Developer Pinetrail is preparing to launch a new delivery simulation game that draws clear inspiration from Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding. The game, also titled Pinetrail, shifts the focus from an apocalyptic world to a more serene, natural landscape where players manage a three-wheeled rickshaw truck.
Pinetrail emphasizes the logistical challenge of package delivery, tasking players with deciding what to pack and how to secure it using rope within their truck. Unlike Death Stranding's emphasis on balancing cargo on the player character's back, Pinetrail places all deliveries in the truck's cargo space, allowing for considerable customization in how goods are arranged. The game's environments are described as lush forests and mountains, offering steep hills and rocky terrain that make traversal difficult. Players must also contend with environmental hazards such as falling rocks and aggressive, package-stealing boars.
While the core gameplay loop revolves around careful delivery, Pinetrail introduces several unconventional mechanics to aid players. The rickshaw truck is equipped with wings, allowing it to take flight and traverse long distances. Additionally, a hookshot can be used to pull the vehicle up steep inclines, and a boat mode enables travel along rivers. These features suggest a playful approach to the simulation genre, blending practical delivery challenges with fantastical traversal abilities.
Players will earn money for completing deliveries and must meet certain targets, though the exact use for in-game currency and the nature of progression remain unspecified. Pinetrail is slated for release in the second quarter of 2027 and is currently available to wishlist on Steam. The game aims to provide a more tranquil experience compared to its high-profile inspiration.