Among the Stars stole my heart the second its trailer aired during Summer Game Fest 2024. With an art style inspired by Studio Ghibli and a story that reflects the struggles of indigenous people, this 2-D action-adventure game has earned a spot on my “games I want to play” list.
Developed by Split Studio, Among the Stars tells the story of Ari and Tai, two sisters separated after armed land developers lay siege to their home in Brazil’s Pantanal region. With Ari lost in a jungle inhabited by nature spirits and Tai stranded deep in territory occupied by the murderous invaders, the sisters embark on a perilous journey to reunite and liberate their homeland before it’s too late.
The first thing that stands out about Among the Stars is its gorgeous art direction. Split Studios is an animation company that has cut its teeth on several prominent Cartoon Network and Comedy Central shows, and they’re pouring all of their talent into this project. Among the Stars‘ colorful backgrounds and expressive character designs take a lot of inspiration from anime, particularly the legendary film library of Studio Ghibli.
While Among the Stars‘ trailer primarily features what I assume are clips taken from in-game cinematics, the gameplay featured on the game’s official website proves that the in-game animation will be just as stunningly vibrant as those featured in the cutscenes. Those short snippets of gameplay footage also made it clear that the game will be as fun to play as it is beautiful to behold.
Gameplay as intriguing as its visuals
If what I’ve seen is true, Among the Stars will feature two radically different gameplay styles. When the player controls Ari, the gameplay will be very similar to 2-D RPGs like Child of Light, complete with a turn-based battle system. In contrast, Tai’s gameplay revolves around stealth, with the player’s goal being to sneak around heavily patrolled environments to sabotage the land developers’ machinery. A shared focus on puzzle-solving will tie together both gameplay styles.
Among the Stars’ visuals and gameplay have already wowed me, but the game’s story is what has me by the neck. There’s a fantastical undertone to Among the Stars‘ narrative, rooted in the rich, underrepresented world of native Brazilian folklore. Unfortunately, the inciting incident that tears Ari and Tai’s peaceful lives apart reflects a bleaker reality that countless Brazilians face daily.
“Land grabbing,” a practice in which farmers, miners, and loggers violently seize land owned by indigenous people, is a long-standing tradition in Brazil, and many native Brazilian communities are still being persecuted for their land today. While Among the Stars isn’t based on an actual event (as far as I know), its story draws inspiration from one of the darkest aspects of Brazilian history and contemporary life.
Among the Stars has yet to be given an official release date, but it will be available on the Switch, Playstation, Xbox, and PC through Steam.
