Fantasy life simulation RPG Mandrake announced for PC

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According to the latest announcement, Failbetter Games is introducing “Mandrake,” an immersive role-playing game that falls under the fantasy life simulation category, set to arrive on PC via Steam. At this time, a specific launch date has yet to be disclosed.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

As the sole descendant of the mystical gardening lineage known as Mandrakes, you’ve finally come back to your ancestral home that has been left vacant. Now is the time to cultivate friendships, care for your gardens, and establish a lasting presence. Venture into the wilderness to fish, gather resources, and explore hidden treasures. Uncover the secrets that your family left behind and make this place your own.

The Lost Arts of Horticulture

Horticulture, or the cultivation of plants, is typically considered taboo… except for you. You hail from a lineage of sorcerers who mastered the art of green and flourishing growth, and you’re capable of nurturing wonders such as: runner beans, cherry trees, and even the common turnip!

As your abilities develop, you’ll find yourself capable of sowing unusual seeds, such as the taran that summons thunder, or rhewyn which automatically waters your gardens. Who knows, maybe you’ll even cultivate a goose-tree! (It’s hard to believe geese come from other geese, right?)

Arrange sleeping areas, ornaments, and relaxation zones. Discover, cultivate, care for, and grow ordinary as well as enchanted plants, and progressively broaden your gardens into the overgrown courtyards of your family’s forgotten castle.

A World to Inhabit

Unveil a captivating new realm steeped in the lore and heritage of Britain. This is a land of ancient, untamed forces, where ghostly entities dwell in the realms seldom trodden by mankind; it’s a place rich with chronicles, and secrets buried even deeper.

Instead of merely tending to your gardens, you’ll also gather supplies from the woodlands and seashore. Fishing is another skill to hone, but remember to avoid any potential curses lurking near the river. Additionally, exploring treacherous mines for valuable minerals and hidden knowledge may become necessary.

Animate the Mandrake Lodge by personalizing it with your preferred decor and improvements; gather antique books, then immerse yourself in a cozy, candlelit atmosphere of your study during evenings. Acquire culinary skills. Engage with your neighbors, share experiences, present them gifts, and listen to their tales.

Fireside Menace

In ancient times, the world underwent a transformation. During the day, humans held dominion, but at night, it was ruled by other beings. Now, only fires within homes continue to burn once the sun sets, and ethereal creatures known as Mara roam freely in the darkness. It’s best to stay indoors after dusk – the night is not meant for human exploration.

For now. (After all, what self-respecting sorcerer follows the rules?)

Human, Humble Magic

In Mandrake, magic is not about blazing fireballs and gleaming protective barriers; it’s all about the cleverness of folklore, whimsy, and perseverance. For instance, instead of spending seven years to grow a cherry tree from a seedling, you could make your staff of sorcery within a week. Then, learn to befriend rivers, listen in on the whispers of the departed, spend a night under the haunting Butcher’s Oak, share tea with the deity dwelling in your chimney – these are the ways magic manifests here.

A Host of Lavishly-Realized Characters

Step into the quaint little hamlet of Chandley, where simplicity meets intrigue, and every resident carries a unique tale.

Meet Rosen—the bee-keeper, candlemaker, and rook-speaker—who serves as the fair-minded village leader, navigating this peculiar community of oddballs. Or Gideon, the brooding woodsman who strikes deals with the mysterious forces lurking in the forest.

Get to know Nessa, the friendly blacksmith, hiding behind a veil of kindness, which masks the wounds from an ancient sorrow; and Thackery, the enthusiastic tech expert, who manages complex technology that not even he fully comprehends.

Pay a visit to the lighthouse, which serves as home for Jory and Ruan Vicory, along with young Tamsyn – the girl they rescued from the ocean. She continues to hear echoes of voices beckoning from the depths below the water’s edge…

Although small, Chanley carries a rich history, steeped in mysteries and deeply entrenched in tradition. Could it be prepared to welcome back a Mandrake once more?

Beyond the Firelight

As a gamer, I find myself immersed in the peculiar world of Chandley, where spirits, gods, and boggles coexist with the locals. Here, I’ve met the cheerful revenant, trapped within an ancient tree, claiming to recognize me despite his centuries-old death. There’s also Granny Jakes, a solitary figure with elongated arms, hidden away in her secret orchard, offering a beverage lost to time. The Regent of the Woods graces us with his presence, donning a crown as white as the forest’s heart. The mine, untouched for decades, echoes with the soft whistles of a timid creature humming an old tune. Lastly, there’s Hroame, who can be as solid as stone one moment and ethereal the next.

Watch a new trailer below.

Announce Trailer

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2025-06-09 05:16