I’ve had my eye on Tchia since the Wholesome Snack last December. I say I have my eye on things a lot, but I keep tabs on an awful lot of games and it’s very true. I said then that Tchia is something special, and everything I’ve seen since then just confirms that belief. The soul-jumping game is from a Montreal developer, but is based heavily on the founders’ home of New Caledonia (a small island that’s kinda near but still very far from New Zealand). The developer has been releasing short videos showing off how New Caledonia has helped shaped the game, and with the final video dropping today it seems like a great time to share all three.
Tchia is an open-world sandbox game that has players becoming one with nature (and the ocean) through a unique soul-jumping mechanic. Soul-jumping allows players to take control of over 30 animals and literally hundreds of objects, making the environment itself a tool for exploration. Tchia is described as a love letter to Awaceb’s founders’ childhood home (the name is pronounced Ah-Wah-Seb and toughly translates to “it’s all good”). It’s filled with references and inspiration taken from landscapes, natures, creatures, landmarks, music, and art. Characters in the game will speak the native languages of New Caledonia, all voiced by local talent.
The first video in the series – released on December 8, 2022 – begins a deep dive into what helped shaped the game’s unique setting.
The second video in the series – released on January 9, 2023 – discusses the flora, fauna, and landmarks that inspired the game’s open-world archipelago.
The third and final video in the series – released today – introduces future players to the people and the culture of New Caledonia.
Developed by Awaceb, and published by Awaceb and Kepler Interactive, Tchia will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 in Q2 2023. (Well, they say “spring,” but it roughly translates.)
