Finally, a game that knows the best bit of being a witch is creeping everyone out

GamesSimRekaFinally, a game that knows the best bit of being a witch is creeping everyone outWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Emberstorm)

Reka - A young witch in a twilight woods pets a deer

WhenI played the demo of REKA, I quickly fell in love with basically everything about it. From the immediate autumnal energy the visuals exude to the army of crows it sends you out to forage with, it basically featured everything I could want from a game about witches. But, as is the way with game demos, it comes to an end just as you board your chicken-legged hut and set off on your way. I was desperate to get back in to see what happens next, and it simply didn’t disappoint.

In fact,REKAonly gets better from where the demo ended my journey. Once I was free from the shackles of the starting area and beyond the zone of where the demo took place, a set of trials unfurled. The first, pleasing a forest spirit who grants permission to fell trees so I could customise my hut. But, this task wasn’t exactly straightforward. I had to trek around the whole forest to complete a series of favours like knocking down structures and feeding crows. It was definitely a more in-depth process than I expected, but after satisfying the spirit I felt a lot more accomplished than if I had to embark on a simple fetch quest.

But even though customisation of your hut is pretty extensive, character customisation is quite the opposite. Because of this, the appearance of NPCs is also very limited throughout each area of the game, but that doesn’t stop each character you come across having a personality that shines through. Many look down on the world of witchcraft around them, and they’re scared to speak about spirits or the old witch in the woods. However, there are many curious and willing to speak to you about what you’re doing.

I much preferred these interactions, which isn’t surprising really, but I noticed after a while that I took a sense of pride when people were curious and became offended when they didn’t want to talk. This was a clear sign that I’d become maybe slightly too invested in my character and her journey, but when I’m pouring so much energy into completing trials it’s hard not to get attached.

What I loved most about REKA, trials and hut customisation aside, was how willing I felt to stray from the beaten path to just wander around and see what I could find. I’ve already rambled enough about how gorgeous the world design is, but the secrets and hidden gems tucked away that you don’t need to remember for the story make the exploration worth it.

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Each time I stumbled across something that looked slightly peculiar, like a face carved into a tree or a patch of grass that vaguely resembled a sigil I wanted to jot it down in case I needed it later. But, for the most part these things are just there for the sake of world building. A lot of the tasks you’re asked to complete won’t be too far from where you’re originally tasked, so I found the general rule of thumb to be that anything you find far off track is just for the sake of your own enchantment.

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