Sony's most recent State of Play was filled with a solid number of updates and reveals, and while not everything seemed like it was destined to be a hit, the same can't be said for Tchia. Being developed by just 12 people, Tchia looks like a wonderfully charming Indie game that puts players in the shoes of the titular young protagonist as they explore an island in search of their kidnaped father. Along with some truly breathtaking visuals, Tchia appears to have some pretty unique gameplay, letting players "soul jump" into animals in order to solve puzzles and fend off foes.

While Tchia's recent trailer was enough to gain attention on its own, the real surprise came when it was announced that Tchia would be coming to PlayStation Plus Extra on launch day, meaning anyone with a subscription can pick up the game for free on its release. This is an incredibly smart move from Sony and Tchia's developers, and it could lead the way to Tchia becoming the next Stray.

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Tchia's PS Plus Launch Is Following in Stray's Pawsteps

tchia gameplay trailer game awards 2021

Based on its recent trailer alone, it seems as though Tchia is already doing enough to separate itself from an incredibly crowded Indie market. A beautiful, vibrant art style dominates Tchia's trailer, with lush fields of grass and deep blue oceans perfectly capturing that island exploration vibe that it's going for. Tchia's gameplay mechanics also set it apart, with swimming, sailing, soul jumping, and rhythm minigames all combining to make a unique and calming experience. On top of all that, it's also clear just how much Tchia's development team cares about this project, with a PlayStation Blog post stating that the team has based a lot of the game on their homeland of New Caledonia, and has even sourced local talent to provide the voicework.

All that being said, the harsh reality is that even despite Tchia's unique features and atmosphere, the vast majority of gamers still wouldn't pick it up, at least not on release day. The gaming market is a constantly crowded one, with AAA games, Indie titles, mobile experiences, and more all fighting for the player's attention at the same time, and the unfortunate truth is that most players just don't pick up experimental Indie games like Tchia. But that's where PlayStation Plus comes in.

It's just been confirmed that Tchia is coming to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium on its launch day, which means that subscribers can pick it up for no additional charge. While Xbox Game Pass was the first service to really pioneer and popularize this method of day-one distribution, it's good to see PS Plus adopt it as well, especially after the success of Stray.

Back in July 2022, Stray released day-one on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium. While Stray had already been building hype over the course of a few years, with trailers appearing during several State of Plays, its inclusion on PS Plus made it more successful than anyone could have thought. For the first few days after its release, Stray was everywhere online, and though its time in the spotlight faded quickly, it burned bright while it was in it, becoming the most popular game on PS Plus. Hopefully, Tchia's place on PlayStation Plus Extra can give the game at least a similar level of success, allowing gamers who are on the fence to try it out for no additional cost.

Tchia will release March 21 for PC, PS4, and PS5.

MORE: Tchia Preview: Exploring A Gorgeous Island Adventure