A Highland Song: Everything We Know

In case you haven't heard the news, inkle is back at the drawing board, and it's bringing with it an all-new story-driven 2.5D side-scrolling adventure game for PC and Switch. Similar to its previous works, A Highland Song will feature a whimsical score, wholesome characters, and a hearty moral, all of which will come enveloped in a Scottish Highlands setting, an enchanting world in which hills sing, winds whistle, and mountains tell tall tales of the forgotten past.

So, what do we actually know about A Highland Song, other than the fact that it's coming to PC and Switch (and perhaps even ex-gen and current gen consoles) at some stage in the near future? Well, here's everything we've been able to bundle together since it was first brought to light back in early 2022.

What Is A Highland Song?

A Highland Song is an upcoming 2.5D side-scrolling puzzle-adventure game by inkle, an independent studio that has helped shape a number of well-loved indie titles including Overboard!, 80 Days, and Heaven's Vault, few of which have gone on to receive several BAFTA nominations and even the odd Game of the Year award. A Highland Song will feature a predominantly story-driven experience, which will of course be reinforced by an original and irresistibly hearty soundtrack.

“This 2.5D side-scrolling adventure brings the Highlands to life with a blend of hand-drawn animation, impressionistic painted scenery, and dynamic lighting/weather effects,” the website reads. “The music in the game is provided by composer Laurence Chapman alongside two multi-award-winning giants of the Scottish folk scene, Talisk, and Fourth Moon.”

Story

A Highland Song follows the story of Moira McKinnon, a stay-at-home daughter who has spent the best part of her life potting around the edge of the Scottish Highlands. Her dream, which is to see the shimmering lights that radiate from the sea, eventually springs to life as an opportunity knocks from out of the blue. Upon receiving a letter from her uncle urging her to travel to the faraway coast for a “surprise”, Moira branches out and leaves the comfort of her own home and heads for the distant peaks, curious to know what awaits at the farthest point of the idyllic Highlands.

“In the Highlands, every peak has a story to tell and every valley echoes with song,” the official blurb reads. “Giants sleep, ghosts sing, crows carry messages, and eagles lift the dead. But the Highlands’ crags are unforgiving and its summits are cold—Moira’s trek will not be easy. Can you help her find a way across this winding wilderness in time?”

Gameplay

At its heart, A Highland Song is a 2.5D side-scrolling adventure game, one that features an admirable amount of simple yet surprisingly effective puzzles for players to indulge in. Needless to say, inkle tends to steer more towards story-driven experiences, and ones that are often accompanied by wholesome scores and memorable character progression and lore. And so, if you're expecting to invest a dozen or so hours in a fast-paced action-obsessed shooter, then you'll most definitely want to stay clear of this one.

“Explore hills crisscrossed by routes—some well-trodden, others hidden away — that are filled with stories, lost things, echoes, and memories,” the game description adds. “Climb peaks to orient yourself and plan your next steps. Then hop, slide, and jump through the valleys in time with the music.”

Development

A Highland Song is being developed by the Cambridge-based developer inkle, a studio that has previously worked on award-winning indie games including 80 Days, Sorcery!, and Heaven's Vault. Although considered to be a relatively small firm in comparison to the vast majority of triple-A studios that stock out the market, the like-minded creators have made a mighty fine impression on the overall market, and have, as a result, received a slew of awards and nominations from their numerous contributions to the indie platform.

Trailer

So, has A Highland Song actually received a trailer yet? Yes, it has! Unfortunately, though, inkle has only lifted the veil on the one, which released back in February 2022. Nevertheless, you catch a glimpse of the basic premise and some of its core gameplay elements in the one-minute sneak preview above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

A Highland Song will be coming to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam at some stage in 2023. It hasn't been said whether or not it will be arriving on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation 5, though given the studio's history of favoring the Switch, it does seem highly unlikely at this moment in time. But try not to take our word for it, though; inkle's plan for the future truly is an open book.

As it stands, A Highland Song will only be available in a standard digital edition on both Steam and the Nintendo eShop. Will inkle announce any special or collector's editions closer to the time of release? It's hard to say, but seeing as its past games haven't received anything other than the bog-standard versions, chances are it won't be shedding its digital exclusivity anytime soon.

Whatever the case, you can add the game to your Wishlist over on Steam right now, which will automatically feed you with live updates on when it'll release. Alternatively, you can pre-order the game over on the Nintendo eShop.

For more information on A Highland Song, you can follow the official social handle here. We'll be sure to let you know if anything else comes to light between now and its eventual launch date.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of A Highland Song when it comes out? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.