A deep narrative, some wholesome adventuring and the chance to not just save, but also tame, the most stunning of creatures. That’s Creatures of Ava, and it’s available today across Game Pass, Xbox and PC.
We’ve been holding out for Creatures of Ava for some time, hyped by the fact that this lands on Game Pass Day One. That day has now arrived too, as we get to take what 11 bit studios, Inverge Studios and Chibig have put together on Xbox and PC.
Creatures of Ava – adventuring on Game Pass
Creatures of Ava invites players to embark on some breathtaking missions. You see, they are the last hope against an all-consuming infection – The Withering. It’s this which is ravaging the planet of Ava, threatening the creatures within.
Set against a canvas of wholesome and colourful visuals, Creatures of Ava hides a deep narrative; one that explores dueling themes of acting with empathy while learning when you may need to let something go.
It has us playing as Vic, a young explorer who finds herself crash-landed on a distant planet alongside her companion, Tabitha. During Vic’s adventure, players will embrace exploration that focuses on taming and saving the many creatures threatened by The Withering while also ensuring the protection of the natural world.
The world of Ava is wide open to wandering, helping a myriad of creatures, taking on side quests, and appreciating the beauty of Ava.
Allowing us the chance to journey through four distinct biomes tackling environmental puzzles, unlocking new areas, and capturing the fading beauty of Ava via research photography, in Creatures of Ava you’ll be found upgrading Vic’s gear and skills, enhancing her ability to aid Ava and its inhabitants, while magical flute melodies, learned from the grumpy local inhabitants known as the Naam, let her tame the many living species wandering its terrain.
Key features
- Exploration-driven gameplay – The gameplay encourages curiosity-driven exploration of its distinct ecosystems—such as the colorful Nari jungle or mysterious Mâruba swamp—creating an interconnected world. With non-aggressive combat mechanics designed for healing rather than defeating and indigenous Flute melodies that you play to tame creatures, the game further highlights the creature-saver nature of the experience.
- Meaningful Narrative – Step into the shoes of Vic, a 22-year-old nature adventurer as she navigates through the immersive expedition alongside Tabitha, a composed and astute researcher. Together, you confront the recurring infection—called “the withering” by the local race of Naam—threatening Ava’s inhabitants. The game’s narrative, co-created by Rhianna Pratchett, is a journey of wonder and mystery but also discovery, leading to the revelation of the planet’s captivating secrets.
- Saving Through Understanding – Creatures of Ava is a game featuring a dense, populated world of rich ecosystems filled with creatures that play a vital role in the planet’s natural balance. It goes beyond traditional creature-related genres, offering a deeper understanding and connection with the things you’ll encounter on Ava. Once you come to understand the true meaning of the infection, you will be challenged to step out of the human-centric point of view and learn about the real toll it takes to preserve the primal beauty at the very roots of Ava.
Extra DLC?
As you may expect to hear from a game which focuses on such themes, Creatures of Ava, at its core, is all about nature preservation. This is a core value for 11 bit studios, supporting deserving charities that share common themes with the many games the studio creates and publishes. With this in mind, 11 bit have announced a cooperation between 11bit studios, Inverge Studios, and WDC – Whale and Dolphin Conservation.
You see, DLC, for both Steam and Xbox versions of the game, containing four WDC-inspired cosmetic backpack trinkets can be obtained as part of the game’s Digital Deluxe Edition or bought separately for $2.99 with all net proceeds going to protect whales and dolphins. Consider that you’ll probably be playing the base game of Creatures of Ava through Game Pass, and it may make that extra content even more appealing.
Buy now!
You’ll find the Xbox Store capable of providing a download of Creatures of Ava on Xbox and PC, through Game Pass too.
Our full review is on the way.
Creatures of Ava Description
Welcome to Creatures of Ava, a unique creature saver game inviting you to explore a world brimming with wild beings. Instilling joy and wonder, they provide a unique bond that enables you to utilize their skills for traversing the planet and solving environmental challenges. Once peaceful creatures, they now succumb to an unknown infection driving them to behave aggressively, which makes your mission to save them an urgent necessity.
