working on North Stars’ first major title, which promises to be a journey of creativity and discovery.
That just about covers everything that was announced during the Whitethorn Winter 2024 Showcase. If you would like to learn more, you can follow Whitethorn Games on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitch. You can also join the official Whitethorn Games Discord, and check out their official website.
