Swedish studio Off-leash Interactive, founded by veterans from DICE and Paradox Interactive, has announced Trollheim: Gnomes. This upcoming survival-crafting game casts players as a three-inch-tall gnome venturing through a procedurally generated forest inspired by Nordic folklore. The game promises players will navigate massive trees, set up camp under mushrooms, and encounter a variety of supernatural beings known as "Väsen."
From Fairytales to Forests
Off-leash Interactive is a new studio comprised of experienced developers. Game director Jojje Dalunde previously worked at DICE for nine years, while CEO Jakob Munthe served as an executive producer at Paradox Interactive. Art producer Josefin Lindgren has credits from Starbreeze and Coldwood Interactive. The game's narrative is rooted in the personal experiences of filmmaker Björne Larson, who draws inspiration from his childhood memories of Nordic woodland lore. "When my parents divorced, I lost the concept of home, until my grandmother took me into these forests we grew up in, telling me about the gnomes and trolls and fairies who lived there and thrived there," Larson shared during a briefing. "Ultimately the forest made me feel at home, and cared for."
The game's premise begins with a narrative of displacement, where the Sprýg Gnomes are forced from Midgård by a corrupted Oden and relocated to the wildwoods of Trollheim. While some non-player characters like hungry trolls may pose a threat, the Väsen are generally presented as "neighbours" rather than outright enemies. The core gameplay loop involves finding a place within this ecosystem.
Gameplay and Multiplayer
Trollheim: Gnomes is not primarily a combat-focused game. Interaction with the environment and its inhabitants is key. Players may have opportunities to appease certain Väsen, with developers citing an example of a troll being calmed with flute music after being snared in a rope trap, followed by an offering of stew. The game also features a system for reviving downed players and NPCs, requiring the preparation of specific remedies.
Character development is driven by crafting and equipment rather than traditional classes. The game supports up to eight players in multiplayer, which the developers suggest could facilitate hide-and-seek mechanics. The building system is designed to allow players to camouflage their dwellings amidst the forest's natural elements like litter, moss, and mold.
A World of Scale
Visually, Trollheim: Gnomes aims to capture the immense scale of the forest from a gnome's perspective, drawing comparisons to Obsidian's Grounded but emphasizing taller trees. The environment is detailed with elements like twigs, fungus, boulders, brooks, and lakes. However, some familiar survival game mechanics are present, such as a hang-glider reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a building system that uses clipped holographic templates, which may detract from the illusion of crafting from natural materials. Developers have stated that the small scale and creative control offered by the building system are intended to create a unique experience.
The game is designed for both online and offline solo play. Players can construct dwellings within tree hollows or create nests connected by ropeways high in the branches. The developers indicated that player-versus-player combat is not a feature, but the emphasis on camouflage could still foster a sense of players hiding from one another.
While a release date has not yet been announced, Trollheim: Gnomes is currently accepting applications for a playtest. Further information is available on Steam.