Oh sure, Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles [official site] might look Legend of Zelda-y and okay, it is about a hero roaming the land to save it from evil, but get this: no combat. It’s Zelda filtered through Stardew Valley, a game where you save the world by helping people with your talents for farming, fishing, crafting, and such. No combat! Developers Prideful Sloth this week announced that they’ll release Yonder on July 18th and, while I’m a little hazy on quite what it is, this new trailer has me charmed:



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Yonder goes down on an island where our hero has shipwrecked. It squeezes in a world’s worth of biomes, complete with a day/night cycle and seasons. And… what are we doing here? Prideful Sloth say an “evil murk” is causing trouble:

“The hero of Yonder will explore the island, uncovering its secrets and the mysteries within them self as they embarks on a journey of self-discovery, while saving Gemea and its people. On the quest to become the island’s champion, he or she will join forces with natives and Sprites, ethereal creatures whom are the only thing capable of dispersing the murk. “The towns of Gemea are filled with kind-hearted residents who have faced many difficulties since the arrival of the murk. By contributing to the island through talents like farming, crafting, cooking, fishing and brewing, relationships can be built with the locals, who offer everything from resources to a new farm as rewards.”

Ace. Both Zam and PlayStation Lifestyle seem to dig the preview versions they played. I can’t envision how it all comes together, because I’m a fool dulled by years of world-saving games tying together peaceful minigames like this with hours of murder, but I’m keen to see for myself. July 18th.