Under the soft glow of dungeon torches and the rustle of feathers in shadowy halls, Coven of the Chicken Foot casts a quiet, curious spell. Announced during The Game Awards 2025, this gentle yet mysterious puzzle-platformer marks the return of Bruce Straley—co-director of The Last of Us—with his first game from new studio Wildflower Interactive. But instead of gritty battles or dark drama, this debut brings something far softer: a story told without words, led by an elderly witch named Gertie and her odd but lovable creature companion.
Bruce Straley’s surprising new project trades combat for companionship
After years away from the spotlight, Bruce Straley is back—but not with another intense survival tale. Instead, Coven of the Chicken Foot feels like a warm cup of tea after a long walk in the woods. It follows Gertie, an old witch who isn’t fast, strong, or magical in flashy ways. She doesn’t swing swords or leap across gaps with ease. Her strength comes from her calm resolve and steady hands. What makes her journey special is how she works together with a large, bird-like creature that acts more like a loyal friend than just a sidekick.
When first revealed onstage at The Game Awards 2025, the trailer showed dim torch-lit dungeons lit up by flickers of curiosity rather than danger. Gertie shuffled through moss-covered catacombs while her feathered companion peeked around corners and offered help like a caring pet mixed with a best friend. There were no battles or dramatic showdowns—just puzzles solved through teamwork and small moments that said so much without speaking at all.
This isn’t your usual fantasy tale—it’s what happens after the heroes leave
Coven of the Chicken Foot takes place in a world most games skip over—the one left behind after heroes have already cleared it out. Gertie isn’t battling monsters or chasing fame. She’s fulfilling an old coven oath by walking through places others forgot: worn-out dungeons, overgrown forests, mucky bogs where boots stick deep into the ground. These are spaces that used to be dangerous but now feel quiet and heavy with memory.
Without combat or flashy magic powers, Gertie must rely on clever thinking and careful steps. Her only real tool is trust—the kind she builds with her strange companion as they navigate crumbling paths and eerie ruins together. The creature doesn’t talk either, but it communicates in ways that feel alive: tilting its head when confused, reaching out when Gertie stumbles, even showing anger when things go wrong.
There’s something comforting about this approach—like digging through an attic full of forgotten treasures instead of rushing into battle. It flips familiar fantasy ideas upside down and asks players to slow down and pay attention to what’s been left behind.
The AI companion could change how players think about teamwork in games
The heart of Coven of the Chicken Foot lies in its groundbreaking AI companion—a creature with long limbs and soft feathers that doesn’t just follow orders but learns from how players behave. This isn’t a side character waiting for commands. It watches what players do, remembers their choices, and changes how it reacts based on those moments.
If Gertie often waits before taking big jumps or explores slowly around corners, the creature will start doing the same—scouting gently ahead or offering help before it’s even asked for. If she takes risks often, it may grow bolder too. Over time, its personality shifts based on how it’s treated: showing more care if nurtured kindly or growing distant if ignored.
This kind of relationship feels alive in a way few games attempt. One moment might see the creature catching Gertie mid-fall like an older sibling; another might have it toss an item across a gap while making proud noises at solving part of a puzzle. These aren’t scripted scenes—they grow naturally from how players treat each other inside the game world.
It brings to mind past titles like Shadow of the Colossus or The Last Guardian but goes further by letting every player shape their own version of this bond. Each playthrough becomes uniquely personal—not because puzzles change dramatically but because emotions do.
A peaceful puzzle journey through hauntingly beautiful worlds
The puzzles in Coven of the Chicken Foot are not about speed or danger—they’re about patience and connection. Players guide Gertie across gently crumbling bridges, past mossy statues carved long ago by unknown hands, into echoing chambers where silence says more than any cutscene could.
Every environment feels like flipping through pages in an old storybook where something important happened long ago—and now it’s up to two unlikely friends to understand what was left behind. The dark dungeons glow faintly with lantern light while outside areas bloom with gentle greens and earthy tones that look like they were painted under cloudy skies.
The art style walks softly between whimsical and mysterious—never too scary for younger players but always full of wonder for anyone willing to look closely. And because there’s no fighting or rushing around corners chased by enemies, players can take their time exploring every nook without pressure.
The soft rhythm reminded one team member at Wildflower Interactive of helping their grandmother sort herbs in an old garden shed—slow work filled with small discoveries that felt big simply because they were shared together.
Why cozy adventure fans should keep this game on their radar
Coven of the Chicken Foot stands out not just for its quiet gameplay but also for its heartfelt message: that strength doesn’t always come from youth or power—it can come from care and companionship too. With Bruce Straley’s name attached—someone known for building deep emotional stories—it’s clear this title has been crafted with love and thoughtfulness at every step.
This isn’t just another platformer or puzzle game—it’s something warmer and more honest. It offers space to breathe between challenges and lets bonds grow slowly like flowers blooming under morning dew. For fans who loved emotional journeys like Ori and the Blind Forest or thoughtful interactions in games like Spiritfarer, there’s plenty here worth paying attention to.
When does Coven of the Chicken Foot come out?
Coven of the Chicken Foot is currently being developed for PC via Steam by Wildflower Interactive. No release date has been announced yet—and while waiting can be hard when something looks this inviting—it also means there’s still time for magic to settle into every corner before it’s ready to be shared with players around the world.
This quiet little adventure may not roar onto screens with loud battles or flashy effects—but it hums softly beneath its surface with warmth waiting to be uncovered one step at a time. When it finally arrives, will players be ready to take that gentle journey beside someone who learns how they feel just by watching them walk?
F.A.Q.
What type of game is Coven of the Chicken Foot?
Coven of the Chicken Foot is a single-player puzzle-platformer adventure game featuring an elderly witch named Gertie and her dynamic creature companion. It focuses on exploration and teamwork rather than combat, set in a post-hero fantasy world.
When does Coven of the Chicken Foot come out?
As of now, Coven of the Chicken Foot is still in development by Wildflower Interactive, and no official release date has been announced yet. It will be available for PC via Steam.
What platforms is Coven of the Chicken Foot on?
Coven of the Chicken Foot is being developed for PC and will be available on Steam. No additional platforms have been announced at this time.
Is Coven of the Chicken Foot worth it?
Coven of the Chicken Foot offers a unique gaming experience with its emphasis on companionship and exploration over traditional combat. With Bruce Straley, co-director of The Last of Us, leading the project, it promises heartfelt storytelling and innovative gameplay, making it a potential must-play for fans of thoughtful and emotional adventures.
Does Coven of the Chicken Foot have multiplayer?
No, Coven of the Chicken Foot is designed as a single-player experience, focusing on the bond between the player-controlled character, Gertie, and her AI companion.
What makes the AI companion in Coven of the Chicken Foot unique?
The AI companion in Coven of the Chicken Foot is notable for its ability to learn and adapt based on the player’s actions. It observes player behavior, remembers choices, and evolves its responses, creating a dynamic and personalized gameplay experience that emphasizes emotional connection and teamwork.
What is the story of Coven of the Chicken Foot about?
The story of Coven of the Chicken Foot revolves around Gertie, an elderly witch, fulfilling a coven oath by exploring post-hero dungeons and forgotten places. The narrative unfolds through wordless storytelling, environmental clues, and the non-verbal interactions between Gertie and her creature companion.
