ATONE Brings Nordic Myth and Rhythmic Gameplay to Platforms Next Year

With everybody’s favorite Asgardian hitting up the big screen in Infinity War and God of War taking on Midgard, it seems that Norse mythology is all the rage now. Those titles won’t be the last to jump into the world of Nordic myth, as ATONE arrives the PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One next year, according to developers Wildboy Studios.

The studio describes ATONE as “a story-driven puzzle game inspired by Norse mythology.” The 2D art style and gameplay is pretty unique, using vector art to build its world and characters. Yet, the game is somewhat reminiscent of the indie hit Superbrothers: Sword & Sorcery EP, with its heavy emphasis on an exploratory adventure in a mythical world.

Players take on the role of Estra, a young warrior and daughter of the world’s last great leader. The gods have all disappeared, abandoning humanity and leaving Midgard to rot from the inside, and with the great sacred Elder Tree exposed without the protection of Odin, it’s up to Estra to keep the world safe. It’s not going to be easy, as Estra is haunted by the trauma of her past.

The trailer gives us some hints at what it will be like to play through this absolutely gorgeous world. There seems to be a heavy mix of exploration, puzzles and combat that puts players through rhythmic game battle sequences in order to win. The musical score and sound design, developed by Australian artist Luminist, is an epic blend of synths and other instruments that complement the game’s tone. Along the journey, there will be plenty of characters to interact with who open up the world and reveal startling discoveries. All good fun.

ATONE seems to be a pretty ambitious game with its unique art, music and gameplay, especially considering this is Wildboy Studios’ debut game. However, indie studios have a tendency to create impressive gems that strike a chord with gamers looking for something different. Things shouldn’t be any different from the New Zealand-based developer.

Check out ATONE for yourself by watching the game’s introduction trailer below.