The creators behind the legendary Skyrim saga have teased fans with a fresh project about surviving a haunted forest filled with monsters and mythical beings. In a bold collaboration, longtime developers from Bethesda and other studios responsible for Skyrim and Fallout 4 have joined forces to bring a new title to life. They launched a studio called Forbidden Studios in 2019 and recently unveiled the first trailer for Among the Trolls, a story-driven survival game set in a mysterious, forested realm. The game centers on a choice of two protagonists, Anna, a young woman, or Alex, a man around 35 years old. He travels from the United States to his ancestral homeland in Finland, seeking answers about his family’s past and a deeper understanding of the culture his grandparents cherished. When he reaches a secluded cabin deep in the woods, the relatives are nowhere to be found. The forest, cut off from civilization, is home to a variety of eerie, otherworldly creatures, with trolls looming as the most formidable threat.
In the first teaser for Among the Trolls, the forest itself is framed as the setting where all events unfold. The official Steam page has shared a handful of GIFs and screenshots that hint at the atmosphere, the geography, and the core systems players will encounter. Gamers can explore multiple locales, study a map, manage their inventory, and craft essential gear at a cabin that belonged to the hero’s grandparents. The developers confirm that Among the Trolls will include the familiar survival staples—hunger management, resource gathering, and crafting—while inviting players to uncover the mystery behind the grandparents’ disappearance. The immersion is designed to be profound, with contemporary graphical fidelity, immersive sound design, and a palpable sense of isolation that underscores the danger lurking in the trees. Progression hinges on mastering a blend of combat tactics, exploration, and survival strategies as the forest tests every decision. The protagonist’s journey also introduces Finnish-inspired magical disciplines: lukyu (luck), veki (magic), and sisu (steadfastness). Each path opens distinct options for shaping how the character interacts with foes, uncovers secrets, and negotiates the forest’s many hazards.
Playing Among the Trolls is planned to begin in Steam Early Access, with the developers indicating that the official release date will be announced in due course. The early-access window is positioned as an opportunity for players to experience the core loop—tracking resources, solving environmental puzzles, and gradually revealing the forest’s lore—while providing feedback that could influence final tuning and content. For fans in Canada and the United States, the game promises a modern survival experience that emphasizes atmosphere, story, and strategic choice. The setting blends Nordic folklore with contemporary survival mechanics to create a distinctive, character-driven narrative. The dual-protagonist design invites players to consider different cultural perspectives on family history, resilience, and the meaning of home, all while navigating a foreboding woodland world where every shadow may conceal a threat or a clue. The project’s pedigree—drawing on the expertise of developers who helped shape beloved open-world adventures—lends credibility to the promise of a polished, ambitious experience centered on exploration, discovery, and personal growth. Markers of progress in the game include environmental storytelling, a robust crafting system, and a skill tree rooted in Finnish cultural concepts that inform how players approach luck, magic, and perseverance. The collaboration behind Among the Trolls reflects a broader industry trend toward cross-studio partnerships that fuse familiar design philosophies with fresh, mythic settings, creating a compelling option for players seeking a dense, story-forward survival challenge. The upcoming release, while still in Early Access, aims to provide a substantial first impression: a world that feels alive, dangerous, and full of secrets waiting to be uncovered. The narrative arc centers on a personal quest for family history, but the forest itself becomes a character, shaping choices and steering the discovery of a larger fate that may redefine what it means to endure in a land where legends walk among the trees. This blend of intimate storytelling and expansive world-building is designed to appeal to fans who crave atmospheric exploration as much as strategic survival, with the developers framing the project as a modern homage to the tradition of richly detailed, lore-rich fantasy worlds. The Steam page and official communications continue to emphasize the immersive audio-visual experience, the depth of character progression, and the enduring appeal of a well-crafted mystery that invites players to draw their own conclusions about the forest, the trolls, and the ancestors whose story lies at its heart. The anticipation around Among the Trolls is building as more details emerge, and players in North America are watching closely for early insights into how Forbidden Studios will balance terror, wonder, and playability in a title poised to leave a lasting impression on the survival genre. Citations: Steam page and official announcements.