Creatures of Ava: Everything We Know

If saving the world alongside cute critters is your vibe, then Creatures of Ava is a game you should look forward to. The game draws parallels to Palworld and Pokemon, minus the guns and capturing the creatures. It is, in fact, a ‘creature-saving' game. 

This upcoming title was unveiled during the Xbox Partner Preview Showcase, and the best way to describe it is warm and cozy. It's the ideal game if you need a break from all the gore and aggressive combat. Although the developers have yet to grace us with a release date, we can still give you the details on this upcoming title. Without much further adieu, here is Creatures of Ava: Everything We Know.

What is Creatures of Ava?

Creatures of Ava is an upcoming action-adventure creature-saving game. It's a relaxing game that sends you on an adventure to save the world. But not in an aggressive manner. This is in line with the developers' primary goals. 

“From the outset, we've been captivated by the notion of saving creatures from a distant planet, not for any utilitarian purpose, but simply because they're sentient beings deserving of compassion. With that vision in our minds, creating a non-violent game was  essential,” reads the game's press release on the Xbox blog. 

It certainly isn't the first game in the genre to walk these waters, proving that video games can still be fun without violence.

Story

Creatures of Ava takes place on the fictional Planet Ava. This once-peaceful world is riddled with a plague called the ‘Withering”. Unfortunately for the wild animals inhabiting the planet, the infectious plague is causing them to be hostile. 

Now, here is your cue. You step into the shoes of Vic, a 22-year-old curious adventurer who is working alongside Tabitha, a researcher well-versed in the plague. It's up to you two, mostly you, to get rid of the plague and restore the planet's tranquility. 

“Once you understand the true meaning of the infection, you'll be challenged to step out of the human-centric point of view and learn about the real toll it takes to preserve the primal beauty at the very roots of Ava.” future reads the game’s description in the developer’s blog.

Gameplay

The title's gameplay takes a unique twist. You must save all the lifeforms on the planet without any technology or weapons. So how do you do it? With a flute. The only way to get through to the inhabitants is through music. You ideally become the pied piper. The underlying difference is that you won't have a trail of mice beckoning to your call. Instead, you can communicate with the creatures who are a gateway to solving the plague. 

As an action-adventure game, you'll also come across puzzles. Presumably, it is not too brain-racking since you can get a hand at solving them from the creatures. However, as easy as it sounds, the creatures don't dance to any tune. To gain their trust, you will have to imitate their sounds. Once you do, you gain a passageway to see the planet from their eyes.

But that's not all. You'll also control the creatures, leverage their abilities, and interact with the environment. This will sound very familiar if you've watched ‘Fantastic Beasts.' 

Beyond this, players will also spend time investigating the plague and stopping it. Thanks to an exceptional staff member, Nafitar, the game embodies its non-aggressive tactic when facing an infected animal. Instead of aggressively attacking the infected creature, the staff absorbs the infection while you dodge any incoming attacks. As a result, you cure the creatures. 

Here are the key features:

• Join a young nature explorer, Vic, on her expedition to planet Ava
• Explore 4 distinct and colorful ecosystems bustling with life
• Tame over 20 wild creatures with the music of a special flute
• Meet the naam, Ava's inhabitants, and learn their unique customs
• Save the planet's inhabitants from an infection called “the withering.”
• Help Vic solve the secrets of Ava and her own troubled past

Development

11 Bit Studios is the brains behind the creation of this action-adventure game. The studio is best known for its hardcore games, such as Frostpunk. In fact, the studio is working on a sequel to Frostpunk 2 and a new sci-fi survival game, The Alters, following their recently released grim adventure, The Thaumaturge. The studio's aptitude for giving its fans a best-of-both-worlds experience is commendable. 

Despite the upcoming title being a far cry from what the devs have dished out, the concept behind the game is brilliant, and we could be in for a heartwarming adventure. 

Moreover, the game's narration is by the renowned writer Rhianna Pratchett. The name might not ring a bell, but her narrative works in the Mirror's Edge and the Tomb Raider reboot speaks for itself. 

Trailer

Fortunately, we have a trailer to put a face to the name. Vic, our believed protagonist, is seen working a flute, summoning the Pokemon-esque creatures. There is a hint of photography, presumably a collection tool of some sort. The trailer also shows the creature control bit, where Vic appears to control a parrot as it flies the skies. 

The visual design certainly looks stunning. But you don't have to take my word for it. Check out the reveal trailer in the video embedded above. 

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Creatures of Ava will be launching sometime in 2024. But we don't have a concrete release date yet. We can, however, confirm that the game will exclusively launch on PC and Xbox Series X|S. 

Additionally, we don't have information on the editions to expect. So many details remain scarce at the moment. However, the developer will indeed be sharing more details soon. You can always follow the official social media handle here to keep track of new updates. Meanwhile, we'll watch out for new information and let you know as soon as they come up.

So, what's your take? Will you pick up a copy of Creatures of Ava when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.