Countless games let you play as a normal, bipedal person; far fewer games let you play as a critter. Stray and Little Kitty, Big City have both made strides in adorable animal protagonists, but an upcoming indie game makes the ambitious choice of putting you in the furry, grasping feet of the humble squirrel. Squirreled Away is a charming, colorful crafting platformer that removes the stresses of the survival genre in favor of the simple joy of washing your little paws, climbing a tree, and chatting with your neighbors.
While Squirreled Away has the trappings of the survival genre, in that you must accumulate materials and build a home, there are no dangers or stresses — except perhaps for an irritable pitbull. Instead, the challenge comes in platforming and parkouring across trees, gathering the resources you need for the perfect little treetop home. Developer Far Seas calls it a “craft-and-thrive” adventure, and that’s a fun twist on a very saturated genre.
Our squirrel protagonist isn’t just building up their home solo; they have an assortment of adorable animal friends, offering their own stories and quests. I chatted with some other squirrels, befriended a turtle, and had a polite chat with a seagull. Squirreled Away fits into the cozy genre; every aspect of the game is carefully crafted to invoke comfort and appeal.
There’s also the option for co-op play, which allows a group of four squirrels to build their own woodland empire.
While you’re playing as a little squirrel, the developers have made some accuracy concessions to provide for a better exploration experience. For instance, I’m pretty sure squirrels are not capable of industry, but this little guy has figured out how to craft tiny tools. Those become more elaborate as the game progresses, including a set of wings that allows you to glide from treetop to treetop in style.
Right now, a demo for Squirreled Away is available on Steam, so players have the chance to tour the game. There is no release date yet, but I’ll be keeping an eye on this title. I have grown tired of cutting down trees and smashing rocks for basic building supplies in other games, which all ask me to play as a bipedal person with thumbs. Getting to be a quick little squirrel is a novel experience, and I enjoyed the chance to scale some trees and nibble upon an acorn.
