Hela: A Wholesome Co-op Adventure for Anthropomorphic Mice
Summer Games Fest just dumped a mountain of news on us, but a few gems got lost in the noise. One of those is Hela, a game that looks like a breath of fresh air. It lets you play as cute mice in a big world with your friends. If you want something relaxing and fun, this is a title to watch.
Hela’s Unique Premise and Charming World
You play as sentient mice in a world where cuteness is the main goal. These mice aren’t just wild animals. They are familiars for a kind, aging witch who lives in the countryside. She needs your help to brew potions and keep the land safe.
The witch’s magic is what gives the mice their intelligence. This setup gives the game a sweet, story-driven heart. The characters look like something out of a children’s book. They have a vibe similar to Stuart Little but with more focus on teamwork.
The game takes place in a world based on northern Sweden. It looks gorgeous and cozy. You will spend your time in a few different kinds of places:
- Green forests with tall trees.
- Meadows full of colorful flowers.
- Old, rustic barns with lots of hiding spots.
- Children’s playgrounds that feel huge from a mouse’s view.
Everything about the art style is meant to feel wholesome. It is the kind of place where you can just hang out and enjoy the scenery.
Innovative Co-op and Gameplay Mechanics in Hela
Co-op is at the center of everything here. The game supports four players online. If you prefer the couch, it has two-player split-screen. The screen splits vertically down the middle in a traditional way.
The game is coming to almost every modern platform. You can play it on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam or Epic. It is even coming to the Switch 2. While the team hasn’t confirmed crossplay yet, it would make a lot of sense for a game like this.
Joining a game feels easy. It uses a drop-in and drop-out system. Since the mice don’t have complex RPG stats or gear upgrades, progress stays simple. The host world likely saves everything. If you don’t have friends around, you can still play alone. A “shade” system helps single players solve puzzles that usually need two people.
Better Movement and Traversal
The way you move in Hela is where the game really shines. It feels a lot like Breath of the Wild. The mice can climb almost any surface and glide through the air. To keep this balanced, there is a stamina bar. You can see this bar right on the front of your mouse’s magical backpack.
The real star of the show is the string grappling hook. You can throw this out to swing across gaps or pull yourself up to high ledges. It turns the whole world into a playground.
But the coolest part is how the grappling hook works in co-op. You can actually attach yourself to another player while they are flying. This lets you save your own stamina. You can swap who is flying and who is hanging on. With four players, you can stay in the air for a long time.
The world is full of things to interact with. You will find:
- Bouncy objects to launch yourselves.
- Huge slingshots.
- Swings to move between points.
There is no fall damage. This means you can take risks without worrying about dying or restarting a long climb. If you do mess up, the shade system lets you fast travel back to where you were.
Engaging Puzzle Design and Player Experimentation
Puzzles in Hela are more about playing with physics than solving a riddle. The game wants you to experiment with the tools you have. You often have to use your environment to get where you need to go.
For example, you might find a heavy crate in a barn. Your tiny mouse can’t push it. But if you find a vacuum and use your string to pull the switch, you can move the box over a ledge. In another part, you might see a glowing wisp hanging between two high points. You can try to jump for it, or you can use your string as a tie rope to snag it out of the air.
The “shade” system is also a tool for these puzzles. You can drop a translucent shadow of yourself at any time. This shadow acts as a marker, but it can also hold your string. You could attach your string to a shade to hold a door open while you run through.
This design gives players a lot of agency. You aren’t just following a script. You are figuring out how to use a string and a physics engine to win.
The Hela Experience: A Cozy Co-op Dream?
Hela is built for people who want low stakes. There is no combat. There are no enemies. You don’t have to worry about dying or getting lost. The goal is simply to collect items for potions and help the witch.
The pace is entirely up to you. You can rush through the goals or spend an hour gliding over meadows. It is a cozy adventure that focuses on the bond between players.
Some worry that a game this relaxed might feel boring. However, the movement is too fun for that to happen. The controls aren’t floaty or loose. Gliding feels precise, and the platforming is snappy. It might take a few minutes to get used to the string, but once you do, it feels natural.
Final Thoughts on Hela
Hela looks like a promising indie gem. It comes from the creative team that made the Unrival series, so they know how to match gameplay with a specific mood. They have managed to create a world that feels safe and inviting.
The game does things that big AAA studios often ignore. Couch co-op is rare these days, but Hela puts it front and center. It gives players a sense of freedom you usually only see in massive open-world titles, but it keeps the vibes soft and friendly.
The most compelling parts are the anthropomorphic mice, the physics puzzles, and the unique co-op flight. It is a game you can share with almost anyone, regardless of their gaming skill.
The game is aiming for a Fall 2026 release. Keep an eye on the team at WindUp for a final date. If you want more news on cozy co-op games, be sure to subscribe to the channel. You can also check out the Patreon for early thoughts on the games we play at events like Summer Games Fest. Get your friends ready for some mouse mayhem this fall.
