Publisher 505 Games Introduces Among the Trolls, a new first-person survival action-adventure in development by Forbidden Studio. The reveal promises a gritty, forest-centered journey that blends exploration, environmental storytelling, and tense clashes with folklore-inspired beings.
The narrative follows Alex and Anna, two young explorers who fly from the United States to Finland to visit their grandparents, who reside deep within a secluded woodland. With the house quiet and the forest breathing with quiet power, the siblings set out to seek their relatives. What unfolds is not a simple quest but a trial of wit and nerve as they learn to read the land, endure harsh weather, and move through a world where myths feel tangible. The forest itself becomes a living character, revealing its history through ruins, whispered songs, and meetings with legendary creatures and the occasional benevolent nature spirit. Their journey invites players to piece together a family mystery while uncovering truths hidden in the woods about their origins and what they must do to endure.
Among the Trolls invites players into mechanics that reward adaptability. They will master hunting techniques, forge tools from gathered resources, and build shelters that offer protection during brutal nights. Cooking steps beyond nourishment, becoming a strategic system that affects stamina and mood, while runic songs unlock hidden resonance with the environment, providing both puzzle-solving opportunities and combat advantages. As Alex and Anna push deeper into the forest, they discover ancient lore tying their family to the land and its guardians, reframing their purpose within the broader tapestry of the world they now inhabit.
Among the Trolls will launch on Steam Early Access, spanning up to 20 months to give players a generous window to explore, test, and influence the game’s evolution. At release, players will encounter roughly 30 percent of the planned content, forming a robust foundation that supports both single-player and cooperative play for up to four players. The initial experience features eight distinct areas, a wide array of items, and a core set of mechanics—hunting, crafting, building, cooking, and the expressive power of runic songs—that together create a cohesive survival loop that rewards curiosity and perseverance.
In this world, atmosphere matters as much as action. The forest is rich with visual storytelling, from the way light threads through branches to the subtle clues left by past explorers. The game rewards careful planning: gather rare resources, manage stamina, and decide when to push forward or retreat to a safer outpost. Cooperative play invites teamwork, with players coordinating roles, sharing resources, and combining abilities to overcome challenging environments and formidable encounters. Through its evolving environment, Among the Trolls aims to deliver a sense of discovery and consequence that keeps players returning to uncover what lies beyond each bend in the trail.
Note: The project balances folklore with modern survival mechanics, offering a fresh interpretation of forest legends while prioritizing player agency and strategic decision making in a living, breathing game world.