In an industry seemingly dominated by violent, fast-paced action titles, Might & Delight’s Shelter was a breath of fresh air. Helping a badger guide her cubs through the rough wilderness was quite the experience and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster too. This was then followed by the somewhat familiar Shelter 2, in which players controlled a powerful lynx, and now… it’s time to become a creature with significantly less experience instead – a baby lynx, as it were – in Paws: A Shelter 2 Game.
Featuring a visual style similar to the first two Shelter games, Paws: A Shelter 2 Game doesn’t look like it’s going to stray too far from the formula – until the trailer below shows the protagonist utilizing its ability to track, that is, as well as what appears to be a companion? A welcome addition, to say the least, if the harsh environments also make a return, as I still have nightmares about my younglings getting grabbed by vultures in the original Shelter, never to return. And in this one, it’s just you (and your companion?). None of that ‘the needs of the many’ nonsense.
The game combines all the unique elements from the much loved Shelter series to present a lovingly crafted story about loss, friendship and a search for lost love.
Whether this poor, young adorable cub will eventually reach the safety of its faraway home remains to be seen, and we won’t find out until Paws: A Shelter 2 Game launches on Steam “and other retail outlets”, come March 24, 2016. Fans of the music from other Shelter games have something to look forward to as well, seeing how Retro Family will once more be in charge of that area. Very groovy.