Game Rant had a chance to talk to Moonlight Kids regarding the studio's newly released first title, called The Wild at Heart. This indie game is a story of kids struggling with hard home situations, and the theme of coming of age is key to the plot and the development of the characters, Wake and Kirby, who embark on a beautiful journey through the Willowvale Deep Woods. Much like The Wild at Heart's characters are inspired by real stories of adoption and household hardships, the Willowvale Deep Woods, too, are inspired by the natural forests and coastlines found in the states of Washington and Oregon because of the team's experience growing up in the Pacific Northwest.

The Wild at Heart has vibes that most players from the 90s or earlier will immediately recognize with a magical sense of nostalgia, and the game is indeed filled up with stories that feel more like heirlooms of an era. Personal experiences were not the only source of inspiration for Moonlight Kids' game, and several media and books turned out to be each a great muse for The Wild at Heart, including Song of the Sea, Where the Wild Things Are, Studio Ghibli films, and storybook illustrations. Other games also played a part in the end result that is The Wild at Heart, and players should expect gameplay mechanics similar to those of Pikmin, Overlord, Luigi's Mansion, Don't Starve, and more.

Moonlight Kids And The Wild At Heart

Moonlight Kids talked about how the name of the studio as something that evoked feelings of youth, something that recalls living life during the nights back in the days, and it all circles back to the game the developer just released, The Wild at Heart. Whether it's days gone by or nights spent with a close group of friends, hidden away in the woods telling each other stories, Moonlight Kids feels to the studio like the name of a song or even that of a band. To Moonlight Kids, the chosen name is not something that ended up influencing its work in some way, but rather the other way around, with the group's style inspiring the name, to begin with.

The name was always more about what feeling it evokes. We just wanted it to sort of reflect our vibe. It sounds like the name of an M83 song or a shoegaze band to me. Or even some alternative name for The Midnight Society from Are You Afraid of the Dark or something. It makes me personally think of being out late on summer nights or feelings of youth.

Speaking of which, the Deep Woods are quite deep indeed, with secrets to find, characters to meet, relationships to form, puzzles to solve, and, more importantly, landscapes to enjoy while relaxing. There are plenty of reasons to explore the world of The Wild at Heart, including hidden achievements, places, and even characters who may be lying in wait for players to find them.

Well, speaking as the writer I can’t wait for everyone to meet the cast of characters and get to know them! As a player I can attest that grabbing a bunch of Spriteling friends, exploring and crafting with them, hanging out at Halfmoon Pond, then relaxing while Aatto serenades you with his flute, is as good a spa day as any.

Ultimately, The Wild at Heart is a game that everyone can play at their own pace, enjoying even the smallest of things this indie title has to offer.

The Wild at Heart is available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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