In the Era of AAA Bloat, REKA Strips Things Back to Deliver a Unique Sandbox Experience

REKA is an experience that feels like a well-lived storybook. If you’ve spent your younger days reading tales of witchcraft, sorcery, and eerie forests, REKA is going to bond well with you. Its wondrous narrative sets itself apart from a genre that might feel saturated to many.

Even in early access, the game provides a rich landscape that draws inspiration from Slavic mythology. This is a place where exploration, magic, and creative freedom come together, building a sandbox experience that should be on your to-play list.

Witchcraft That’s Yours to Craft

REKA’s world fills itself with eeriness. At every turn and corner, there’s something to be explored, with clear inspirations from Baba Yaga and other traits of folklore based on Slavic tales. This theme never fails to lure you in, as you explore this small but complex space.

With a heavy emphasis on building mechanics, REKA finds itself appealing to players who are fans of creative sandboxes. However, the base-building gameplay loop here is based on detailed customization of the player’s house and surrounding areas.

The more they explore the game, the higher the chance of stumbling upon a new biome. Even after hours of base-building and exploration, players are going to find new ways of crossing paths with unpredictable possibilities.

The game never truly introduces you to the true nature of its purpose. Why is that old woman stuck in a place like this? Does that man truly need your help? Why is that creature only visible to a few, but non-existent to others? REKA never properly answers these questions, and that’s where you find its enigmatic appeal.

Finding Comfort Place Where You Don’t Belong

REKA does a fine job of creating a sense of comfort that many survival-sandbox games fail to achieve. Instead of running away from the dangers of the world, you build your humble abode in the creepiest places possible. Seriously, no parent would ever send their child or pet to this place.

Yet, REKA’s universe functions a little differently. Somewhere in the midst of crafting potions and acquiring herbs for the “next best recipe in sorcery”, you start finding solace. Next thing you know, you’re replacing Minecraft with witchcraft, and happily doing so.

The way knowledge and acquiring skills work in REKA feels similar to knowledge-building in real life. As you understand this world better, you begin to learn and unlearn ways of creating a sense of comfort. However, the game’s early access version only gives you a small glimpse of this.

Progressing through the game doesn’t feel like a chore. While there are new territories and challenges you explore, the game will seldom let you feel like you’re saying goodbye to something. Beautifully, a sense of attachment feels like a wisdomous thought in your witch brain. As you move, so do certain things around. For instance, an entire house!

That’s right, a moving house can remind you of something like Howl’s Moving Castle, and we won’t blame you if you start binging some of Studio Ghibli’s incredible films right after playing REKA.

Embrace the Paradox of Choice

Inventory management and gathering materials are a big part of REKA. However, what sets it apart from other games is how abundant resources feel in this world. There are endless things to find and discover, and it’s up to you to manage them efficiently.

Do this well, and you can experiment with several customization options for your journey. REKA’s art style does wonders to build on this. Take a single look at any of the game’s screenshots, and you’ll feel that little voice in your head go, “Ah, what’s that about?”.

Furthermore, the game’s slow and open-ended narrative never pushes you to find a quest. Even though there are multiple stories to be a part of, REKA gives you the freedom to choose your adventures.

Without the constant urge to solve the world’s problems (you can, if you wish to) or run from your fears, Emberstorm Entertainment’s REKA provides a meditative experience for players to embrace. Go about building, adventuring, and learning at your own pace. After all, witchcraft and alchemy are yours to explore here.