MOVIE NEWS – He once presented his debut game trembling with nerves at E3. Now, Martin Sahlin returns with Hela, a heartwarming and ambitious open-world game that celebrates creativity, physics, and the joy of discovery. The co-creator of Unravel is back with a new project built on the spirit of freedom.

Imagine playing as a tiny enchanted mouse wandering across a Swedish countryside-inspired open world, solving environmental puzzles and helping an old witch with magical errands. That’s exactly what Martin Sahlin—best known for nervously unveiling Unravel at E3 fifteen years ago—has envisioned with Hela. The game expands on the co-op spirit of Unravel Two but strips away mechanical limitations, presenting itself as one of the most promising indie experiences on the horizon.

In Hela, you control a feisty little mouse serving as a witch’s familiar, equipped with a magical frog-shaped backpack. This mystical companion allows you to jump, glide, swim, climb, and interact with the environment to solve puzzles. Sahlin, now independent from EA, wanted to push the concept of cooperative gameplay further by embracing a non-linear structure that emphasizes exploration and discovery.

Though entirely playable solo, Hela shines brightest when shared. As shown during a private Xbox showcase, the game supports local split-screen co-op—a rarity in 2025—as well as online multiplayer for up to four players. The clever Shade system lets solo players summon copies of themselves to tackle puzzles without needing a human partner, maintaining the depth of gameplay even when playing alone.

Hela gives you the freedom to play your way

Some journalists compared Hela‘s playful approach to the limitless antics of Goat Simulator. While it doesn’t lean into absurd comedy, it charms with a warm heart and a soundtrack inspired by the violin tunes of Sweden’s Midsommar festival. The entire game world runs on physics, enabling players to create wild shortcuts, solve puzzles in unexpected ways, and unleash their imagination with joyfully unpredictable results.

The frog backpack—yes, real frogs—is essential to movement and puzzle-solving. Frogs can puff up for gliding, use their tongues to cling to surfaces, swing from structures, or even help link together a “tongue-chain” to grab onto a hare and zoom across the world. Despite the cozy setting, danger lurks: the world may look friendly, but predators roam the environment, requiring players to think outside the box to survive.

“Our game is yours to experiment with,” said sound designer Arvid Rongedal during the Xbox preview. “We believe players should be free to be creative.” Want to use a plank as a raft and a friend’s frog as a sail? The game won’t stop you. Or maybe you’d prefer to just wander around and kick a soccer ball. That’s fine too.

But Hela isn’t just a toybox—it’s packed with touching little stories. One early quest introduces Holger, an elderly luthier who asks the player to help preserve the memory of a summer spent with his granddaughter. It’s these gentle, heartfelt tales that add emotional depth and make Hela more than just a clever platformer.

Now leading the Swedish studio Windup Games, a division of MY.GAMES, Sahlin is no longer bound by EA’s constraints. With a bold team and a clear vision, his latest project feels uniquely personal and full of potential. There’s no release date yet for Hela, but what’s been shown is enough to put it on every indie fan’s watchlist.

Source: 3djuegos