Haven Confirmed for PlayStation 5, Creative Designer Explains Design Philosophy of “a Break Between Two Action Games”

Haven

The Game Bakers have announced that Haven will be coming to PlayStation 5, alongside previously announced consoles.

Speaking on the PlayStation Blog, Creative Director Emeric Thoa explained how the game was designed as “a break between two action games” after Furi; for both players and the developer.


Focusing on relaxing, the game is a love story of a couple stranded on a planet. The pair must work together to survive, even as it strains their relationship. Even so, the focus on relaxation means the game will be light on mechanics. Thoa states how a wide variety of mechanics “sometimes adds depth, it helps build the lore and makes the experience immersive. But it’s also a bit tiring.”

So the player has little to remember, there is no quest log (though there are “lots of secondary things to do”) or objective list; aside from the main story and a logbook which “lists what’s been done and left to do on each fragment.” The game also boasts a simple economy.

Main characters Yu and Kay also gather flow energy, used for “many things” including combat and presumably gliding. Players never need to know “precisely” how much flow they have, and are only told if they are running out. Health is also only shown as the color on their energy suit, how they move, and their dialogue.

Likewise, players are not told how much food or crafting materials they have until they need to craft. In fact, with crafting you will only be shown the outcome of your work as a preview as you mix them together.

Along with a minimalist hub, players can hop into co-op quickly; “they just have to take the gamepad and press a button” even half-way through a solo game.

While the blog post may read as a condemnation of anything complex, Thoa concludes and re-iterates how Haven is designed to be relaxing.

“Of course simplicity is not the only way to go. I love a hairy and dense RPG as much as anyone else. But sometimes, between these deep and exhausting systems you learn in games, it’s good to take a little break. It’s what we wanted to achieve with Haven. Make it a gentle breeze, a soft hand that will take you through its journey without asking you to care too much about details. In Haven, we only want you to care about Yu and Kay.”

You can find the Glide Free trailer below.

You can find the rundown of the game (via Steam) below:


Yu and Kay have escaped to a forgotten planet. Play the two lovers settling in an unknown world. Survive together, glide over the plains, camp, restore the planet, fight if you have to.
All that matters is to stay together.

Key features:

  • Play two characters at the same time, to explore, fight or in the dialogues!
  • Glide over the grass, gather flow and clean the rust as you explore the fragmented planet.
  • Fight with the two characters in real time and use tactical sense and timing.
  • A romantic space adventure, the saga of two lovers trying to stay together against all odds.
  • Play a couple, follow an intimate relationship treated with maturity and humour.
  • Immediate to play, accessible, a pause in a busy day.
  • A second player can join in or drop out anytime in co-op to share the adventure.

Haven launches in 2020 for Windows PC (via Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox One. The game will have a demo available for the Summer Games Fest Demo Event for Xbox One, from July 21st to July 27th.

Image: PlayStation Blog

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About

Ryan was a former Niche Gamer contributor.


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