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Valheim style dark fantasy sandbox game unveils customization tools

Reka, the dark fantasy sandbox game blending elements of Slavic folklore, The Witcher, and Valheim, lets you be whoever you want to be.

Dark fantasy sandbox game Reka is undoubtedly one of my most anticipated games right now. Far from the brash cartoon stylings of Palworld and inspired by the Slavic folklore figure of the Baba Jaga, a famed witch of the forest seen in the likes of The Witcher and Tomb Raider, this Valheim style survival game has you building your own walking hut – and now developer Emberstorm Entertainment shows off some of the people you’ll meet, as well as how character customization works.

Putting you in the shoes of the eponymous Reka herself, you’ll be apprenticed to the legendary witch, and that means much like her you’ll get your very own home mounted on the back of a set of giant chicken legs. That means it’ll wander the forests, swamps, and villages of this stunning sandbox game as you determine whether to help or hinder the locals, brew all manner of potent potables, and even tame wildlife to join you.

With its Steam Early Access launch set for the second quarter of 2024, it won’t be too long before we get our hands on Reka, and Emberstorm Entertainment shows off the character customization options you’ll have at your disposal. While you’re always going to be playing as Reka, you’ll have full control over everything from her skin tone and individual facial features to her hair and the outfit she wears, with a wide variety of options at your disposal.

Reka character customization - three different character styles, each with varying skin tone, face shapes, hair, and outfits.

Given how much customization you’ll have in Reka, down to being able to construct your very own walking home, it’s a welcome addition, and there are certainly plenty of options at your disposal. The team also shows off some of its NPC designs and animations, which bring its cast of characters to life and further help sell the atmosphere of Reka. I’m already entranced by its style, so small touches like characters cheerfully putting their hands on their hips, or ominously turning their head to you slowly, add even more personality to the world.

“We’ll show more character customization options soon, and we can’t wait to share the other features we’ve been working on with you,” Emberstorm adds. “Let us know if there’s anything you’d like to see in our witchy game. While we can’t guarantee it’ll be added to Reka, we do love reading all your suggestions.”

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While we await more news on those additional features, we’ve got plenty more of the best fantasy games to let you escape into gorgeous, mystical worlds, along with the best indie games in 2024 to make sure you haven’t missed any hidden gems.

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